The night was a peculiar one for the audience. The menu was a mixed grill of a sort for an audience of varying psychographics. It was also tasking for the thespians (cast and crew of 90) to tell the difficult and chequered story of Nigeria to such a gathering.  Welcome to the exclusive opening of Motherland the musical held at the Terra Kulture Arena on Victoria Island, Lagos last Friday.  

While some have been part of the over six decades of chequered history of Nigeria, many such as youths (Generation Z) simply were not only indifferent but also unimpressed. At first, it seems the old generation was a failure, little wonder the youths said: “You had your time, this is our time.” A clarion call that seems to be attracting huge followership this season of electioneering.

The duo of Chinedu (Francis Onwochei) and Hassana (Tosin Adeyemi) represented the old generation middle class Nigerians and were on the hot seat all through the performance explaining and defending bad governance that has characterised Nigeria in the last 62 years.

Unfortunately, their submissions were drowned by the vociferous youths, claiming the old has failed them. The likes of Julius Obende who were in large number stood for the young generation who are demanding their rights to lead. The two hour performance produced by Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions is a story of Nigeria that bleeds while being raped raw by conflicting interests of politicians and the military in her 62 years of existence. In essence, using dance drama as medium the musical chronicles the near failing state of Nigeria, which prompted the large population of the youth to rise for a change and perhaps plot to take the driver’s seat in 2023.

Symbolically, in the musical, Prince Shalom Mohammed of YCP represented the growing interest of the youth led the campaign of protest and condemnation of past leaders performances.  Without mincing words, they believe the old brigade which Chinedu and Hassana represented have not only betrayed them in the political missteps, but have also denied them participation in governance.

In attempt to explain the challenges faced by the old generation these past years, especially middle class, Chinedu recalls that the struggle for the soul of Nigeria was so extreme resulting in riots, violence, coups and wars.

“Even when the then Head of State, Gen Yakubu Gowon declared there was no victor, no vanquished after the war, we were all vanquished. Hopefully we have learnt our lessons,” Chinedu sobbed.   

Motherland the musical is coming on stage at a time when the political landscape is being shaped by the outcome of  October 2020 #EndSARS protest that rocked the country. Consequently, there has been a rising political consciousness among Nigerian youths, a development that is further amplified by the musical.Last Friday night was a fresh reenactment of the difficult Nigerian story told unusually from a youth perspective to capture the current dominant narrative.  

It was not all knocks from the youths as they acknowledged the contributions of icons such as Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Aminu Kano among others.  They show respect only to deserving parents and elders and not those who have sold their birthrights for a crumps.

Artistic Director, BAP Productions, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters said the musical will be on stage at the Arena till January 2, 2023. She, however, noted that to tell the Nigeria story was a very difficult and chequered one hoping that ‘we get a better Nigeria in future.’ She thanked the sponsors MTN and Amstel for their continued support.

If this narrative captured by Motherland the musical is a true reflection of the pulse of the youths, how does the old generation sell its messages to these politically conscious youths in next general election?The task is as difficult as telling the story of Nigeria in Motherland musical.  

The saying If wishes are horses, beggars would ride applies fittingly to James Oloruntosin Molehin at this time. His greatest wish today is to have his life back and live a normal life again .  For that to happen, he needs you, kind hearted Nigerians and other well-meaning members of the society.He needs N20 million to do a kidney transplant, and he has just three months to get this done or else, he is a dead man.

Molehin, should be a man of means – In his late 50s, Molehin, who hails from Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State, is a graduate of Accounting, from the University of Lagos, Unilag, and Fellow, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN,  He was a management staff of MDS, the logistics arm of UAC Plc, Lagos.

But all that is history now. His life took a dip for the worse around November, 2018, when he was first diagnosed of Chronic Kidney Disease CKD, due to prolonged ailment. The ailment forced him into early retirement in 2020, to help him recuperate.

He has been in and out of St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos – seeking the best of help and solution to overcome the ailment, all, at least up to this point, to no avail.

Life for him in the last five years had been lived on the needles. He had lived this far, on the benevolence of machines. But that has not come cheap. Like the waster that the ailment was, the CKD had eaten him up, reducing him from a man of means to a man with nothing.

