The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

Youths and virtues of ethical living

Over 2,000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State have been trained in two editions of the “Ethical Living Project.” Powered by African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation, a non-profit organisation, in partnership with Enactus Nigeria, next year’s edition of the initiative which aims at instilling values and skills in young people to position them as change agents, targets one million students across 40 schools. It also plans to expand its reach beyond the Southwest states to other parts of the country, Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

Its transformative power to create a future where the value of ethics reigns supreme is not in doubt. This must be why the co-creators of the Ethical Living Project, an initiative designed to instill ethical values and skills in young Nigerians to enable them become change agents, admit that they do not expect to immediately see all the changes envisaged in the six-week ethical living training programme.

However, the co-creators of the project, namely the African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation and Enactus Nigeria, acknowledge that the seed that has been sown by leveraging the Ethical Living Project to equip secondary school students with the skills and values they need to become ethical leaders will not take long to blossom, ultimately resulting in significantly bridging Nigeria’s ethical gap.

Their optimism is not without justification. The first two editions of the project, which is being funded by ACA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of pan-African investment firm African Capital Alliance, with Enactus Nigeria, a leadership development-focused non-governmental organisation (NGO) as implementing partner, responsible for creating the ethical living training curriculum, were hugely successful.

So far, over 2, 000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State have been trained in two editions of the Project. About 534 students in 10 public secondary schools in Lagos State, as pilot, were trained in its inaugural edition last year, while this year’s edition expanded its enrollment to 10 new schools in Lagos; bring the total to 20 schools with a total of 2,000 students.

The 20 public secondary schools across Lagos so far reached on the project’s two editions include Araromi Senior Secondary School, Orile, Surulere; CMS Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga Lagos; Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls’ Secondary School Yaba; St Timothy’s College Onike, Yaba; Lagos Anglican Girls’ Grammar School (LAGGS); and Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, Lagos.

Others are Boys’ Senior Academy, Lagos Island, Lagos; Ebute Elefun Senior High School, Sura Lagos Island; Kuramo Senior College, Victoria Island, Lagos; Akande Dahunsi Memorial Senior High School, Osborne, Lagos; Government Senior College, Ikoyi, Lagos; Ilado Community Senior High School; Wahab Folawiyo Comprehensive Senior High School; Government Senior College, Maroko; Osborne Schools Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos and CMS Grammar School Bariga, Lagos.

Other schools that benefited from the ethical living training are Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos; Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos; Ojota Senior Secondary School, Ojota; Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, Lagos and Ayedere Ajibola Senior High School Ketu, Lagos.

The Chairman of the ACA Group, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah said it is gratifying that this year’s edition of the programme reached over 2,000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State, compared to about 534 in last year’s inaugural edition.

“This milestone reflects the growing impact of our shared commitment to promoting ethics, integrity and responsible citizenship among young people,” he said.

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Dr. Enelamah, who spoke at the grand finale of the Ethical Living Project 2.0 Annual Essay Writing Competition, held last week, at the Civic Centre Lagos said the ACA Foundation was established in 2012 as a force for good, focused on supporting the development of entrepreneurship, governance and ethical leadership in the various communities in which ACA operates.

According to him, the Ethical Living Project is not just a competition, “it is a movement, it is a call to action for each of us to live by the values we espouse, to be the change that we want to see in our communities and society and to live by example in a world hungry for ethical and exemplary leadership.” He added that out of the 2, 000 bright minds that have been trained, 1,416 students rose to the challenge by participating in the annual essay competition.

Samuel Opadotun, a student of Ebute Elefun Senior High School, Sura Lagos Island emerged as the overall winner of the ‘Ethical Living’ Essay Competition.’ Reuben Oshisanya, an SSI student of Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos and Anuoluwapo Akeni of Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga Lagos were second and third place winners, respectively. They were rewarded with high-end laptops.

