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Category: Arts & Life

‘My experience with ANA politics’

Hajia Farida Mohammed has always been one of the foremost pillars of the Niger State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). It was from there she contested and won as the National Vice president of ANA for two terms. She also contested for the post of president during the November 2023 convention in Abuja. In this chat with Edozie Udeze she shares her sentiments, reservations and experiences during that election and its aftermath and what it portends for the future of the association.

You are the immediate past Vice President of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). What are some of the experiences that have reshaped your worldview as an author?

It might interest you to know that as the immediate past Vice President of ANA some of the experiences that have reshaped my world view as an author are numerous, convergent and divergent.

I must say that my romance with ANA has really reshaped my world view, because through ANA I have met and made friends with a lot of different people from different socio-cultural backgrounds and intellectual experiences. I met Emeritus Professor Ernest Emenyonu, Professor Femi Osofisan, Professor Olu Obafemi, Professor Akachi Ezeigbo, Professor Idris Amali and his beautiful wife Professor Halima Amali, Professor Albishak, Professor Remi Raji, Dr Wale Okediran, Late Dr Salihu Bappa, Hajiya Hafsat Abdulwaheed, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, Professor Vicky Sylvester Mnguember, Professor Razinat Mohammed, Professor Tanure Ojaide, Professor Mabel Ovwierhoma, , Professor May Nwoye, Associate Professor Greg Mbajiorgu, Mr Abiola Teslim Layonu , Paul Ugah, Nkwetatang Sampson Nguekie, Terseer Sam Baki, Omolola Balagbogbo, Sulay Nsubong, Dr Stanley Nduagu Chinedu, Hashimu Musa, Wole Adedoyin, Taiwo Mathew, Bentex Torlafia, Umar Yogiza, Antony Ebika, Nina Anighoro, Mrs Bukola Ladoja, Freeman Okosun and a host of other fine minds.

These afore-mentioned people have reshaped my mind to see the world differently. Bappa had taught me how to forgive others like the flower that gives fragrance even to the hand that crushes it. Emenyonu taught me the meaning of integrity and Akachi and Layonu exemplify what humility is to me. Through Denja Abdullahi I see the qualities of astute and humble leadership. The men and women on my team during and after the election taught me what camaraderie is. Everyone mentioned above has given me something to take home.

My campaign tour across Nigeria has made me realize how good some of us Nigerians are, and I am truly grateful for the hospitality shown to me.

No university professor could have taught me this much, and I am grateful to my Creator for making me pass through this university of experiences. These take home have reshaped my worldview considerably, and have made me a better and stronger person. Mark you, the botched Enugu election was not as a result of leadership failure of the then president as some quarters hold but as a result of the sybaritic, self-gratification of the opposition to foist their unwanted determination to go against ANA Constitution and convention by whisking in first timers and associate members to vote. This is a clear contradistinction with the present problem we are habouring as a fall out from failure of Mr Camillus Ukah’s leadership, his undermining the office of the Vice President and other EXCO members, failure to make accounts and, above all, a near abomination of inviting security forces into the hall of election to manhandle members. He even turned my office into a store where he kept onions, soft drinks, water and other sundry stuffs. These kinds of misfits, amounting to social malaise of a deranged society of Area Boys, had never in history been committed by a President of ANA. This tyranny from the helms of affairs also helped me to see the world in a different light that not all that glitters is gold, and that oppression and dictatorial attributes can emerge from people or places you think have finesse.

For the past years ANA has been involved in knotty issues that keep making some members feel aggrieved. In a nutshell, what are some of those issues?

Certainly, Ukah had scores to settle with his EXCO, because of their demand for him to give account of expenditures. He has written an MOU, constituted Board of Trustees for ANA Hotels and Creative Writing Institute without the knowledge of his EXCO, and had made the running of the association a one-man show. To these allegations, the Chairman Board of Trustees had mandated the immediate past President to respond to the charges or allegation, or what have you.

By the mere reason that Professor Ernest Emenyonu, trustee of ANA, requested Ukah to respond to the various allegations levelled against him, he woke up in a start and struck his name off the list of trustees, claiming he was not a resident in Nigeria. Though when Professor Emenyonu was appointed a trustee, he was residing abroad and up to this moment he often shuttles in and out of the country. He made it look as if it was the congress who agreed to remove Professor Emenyonu’s name from the list of trustees, but we all know that that was an arranged move, as he refused to give the microphone to others during the AGM except his used and unsuspecting supporters.

According to him, it is against the laws of the land for a trustee to live abroad and still be a trustee. We have confirmed this not be true as stated by Camillus Ukah. It is on record that Professor Chinua Achebe founded ANA from abroad and was a trustee of ANA while living abroad till his death in 2013. It is also on record that Professor Kole Omotoso was a trustee living in South Africa from 2015 till his death recently. The question is does the president have such powers to remove the Chairman of BOT? The answer is a capital no, because trusteeship is for life, and they are the owners of the association. So Mr Camillus Ukah should be informed that he cannot remove our beloved trustees Mrs Mabel Segun and Emenyonu, Chairman of BOT, for they remain the Chairman and member of BOT for life, and there is nothing Ukah and his followers can do about it. And we will make sure that he and his misguided followers do not embarrass a Professor and a gentle man like Professor Ernest Emenyonu and our Mama Mabel Segun.

