The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • World celebrates Black History Month

    World celebrates Black History Month

    The annual African fashion, London event in Europe, Africa Fashion Week London founded by Queen Aderonke Ademiluyi Ogunwusi is ready to showcase the best of Africa this year. The classy event which will take place in October is being packaged in collaboration with Black History and Lifestyle Awards initiator, Aziada Folashade Balogun.

    According to Q Aderonke Ademiluyi  Ogunwusi, founder of African Fashion Week, London, African Fashion Week Nigeria, Co-founder of African Fashion Week Brazil, and the CEO of the Adire Odua textile training hub, this is going to be a massive event.

    ‘There is this African saying that says when you want to walk fast, you walk alone but when you want to walk far, you walk with other people. That is what we decided to do this year. We were privileged to attend Mrs Balogun’s event last year and that was where the conversation started from. She wanted to have the event to celebrate Black History Month and we had an ongoing event already and we both said instead of doing things independently, why don’t we come together and showcase Africa to the world.”

    According to Balogun, “AFWL has been in existence for 12 years and this is their 13th year and it is going to be a huge event in London. For us at Black History and Lifestyle awards started a couple of years ago and we have done our own events. This year the two big giant brands are collaborating together to have a fantastic event in London.

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    October is Black History Month in London and we are trying to change the narratives from slavery and all that. We will be showcasing our heritage, and our culture as well as also letting people know that black-owned businesses have come to stay. Here we will be looking at the achievements of black people from the 1st of October to October 31st “.

    Balogun adds: “ House of Sota is going to be on the runway and the collection for the show is called Igele. We have three names joined together for the collections, the South African name, Igbo and Yoruba names this actually means the same thing for the collections that House of Sota will be showcasing.  It is a new collection”.

    The nominations for the awards are still ongoing but we have different categories including Best Designer, those who have supported the black and creative industry as well as a special recognition award. One of the things we are trying to showcase is that we have Celebrities walk on the runway wearing collections for different designers.

    In addition, Ogunwusi explained that they would be launching our first UK trade Expo this year.” It is called Beyond Fashion UK Expo and we decided to do that because, over the years, fashion has been beyond just showcasing models and designs on the runway. So we are trying to explore the entire chain of the fashion industry. We will be starting that on the 27th of October and it is going to be about Commerce and Culture. The keynote speaker is going to be His Imperial Majesty, The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ogaga the second and our venue is the Institute of Directors in London”.

    Government participation and support have also been sought to make the event a success”. “ The event has been endorsed by the Nigerian High Commissioner in the UK and we are expecting endorsement from the Ministry of Trade and Investment here in Nigeria and we have partnered with the House of Rep on the Cottage Industry and empowerment as well. So, there are loads of organizations. We are going to be having delegates coming from Nigeria to attend because we want to kickstart with the Trade Expo, then we have the fashion shows and one of the Headliners like House of Sota is going to be showcasing on the runway. Then 29th which is the final day, we will have the Lifestyle Awards in Collaboration with African Fashion Week, London. It is more of entertainment, just to close the whole event this year”.

    They are also talking to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, the Bank of Industry, other stakeholders, and the Private sector. “We feel that it is important for them to help us showcase our MSMEs within the Creative sector.

  • ‘Why we pulled down Queen Amina’

    ‘Why we pulled down Queen Amina’

    Gradually, the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, is taking a new shape. The level of renovation, although slow and steady is producing the desired results. Edozie Udeze had a chat with the General Manager of the Theatre, Professor Sunday Ododo who explained why some old structures in the premises, including the Queen Amina statue, had to give way for a more modern national monument.

    From the look of things, it seems that the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, is undergoing total overhaul. In the beginning it appeared that it was only the interiors- the cinema halls, the VIP lounge, the main bowl and other dilapidated facilities that were to be renovated. However, as it is now not only the inside of this monumental edifice that are undergoing restructuring, but the outside of it as well. The lawns and gardens are also being redesigned. The Amina statue in front of the Theatre and some other structures, have been demolished. The main entrance where the Amina statue once stood has been dismantled; with new gardens designed for beautification.