The three overall winners were among the finalists after their essays were thoroughly reviewed and assessed by certified experts drawn from educational institutions. The finalists made presentations and highlighted their learning experiences to the admiration of the audience, which included industry leaders, top government functionaries, stakeholders in the education sector, social impact institutions and development agencies.

“I feel great because I have made my parents proud by taking the first position,” an excited Samuel told The Nation.

“I am happy for taking overall second position. I thank everyone that has contributed in sponsoring this project,” Reuben, the second place winner whose school participated in the programme last year, also said.

Anuoluwapo, the third-place winner, is no less excited. “I feel so happy. This is the first time our school is participating in this ethical living project and I feel so overwhelmed,” she told The Nation, adding that her happiness stemmed from the fact that “I have always wanted to have a laptop. For over a year, my dad has been telling me he will get me one, but I am so happy that I have one now.”

An elated Anuoluwapo, who expressed optimism that “if the organisers can continue this project, it will, at least, improve a lot of young minds in Nigeria,” even as he drew the attention of the Country Director for Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi and the project sponsor, ACA Foundation to this need.

Ajayi said, for instance, that the organisers are looking forward to the third edition and beyond to expand the programme and its impact and reach beyond Lagos to other Southwest states and eventually to other parts of the country.

“The impact that needs to be made to transform Nigeria cannot be made on a handful of states; we need to make that impact on a wide range of young people so that we can create that critical mass that will gradually transform the country.

“So, for the third edition and subsequently, we are looking to expand it gradually. Now we have 20 secondary schools, for the third edition, we are looking at a minimum of 40 schools and from there, we will grow up to the entire country eventually,”Ajayi told The Nation.

According to him, we have a five-year plan that will take us to other parts of the country beyond the Southwestern region. The essence is about teaching ethics to the Nigerian people so that, in the next five to 10 years, we will begin to see certain levels of transformation.

The Head of Corporate Development, ACA Executive/ACA Foundation Board, Mrs Uwa Osa-Oboh also confirmed plans to expand the Project’s scope and reach.

“Next year, there will be a doubling. The Chairman (Dr Enelamah) said he wants us to get to one million students. We have to think of efficient ways of being able to engage the schools and the government so that this truly can scale up as quickly as possible,” she said.

Mrs Osa-Oboh, who oversees the affairs of the Foundation from an executive perspective, however, said beyond the numbers, the reason for the grand finale is not just to celebrate, recognise and reward the winners, but “to ensure that when the students leave here, they continue to think about this and they want to become role models.”

The Chairman of ACA Foundation Council, Mr Paul Kokoricha, elaborated this further, noting that the purpose of the Ethical Living Project is to instill in young minds in the secondary schools the virtues of living ethically. He also revealed plans to spread the Project across Nigeria.

“Once we are done with Nigeria, we will be thinking outside of Nigeria because our business is also pan-African,” he told The Nation.

As implementation partner for the Ethical Living Project, which is an integrated developmental programme designed to elevate consciousness around ethics and ethical decision-making among young adults in secondary schools across the country, the first thing Enactus did was to design six training modules, having realised that to teach ethics, there should be some sort of structure that guides the conversation.

Module 1 is Introduction to Ethics, while Module 2 is Impact of Ethical Decisions on Self, Family and Society; Module 3 is Conflicts of Values, while Module 4 is Ethics and Society, which is basically about how certain societies have evolved and have become a beautiful place to go to and how those societies have grown based on ethical practices that have become like their culture.

The 5th Module is Reflection and Retrospection while the sixth is a recap of everything from the first module to the last module. Ajayi said after the six-week training, the students went into essay competition designed to help them articulate their thoughts to inculcate those things they have learnt into them. This is “because by writing, you are also forced to think.”

To ensure the programme’s sustainability, the Enactus Nigeria Country Director said an Ethical Living Club has been set up, drawing pioneer membership from 50-60 students per school who were selected in the first phase of the training last year.

