The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

Elder’s Corner: Journey into Nigeria’s history, music

As Nigeria counts down to the 2023 elections, Nigerians are reminded of the significant role politics plays in a nation in the leading epic film, Elder’s Corner. Like a blast from the past, the film directed by America-based Nigerian, Siji Awoyinka, takes a trip into the history of Nigerian music, exploits of the legends, their struggles and challenges. The movie, premiered at the 2022 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), literarily holds up a mirror on how the nation’s political developments can make or mar its brightest talents. EVELYN OSAGIE writes.

Thinking of how to Japa? Well, you are not alone. And this is not the first time there will be a general desire by Nigerians to relocate or a mass movement, particularly of professionals, to take their skills abroad. Japa, by the way, is the Nigerian acronym for relocating out of the country –what is globally known as the “brain drain”.

The award-winning film, which made its Nigerian premiere at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), is a voyage of return and discovery. The movie, Elder’s Corner by American-based Nigerian filmmaker, Siji Awoyinka, is not just the story of music but the story of Nigeria told through the trajectory of its music and legendary men and women who established the great heritage that has placed Nigeria on the world map.

It was, therefore, an emotional evening as the producers of the historic yet musical documentary, Elder’s Corner, Awoyinka and Ade Bantu, took guests on a journey into Nigeria’s history.

The film screening ended with a discussion anchored by Keziah Jones, which had Pa Jimi Solanke as guests along with the producers. At the session, Awoyinka hinted that the film was sure to have other series, stating that many footage on other musicians were omitted from the final cut for diverse causes.

It is also an epic tale of survival and the undeniable power of music to reconnect the present and weather the storms.

From the colourful, celebratory sounds of Juju music to the political fervor of Afrobeat, Nigerian musicians have spearheaded some of Africa’s most prominent musical movements. Oftentimes, their work form the backdrop against which the nation blossomed and floundered. So what happened to the pioneering artistes who rose to prominence during the country’s untroubled years and continued to endure when it faltered? There are also the new voices of revolution, such as the Lijadu Sisters, Fela Anikulapo Kuti and others.

As Nigeria counts down to the 2023 elections, Elder’s Corner is reminding of the significant role politics has been playing in the nation’s growth. But, unfortunately, as the Lijadu Sisters lamented in the film: “We don’t learn and people who do not learn do not make progress”.

Awoyinka stated that the making of the film, which was edited by Charlie Hoxie, took 11 years. “There was a time I walked away from the film because we raised some money to shoot but when we began to edit the film, we ran out of money. I travelled the country and beyond, seeking out and capturing the stories of Nigeria’s long forgotten music pioneers. Among them are Juju maestro Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and guitar wizard Sir Victor Uwaifo.

“I was born in London to Nigerian parents and taken to Lagos when I turned 5. I vividly recollect those 12 early years via the immersive presence of rhythms and sounds. I spent my formative years in Lagos during the 1970’s oil boom when the city was a bustling metropolis of bright colours and sounds. From the celebratory percussion of Juju music to the cries of street hawkers peddling wares, Lagos’ unique sonic footprint defies easy categorisation. The concept for Elder’s Corner was born when an audiophile friend, who owned a prized collection of rare African music on vinyl, returned from one of his crate digging exploits and invited me over for a listening session.”

Journeying through the eyes of the filmmaker

The film shows how Nigeria’s political development affected the music scene and musicians’ fate and fortunes. From before independence to the civil war down to the oil boom and immediately after it, the film takes one on a voyage of return and discovery – an epic tale of survival, using music to reconnect the past to the present. Woven throughout this denouement is Awoyinka’s personal search for reconciliation with the past.

It features live studio recording performances, rare archival footages and intimate conversations with some foremost pioneering music legends, including the legendary E.C Arinze, Chief Obey, Joni Haastrop and Monomono, Victor Uwaifo, Fatai Rolling Dollar, The Lijadu Sisters, and Salawa Abeni, among others.

“Their collective journeys mirrored that of the nation, through its triumphs and upheavals and put my own childhood into sharper perspective. Shockingly though, few owned any copies of their old recordings. So we had them recreate some of their old classics in the same studio where they were originally recorded (Afrodesia Studios, Lagos). These intimate sessions feature prominently in the film and help lend even greater weight to their moving stories,” Awoyinka stated.

These intimate sessions feature prominently in the film and help lend even greater weight to their moving stories. Through coordinated recording studio sessions with some of the surviving musical icons, the film conjures a way for everyone to savour once again, everything that is sweet about the past. The live studio performances reveal how their collective tragedies – Awoyinka’s, the musicians’, the nation’s—meet in the present with music and sound as vehicles for healing.