The last general election in Abuja in November was said to be fraught with irregularities. Briefly, what actually took place?

I started feeling all was not well when I espied the massive deployment of police and DSS personnel armed to the hilt not without teargas. Ordinarily, though ANA elections might have a hitch or wrangling here and there, they tended to be violent-free and would not underscore total militarization of ANA polity.

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There was no doubt whatsoever that I had a clear lead, for my popularity ran wild through the rank and file of ANA, from our venerated professors, elders, and the entire members. It is said Ukah claimed I had no capacity when asked why he was not supporting me. But I have proved him wrong, because my campaign team and itinerary were assessed to have won the campaign activities for the elections. Like the former Nigerian President Jonathan’s meteoric rise from assistant lecturer to deputy governor to governor of Bayelsa State, to Vice President to President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I humbly started as ANA Niger Vice Chairman unopposed, to chairman, National Treasurer, and then Vice President.

In the ANA 2023 election President barred some members in my contingent from Niger and other states from voting, claiming he did not see their images on the database, after they had remitted requisite charges. In the instant of Yobe State, he had claimed that the biography and autobiography were not “creative”. In the instant of Ondo State, there was total disenfranchisement as not a single author was allowed into the hall. In other instances, he held works published on the net were not enough to make one a writer in spite of an argument to the contrary that ANA had launched a website for writers and what would become of it. The President went as far as voiding the former Chairman from Abia State Dr Nduagu Stanley Chinedu whom he knew was my staunch supporter and a candidate for the post of National PRO South. But my relationship with some of the writers in Abia spans close to two decades and goes beyond ANA connections. That was what he did not know. Initially the current chairman of Oyo, Enugu and Nassarawa chapters were not allowed in. It is conventional for foreign writers to come visiting, as observers and learning from us. In the ANA elections 2023, Ukah at the gate personally barred foreign writers from entering the venue. In fact, a Cameroonian writer, Nkwetatang Sampson Nguekie, who had been a regular attendee of ANA conventions without a single break since 2019 was refused entry and courtesy of our armed Department of State Security (DSS) men. Does this tell well of our image? This same person was even accommodated alongside other special guests at the 2020 convention in Ilorin!

Some minutes to the commencement of the election, more policemen were drafted to the venue. He even warned a baffled congress of writers that they would not find it interesting if he invited the armed policemen into the hall. In fact, he went on to invite armed personnel from the Department of State Security (DSS) into the hall. It is clear naiveté to contemplate all the line up from President to Ex-officio on Ukah’s side emerged victorious and not a single failed. Yet it is on record that Ukah had said publicly (in the face of his EXCO and others) that not a single person from his EXCO whom he felt antagonistic would succeed him and he would do all within his powers, to ensure that none of the members of his EXCO made it back.

So a day to the election, he constituted a committee. This committee is constitutive of two state chapters serving chairmen, a candidate from the opposition, a professor and a few.

To cut matters short, the Accredited No of Voters was 209. For the office of President, after the voting exercise, the total number of votes cast was 225:There were cases of multiple ballot papers doled out to voters, and they unwillingly issued such to some of our voters who honestly returned them to sham electoral officials who was handpicked. But the so-called handpicked electoral committee chairman dismissed it as human.

It is also appalling to note that the so-called electoral committee deliberately did not supervise the voting process which gave room to over voting on the part of the opponent camp who had been deliberately given excess ballot papers. It was the working of Providence that such excess ballot papers fell into the hands of a few others, hence our awareness of it.

Mark you, during the staged AGM, there was actually no Treasurer’s Report, no Auditor’s Report, and handover Report by the President, and no dissolution of the EXCO. It was a total failure of leadership, a fiasco.

You were one of those who contested for the presidency of ANA to succeed the outgone president. Tell us how you feel about your loss and the conduct of the election itself?

I must correct that perception: I did not lose; I was massively rigged out.In spite of all odds, we are thankful to our Creator that we did not follow Ukah’s secret scripts. My co-aspirant in my camp and my supporters are mature and were able to suppress their emotions but I am not sure they will be able to suppress angst of the pen. Grapevine has it that it was his greatest wish to provoke my own camp to cause unrest so that he could continue with power. His greatest regret—- I am sure— is that that did not materialise. In spite of the stolen mandate I am happy that someone else is there and not him.

You helped to nurture the Niger State chapter of ANA. What is the level of the development of the association in the state now?

Well, my brother, you are a journalist and you are well-informed. There was a peaceful election which marks a transition from a caretaker status. The extant chairman Sulay is a person very close to me, a lawyer besides being a writer. He is an able hand and I guess that’s why he was disenfranchised and not allowed into the hall. He will carry everybody along, this I am sure.

In a way of summary, what do you think is usually wrong with the way ANA runs its elections? Is there going to be another splinter of ANA based on the rancour of the last convention? Are we likely going to have the Enugu scenario replicated?