“The Ethical Living Club is an interactive programme that allows those 50-60 students from last year to also share what they have learnt to other members of that community and also lead the conversation so that through them, we are able to reach at least 50 per cent of the school population,” he explained.

May 7, 2025
National Troupe trains children for effective drumming

Recently, the Nigerian theatre sector was busy when it celebrated World Drummers’ Day. The event which was held within the premises of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, was spearheaded by the National Troupe of Nigeria and other agencies and groups led by the Artistic Director Haja Kaltume Bulama Gana. But beyond the razzmatazz and eccentricism that accompanied the day’s celebrations, Bulama had earlier on that day organized a befitting drumming workshop for the younger artistes, students and some other people who have often shown interest in the affairs of drumming.

In the first place, Bulama is a thorough-bred artist, her love for arts and cultural issues is almost legendry. Her idea of the workshop meant to rhyme with the celebration was essentially to draw world attention to the importance of drums in the cultural settings in Nigeria. It was also to give people the deserved opportunity to feel the glow on an important day like the World Drummers’ Day. So, in all intents and purposes her plan went on well.

Different schools sent their students and pupils to be part of it. Dividing the workshop into groups Bulama and her team were able to assemble about six groups running into hundreds. It was to make the training easier. Students and trainees came from different parts of Lagos and were taken through the rudiments of drumming, stage by stage, bit by bit. The trainers bristled with Joy. The glow on their faces showed that the sessions were well received. The students responded through the brilliant questions they asked. Some were eager to begin on time to go into drumming as a profession. And the bubble was endless.

With assortments of drums littered everywhere within the precincts of the Artistic hostels, where the event took place the allure of the drums was irresistible. Artistes demonstrated the procedures by beating the drums. The giant drums-Gbedu, and other talking drums of all sizes produced amazing sounds. The sounds were evocative, resonated all over. The trainees were allowed at certain stages of the training to try their hands on drums. They too were excited.

The atmosphere looked like a carnival arrangement. With sea of heads of people and different types of drums as they produced those provocative sounds at the arena, those who loved and could interpret the messages were moved to action. Bulama was in a jolly good mood as she moved around to ensure the success of the outing.

In an interview with The Nation, she said, “yes as long as government has an agency like the National Troupe of Nigeria and approves money to run it, this is what we are here for. This training is part of why we are here to serve the nation, to train the people. We will continue to ensure that this legacy does not stop. Even then we should have new ways to inculcate the excitement of these drums. You could see how imposing and lively and inviting the drums look as they adorn this esplanade. We do all these mainly for the younger ones. What I aim to achieve with the National Troupe in the nearest future is to have all Nigerian festival of art where we have not only indigenous drums ad sounds but all kinds of instruments put together”.

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She went on “in the end we will be able to identify a unique Nigerian tune. Wherever you are and you hear this tune, you will not only marvel, you know instantly that this is Nigerian. From the sounds, you will know that this is made in Nigeria. It will be like an orchestra. And in all you will not take away the drums from that unique and ubiquitous Nigerian orchestra”. Programmes like this one, Bulama explained must come on from time to time. “Yes, it is part of our mandate to keep this flow on and ever active. It is from here, from this type of session that we have continuity. These children are the future and the hope of the nation. And training them now and on time too, shows how committed we are at the National Troupe of Nigeria”.

As the Troupe goes along with its many juicy programmes for the nation, Bulama promised to introduce more ideas and trainings that will keep the agency ahead of others. Her laudable dreams for the Troupe keep resounding. She said, “as we go along, we will still procure more drums. It is a bit hard now. But we will continue to do the much we can. You can see that the National Theatre itself is not ready yet to reabsorb us. But we have to move on with whatever we have to keep the Troupe active. It is clear that government is now paying attention to infrastructure and we have to key into it as well.