He says: “Through coordinated recording studio sessions with some of the surviving musical icons, the film conjures a way for everyone to savour once again, everything that is sweet about the past and also recalling their pains etched inside. The film also touched on the Nigeria-Biafra civil war and how it affected some of their lives.

Elder’s Corner will act as a modern day, oral and visual archival document from which the present and successive generations of music lovers the world over, can benefit and learn from for decades to come. By showcasing the rise to prominence and notable achievements of these icons, we can help to raise awareness about the urgent need to preserve their work and honour their legacies.

The film culminates with a remembrance of FESTAC, international black arts festival hosted by Nigeria in 1977. Victor Uwaifo and Mary Afi-Usuah recount how it was a joyous display of black homecoming and culture from all corners of the globe, while others reflect on how it was a pointless waste of money.

But earlier, Afi-Usuah, who was on the cusp of superstardom in Europe when she forsook all to serve the country and flag in Nigeria during the early 1970s, recalls in pain but questions the nation’s loyalty to its citizens. Speaking sadly of her return, she asks: “Where is the love that your country promised you?” when reality sets in. But at the end, she enthuses: “There is hope for Nigeria.”

Along with Afi-Usuah and the Lijadu Sisters, the film also gives women musicians a voice, including Salawa Abeni, who made a short appearance too, speaking on challenges of women musicians.

Bantu, recalling how the project started, stated: “Every musician would lead us to another. That’s how we got so many people and we started collecting stories. I remember when we met Fatai Rolling Dollars, he had moved houses and had lost some materials in the floods. I thought, ‘Wow, we’re losing our history. That was how we started. We couldn’t wait for outsiders to come and tell our stories. So, we started.”

November 30, 2022
30years after, scholars, theatre practitioners remember I Sho Pepper

Thirty years after his demise, family members, friends, nollywood practitioners and scholars among others gathered over the weekend to honour and celebrate the memory of legendary and iconic Yoruba actor Ishola Ogunsola popularly called Dr I. Sho Pepper.

The event, which held at the Wole Soyinka Arts Theatre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan attracted the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi and notable scholars in the field of arts and theatre practices.

A foundation in the memory of the deceased was also launched to actualise the unaccomplished vision of the theatre expert.

The stakeholders lauded late Dr I. Sho Pepper for his professionalism, passion, and exploits in stage and theatre practices, calling on government to give more attention to the sector because of its potentials to reduce unemployment and positively project the country’s image to the outside world.

The Olubadan who was represented by High Chief Lekan Alabi, said the roles and impact by Ogunsola could not be forgotten 30 years after his demise.

He commended the family and scholars for associating with a man whose life touched many through his career occupation, theatre.

He further enjoined the people to always live the kind of life that will attract others to want to associate with their memory when they are long gun.

Farounbi recounted the many intellectual discussions he had with the deceased while travelling from place to place promoting theatre practice.

He said despite the huge passion, vision and zeal of the late Ogunsola to start what would have been the first film village at the time, the sudden unfavourable economic situation of the country made the dream unrealistic.

He said the situation got worse by the death of the legendary artiste. He appealed to government to create a kind of revolving financial facility that practitioners and people in the industry can access per time instead of a quick-fix method that only come as a bailout in the time of financial crisis.

One of the wives of the deceased, Madam Felicia Ogunsola popularly called Efunsetan Aniwura for her role in the legendary movie, thanked the children, friends and family members for celebrating a man whom she described as embodiment of wisdom and knowledge.

She recounted how the deceased coordinated his artists and ensured everything was well on the home front , particularly his love for education for his children in the stead of ostentatious lifestyle.

She also at the event preached unity and together among the people

The Convener, Bola Ogunsola-Akande described her late father as a multi-talented theatre icon and all-round man of the theatre based on his dexterity in almost every art of the theatre.

He recounted the late artist was a brilliant director, a great actor, a superb singer and music composer, an accomplished drummer and a talented dancer.

She said the symposium was organised to recognize and honour Olusola Isola Ogunsola as well as to draw attention to his place in the making of one of the most vibrant and popular cultural expressions in the history of the arts in Africa.

She said: “Olusola Isola Ogunsola, a.k.a Dr.I.Sho Pepper, was one of the few artists who remained relevant in the face of economic hardship that led to the dwindling attendance of theatre shows as well as the fall of celluloid film production.

“As we celebrate and remember the multitalented theatre Icon Olusola Isola Ogunsola 30 years after transiting to the world beyond, we invited scholars, practitioners and lovers of culture and entertainment to reflect and project for the future of theatre practice, the creative and entertainment industries.