    As you approach the main Theatre, all you see are workmen busy at work erecting new structures, mounting entirely new barricades, all in an attempt to ensure that the outlook of the Theatre this time around conforms to modernity. It all gives this sense of allurement, a sense of beauty as the works still remain in their staccato and embryonic stages. On hand however to throw more light on these stages of development is the General Manager of the Theatre, Professor Sunday Ododo. In an interview, he said “You can see that the level of progress here is fantastic. Excellence is the watchword and I think that is what they have in mind as you can see. The handlers want to get it very right. They do not want to do a shoddy job. Most of the installations they are using are not inferior. They are all imported. So ferrying them, clearing them and the importation itself and the rest are part of the delay. But then work is ongoing, progressing stage by stage. Indeed so much has gone in, so much.

    “Yes the only statue that has been removed is the Queen Amina statue. It has been removed for greater impact. It is going to be replaced with something better, something more befitting. Of course the environmental aesthetics is undergoing innovation. The horticulture, the gardens and so on are going to be altered somewhat to give it a new and more modern outlook. All the road works and some pathways have been tarred for greater impact”.

    Read Also: Group petitions ICPC, calls for suspension of national theatre boss over alleged corruption

    The edifice would have been handed over to the federal government of Nigeria by last April. That did not happen due to the delays. But the GM was quick to explain why. “You cannot hand over an uncompleted project. The delay is part of ensuring we get it right this time around. The level of work done so far is insufficient and morality comes in. Will you now say because of the assigned date of hand over, you hand over an uncompleted edifice? As long as work is ongoing and you can see the progress is steady and good, we will continue to work at it until the whole project is done”.

    Concerning the National Theatre sit-out known as Abe igi which is now devoid of its many trees and faunas but now wears a modern look, Ododo screamed “Oh that place is fantastic now. It looks good. There will be trees around it later. We will plan some to compliment the environment. We hope to do so and we will do it. But for now don’t you like how well and inviting the place looks? Abe igi came to be because of the way it started. For this, abe igi became a natural name for it. And there is no other name to call it to alter the igi. Yes the igi was there. People were taking shelter under the igi. Now, is the shelter gone? No it has not. What we did is to modernize the igi. That is the basic concept and idea of it all”, he said rocking with laughter.

    For indeed, apart from looking cozier now, abe igi hitherto the melting point of entertainers, and visitors to the Theatre has been the busiest spot at the Theatre. Ododo’s joy is that the modernization of abe igi tends to help increase the volume of business there. Branded over time by the Nigerian Breweries but run and managed by the Theatre, abe igi is always and almost ceaselessly a beehive of activities. It is where thespians, fun seekers, visitors, workers and more, usually hang out as often as time calls for it. Abe igi is synonymous with the ideals that form the National Theatre. From inception it had been there and will continue to remain for a long time to come. Most visitors to the Theatre more often end up at abe igi without necessarily touching their legs inside the main building. That is the allure and powers that abe igi commands.

    In fact over time the business sense exhibited at abe igi has helped to double the attractiveness of the Theatre. There people, whether big or small, young or old, poor or rich, known or known converge to have fun-pepper soup, all sorts of drinks and menus, name it, are always available. Abe igi is where you can easily meet any of the Nollywood stars. Some of them meet there for their meetings or rehearsals and auditioning. Some people have their town union meetings there too. This makes abe igi a magic place and this was why its total renovation was imperative to Ododo and his team.

  • Thus counsels Isese

    Thus counsels Isese

    • By Wole Soyinka

    Isese has come, but not gone. We salute all those – human rights activists, community leaders, affronted citizens, advocates of equity and all –  but the state governors most especially – who have taken history to task and boldly formalized a level praying ground for the exploration of the infinite, the realm of intuitions which exists across pedigree, borders, class, politics, social mechanisms and cultures. The battle is not over. There are those who feel compelled to indulge their obsessions through the cooption of public symbols and educational institutions. We must never weary of instructing them, of offering them gleanings from the threshing floor of millenia old and new transformative ideas, rescue them from centuries of false historicism, baseless fears, and will to dominate and/or flaunt an inglorious past of enslavement

    This notation of “ISESE” on the calendar of faiths in any nation is a vital stage in the human incessant yearning for even a semblance of SPIRITUAL TRUTH. It enacts an impartial order, inserts a critical building block in the architecture of universal enlightenment. Hopefully such formal recognition will be read as the commencement of an era of spiritual accommodation, a lesson in humility, not a trigger for sterile contestation and renewed demonization of others among overlapping theocratic realms. The Prototype of such realms, in any case, remain forever closed to any absolute, incontestable mortal certitude. Dogma, says ISESE, however lavishly endowed, or brutally sustained, can never substitute for the Unknowable.