“The ailment has taken a toll on my life savings and retirement benefits as I have to undergo excruciating dialysis between two to three times weekly at an average cost of N55,000 per session, excluding emergencies, breakdowns, ambulance charges among others,” Molehin said.

Because he cannot be on dialysis forever, he needed to do a kidney transplant, but there is nowhere else to turn than to seek those with milk of kindness to rise up for him and give him an opportunity to live again.

Married with four children who are barely graduates but yet to secure any job and wife, who, also has retired from her job at LUTH, and who has spent all she had on his ailment, he had nowhere else to turn.

He said: “I’m left with no option but to make this passionate appeal to all public- spirited Nigerians, home and abroad, corporate bodies, government, as well as non- governmental organisations, (NGO) to urgently come to my aid to help me raise the sum of N20 million required by the Hospital Management handling my case within a timeline of three months to enable me get kidney transplant so as to live my normal life once again.

“In light of this, I humbly seek your help, for no amount is too small to donate to save a life today!”

He has 90 days to live, and before his health would dip and take a turn for the worse, had decided to cry out perhaps, he could get someone out there to help him achieve his dream to live again.

For anyone who may be interested in giving him a second chance, Molehin said they can assist him by donating to the James O. Molehin Kidney’s Transplant Fund through:  Zenith International Bank Account Nunber: 1003384335, while anyone who wanted further information or clarification could reach him through his two lines: 08050238412 or 09166056210.    

Screening and selection of contestants for the 19th edition of the Miss Niger Delta Peace Cultural Pageant began in designated states in Niger Delta last Friday. It will run till January ending.  

According to the Director, Communication and Media of the Miss Niger Delta Peace Cultural Pageants, Ms Karina Israel, screening of contestants is expected to hold at three zones to promote effective participation of young females of the Niger Delta.  

Contestants from Delta, Edo and Ondo states will have their screening centre in Delta State while contestants from Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom states will have their screening in Rivers State. Contestants from Cross River, Imo and Delta states will have their screening in Imo State.

Karina said contestants are expected to register online and it is free while forms can be obtained in the nine states from designated universities and polytechnics approved by the organizers.

“The competition will take place next year and the winner of the competition will go home with a car, become an ambassador for Peace and Development, acquire skill acquisition, training programmes and there will be cash awards for all contestants. 

“The Miss Niger Delta competition is poised to create empowerment of female youths of the Niger Delta, identify and promote talents. Also, it encourages young females in the Niger Delta to be self-reliant, focused and hard working through meaningful engagements of young females in the Niger Delta. The Miss Niger Delta Peace Cultural Pageants started in 1999 and was put on hold due to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” she said.  

In 1970, Lagos State hosted the maiden edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) and the 1988 edition. Those two editions were pacesetting and memorable. This year, Lagos surpassed earlier feat and organisers expectation with contingents from 29 states and FCT in attendance, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports

The 35th annual National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) tagged Eko Nafest 2022, with the theme Culture and peaceful co-existence, may have come and gone, but the multiplier effects on participants will continue to impact the lives of the people.

 NAFEST is Nigeria’s most glamorous cultural festival and the richest potpourri of cultural activities from the rich and diverse heritage of the people. Each year, since its inception after the civil war, it remains a major cultural festival that serves as a great platform for mobilising stakeholders in the arts and culture industry to interact, showcase talents and project the values of our heritage as well as develop the spirit of national identity and peaceful co-existence.

In pursuance of these objectives, the Otunba Segun Runsewe led-National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), organisers of the festival, has continued to deploy its diverse and rich arts and culture resources as spring board and instrument for promoting national unity, national integration and avenue for economic empowerment.

It is common knowledge that during the festival, huge economic transactions, friendliness and atmosphere of warmth pervade the one-week event. This year’s host, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, didn’t mince words on the need to use culture to promote unity among Nigerians, saying this year’s festival was meant to celebrate our unity in diversity, our rich heritage and our cultural heterogeneity.The governor’s view could not have come at a better time than now when ethnicity and religious intolerance have torn people apart.

Sanwo-Olu described NAFEST as a rallying point and a deliberate step to put the youth on the right path through positive orientation and meaningful engagements, which will help to gradually reduce the rate of youth-related crime and violence for a better society. He noted that although winners may have emerged in the various categories of the competitions, ‘the emphasis is not on who won or otherwise; what is of utmost importance is that these games and cultural competitions have united all the participants as one which to me, is the spirit of this national festival.’