“What can we learn from Dr.I.Sho Pepper?What model did he employ and how did he navigate and survive the social and economic threats that rose against the theatre profession in the late 80s and early 90s?”

The event also saw awards of recognition and cash being presented to some of the individuals who co-sojourned in the field of theatre practices with the late icon during his day’s and who till date still remain relevant in the industry.

Some of the notable faces at the event were: Samson Eluwole (Jinadu Ewele), Felicia Ogunsola (Efunsetan Aniwura), Otunba Adebayo Salami (Oga Bello), Peju Ogunmola and Kunle Afolayan among others.

Highpoint of the event was the panel discussion where scholars, researchers in the field of theatre practice discussed what they described as the impeccable track records of the deceased theatre icon to the development of movie-making in Nigeria and Africa at large.

Issues of concern to the scholars at during the discussion was also the place of training and how it can be more useful to the ever-evolving Nigerian entertainment industry by drawing lessons from the Dr I. Sho Pepper ‘s life and times and learning about the business and operational model adopted by Nigerian theatre artistes of the 70s and 80s.

November 30, 2022
Simms announces new book

There are positive people around. There are many terms like “No bad days,” “manifesting,” and “vision boards,” and it seems like everyone on earth wants to learn how to think positively.

But what exactly does it mean to think positively imply?
And can you achieve your goals just by positive thinking? Expecting to become an optimist overnight is unrealistic if you have a tendency to be pessimistic. But with time, you’ll become less critical of yourself and more accepting of who you are.
You can also start to lose your sense of self-criticism. Being usually upbeat makes it easier for you to deal with daily stress in a more beneficial manner.

That aptitude might be a factor in positive thinking’s well-documented health advantages. Check out this list of ways to maintain a positive outlook. Include the tips you’ve learned independently.

This influential self help book will boost your life.

November 29, 2022
UNWTO: Culture and creative industries as bedrocks of tourism

It was total fun listening to guests and tourism experts from all over the world discussing and acknowledging culture and the creative industries as the bedrocks of tourism. It was at the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Conference that was held at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, penultimate week. Edozie Udeze who attended the three-day event, reports.

As the saying goes, a venue makes an event. And that is exactly the situation at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, penultimate week when Nigeria hosted the world. The programme was the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) Global Conference. With the theme as: Linking Tourism, Culture and the Creative Industries: Pathways to Recovery and Inclusive Development, the stage was indeed agog with plethora of events that gave vent to the National Theatre, Lagos as the most apt and suitable venue for the conference. The three day conference also boosted the aura of the venue as one of the coziest centres where the ingredients and properties of culture and tourism could be brought to public limelight and delight.

So as the conference opened with a lot of razzmatazz, participants arrived with aplomb, feeling too good to savour the beauty and the ambiance of the newly refurbished and renovated National Theatre. The beauty indeed beckoned, the surroundings also aroused the interest of visitors. It was good the renovations took place in earnest because the whole interior orientation of the halls have been reorganized. As you sat down and looked around, all you saw were decorations and innovation that suited or even beat or surpassed what can obtain anywhere in the world. The euphoria was fantastic.

For once, Nigerians were proud, nodding their heads of approval to the cultural splendours that define and adorn the contours of the National Theatre. As a tourist centre itself, the National Theatre spoke volumes about the theme and the ideals of the UNWTO Global gathering. And of course the glow on the faces of visitors, foreigners, custodians of the UNWTO legacies and ideals and all, were glimmers of approval. It was once more big kudos to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism who had consistently made it clear that the National Theatre would be ready for the epoch-making event. As a proud minister whose love for the things that eulogise Nigeria, Lai Mohammed strode around with sure happiness. He told the world that Nigeria is ever ready to host UNWTO, ensuring that all properties that define tourism, culture, the creative industries are kept on the front-burner.

On the first day of the event, the minister had a very busy day with students of Pampers School, Lagos. Also in the session was Zurab Pololikashavili, Secretary – General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation UNWTO. The section provided a window into the practical realities of what tourism stands for and how culture has become a partner in this regard. This session afforded the minister the opportunity to alley fears about climate change, infrastructural materials being provided by government to sharpen the natural allure towards tourism.

It was also a moment to look at global warming and how the world has been blessed with different things of nature. It looked at how peace, global peace is still the best conducive panache for tourism to thrive. Tourism, in other words breaks down different barriers of racism and hate. When people visit others, they learn from them, they spend their currency in their host communities. This is how tourism grows and ensures that love, true universal love, permeates the surface of the earth. Interactions across creeds, religions, races, nations and continents, breed love and peace. In all these, tourists, tourism as a format, feeds on cultural properties to keep the glow properly illuminated.