No, no, no, there is no rancour whatsoever. What we are now talking about here is a crass failure of leadership (that has never happened before in ANA) of the outgoing president, who undermined due process of an election.

December 3, 2023
My films document history and traditions — Dalmas

Omolade Dalmas is a multi-talented artiste. He started out as a kid prodigy in the Storyland, a children’s tale on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) from where he grew into a renowned drummer, while with the National Troupe of Nigeria. While with the Troupe for many years, he indeed created a name for himself. Not done yet, today he has veered into documentary film production where his attention is focused essentially on the promotion of cultural elements of different peoples. He speaks to Edozie Udeze on these and more

Omolade Dalmas was for years one of the best drummers of the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN). National Troupe is the apex dance and performance troupe of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy. It is saddled with the official responsibilities to discover and train culture artistes in the areas of performative art and songs and dances to effect the promotion of Nigeria’s cultural properties. In that realm, drums, drumming and drummers play pivotal roles. This was why in his days with the National Troupe; Omolade’s role was clear and well appreciated. He was a drummer’s drummer.

For years his place and role as a professional drummer alongside other well respected drummers earned Nigeria a pride of place not only locally but on the foreign scene. In most of their outings, Omolade’s heavy percussions on the drums were always noticeable. But how did he start? Why did he choose to become a drummer in preference to dance or stage performance? His journey into the national glare of the National Troupe was arduous, long and meandering. Yet, at the end of the day that long childhood dream was actualized. He ended up been seconded to the National Troupe from the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture.

“It was indeed a long journey for me” he declared in an interview. “It took me a long time to make it to the National level but I was glad I eventually made it up to that level. It was there that I finally showed the world that I was made to be a drummer, an artiste, a culture activist and promoter of people’s traditions”. An artiste with a big family pedigree in Lagos State, Omolade is proud of his ancestry. Both from the Saro and Kosoko ancestral lineages in the state, he was born into art, into two families, paternal and maternal, where the issues of cultural preservation and promotion have always predominated.

“Yes, my mother is from the Kosoko family of Lagos State. I am from the Saro family. My love for the theatre is in-born. It is part of my heritage. I love to be a performance artiste, even though now I have gone into the production of documentary films”, he said cheerfully. As a man from Ile-Eko, Omolade is fond of his Dalmas heritage. “Yes, also, we are not Yoruba. We are Ile-Eko. This is so particularly about us from Eko proper. That is the Island. There are different tribes in Lagos especially on the Island. But as it is, some still claim their villages, those original places where they come from. Therefore, I do not claim to be Yoruba. I am Ile-Eko and I am proud to say I am an Ile-Eko person. I am a theatre artiste, a documentary filmmaker” he said.

Omolade is a theatre entrepreneur. He lives on it and thrives on his commitment to ensure that not only the preservation of different cultures but also to use arts to earn a living and make a name for himself. “Tales by moonlight in those days helped me as a child to show interest in theatre and stories. I also picked interest in storyland. I was one of the children on storyland on NTA. I loved it from my childhood. From those moments as the stories entered inside of me, I knew I would be an artiste. I also had an aunt who was a fine artist. She also influenced me as a child. By the time I got to Ireti Grammar School, Lagos, I was so deeply immersed in everything theatre and culture. So by then it was clear to me the direction my life would go”.

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Later, the troupe from the JK Randle came to advertise in his school. Chuck Mike, the famed American artiste was in-charge then. From there he picked more interest. A few years later, Lagos State Art Council came to perform in his school. Part of the mission of the Art Council was to reach out to young children who were interested in theatre. All these heightened his zeal and impetus and accelerated his move into the world of theatre. “I also draw. This love for drawing began in my primary school but I did not have enough attention from those who would have guided me”.

With the take-off then, Omolade began to spend more time outside home, watching films and shows at theatres. The Trials of Brother Jero by Wole Soyinka staged by the Lagos State Art Council finally nailed it for him. “It was then I joined the Victory Performing Troupe based in Lagos. Gradually I began to mature. I became more attuned to theatre issues”. By the time he joined Lagos Art Council years later he was ready to move on. However, the first time he went to the Art Council, he was considered too small to be signed on. But he left and two months later, he reported again. It was only a year later that he was allowed on trials to be a part of the Art Council and its troupe. At that time, Lagos State Art Council was located at Onikan area of Lagos State.

By the time he got used to the rudiments of it all; drumming took the better part of him. It was based on this, that he was seconded to the National Troupe of Nigeria. With a bit of tutelage under Professor Arnold Udoka who was in control of Dance at the National Troup then, Omolade was considered good enough to fit into the main body of the Troupe. Thence, there was hardly any outing of the Troupe whether in Nigeria or abroad where his services were not needed. For years, he held on to this role. He pelted drums with accurate precision. He played drums to invite the spirits. He was at home with all the dance patterns, styles and steps by the Troupe. His interpretation of dance steps helped Nigeria in her outings in China and other foreign nations to earn a reputation.