“I have no doubt in my mind that the lofty memories of this year’s festival and the city of Lagos will remain evergreen for all of you. We all have demonstrated what it means to co-exist peacefully in our various interactions through the different games and other cultural activities that took place at the National Institute of Sports Complex at the National Stadium, Surulere. It is instructive to note that although winners have emerged in the various categories of the competitions, the emphasis is not on who won or otherwise; what is of utmost importance is that these games and cultural competitions have united all the participants as one which to me, is the spirit of this national festival. Apart from the platform for cultural exchange that this festival provides, a lot of businesses, hospitality outlets, and transportation, among others have felt the impact of the huge contingents that gathered here in Lagos for this Eko Nafest 2022″

All through the one week celebration, most hotels and guest houses in Surulere area of Lagos were fully booked as cultural markets and souvenir kiosks in and around the venue recorded good sales. Also at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan venue of the opening and closing ceremonies, food and water vendors had busy outings. This festival venue witnessed a growing business especially the cultural market, which provided immediate jobs and empowerment for the people.

He stated that ‘one of the lessons from this year’s NAFEST is that if we pay cursory attention to harnessing the differences in our culture, it can assist in building consensus and bond of friendship towards genuine reconciliation that will promote the much-needed unity, reduce tension and tribal conflicts in the country.’

Like past hosts, the wife of Governor Sanwo-Olu demonstrated genuine commitment and love for the children when she didn’t only host the children at Government House Marina, but took the children on tour of the colonial house to learn more about the nation’s history. She also presented the children with laptops, tablet devices and other gift items after eating, drinking and dancing to good music at the dinner.  

Mrs. Sanwo-Olu, who was awarded MAMA NAFEST, told the children to always preach peace wherever they go.

“In your rights as students, we are training you to become Ambassadors of peace, unity and communal harmony. Without peace, the development that we crave will continue to be a mirage and progress elusive. The essential ingredient of the building block of peace, unity and development is Love,” she said.

She noted that the venue for the hosting of the children was deliberate to enable the children to have a taste of Nigeria’s history as they tour the State Government House.

“The decision to host you here at the Government State House was intentional to give you a sense of history because if you don’t have the sense of where you are coming from, it would be difficult to explain where you are and the future.

“Way back, we had colonial administrators ruling Nigeria, we had people like Lord Lugard, who used to live here and take decisions for the whole of Nigeria, which is why I want you to know our history,” she added.

Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture Otunba Segun Runsewe recalled that NAFEST was initiated to build bridges alongside Sports as the second brand after culture. “When I got to NCAC, I realised that most people don’t know the importance of the festival, which is to unite the people. So, I took the message to the state chief executives, encourage them to complete their cultural centres and other facilities. I started engaging the stakeholders particularly commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretary on the benefits of this brand to their states, and they saw reason with me. Since I took over, I brought the aspect of health, skill acquisition, economic empowerment, digital marketing into NAFEST, and mentoring of children by Government House.  I now used NAFEST to empower the immediate public, the ordinary market woman who sells her products were exposed to online sales. We also brought in free medical checkup and at the end of the day, so many activities that could impact the lives of the people were very most welcoming.

 On the mentorship of children, Otunba Runsewe said he got the wives of governors involved in order for the children to build network with the ruling class. ”So the aspect of Mama NAFEST is a new platform of engaging Nigerian children for them to appreciate how they can become leaders of tomorrow. This also helped the children to see the icons physically. And one of the challenges we have had as Nigerians is because we haven’t been able to really understand ourselves,” he said.

Reacting to agitations of one or two states that felt they deserved to win, Runsewe said colourful parade at opening by state cannot win nafest because there are templates and syllabus adjudicators followed in scoring each state performance. 

“There is a template for adjudicators and every state cannot be a winner…..when you file out in colourful parades, the audience may appreciate it but they are off point. So,\ we are promoting a united and bright future for the Nigerian children and we would not compromise standard and the syllabus is clear on that. Some of the states don’t even understand that they need to interpret the syllabus. I am the man in the saddle, when people start clapping indicating that the audience like what they are seeing. But it is not in line with the syllabus of the festival. 