    ISESE has always been with humanity, and will remain for all eternity. The celebration of ISESE is not defined by an annual observance only, but as a presiding awareness, a daily companion that offers its essence for humanity’s harmonized co-existence. It transcends religion, since it calls to what is innate to all sentient beings, those strange advocates of Freedom who, paradoxically, nonetheless persist in fashioning chains for themselves and for their fellow beings. ISESE liberates. It is an expression of the collective human spirit, its enveloping, compassionate accommodation of human experience, yet one that strives towards the seemingly inaccessible, intuitively felt as an elevating dimension of one’s material estate.  ISESE is a Path, not a destination, a seizure yet a pursuit of what we experience as the inner quest for ultimate illumination. ISESE does not conclude. neither does it exclude. It does not diminish, rather, it enlarges. It teaches community to embrace, explore, and adjust.  It defends the right to believe or not believe, acknowledges the limitless variety of phenomena, both what is provable and non-provable. ISESE promotes, as foundational consciousness, gratitude for, and sanctity of human life. It repudiates the supremacist claim of any structure of spirituality over another. Content with the pursuit of inner serenity, which is the climax of, and extraction from celebration, ISESE does not seek to exercise power. All true religions know that celebration is prelude to community equilibrium.

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    Preoccupied with the larger, imponderable questions of existence, ISESE does not thereby neglect the particularized. Thus, it concerns itself with the fate of every unit that makes up community, and is innately bound to engage in questions such as: “What is a youth, by name MUBARAK BALA doing in prison?  Recall, ISESE upholds the right to believe or not believe, thus the question is not trite, it is not academic, but is instantly catapulted from the particularized to the universal podium of Justice. How does a nation define itself, when a youth can be sentenced to waste his years of mental prowess in prison, for no crime beyond the right to believe or not believe?  ISESE speaks to individual and collective conscience. ISESE calls on those misguided forgers of human chains to respond to a plain question: why is that youth, and undoubtedly numerous others, wasting away in hidden dungeons, for crimes that the very protocols of nation definition, known as the Constitution do not recognize. ISESE asks, WHEN is Justice? And what is that ensign worth, if it fails to fulfill the primary condition of social accreditation which is – Justice!

    Justice, for which another name is Equity, walks hand in

  • Here comes Quramo Festival of Words

    Here comes Quramo Festival of Words

    The annual Quramo Festival of Words will happen in Lagos next month. Edozie Udeze takes a look at the essence of this festival that celebrates books and the spoken words

    It is an annual festival that pays attention to books and the spoken words .It is also the brainchild of Quramo Publishers, Lagos. In a statement made available to The Nation, the organisers noted that the festival has a lot to offer this year.

    The Quramo Festival of Words (QFEST), presented by Quramo Publishing Ltd., announced today that the 7th edition of the highly anticipated literary arts festival will take place from October 4th to 8th, 2023 in Victoria Island, Lagos. The annual gathering of creatives from different industries is organised by Mrs. Gbemi Shasore, co-founder of Quramo Publishing, a leading media publishing company committed to the production of bestselling books and conversation-starting films.

    The theme for this year is “Connecting The Dots”, a subject that brings to the fore opportunities for creatives and stakeholders in film, literature, theatre, and publishing among other players in the creative and media spaces to interact, identify and explore likely collaborations across borders.

    According to the convener, Gbemi Shasore, the ability to build bridges where there are none remains the goal. “The recent exodus of key players in the Nigerian creative industries to other climes provides a major opportunity for cross-continental collaborations and high-level export of cultural values and literature. At Quramo, we remain committed to our vision to equip creatives for the expansion of the creative industries while fostering visibility for literary works that mirror real Nigerian and African experiences. QFEST is an annual celebration of these unique stories, conversations and cultural perspectives,” said Gbemi Shasore.