Omolade is keen on the invocation of the spirit world when it matters most. Tell him what a story involves, he would quickly make the sounds, usher you into the stage. Interestingly, he does all these with impeccable smiles playing loosely on his face. Now, he has gone into documentary film production. He researches on themes, mainly religious and cultural themes. He dwells exclusively on those old customs that bind people to their traditions and ancestors. For instance, he researches on Obatala, Orunmila, Olodumare. There is this particular theme he entitled Olodumare is not God. There is another called Yoruba is not Ootu! As at now, Omolade is at Osogbo, his attention is on the exigencies of the famous Osun Osogbo groove and the nuances of the goddess.

His primary concern is to document and preserve all these for posterity. He also gives his due to Ifa. “Yes, I am an Ifa adherent”, he says with prompt precision. “I believe in our traditions. With these documentary films I would project our culture to the rest of the world. The research aspects of what I do give me impetus to do more. It helps me to learn new things about us, about our people. It is good really to know lots of things that may have been lost to history”, he confessed. His films are like crusades meant to correct some erroneous impressions embedded in history. “History has lots of wrong impressions about what we stand for. It is time to have the correct and unbiased versions of these stories. It is my candid opinion that by the time the world comes to terms with what I do; I will have had lots and lots of sponsors”.

December 3, 2023
Dabiri-Erewa: Literature can be used to control brain drain

In this chat with Edozie Udeze, Abike Dabiri-Erewa of the Diaspora Commission states how literature, music and theatre can be used to disseminate information on brain drain, migration and all. She spoke in Abuja during the occasion of the premiere of a documentary film on brain drain.

Part of what the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has been working on is how to use documentary films based on genuine information to steady and control migration and brain drain all over the world. Also, Abike Dabiri-Erewa of the Diaspora Commission believes that when properly packaged with enough instructive education in it, a documentary film on brain drain or migration can be of help to those who wish or plan to migrate to other climes. These issues and other reasons for brain drain or migration which has suddenly become an issue reared their heads recently in Abuja. It was the occasion of the premiere of a documentary film on brain drain titled brain drain (the documentary) It was shown at the United Nations House in Abuja and Abike Dabiri-Erewa who was one of the guests at the occasion spoke to The Nation on the essence of the film and what her. Commission has done ever since to help Nigerian Diaspora who needed her assistance.

“This is a documentary on brain drain. And we all know how it is in the country today; how the brain drain situation is affecting the country”, Abike stated “This tells you also about Nigerians who have gone abroad and are doing well. So the documentary dwells on those Nigerians who have left to different parts of the world and have found their professional rhythm. But that is not all. They are passionate about their country. We are not saying they should come home. They can also invest in Nigeria from wherever they are. Wherever you are, for instance, let us have a connection. The good thing is that the love they have for Nigeria has not faded”, she said.

At the Diaspora Commission according to Abike it is the responsibility of the Commission to ask for a platform. “We feel we can have that platform for the necessary connection. We have been working with them; talking with them for it is our duty to do so”. There are situations where these Nigerians have begun to invest in the ICT, in food business, in health sector and so on. The idea is to have more Nigerians in the Diaspora who are willing to invest their expertise in the country. That way too, there is technology transfer from Nigerians who have migrated to other climes back to Nigeria.

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Abike put it this way “What we need do is to doctor it, structure it and see how far this system, how far this development can go to help us all”. In terms of how to get authentic information to help those who are migrating not to fall into wrong hands, she said “that calls for conversation which we will start with Immigration, Labour, Interior, Foreign Affairs and some other agencies directly or indirectly connected with how to help migrants migrate without let or hindrance”.

This multi-agency collaboration between the ministries in this regard is what is needed urgently in order to avoid a situation where a migrant travels out and becomes a refugee in a foreign land. There are situations where, based on wrong information of the availability of jobs and so on, people arrived foreign lands only to be stranded. Such cases abound everywhere in the developed world. That is what the Diaspora Commission, alongside other agencies and the International Organization for Migration promise to work on for the good of all migrants all over the world.

The film handled some of these sensitive issues well. But it is still too early to say. More needs to be done in the area of information dissemination which will also direct people where there are jobs. Laurent de Boeck of IOM believes there are skilled and unskilled jobs here and there. All people need to do is to ask for information from the authentic agencies to get it right.

“Yes, it is all about awareness. In this regard, Nigerian music, theatre, and all can be used to preach this gospel. Nigerian literature and arts can also be used to pass the necessary information. But in all, we must celebrate ourselves wherever we may be. We are the best people in the world. Anywhere I find myself, I am proud to be called a Nigerian. There is something very strong and special in us as Nigerians. These are what we need to work on, hold on to, and then celebrate ourselves at all times”.

December 3, 2023
17th Culturati: Exposing African youths to tourism, economic potentials in creative industry

As celebrations of Africa’s rich cultural diversity intensified at the continent’s largest festival, Culturati, the organisers have disclosed that the 2023 edition was carefully designed to expose youths and other Africans to potentials embedded in the creative industry.

The event, which is the 17th edition, ends on December 3rd at the Balmoral Convention Centre of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, provides richer content and variety for Lagosians and visitors attending the event from other African nations.