When tourism has now become the highest job provider sector in global scene, it is proper to strengthen the sector and look for ways to keep it ever attractive to the younger ones who ply their trade there. Both Mohammed and Zurab agreed that given its transversal interactions with many other economic sectors in services and industry, tourism has the enviable power to spur and expand business and jobs opportunities. This in all intents and purposes, can help to drive inclusive socio-economic development globally.

It is undisputable therefore that within this framework, cultural heritages and the creative industries constitute main and key pillars in the core tourism sector’s growth and advancement. This is why the sector has generated about $2.25 billion jobs annually. This indeed represents 40% of global tourism revenues and so it is good when communities allow cultural properties in their areas to thrive. Not only that the local people will gain from it, they can also preserve it to attract tourists who can visit and spend their money. This way also the local people can easily create jobs for themselves by engaging as tour guides, food vendors, artisans, hotel owners, and service providers.

It is the responsibility of the UNWTO globally to keep the litany of tourism promotion as one of the best ways to engender brotherhood, establish links and encourage interracial cohesion. The secretary-general made it clear. He said “Yes, the creative economy is a powerful force and leverage for stimulating social entrepreneurship. It spurs MSMEs, as well as enhances the competitiveness of destinations themselves, with knock-on benefits for livelihoods and social empowerment”. This way we can also help local communities create and capitalize income and wealth.

Mohammed, in welcoming the idea of ensuring the local people fit properly into the scene of tourism afer the devastating months of covid 19, said “tourism is certainly an important sector of our national economies. It is an important source of foreign exchange earnings, job creation, income generation, infrastructural development and poverty reduction… Prior to the outbreak of the covid 19 pandemic, the global tourism sector for decades showed uninterrupted growth. The number of international arrivals skyrocked from 277 million in 1980 to nearly 1.5 billion in 2019. Now, months into the pandemic, the tourism sites and facilities witnessed echoes of silence and emptiness, whether in Africa, Europe, Asia, America, Middle East or the Pacific…”

The minister however, appreciated the fact that tourism, culture and the creative industries are highly globalized with the capacity to move nations from poverty to prosperity and by extension, make communities better places. “The sectors are industries in their own right and create added value globally with spin-offs in the areas of trade, hospitality, agriculture, transport, construction, etc. I am really excited about this conference and its deliverables which will promote the sustainability and inclusiveness of these inter-linked sectors”, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was described by Zurab as the best of his kind in the world, said.

Indeed, like the minister noted in his speech, the objective of the conference was to fast-track the objectives of transforming the tourism sector into the preferred sector and the creative industry into a creative economy”. It shows also that Nigeria is a trusted business hub, widely recognized to be so. It was clear from the participation by over 160 nation–states that the UNWTO global gathering was meant to re-infuse life into the global tourism economy, thereby “bringing the three inter-linked sectors of tourism, culture and the creative industries for the first time to highlight their fundamental importance as effective tools for inclusive development and drivers of sustainable growth”.

He ob served that in the last decade when the entertainment sector has tripled in its fortunes, it has generated 1.45% of Nigeria’s GDP. In 2021 alone the number of annual films emanating from Nigeria stood at 2,500 with the projection of 22 million US Dollars. The revenue from music is estimated at 73 million US Dollars and more. This was why the conference actually earmarked a special day tagged a day with Nollywood. It was an opportunity to meet the actors and actresses and then fine-tuned more new ways to streamline the sector and ensure its steady growth.

In his own speech, the Vice-president of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) raised the hope of a new Nigeria, where industry players in the whole gamut of the creative industries have kept Nigeria ever alive on the global scene. An excited Osinbajo came into the hall properly electrified to demonstrate some stimulating dance movements that have made Nigerian singers the cynosure of eyes on the global arena. As he sang some of the trending songs, giving appropriate movements and gesticulations, the audience roared with applause and approval.

Osinbajo said: “I must not fail to mention that we gather here at our iconic National Theatre. Built in 1976, 46 years ago, in preparation for hosting the 2nd African Festival of Arts and Culture, where we welcomed 17,000 guests from Africa, the Diaspora and around the globe. It is therefore symbolic that this conference which focuses on rebuilding and restarting tourism is being held here in our own rebuilt National Theater… Tourism has already established itself as one of the top job creating economic sectors, its contribution to global GDP is estimated to be in order of 10%”.