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    As always, QFEST attendees are guaranteed access to enriching book chats, masterclasses, expert-led panel sessions, spoken word poetry and stage plays. The Word Slam Open Mic competition with a cash prize remains one to look forward to. The highlight of QFest 2023 is the unveiling of the Quramo Writers Prize (QWP) winner who gets a publishing deal and a cash prize worth millions of naira. The QWP longlist was recently unveiled at the Quramo office in Lagos, Nigeria.

    Some of the speakers and panelists for this five-day event include Yahaya Maikori, Adedotun Eyinade, cofounder of Rovingheights, Anwuli Ojogwu, cofounder of the Society of Book and Magazine Editors of Nigeria, Prof. Karen King-Aribisala, a powerful author and lecturer at the University of Lagos and James Murua, a media heavyweight from Kenya, with an appearance by Peter Ryan, the Irish Ambassador to Nigeria.

    For more updates on QFEST 2023, follow @quramo_pub on Twitter, @quramoofficial on Instagram, Quramo Publishing on Facebook and LinkedIn or visit quramo.com/festival and sign up for the QFEST newsletter.

    Quramo Publishing is a Quramo Media company, sister company to Quramo Productions, makers of acclaimed documentaries, and other film productions.

    About the Festival

    The Quramo Festival of Words, which is currently in its seventh year, attracts thousands of attendees, every year, to participate in workshops/masterclasses, panel discussions, book/author chats and readings, literary competitions, and to watch stage plays, short films and live music performances. Our past guests met and learned from inspiring personalities like Kadaria Ahmed, Sefi Atta, Falz, Igoni Barrett, Kiki Mordi, Dike Chukwumerije, Eghosa Imasuen, Helon Habila, Innocent Ilo, Lala Akindoju, TJ Benson, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Karen Jennings, Oyinkan Braithwaite, Femi Odugbemi, Bikiya Graham-Douglas, Dare Olaitan, and more.

    Every edition has a theme; starting with the eponymous Festival of Words (2019), we’ve had Creativity Reset: The Future of Words (2020) and Transcendence: Words Defying (2021). Last year, the theme was Africa Positive because it’s about time we started documenting, celebrating and reporting stories of our positive contribution to the global creative economy, to reshape the African identity. We had appearances from Bolanle Austen-Peters of Terra Kulture, TaymieB of Cool FM, Jola Ayeye and FK Abudu of ‘I Said What I Said podcast’, Tiwalola Ogunlesi, Jude Idada, etc., with brand showcases from Puma, Anfani, Refine Jewelry, Toriara Naturals, etc.

  • ECOBA Lagos branch lifts graduating pupils

    ECOBA Lagos branch lifts graduating pupils

    The Lagos branch of Edo College Old Boys Association (ECOBA) has presented awards and cash to 24 graduating students to encourage excellence in academic work, sports as well as other activities

    Making the presentation during the Edo College Prize giving day in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the Chairman, Board of Administrators, ECOBA Lagos, Education Trust Fund, Prof. E. S. Akpata, emphasised the importance of good character in the success of the student’s life, a prize is awarded for the student with the most exemplary character.

    “In recognition of the role of environment in shaping human behaviour, there is also an award of a trophy to the cleanest boarding house. A trophy was presented to the best class in French, as well as the cleanest boarding house.

    “These prize awards are made possible by the benevolence of old boys of Edo College resident in Lagos. Their donations have been invested by the Board of Administrators of the Education Trust Fund, and only the interest is used for the annual prize awards which are, therefore in perpetuity.

    “Consequently, if you have not won a prize this year, do not lose hope. Continue working hard and you will stand a chance of winning next year. Edo College Old Boys in Lagos recognise that teachers serve as role models for students and congratulate them for their excellent Job.

    “As a token, the best teacher in Geography is awarded a prize donated by the Ugoji family in memory of their father, fondly known as Omaha, who taught us Geography. The same endowment supports a geography project annually,” he noted.

    He advised the outgoing SS3 students to remember that they are going to a global world and they are, therefore, ambassadors of the college and they must strive to maintain the discipline and good character that they have imbibed from the school.