The project Director, Tiwa Odugbesan, who stated this during an interview with newsmen yesterday, stated that this year’s event is richer in variety of artistic and cultural spectrum that cater for everyone’s needs regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, or cultural orientation.

She noted that Culturati 2023, with the theme, “Creating Opportunities in African Culture for Economic Development via Strategic Investments in Arts & Tourism,” promises an unforgettable experience that delves deep into the heart of African culture.

“This theme underscores the festival’s commitment to exploring the boundless potential of African culture as a catalyst for creativity and economic growth within the realms of music, arts, food, and tourism”, the director added.

Odugbesan stressed that Culturati 2023 is not just a festival, also an opportunity to celebrate Africa’s cultural richness, empower its creative talents, and contribute to its economic growth of the continent.

The festival, a celebration of Africa’s rich cultural diversity and heritage, is set to take place from November 29, 2023, and culminate in a grand finale on December 3, 2003, at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Center of the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, starting at 5:00 PM.

According to her, for the past 17 years, Culturati has been at the forefront of creating economic opportunities in African arts and culture, music, and food.

“The festival has been instrumental in nurturing creative talents, supporting SMEs in the creative industry, and promoting cultural tourism. It has consistently turned dreams and passions into profit, offering opportunities for self-development and patronage while celebrating Africa’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

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“We believe African culture is a powerful force for creativity and economic growth. Culturati 2023 is dedicated to harnessing this potential to engage and empower youths, promote cultural tourism, generate employment, and boost the African economy.

“Culturati 2023 seeks to further amplify these efforts by exploring new opportunities within African culture for investments in music, arts, and food.

“These initiatives are poised to empower youths, promote cultural tourism, generate employment, and significantly boost the African economy, aligning perfectly with the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.

December 2, 2023
486 films selected for ESIFF

The Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF) has announced the selection of 486 films for its second edition, holding in Benin City from November 30 to December 2. The festival received over 3000 submissions from filmmakers representing more than 80 countries across the world.

Building on the success of the inaugural edition in 2022, this year’s ESIFF promises to be a more vibrant celebration of diverse voices and narratives from the global film community. Festival Director Violet Okosun expressed her excitement about the upcoming event, stating that “ESIFF continues to be a beacon for filmmakers globally, and this year’s selection of 486 films from over 80 countries underscores the festival’s commitment to showcasing the diverse tapestry of global cinema.

“We are thrilled to provide a platform that not only celebrates outstanding films but also fosters a dynamic exchange of ideas and skills within the industry.”

In addition to the film screenings, ESIFF 2023 will offer a comprehensive programme of master

classes and panel sessions to enrich the experience for both emerging and established industry professionals. Attendees can look forward to expert-led master classes on Cinematography, Screenwriting, the Business of Acting, and Documentary Filmmaking, amongst others. The panel sessions will feature key government stakeholders, including Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Uyi Odua Malaka. Prominent film executives such as Mary Njoku, Founder/CEO of Rok Studios, Nnaeto Orazulike, Chairman of Genesis Group, and Trevor Pillay, Managing Director of Kada Cinemas, will also contribute their insights, making ESIFF 2023 a hub for learning and networking for film enthusiasts.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival and the burgeoning film industry in Edo State. He reiterated the government’s commitment to developing the region as a hub for film production, emphasizing infrastructure development and talent cultivation. The governor’s vision for Edo State as a prominent player in the global film space has been a driving force behind ESIFF.

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“The strategy is to make sure we develop Edo as a hub for production by making it easy for producers to come and work there — make it more convenient and cost-effective. What do you need as a producer? You need talent and to be able to manage your costs,” stated Obaseki.

ESIFF 2023 marks another milestone in Edo State’s commitment to the film industry, with the festival attracting submissions from 80 countries, reinforcing its position on the international stage. Notable entries have been received from Nigeria, Iran, India, the United States, and Brazil.

The Edo State International Film Festival 2023 promises an unforgettable experience, powered by the Victor Uwaifo creative hub, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinephiles from around the world. ESIFF continues to be a platform that not only showcase exceptional films but also contributes to the growth and development of local talent, empowering them to compete on a global scale.

November 29, 2023
When maritime meets art, ICT

With the theme: “The Convergence: Maritime meets ICT”, the second edition of the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) drew who is who in the industry last Friday to the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos. They came to with the mind of charting fresh and innovative course for the Blue economy, EVELYN OSAGIE reports

They came representing different sectors in the maritime industry, now widely dubbed Blue economy. Top players in the industry came gorgeously dressed in vibrant colours and attires to the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research last Friday.

They were on a mission: to chart fresh and innovative course for the Blue economy, while leveraging information and communication technology (ICT).

The event, which brought together the worlds of maritime, ICT and art, was the second edition of the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE).

This year’s edition featured a conference with the theme: “The Convergence: Maritime meets ICT”; and an exhibition which was curated by Linus Eyimiegha, popularly called Mr. Danfo.

AMAE is an initiative of Maritime TV Africa, owners of Hazi’s Art. AMAE’s interest in art arose from marine landscape photography which it has collated over the years.