“The good thing is that every state wants to win, and if a state has enough funds they can poach artistes like in sporting competitions.  In fact, one state accused me saying why did I allow a non-indigene to participate in another state? I answered and said are we into the festival to divide or unite Nigeria? So they apologied.Thank God NAFEST is on a platform that is of international standard and we are very proud.

‘’Part of the content review was the replacement of the old symposium with entrepreneurship and skill acquisition workshops that bring people together to learn some skills and how they can make money and be happy. Entrepreneurship workshops are very impactful with many graduates given starter packs every year,” he added. 

They painted their rainbow coloured umbrellas with such dedication as if in an art competition. While checking every now to get approval from their teachers’ supervision, they smiled as they put paint to paper. It was indeed a thrilling moment for children living with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders.

In the spirit of Christmas, Spotlight Africa, a non-governmental organisation, treated them to her Paint Party. With the theme: ‘Christmas Under the Rainbow Stars’, a thrilling event was held at CAND-DO), the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

It brought together kids and their parents in an atmosphere of fun as they happily expressed themselves with interesting art works.  The parents who could not help but heave a sigh of relief gleefully sat beside them as they playfully smeared colours on papers and some on their faces.

And when they were done, the organisers displayed the children’s works for all to see. The child-artists were led by a celebrity teen artist, Christine Nnaji.  Among them were children who could configure shapeless metals into beautiful art objects, and others who pick up difficult choral notes and sing them beautifully.  The event, according to the Convener, Mrs. Nnaji, was aimed at creating awareness to parents with special needs kids, informing them that the children have an alternative way of expression through arts, mathematics, music or others. She said, the onus is left on the parents to discover what part their child is good at and work with it.

She said: “It is also to drive home the issue of inclusivity for these kids. The idea is to make them feel as part of the society. The caregivers should also be factored in as regards special needs kids. We have a lot of them who are exhausted, many of them are mothers and this results in them being angry all the time. Many caregivers are bereft of how to take care of the child. That is why we are moving to local communities to help parents get the right specialists for their children and ease the burden off their shoulders. For this to be achieved, we need money from NGOs and the government because caring for them requires a lot of funding.”  

Consultant pediatrician at LUTH, Prof. Folabileshi, affirmed that the initiative was a welcome development. He advised that to make special needs children feel inclusive, neurotypical or able kids should have been part of the art work. Giving professional advice to parents he said: “Mothers often know when there’s something wrong with their children and when they suspect, they should not downplay it. Seek  help or an explanation from qualified professionals, they will make a diagnosis and give attention to the specific need of the child. The management of special needs is multidisciplinary and the more qualified people that are involved, the better it is. Support groups are always very important, your experience is different from someone else’s experience and you can learn from each other. There is ability in disability and there is no mistake in God’s creation.”

Another Specialist in children/adolescent neurodevelopmental cases, Dr Adebite, urged said that research has shown that children with special needs are usually exceptionally good in other aspects of their lives like art, music, mathematics and even singing. She urged parents to find that niche in the child. She also urged the government to bring up policies that include technological advancements for special needs kids.

She said: “In managing these kids, although co-mobility can be treated, there is no specific medication for autism but per child we can meet their different needs.  For autism, it depends on what the child needs in terms of behavioral modifications, academics and all sorts depending on the individuals. We are glad that there is awareness now so the stigma around it is reducing and parents no longer live in denial.”A parent of one of the special needs children Mr Bumi Adebiyi called on the government to be more involved in programs for special needs kids. He said: “The government must ensure that the curriculum of the special needs education is out and the teachers are well trained, NGOs are empowered by the government to quickly support children within the communities.”

Another parent, Mrs Lauretta Ogban, explained that even though she was a specialist in the field of special needs children, she never noticed that her 21 year old child was one. She said they exhibited some traits that were strange but it was never linked to her needing help.  

By Cyan Frank-Hanachor

Doodling ideas for Christmas,

happened on a mish-mash of

craft in all the right colours. Quaint, its greens woven in tight whorls,

tiny, silvery bells tinkling merrily,

red satin ribbons in dainty bows,

a sprinkling of golden icicles ready to melt,

flitty, little dewy-eyed birds nestled in its folds

and for good luck, a tiny angel atop

sang if you pressed its little, bitty nose.

There was a spring to my stride as

I hung it over the door with a smile

sure that my good-luck charm will only

guide merry souls to my hearth, this Christmas