    Edo State Commissioner of Education, Dr. Joan Oviawe, who was represented by Mrs. A. Ero, presented the award for Mathematics SS3 endowed by Senator David Dafinone Foundation to Adejumo Tiwaloluwa and the award for English Language SS3 endowed by Austin Alegeh (SAN) in his mother’s name-(Omokhuwe Alegeh) was presented to Imafidon Stephen by Chief Orhue Usiobafo Xerxes.

    Chief Orhue Usiobafo Xerxes, who was the chairman of the event, presented the award for Economics SS3 to Adewolu Joseph Oluwatobilola and the award for Accounts to Agbondinwingbe Martins. Both awards are endowed by the Senator David Dafinone Foundation.

  • Getlit Africa unveils Act Out A Scene

    Getlit Africa unveils Act Out A Scene

    An arts resources project, Getlit Africa, has unveiled a new contest, Act Out A Scene.

       Act Out A Scene, which will last between August 15 and October 14, is a contest designed to stimulate the interest of Africans in literature and performance arts.

      According to Getlit Africa, participation in the contest is free and only requires  participants to interpret a scene in any book of their choice by acting it out in a one-minute video, which will be shared on their Instagram pages, tagging GetlitAfrica and the author of the book.

      Creative Director of Getlit Africa, Olawale Oluwadahunsi, said the Africa-wide initiative is positioned to reinvent literary appreciation among Africans in line with modern realities.

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      He explained: “Act Out A Scene is a simple process. Submit a one-minute video acting out a scene in any book of your choice. Post your entry on your page and tag GetlitAfrica as collaborator. Do not use video from another competition for this same contest.

     “Quote and tag the author of the book you are acting a scene from. The video, which could be a monologue or dialogue must be original, devoid of offensive content and free from any form of sound, music or instrumentals.

      “We don’t want any sound that could aid one’s delivery. The rules of the contest are well-explained on our page. The entries will be assessed by our judges and the ultimate winners will be recognised and rewarded.”

     Winners (grand prize and viewers’ choice) of the contest would be announced on October 14.  

  • Pathways to effective leadership

    Pathways to effective leadership

    The addition of Omowunmi Wale-Okusi’s 142-page book, entitled: Leadership – key to high impact teams to the volume of materials on leadership, couldn’t have come at a better time than now when most countries in the continent are facing leadership crisis. The publication is not only timely and important, but it is also enriching.

      As at the last count, no fewer than six countries (Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad and Sudan) in Africa are under military rule, which is not unconnected to leadership challenges. 

    “Leadership maybe described as exercising influence over people, but we should emulate the shepherds who lead their sheep from behind. The shepherd recognises that the sheep could trample upon them if they lead from the front. The book encourages readers to begin by obeying God’s call to leadership- just as He called Prophet Samuel.”

    This excerpt from the Foreword by Prof. Oluwatoyin Ashiru put the thrust of the book in proper context.

    The 12-chapter book published by Q F Associates is a leadership manifesto of a sort that highlights those critical elements like leadership truths, principles and examples drawn from the Holy Bible backed by case studies and lessons for the readers.

    Drawing her examples and eternal lessons from the Scripture, the author explains who is a leader and what leadership entails, while admonishing readers of the book to cultivate the habit of practicing transformational leadership that changes people’s lives from inside out.

    The early chapters-(one to four) dwell on the need for leadership skills, types of leadership, meaning and qualities of leadership, and causes and consequences of leadership failure.

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    She describes leadership as the ability of an individual or group of individuals to guide or influence or persuade other individuals groups, teams, or entire organisation towards some specific goals.

    “The crux of every leadership lies in a person’s capacity to obtain the commitment of the people they are leading to the objectives of the place, organisation or group, which is another way of saying exercise leadership,” she adds.

    Picking reference from the Holy Bible on the need for leadership skills, the author cites the leadership role Joseph played during the birth of Jesus Christ in Matthew 2: 13 and 22. She says: “If Joseph had refused to play the leadership role in ensuring that the child Jesus was not killed by the jealous intrigues of destiny destroyers, which of course was motivated by Satan, perhaps the redemption plan of God for mankind could have been foiled.”