This year’s edition was headlined by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola (CON); Consul General, Danish Embassy, Jette Bjerrum, and and former Federal Minister of Interior Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho.

According to industry experts, the Blue economy in Nigeria is estimated to be about $296 billion, and provide opportunity for at least 100 different careers. Africa currently generates about $300 billion for the industry, supporting nearly 50 million jobs. These numbers are projected to continue to rise year in, year out.

For the Minister, Maritime art can be a very effective tool in driving the agenda and ideas of the Maritime industry since art connects with human emotions, adding that it can be a viable alternative to project the enormous potentials available in Nigeria’s blue economy, thereby diminishing sea blindness in the country.

Oyetola, who was represented by a Technical Aide, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, said: “Maritime art exhibition is another way to reach out to Nigerians about blue economy. It can be an effective way to build the consciousness of the maritime in the minds of Nigerians. With the creation of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, there is a greater need for this awareness to enable the citizens to grasp the importance of the sector.”

While giving the assurance of the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with industry stakeholders to infuse the required technologies and infrastructure to optimise the huge socio-economic gains accumulative from the sector, he said “For people to have that clarity and understanding about maritime and how to channel the necessary sectors, we have to explore all approaches. It could be via social media, traditional media or art. We have to explore all approaches and art can play a vital role.”

Speaking with The Nation at the event, Bjerrum noted: “Art is very significance in projecting issues around maritime industry. The challenge is to be able to connect the dots and discovering how to bring art into the equation of business and politics? I think we can learn a lot from the artists here today in that perspective and that’s why I think the combination is important. And it is very inspiring what Ezinne is doing with the Maritime art exhibition.”

While giving his remarks, Capt. Iheanacho, who Chaired the event, observed that he would have love to turn the theme to “Maritime Meets AI” as Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial intelligence (AI) have already changed the operations of all facets of life.

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Capt. Iheanacho, who was represented by Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN), Principal Partner, Jean-Chiazor and Partners commends the Convener of the event for such theme, adding that.as the world is going global so is the need to be more rooted in Information Technology.

Anishere called for a more practical approach to ICT and innovations, saying it would be more beneficial to the nation as it seeks to maximise the gains inherent in blue economy.

On his part the guest speaker for the event, UK Government Country Lead & Programme Adviser and Global Digital Access Programme in Nigeria, Mr. Idongesit Udoh, emphasised on the need for human capital development and infusion of technology in the nation’s maritime space, while delivering the lecture on “ICT Disruptions for the Sustainability of the Blue Economy”. He said: “ICT is an enabler of development irrespective of the sector. For blue economy, there are lots of areas where ICT could drive growth from marine transportation to tourism. However, surveillance using artificial intelligence and internet of things; documentation and cloud computing; as well as decision making guided by big data and data analytics; not forgetting climate related technologies. These are areas in maritime can be enhanced with the deployment of ICT,” he states.

The high point of the event was official opening of the art exhibition by the minister’s representative accompanied by maritime dignitaries, including the president of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, Eunice Ezeoke and the vice president, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Ify Akerele; the first Nigerian female bonded terminal operator, chief executive, AML Bonded Terminal, Affi Ibanga; vice president, women in maritime, Nigerian chapter, Gloria Kanabe and commercial manager, AP Moller Terminals, Temilade Ogunniyi.

For the programme’s Convener/Programme Director,, Ezinne Azunna, AMAE uses photography, textile art, paints, sculpture and other motifs/subjects to tell stories and support causes around the Blue Economy. “It is a meeting point for the town and gown. The idea is to set the agenda, policies and highlight the worth of the Blue economy through art. She added that the theme, “The Convergence: Maritime Meets ICT”, underscores the invaluable need for updates technologies across the value chain with the audience largely drawn from the Blue Economy, Art and ICT world. The conference will help participants/stakeholders find Information Communication Technology solutions” she said.

November 29, 2023
Sanwo-Olu leads dignitaries to art exhibition for IDPs

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Borno State counterpart, Babagana Zulum are among the high profile personalities expected from across the country and the Diaspora, at the first ever arts exhibition in Nigeria to raise fund for internally displaced persons(IDP) in the country. The charity event which is tagged Art For A Cause will hold at the iconic The Art Hotel, Yesufu Abiodun Oniru Way, Victoria Island, Lagos from December 10 to 15, 2023.

The Charity Through Art exhibition is the brain child of a young Nigerian female serial entrepreneur, Olasubomi Fagbewesa, who is concerned with the plights of IDPs in various camps in Nigeria especially in Bornu, Benue and other states in the North East, North Central and North West of the country.

According to Ms Fagbewesa, the art exhibition is aimed at raising more funds from individuals, corporate and government agencies to assist the efforts of national and sub-national governments and international organisations to alleviate the sufferings of Families living in the IDPs by providing medical care, food and other basic needs of life especially for children and women who are most impacted by insurgencies and banditries.

Read Also: Sanwo-Olu, Fashola, Bamidele, others for colloquium

Quoting from a report which paints a grim picture of the situation of IDPs in the country, Fagbewesa said: “As at February 2023, the DTM identified a total of 2, 388,703 IDPs in 488,163 households and 2,110,039 returnees in 346,166 households”. She said there are over a million people displaced by insurgencies living in about 290 IDPs across Nigeria.