He thanked the Lagos State government for being a good host. He also commended Mohammed for a job well done just as he extended his gratitude to UNWTO for the opportunity to allow Nigeria host this very August body. He said further: “more importantly, tourism provides us humans a means of achieving the deepest desires of our hearts, which is social interaction, reaching across race, colour and language to connect with our common humanity. The bridges we employ to make those connections are usually our cultural genres, our music, arts, crafts, dances, cultural festivals”.

He noted that music is a global language, even people who do not know the meaning of the words of a song enjoy the rhythm and some find out the meanings of lyrics discovering the culture and ideas that inspired them. He then gave examples with Kizz Daniel’s buga and Burna Boy the Grammy award winner and Asake. These people use music not only to conquer the world, but also attract attention and tourists to Nigeria. They have raised the bar in terms of revenue and GDP.

In all, the outing was good. Participants had plenty doses of Nigerian hospitality. Foods and entertainments flowed freely. All sorts of assortments of foods, drinks were served. the banquet hall of the Theatre flowed with people. The VIP hall which has been upgraded also swallowed the large crowd. People milled with big glows on their faces. The toilets were in good order and the air-conditioners performed to the maximum satisfaction of guests.

Like most things Nigerian, cultural displays; dance-dramas and all-round entertainment eulogizing numerous Nigerian cultural heritages were used to spice the occasion. The dance troupe from Kano was at its best. the raw display of different dance patterns pleased the people. The climax came when the Lagos State cultural troupe took over the stage. As usual Lagos for ‘show’ was in action. They danced to really prove that culture is the bedrock of tourism, yes indeed and it worked out excellently well. So the conference ended on a sound note.

November 27, 2022
Prof. French to lead discourse at Sterling leadership series

American journalist and academic, Prof. Howard French, yesterday headlined Sterling Leadership Series (SLS) fourth edition.

This year’s SLS with the “Born in Blackness: Truth, Lies and X” was a discourse event that spotlighted how Nigerians and Africans, got to where they are in the way they think; and the shift in thinking required to start taking tomorrow back today.

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifChief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Sterling Bank, Dapo Martins said: “The Sterling Leadership Series is a platform to bring together a diverse group of opinion leaders and global thinkers to share their views and experiences to shape perspectives on key issues, and inspire others to contribute to the reimagining of a more stable socio-political environment in Nigeria in particular, and the African continent in general.”

Speaking on the inspiration for this year’s theme, Martins said: “As a people, we tend to focus on today as our major challenge,” noting that, “Most Gen X, Millennials and Gen Zs are out of sync with history because the few that are informed have an easy tendency to neglect the actual reasons behind today’s actions, and are conditioned to quickly forget the past. This creates a worrisome loop in which we are set to repeat history’s mistakes, time and time again.”

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Prof. French, who is author, photographer, former foreign correspondent for the New York Times, is Professor of Journalism at the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and has been an instructor since 2008.

Prior to re-entering the ivory towers, Prof. French was an instructor in Cote D’Ivoire in the 1980s before becoming a reporter and international correspondent for the prestigious New York Times, where he wrote extensively on West and Central Africa.

The previous and highly successful editions of the SLS have featured prestigious speakers such as Nobel Laureate and poet; Prof. Wole Soyinka, former Minister of Communication and Technology; Dr. Omobola Johnson, and Yaw Sarkoh, former Managing Director and CEO of Unilever Nigeria Plc.

November 24, 2022
Nigerian visual artist Williams Chechet to present solo exhibition

Gifted Nigerian visual artist Williams Chechet is set to present his new solo exhibition ‘Heavy is the Head’ at Soto Gallery from Friday 25th Nov – Friday 9th Dec, 2022.

“Heavy is the Head” alludes to the famous Shakespearean quote, “Uneasy is the head that wears a crown”. Biblically, it is written, “To whom much is given, much is required now” – Luke 12:48.

These quotes emphasize the burden and responsibility that comes with status and power. When much has been given to you (talent/ability), a lot will be required of you. There are a variety of ways in which you

The exhibition will commence on Friday 25th November by 5pm with an opening reception and end on Friday 9th December 2022.

Chechet experiments with Pop Art, culture and afro-futurism, and is interested mainly in black identity and history reimagined in the past, present and the future.

Chechet fully embraces contemporary culture, the digital future and his own sense of his cultural heritage

His images are bold and engaging, often taken out of their original context through his creative process, and overlapped with colourful symbolism and accessories.

In his most recent body of work the artist explores and intentionally incorporates the faces and characters of Northern Nigeria, it’s leaders, icons and historically and culturally significant images into his work as a project that enshrine them in popular memory and consciousness – images and figures that have shaped Nigeria’s political history.