    According to her, major types of leadership exhibited by known leaders include charismatic leadership, traditional leadership, situational leadership, appointed leadership, functional leadership and political leadership.

    She identifies factors responsible for leadership effectiveness as trait, styles and contingency theories, which are laced with Biblical references.

    In chapters seven, eight and nine, the author discuses seven styles of leadership, their characteristics, uses, traits, goals as well as success factors of each. For effective leadership, she identifies capacity for self-management, strong inner achievement drive, high sense of responsibility, ability for team or group work, personal charm, motivation, emotional intelligence, judicious use of power among others as key factors.

    The life and call of selected Bible leaders such as Joshua, Deborah and Gideon are the focus of chapter 10. Quoting copiously from the Holy Bible, the author provides detail examples of how the trio was called to serve faithfully. 

    For Deborah, the only female among them and first female judge in Israel, was a prophetess and one of the 16 judges in Israel.

    “She was industrious, sagacious and of great usefulness to the public during her time. She was also very sweet to her friends and sharp with her enemies.

    “After the battle that Deborah so courageously helped Israel to win, peace reigned for over 40 years in the land,’’ the author added.

    The book is written in simple, easy and free- flowing prose that gives the reader a snapshot into the essence of leadership.The layout design, spacing in particular, and point size of the fonts are friendly to the eyes, thus making the reading of the book comfortable for readers.

    Importantly, it is a rich material many scholars and managers of human resources will find very useful.

    However, there are few typo errors, which are avoidable if editing was done thoroughly. For instance, in chapter six’s title, effectiveness was spelt ‘ffectiveness’ while world-renowned was spelt ‘world-renown’ in second paragraph and last sentence on Page four. 

  • U.S. gives opportunity fo 120 women

    U.S. gives opportunity fo 120 women

    The United States Mission has unveiled the fifth Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) in Nigeria, in partnership with Ascend Studios. 

    AWE will provide 120 women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to launch and scale businesses.

    The participants were selected from 3,000 applicants from all over Nigeria, and have start-up businesses focused on technology, agriculture, or creative industries.

    Unveiled in 2019 by the US Department of State, AWE has assisted over 25,000 women in more than 80 countries over the past four years, including 770 Nigerians.

    Participants acquire entrepreneurial skills and join a strong AWE network that helps boost their companies and create jobs.

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    The yearly six-week programme combines facilitated online business courses, via the DreamBuilder platform, developed by Arizona State University’s Thunderbird School of Global Management, with mentoring from established women entrepreneurs.

    At the virtual launch, Chargé d’Affaires David Greene congratulated the women participants and urged them to “take what you learn from this program to grow your business, improve your lives and contribute to the growth of Nigeria”.

    Describing how the AWE programme helped them grow their businesses, expand their networks, and access funding, three AWE alumnae spoke at the virtual event: Adesola Adesakin, CEO Smart Stewards Financial Advisory Limited; Habiba Rabiu, Founder, Arty Makers Nigeria Limited; and Adebiso Odeleye, Chief Executive Officer, Moore Organics.

    AWE Nigeria is implemented in partnership with Ascend Studios, led by Inya Lawal, an alumna of the Fortune-U.S. Department of State Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership Programme.

  • Resuscitate paper mills

    Resuscitate paper mills

    • Emmanuel Chidi-Maha, Kehinde Abayomi and Mmesoma Ozor

    On the quest for a more-diversified economy away from oil, stakeholders in the book industry are searching for in. They are calling for the resuscitation of moribund paper mills. 

      According to them, paper milling holds the potential of becoming a major revenue earner.

    The industry key players made the submission at the unveiling of The Fine Art of Bookselling: Reflections of Nigeria’s Industry Stakeholders, written by the Chairman, Nigerian Book Fair Trust, Mr. Michael Oluwadare Oluwatuyi.

    The book captures the beautiful back stories of the book industry and how much it has evolved with each generation.

    The unveiling drew industry practitioners in the book value chain, including Director-General of Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC), Dr. John Asein (special guest); Chairman, Accessible Publishers Limited,   Mr. Gbadega Adedapo; Managing Director/CEO, Havilah Group of Companies, Lagos, Chief Olanrewaju Damion Adesuyi (launch Chairman); FAE Limited, Princess Funlayo Bakare Okeowo (the event sponsor).