Explaining further, Fagbewesa who is one of the directors at The Creative Handlers Company, said exciting and valuable art works by notable Nigerian artists will be exhibited and part of the proceeds from the sale will be donated to the IDPs in Bornu State in this first of many arts exhibitions and other fund raising activities that will come up next year. Some of the artists whose works will be displayed are Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo, Prof, Mike Winter, Greg Ononyeka, Dotun Makun, among others.

She appealed to individuals, Foundations and other corporate organisations to support the Charity Through Arts exhibition by sponsorship and donations to the cause so that through the initiatives, the families in the IDPs can be empowered and resettled to start life anew.

November 29, 2023
Tiling is an art worth investing in, says Tilers group

In the quest for professionalism, some Nigerian tilers are set to raise the bar in the venture to an optimal creativity of becoming skilled tiling artist.

The creative innovation in the tiling industry and its investment potentials were the issues that drew hundreds of tilers under the auspices of Nigeria Association of Tilers, (ATN), to Lagos for its annual general meeting.

For the group’s national president, Engn. Craft Olanrewaju Hassan, tiling is no longer just a profession, it is an art that raking in huge revenues for the professionals and nations across globe. Amid other innovations, he stated that his group is determined to “rebrand the tiling profession to the higher standard of artistry”. He emphasised that the industry and the profession in particular, holds huge investment potentials for investors. He, however, urged members to up their game by staying abreast with global trends and new tiling techniques.

“Gone are the days where tilers are regarded as artisans. We now have highly skilled persons, like engineers, in the profession. For instance, I am an engineer and I’m a tiler. So, in the interest of global best practices, tilers must ensure they play by the rules, improve on their craft and research new techniques. Tiling is now an art that is worth investing in. And as a body, ATN, founded in 2011, aims to rebrand the tiling profession and to be outstanding among other crafts/trades. Nigerian tillers are one of the best currently in Africa because we work with the latest technology. We encourage more people, particularly the young ones, to join us,” Hassan said.

Read Also: Multilingual author to empower diaspora children

The event was put together by ATN in collaboration with CDK Premium Porcelain Tiles, NAEC, and COREN.

According to him, the group, which is licensed by Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN, is determined to sanitise the industry and shrink the rate of unemployment by making tiling attractive to unemployed youths.

While reaffirming Hassan’s statement, the first NAEC National Vice President, Engn. Craft Matthew Ajayi, “tiling is now a serious craft and must be taken seriously”. “All over the world it is seen as an art that exhibits the creativity of the tiler. Nigeria tilers must see it as such. I am happy that they are beginning to take themselves seriously, thanks to ATN. What we are trying to do today is to serious business. Beyond creating a standard, tilers across the country can now speak with one voice, terms of skills, quality and price. As a professional body, we at NAEC are for tilers and all other skillmen – the electricians, mechanics and builders, among others,” Ajayi said.

On his part, Managing Director of CDK Premium Porcelain Tiles, John Alonge, “There have been a lot of opportunities in the tiling industry in Nigeria for a long time and even now Nigerians import a lot of their tiles from outside the country but increasingly we are having people investing in producing locally in Nigeria we are facing a challenge of quality.

“The business environment is very challenging in Nigeria’s industry, firstly the issue of power, as the cost of power goes up mostly the cost of gas, diesel all of this affect the cost of production which makes Nigeria look for a cheaper alternative so they import from China, Turkey which are competition with those that produce locally here in Nigeria.”

November 29, 2023
Culturalism in Achebe’s Things Fall Apart
- By Ernest N Onuoha
Definition Of Culture: Culture may be defined as particular system of art, thought, customs and belief of a society. Therefore, culture is the process of cultivating attitudes, behavioural patterns, qualities, characteristics, methods, ideals, customs, ethics, beliefs that are required to bring about the well-being of any community, or nation according to professor Catherine Acholonu.

Chinua Achebe writing “Things Fall apart” over fifty years ago had his mind cast on rapid cultural disintegration caused by the invasion of the colonial rulers with their new religion to the Igbo land. Therefore he exclaimed: “the whiteman has put a knife on the things that held us together and we have fallen apart.”

In this celebrated work, he exhibited these things that held us together and forming our tradition with vivid expression of marriages, yams festivals, wrestling, farming, proverbs and funerals. He illustrated with vigor our way of life, and beliefs through re-creation of kola nuts, alligator pepper, use of “ekwe and ogene” as talking drums through which messages were conveyed to the community.

He re-traced our belief in the “oracle” in the following lines: “if the clan had disobeyed the oracle they would surely have been beaten, because their dreaded agadi-nwayi would never fight what the Ibo call a fight of blame” However, Achebe quickly cleared the air between superstition and proper belief when the deity whom Unoka ran to for bounty harvest replied him: “you sow your yams on exhausted farms that take no labour to clear, (while your mates) cross seven rivers to make their farms; you stay at home and offer sacrifices to a reluctant soil. Go home and work like a man.”