His work also pays homage to the global pop art movement of the 1960s, with strong references to artists such as Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg and Jean Michel Basquiat.

He has exhibited in group exhibitions in America, The United Kingdom, South Africa, and Morocco.

Born in Kano and raised in Kaduna in Northern Nigeria, Chechet studied Industrial Design at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

He was shortlisted for the Art X Lagos Art Prize in 2018.

November 23, 2022
Printmakers celebrate Baba Bruce at 90

For the second time in five years, the Visual Printmakers Association of Nigeria (VPAN), last Sunday rolled out the big drums to celebrate the doyen of printmaking in Nigeria, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya in continuation of his 90th birthday bash. In 2017, the association hosted its maiden show in his honour at Ikeja, Lagos.

On Sunday, the newly commissioned Tim and Carol Gallery of Art in Ikeja, Lagos hosted the second celebration in the form of a group exhibition, tagged: “Celebrating the art of adventure”, featuring both veterans and young printmakers. Expectedly the exhibiting artists showcased mostly prints and its allied experiments, such as metal foil, monoprint, linoprint, plastograph, plastocast, among others.

The exhibiting artists, include Bruce Onobrakpeya, Jerome Elaiho, Solomon Wangboje, Kunle Adeyemi Salubi Onakufe, Peju Layiwola, Aladegbohungbe Aderinsoye, Ademola Williams, Tayo Quaye, Kolawole Olojo Kosoko, Afuevu Onakufe, and Ufuoma Onobrakpeya. Others are TM Akinwumi, Moses Unokwah, Bode Olaniran, Tunde Olanipekun and Timipre Amah.

Printmaking is the art of creating prints from an artwork with that element of originality that differentiates it from photographic reproductions. The methods of printing include lithography, etching, serigraphy, plastocast, block relief and many more.

It took the introduction of graphic method of intaglio printmaking in workshops by Rudolf Harold van Rossen, a Dutch artist, in 1963 and 1964, to prompt Onobrakpeya to change from painting to pursuing printmaking as a career.

Importantly, the group exhibition desires to place printmaking more formally in the public eyes and increase the collections in homes and permanent archives. These works are a huge improvement on what was shown in its first exhibition and would leave a lasting impression on art critics and admirers.

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The printmaking techniques, the experimental and contemporary approaches have become matters for public discussion and enlightenment. This is a second rare opportunity for the best of Nigerian printmakers to share, practise, learn from one another and exhibit. The works truly convey a sense of community and puts the public on the alert in search for the new generation masters.

President of the association, Prof Salubi Onakufe described Onobrakpeya as a thinker and a lover of Nigerian indegenous culture with emphasis on urhobo artisictic cultural heritage with the synthesis of European art, the philosophy of the Zaria rebels.

He noted that as a teacher per excellence since graduation from art school he taught at St Gregory College Lagos, University of Ibadan, Haystack Mountain School U.S.A and anchored The Harmattan Workshop since 1998 till date.

He noted that the objective of the association is to create an avenue for interested printmakers to fraternise in the printmaking endeavour for self realisation through cross fertilisation of ideas and experiments to better members lot with the spirit of Harmattan workshop.

Proprietor, Tim and Carol Gallery of Art, Mr. Olawale Fasuyi, expressed delight to hold the inaugural exhibition of the Tim and Carol Gallery of Art, which was commissioned a few months ago. He said hosting the Visual Print Makers Association of Nigeria (VPAN) to a 10-day exhibition is truly an esteemed honour for the gallery..

“The fascinating thing about printmaking works is that whatever the medium adopted, the boundaries of creativity are limitless and imagination of the artist unrestrained. ‘’Works produced are therefore of different complexities. This exhibition explores the concept of diversity in unity in the works of our exhibiting artists,” he added.

Continuing, he said: ‘’The gallery is proud to exhibit this exquisite body of works produced by veterans and their proteges, We use the exhibition to pay tribute to Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya as we continue to celebrate the 90th birthday of the doyen of Print making in Nigeria, who has inspired most, if not all the exhibiting artists.”

The collection on display is a mix of works by veterans, masters, and upcoming artists, which brings to the fore different products by generations of disciples of Baba Bruce.

They include Mother Theresa by Bruce Onobrakpeya, Drummers Ensemble by Adeyemi, Untitled by Layiwola, Evening sales by Aladegbohungbe, Itsekiri by Luqman, Oriade by Akinwande and Market mood by Olojo. Others are Dancers by Afuevu, Jeka by Olaniran, Fulani craftsman by Ufuoma, Mask for the bride by Unokwah, Opon imo by Olaniyi and The big question by Akinwumi.