    Okeowo, whose firm is one of Nigeria’s largest envelope manufacturing companies, made a case for the resuscitation of the paper mills and institution of a paper research institute.

    While urging Nigeria to borrow a leaf from Egypt that is investing in its book industry, she was of the view that the sector, which has paper production at its foundation, has the potential of surpassing crude oil.

    “Oil is not everything. Paper is our second oil. A ton of paper today is about one thousand three hundred dollars per ton and if we are able to make paper in Nigeria imagine how much we would be making in the exportation of papers. Everybody believes that paper is made of wood, but research has shown that we can use other things to make paper. For instance, we can use the Kenaf plant which we can grow in the north. (Kenaf is historically used as a cordage crop (rope, twine, and sackcloth) and its commercial uses evolved to other different uses such as paper products and building materials, among others.

    “Paper mill is a huge investment. Let us borrow an example from Egypt; it has over fifty five paper mills. Where are our paper mills? As I’ve said, wood is not the only raw material that can be used to produce paper. We can also use our old clothes; bangles and even our ewedu to make paper. That is where the government comes in. Resuscitate our paper mills. Begin by instituting paper research institutes. The paper industry is big enough to have several paper mills and a paper research institute. The government should look into revamping the industry: they can make it another oil by investing in the industry,” Okeowo said.

    Similarly, the Lead Consultant, Double-O Communications, Lagos, Dr. Olayinka Oyegbile, who reviewed the book, said the book industry (by extension book trade) accounts for a huge revenue base of the economy, stating: “Book selling contributes immensely to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).”

    While stating that the book raises dust over the dire issues militating against the development of the sector, Oyegbile reiterated Okeowo’s words; observing that books and materials for producing it are very costly because we do not have our own mills. He, therefore, called for government intervention to ensure the reading culture does not continue to dwindle.  

    Restating the commission’s determination to add value to what the sector players are already doing, Asein stated that NCC will be regulating the sector as enshrined in the new Copyright Act.

    “The bookstore is always a treasure. There must be some minimum regulation of where books are sold, how books are sold and there must be minimum documentation to ensure that pirates do not take over this market. I can assure you that we will get the book sector back. And whatever it will take, from the government side, we will do that,” he said.

    Other dignitaries at the event were former Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Abuja; Prof. Olanrewaju A. Onadeko (SAN) and President, Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP), Mr. Richard Mammah, who anchored the event.

  • Culture blurs barriers at INAC Expo

    Culture blurs barriers at INAC Expo

    No fewer than 29 countries, 16 states and 20 Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) converged on Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly QAbuja Sheraton) for three days for the International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). Assistant Editor Arts, OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports. 

    The Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel, came alive when participants from 29 countries and 16 states converged on it for the yearly International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo.

      Welcoming guests to the ceremony, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, said the event availed them opportunities for trade and investment in the economy, adding that this would promote greater integration and synergy between players in the sector and, ultimately, boost economic and social development.

      He also said this would also provide platforms for entrepreneurs to showcase their goods and services to global markets.  

    Runsewe, who announced Ogun State as the overall winner at the INAC awards on Saturday,  commended the participants for their excellence. 

    Rivers and Taraba states took second position, while Katsina and Kwara states emerged third. Kaduna and Ebonyi states came fourth while Borno State got the fifth position.

    Permanent Secretary, Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Oluwatosin Oloko, accepted the award. She added that more energy would be channelled towards performing better in subsequent editions and other national cultural events.

    Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Masudur Rahman, added:  “We have seen the electrifying performances from Ogun with colourful attires all through. They deserve it. I say congratulations to them.”

    Cultural Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Li Xuda said: ”I am excited to see how the expo has been over the past three days with the display of beautiful culture across nations and states. We need to work together to create a better future

    Runsewe said the benefits of  the expo would have a multiple affect on the economy, and affects tourism and non-tourism businesses.

    He noted that the large number of participants at the expo  yearly makes it an attractive market place for arts and crafts, especially textile exhibitors, food (local cuisine), water and drinks vendors, among others. 