Read Also: Soludo, Obi, others honour Achebe in Anambra

The title of the book itself was an alarm of the cultural invasion and the consequences thereof to the Igbo society and Nigeria in general as “tradition plays an important role in rallying the people, their functions of storing and transferring the experience and values

Over from generation to generation assist in socialization of the individual, in giving individuals, and social group certain social characteristics; they contribute to the reproduction and preservation of relations of property, the stabilization of economic relations, the formation of basic methods and rules of political struggle. ..Depending on concrete conditions traditions can either hold up or accelerate the progress of a country.” Therefore, Achebe was justified to ring the alarm bell in time. And all that he feared had come to pass.

The Whitemen, who cared not for our culture nor tradition came and dis-oriented our values with their principle of assimilation and association, crossed and pulled down all that held us together as a people, the result was election crises from the North to the South; civil war between the East and the rest of Nigeria, with its human toll and economic catastrophe.
November 26, 2023
Transit Artists Foundation to the rescue

It is all full of hopes as Bobnosa Uwagboe along with his Polish partner Malgorzata Paszylka begin an art foundation to prosper the Art. The foundation is named Transit Artists Foundation orchestrated to help artists grow, refocus attention on the salient issues that make fine arts stick. The idea is to reach out to such artists in Africa and Europe, with Nigeria and Poland being the central focus. Edozie Udeze encountered the two partners in an interview.

It is good that some young Nigerian artists have begun to think home. In terms of establishing art foundations to grow the art and help fellow artists to prosper and discover their rhythms in the fine arts profession, these artists have done marvelously well. One of those generous and brave artists is Bobnosa Uwagboe. Uwagboe is first class artist whose motto in life is to present and propagate what he has come to term protest art.

In fact his studio is so named Protest Art Studio, located at Egbeda area of Lagos. But beyond the tall dream of having that studio, he has established an art foundation. It is known as Transit Artists Foundation. Incidentally, he did not do this alone. In his wisdom as a great thinker, Uwagboe extended his hand of professional acumen to other foreign partners. With some set of people in far-away Poland, this foundation is thus made possible. It is not just made possible the concept of it all is universal. It is meant to benefit young artists who dream big. It is equally for artists who aspire to the highest height. Thus Transit Artists Foundation is born.

Both Uwagboe and his foreign partner, a Polish lady known as Malgorzata Paszylka were on hand to proffer answers for the reasons this collaboration and partnership became imperative. In an interview with The Nation, Malgorzata said “The Transit Artists Foundation is primarily a platform for exchanging experiences between an artist who has subordinated his life to the art and a young artist who is just gaining experience”. In other words, the idea is to harness some certain level of serious and hardworking artistic work into one. “Yes the main goal of this is to achieve authenticity and truth while creating art”, she explained. Based on this therefore, it is clear that truly the role of Uwagboe all his career life is in tune with these ideals and prospects.

The extension of hands of fellowship to his European partners is to further establish the seriousness of this project. Already some artists in residence at Protest Art Studio are gaining from this artistic largesse and model. To this end, Malgorzata said “The originator and founder of the foundation is Bobnosa Uwagboe who created protest art. The foundation’s activities are not focused only on such art. However, the strength, authenticity and courage of protest art will certainly be the leitmotif of the foundation’s activities”. It is not just that. It is also for artists to live up to expectation, seek and receive assistance in record time.

As a lady of the art who equally believes that art is all about life itself, Malgorzata presented the situation clearer. Thus she said, “The foundation is open to various forms of co-operation. It wants to obtain funds for its activities through international grants, donations and co-operation with other foundations”. This, in a nutshell, is the nexus of the Transit Artists Foundation and what the world is expected to do to make it work.

In his response, Uwagboe the brain behind this audacious concept said, “Well the Transit Artists Foundation will run like every other foundation. We need to source for funding to support our projects. But at the moment we have not started sourcing for those funds. This is so because we have just kicked off operations. For now, we are funding it with our personal resources which are, to say the least, overwhelming. But I am sure things will get better as we make progress in this new occupation. This is because some individuals who are our friends, no doubt will not let us down. Some will certainly come in to help us by supporting the foundation”.

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An optimistic professional artist who believes in human development and who also loves giving back to the society; Uwagboe is ever keen on those salient projects that outlive their originators. He has this to say, “The foundation is built on my fundamental principles of staying true to one’s conviction against all odds. This foundation therefore will have a life of its own. This is the vision of myself and Malgorzata Paszylka who also doubles as my manager. This is our honest way to give support and re-educate the emerging artists sidelined and also confused creatives from both continent”.

In all, it is hoped that this project will gather all the needed encouragement and accolade that will make it not only work but becomes a legacy for posterity. Not only that Uwagboe has set up an artists’ residency programme in his studio here in Nigeria it is also for the fact that he has chosen to help artists refocus their attention after the usual bogus training in art schools. Thus, he brings this to the notice of all concerned that there is a yawning gap between theoretical and practical art practice. Studios such as what Uwagboe has are geared towards ensuring that artists are made to settle down to real studio art demonstrations, arts that produce results and enrich the pockets of practitioners

November 26, 2023