The group show will run till November 30.

November 23, 2022
‘Ake festival safe space for black creatives’

Founder Ake Arts and Books Festival, Lola Shoneyin has described the annual festival as a safe space for black people of the world to hold open and frank discussions about what it means to be African, its creativity, and the place of its Art in the world.

The festival which has as theme “Home coming”, will hold its 10th edition at Stronger Tower Event Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos between 24 and 26 November. It is organised in partnership with Sterling Bank, Luminate and supported by other art-friendly organisations.

Shoneyin, who spoke in Lagos, disclosed that winner of 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature Abdulrazak Gurnah would be in attendance while award winning author Veronique Tadjo would headline the festival.

The festival will also host the second conference of Global Assocation of Literary Festival; a convergence of festival organisers across the globe.

Shoneyin said there was an initial thought of returning to Abeokuta where it all started but considering convenience and safety of guests, Lagos was picked. She said: “We do not shy away from difficult conversations but actively confront taboo subjects. We are of the firm belief that understanding and tolerance are critical for collective growth. That’s why, after three days of cultural immersion, everyone goes home forever changed, motivated and inspired.”

The festival is making a return to its in person format after two years of hiatus occasioned by COVID-19.

It is an annual celebration of African culture and literature, featuring book chats, panel discussions, readings, workshops, roundtable discussions, performances, stage plays, as well as art exhibitions from Nigerian and international artists.

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According to Shoneyin, the choice of this year’s festival theme “Home Coming,’ is based on the recognition that, “although our African roots influence our arts and creative expression as we migrate and settle across the globe, these bonds may weaken with time,. making the ritual of homecoming even more significant”. She noted the importance of African creatives experiencing “the regenerative power of our ancestral roots.”

Shoneyin recalled that she founded the festival in 2013 to create more spaces where African writers and artists could converge, dialogue, and interact with those who consume their work.

“I believed it was important to have a well-organised literary event on Africa’s cultural calendar. With a marvellous team and dedicated volunteers, we have been able to pull off a world-class festival in Nigeria for nine years. Even COVID-19 didn’t stop us; we swiftly adapted to the times and moved the festival online, creating the opportunity to have many more guest speakers”.

The festival has served Africa’s creative community for nine years, bringing together over a thousand writers, poets, dancers, filmmakers, artists, thinkers, and actors and featuring both emerging and established voices.

She added that “Aké Festival presents a unique opportunity for local and international organisations to contribute to the preservation and promotion of African culture. Sterling has been our backbone and it has been an honour to be associated with a trusted brand that has become known for excellence and boldness.

The conversations at Aké Festival enable us to discuss issues pertaining to Africa, what it means to be African, and Africa’s relationship with the rest of the world.”

On why Sterling Bank has consistently sponsored the festival, its Chief Marketing Office, Mr. Ibidapo Martins said: “Storytellers are the custodians of our collective truths and they must be protected and supported at all times.”

Martins, who praised Shoneyin and the Aké Book & Arts Festival team on 10 years of an exciting and vibrant cultural event now described as “the biggest convergence of creative Africans in the world,” added that, “Sterling Bank takes a broad view of the role of banking institutions in developing societies like ours. When we first partnered with the festival six years ago, we knew we were entering into a special relationship. We are proud that we maintained and deepened our friendship.”

He said the bank was impressed with the festival’s impact on the country’s reading culture, adding that, “Storytellers and artists occupy a critical role in the shaping of the African continent and we owe it to ourselves, and future generations, to support them in our personal, professional and national capacities.”

He noted that partnering with the Aké festival had not only helped the bank to walk the talk, but it has also enabled the management to feel the humanising and motivating effect of prioritising culture and creativity through music, art, theatre, film, and stories.

He said Sterling Bank, as an innovative entity, looks forward to the surprises, conversations, creations, diversions, and excellence that Aké Festival has become known for and remains committed to building a society that represents the best attributes of human nature.

November 23, 2022
Church holds programme

Newbreed Leadership Centre is set to hold its international conference of Newbreed with the theme: “A new generation”.

According to the hosts, Pastor Broda Martyns and Pastor Mrs. Nkiru Balogun, it will feature salvation, deliverance and healing, etc.

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It will be holding at Newbreed Leadership Centre, Makanjuola Street, Surulere, beginning with the opening ceremony from Thursday, November 24. On Friday, there will be evangelism; musical concert on Saturday and Sunday, a celebratory service by 8am.