    “It creates temporary jobs for carpenters, builders, electricians, mechanics, artisans and labourers, souvenirs shop and restaurants etc. It involves utilisation of many services and many more people benefit in one way or the other from INAC. 

    “Despite the economic importance of the expo, it is important to continue to keep an eye on the cultural exchange which fosters unity, social cohesion and promotes diversity and mutual understanding among states and countries,” he added.

    Earlier, the DG said INAC is a platform designed to network Nigerian arts and crafts culture to the whole world.

    “It’s a unique and deliberate platform to promote Nigerian arts and crafts to the whole world, and it’s getting bigger and better every year. This year, so far, we have 29 countries, 16 states and 21 NGOs.

     ”Over 50 Nigerians have travelled to more than 10 countries through this (INAC) network. For instance, India took the performing arts group that performed last year to New Delhi for performance and paid for their tickets, accommodations, etc. You can see there is no magic. You must have the right platform to network with other parts of the world,” he added. 

    He stressed that INAC has the power of attracting foreign investors, saying ‘the diplomatic community is the biggest informant to the whole world.

    “Once they see what we have here, it tells them that Nigeria is good and viable for investment,” he said.

    At the Expo Investment Forum, which featured interactions among key players in the creative industry, especially experts in security and entrepreneurship, speakers addressed culture, economic development and national security. 

    Keynote speaker, Prof Uche Waleke of the Nasarawa State University, said culture is the only sustainable source of foreign exchange earning Nigeria must embrace as oil is no longer sustainable. 

    According to Waleke, cultural values of a society play a decisive role in its economic benaviour and development process, as they influence society’s ability not only to create but also to operate institutions. He stressed that the values and principles a culture propagates generally determines how well that society develops in relation to others. 

    “A culture that values meritocracy, fair treatment (civility), harmony, rule of law and equality before the law, hard work; etc. is going to produce a far more developed and secure society than a culture that values nepotism and caste system. 

    ”Therefore, in formulating National Development Plans, it is important to consider the nexus between culture, economic development and national security,” he added.

    Other speakers were President, Society of Nigerian Artists, Mohammed Suleiman and a security expert Dr. Pietro Uzochukwu.

    On the closing day, Otunba Runsewe, who took participants to the rebuilt Cultural Market adjacent the venue of the expo, said  the facility would be opened soon. He recalled it used to be the only cultural market in Abuja, which didn’t give Nigeria a good image. 

    “The shops in this facility will go for N200, 000 per year. Some plazas around here go for N2 or N3 million. But this one is to empower the ordinary Nigerians to make a living. This will reduce unemployment, crime in our society, and make our country a better place. 

    “The diplomatic community used to come there for shopping. At that time, there were not  enough toilets. Now, I have built 20 modern toilets here. The main road is named Diplomatic Drive. We have Southsouth, Southeast, Northeast, Northcentral – all the zones are represented. Soon, we will open a pharmacy, a business centre, a photostating shop, and other things,” he said.

    At the centre of the facility is a mini-amphi theatre for arts performances. On the block of halls (supposedly for accommodation), Runsewe recalled that the halls were built in 2003 during the CHOGOM. 

    “God has a reason for everything. I handled an aspect of the CHOGOM for Nigeria in 2003. That was when we built these halls. I never knew I would come back to be part of it. 

    “So, we want to encourage the foreign embassies to come and enjoy Nigerian culture,” he said. 

    According to him, through the initiative the council could create in one day, 145 employment,  and it could rise to about 300. “If we do that in every state, Nigeria will be better for it. So, this is the sector that can save this country. You had better tap into it before it is too late.”

    Reacting to how the facility will be put to effective use, he said: “It takes the grace of the almighty God who owns life and who gives destiny to everyone. We pray he will give us a direction. We have three officers I am training. Even without me being here, they know what to do.

    “Recall that this place was where armed robbers were staying. Some powerful people who had interests in taking over and selling this government land wanted me jailed. I resolved that if this is the only thing I will do for Nigeria, I will recover this property. 

    “In fact, I was ready and happy to be the first Nigerian to be locked up for protecting the interest and integrity of Nigeria. They didn’t succeed. That means the grace of God is still working. In two weeks, this place will be put into full use.”