Ministering are Obed Akanya, Jephrey Osobase, James Munor, Rev. Ugom Onwochei, Tosin Alao, Chuks Chidube and Emeka Aaron.

November 23, 2022
‘Statues Also Breathe’ reflects Chibok girl’s image

Reflecting on the plight of the Chibok girls, who are still missing while highlighting the global struggle for girls’ education, French sculptor Prune Nourry and the Department of Fine & Applied Arts of the Obafemi-Awolowo University, Ile-Ife has created an army of 108 life-size human head sculptures, representing a small fraction of the number of people taken by Boko Haram.

The contemporary reimagining of the girls titled ‘Statues Also Breathe’ as well as a documentary movie of the project is showcasing at the Art Twenty One in Lagos, Nigeria, before traveling around the world to remind of the rich and diverse history and culture of Nigeria, and the present day challenges that we must all address collectively as a global community. Upon completion of the tour, the sculptures will be returned to the permanent collection of a museum in Africa.

The project which was also in collaboration with the families of the Chibok girls who were kidnapped by Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria, was unveiled on November 19 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos with the aim of making sure the public continued to remember the abduction of 276 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State, by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014.

According to Nourry, who is based in New York, the inspiration for the ‘Statues Also Breathe’ came when the girls were abducted eight years ago and she was traveling to China at the time for her work titled ‘Terracotta Daughters.’

“I heard about the abduction of the Chibok girls and then I saw the beautiful ancestral Ife heads, then it started to raise in my mind that as a sculptor, it was my dream one day to go to Ife and use the same clay to create a rising army of girls, that is the missing girls of Chibok. My dream came true when I met with the Obafemi-Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to create the terracotta heads of Chibok girls”

For Nourry, the goal for the art is to personify their absence and for a collective memory to remember that these girls still exist.

“This is absolutely to remember the Chibok girls. These are symbols of their agony, they also represent the fact that we care for our girls.”

Read Also; Chibok kidnappings: Why it’s important to listen to the survivors of Boko Haram terrorism

After meeting with the Chibok families to conceive the project, Nourry said she was entrusted with portraits of their missing daughters, which she used as inspiration for eight heads sculpted in clay – creating portraits of the high school girls imaged in the style of iconic ancestral Ife head of the region.

From the eight original sculptures, 108 heads were cast in clay sourced from Ile-Ife, by potters from a female potter’s community in the Yoruba town of Ilorin and students of Obafemi-Awolowo University.

The project which took about a year to complete was sculpted by 108 students after a 1-day workshop at the university. The students sculpted and transformed each head into unique sculptures using portraits of the missing girls.

A delegation of mothers of the Chibok girls and girls who managed to escape Boko Haram captivity was also in attendance during the sculpturing, honoring and remembering their friends and loved ones depicted in the sculpture.

In the documentary movie, all collaborators and participants voices were heard as the recounts their unique perspectives

The foundation of the project was built on conversations with mothers of the eight models and their desire to ensure the world does not forget the girls; each element of Statues Also Breathe works towards bringing continued attention from the wider world.

There was a podcast that provided listeners with an intimate look at the events that took place before, during, and after the kidnapping, as recounted by the women who experienced it firsthand and the people who contributed to making their involvement in ‘Statues also breathe’ possible.

The President of the Missing Chibok Girl’s Parent Association, Yakubu Nkeki, noted at the event that 38 parents of the abducted girls died in the first three years of the incident. He also recalled how he travelled 50km to meet the parents of the abducted girls.

Nkeki added, “Initially, it was tough putting together the parents. In fact, I have about seven of my extended family members abducted as well. I was the first person who staged a one-man protest when the abduction initially happened. A lot of people warned against this but I did not listen to them. As we speak, only one of my nieces is yet to return.

“We are not resting our oars as an association to secure the release of the remaining abductees,” he said.

While appreciating the government and the security forces for securing the release of some of the girls, he urged the government to do more in saving the remaining abducted girls.

Speaking at the art event, one of the abductees, Amina Alli, shared her experience of how she escaped from the den of kidnappers in Sambisa forest in 2016. She said, “I was kidnapped alongside others on April 14, 2014, I was in JSS 2. We were taken to different camps and I was lucky to have escaped when the Nigerian Armed Forces came to raid where I was captured. That was in January 2016.”

She, however, expressed optimism that having gone through government-funded rehabilitation, she would survive the trauma of the abduction and live a normal life. She also called on the government to intensify efforts in searching for and rescuing her abducted schoolmates.

She said, “After receiving rehabilitation and meeting with the President of the country, I have returned to school. I live with my family and I am happy. I really wish my other sisters could regain their freedom someday.”

November 23, 2022