“Then people will have proper place to exhibit and celebrate their art, and in particular the art of drumming and stage theatre. But again, we should encourage schools to add cultural programmes to their academic plans. This will make parents also to see some of these things through their children. The enthusiasm displayed by the children here today is a testimony of how culture can be of value where and when properly inculcated. Children should be allowed to be in this part of atmosphere to feel the rhythm and be together with one another”, Bulama said with a hint of smile of satisfaction.

May 4, 2025
NANTAP wants National Theatre back

The president of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) Makinde Adeniran has made a case for the return of National Theatre to its stakeholders. In a special session he has had with artists, stakeholders, thespians and administrators in charge of the sector Adeniran and his team made it clear that National Theatre is for Nigerians. His idea is that the status quo must be maintained for artists to have a place to create, relax and contribute to the growth of the economy. He made these clear in this interview with Edozie Udeze.

As the new National President of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) what are your programmes for the association?

As the new National President of NANTAP, my key programmes focus on repositioning the association as a vital force in nation-building through advocacy, professional development, and infrastructural growth. We are working towards establishing a national secretariat—NANTAP House—creating more platforms for capacity building, deepening collaboration with government and private sectors, and amplifying the voice of Nigerian theatre practitioners both locally and globally.

The heat to return National Theatre to stakeholders is on. What is the position of NANTAP on this matter?

NANTAP strongly supports the call to return the National Theatre to its rightful stakeholders—the artists and cultural practitioners, though we support the intervention of the financial institutions because we believe we are all stakeholders in building a rewarding culture and arts ecosystem. As a symbol of Nigeria’s cultural identity, it should serve its original purpose as a hub for artistic creation and performance. We advocate for inclusive management that prioritizes the creative community and ensures the space remains accessible, functional, and true to its founding vision.

Is the theatre sector, in your reckoning, as vibrant as it is supposed to be?

The theatre sector has shown resilience and creativity, but it is not as vibrant as it ought to be. Structural challenges, inadequate funding, and limited infrastructure continue to hinder its full potential. However, with the right support, policy attention, and stakeholder collaboration, Nigerian theatre can thrive and take its rightful place as a major contributor to national development.

In your assessment so far, is the creative sector availing artists the real opportunity to create?

Not fully. While there is growing interest in the creative sector, many artists still face limitations due to insufficient funding, lack of infrastructure, and inconsistent policy support. The potential is immense, but more intentional investment and enabling environments are needed to truly empower artists to create freely and sustainably.

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When National Theatre finally returns to stakeholders what do you expect government to do to keep it afloat?

When the National Theatre returns to stakeholders, we expect the government to provide consistent funding, ensure proper maintenance, and establish a collaborative management framework with practitioners. It should also create policies that promote programming, training, and access—so the Theatre becomes a vibrant, self-sustaining hub for cultural expression and national pride.

It is time to extend NANTAP activities to other parts of Nigeria. What do you think about this?

NANTAP is already in 21 states in Nigeria. The affiliate guilds of Nantap are equally spread across Nigeria and in the diaspora that are beginning to show great interest. We are committed to strengthening state chapters, supporting grassroots initiatives, and ensuring that every region feels the impact of our work in promoting culture, creativity, and professional excellence.

Is there any plan of cooperation between the screen and the stage during your tenure?

Yes, there has always been. We recognize the power of synergy between the stage and the screen especially for the economic strength of the practitioners. NANTAP will actively continue to foster collaborations that bridge both worlds—through joint projects, training opportunities, and festivals—so practitioners can explore new forms of expression and expand their reach across platforms. When NANTAP was registered 35 years ago under the Land Perpetual Act of 1960, it covered the entire arts and entertainment practitioners and culture workers who are willing in being member of a professional body of practitioners.

May 4, 2025
To put a book in the hand of every child
- Mayein’s Dream, Nigeria’s future
What better way to begin this brief address than to ask Edem Ossai, MAYEIN’s Founder herself, to take us by the hand and lead us through the dream that mothered the actualization of today’s event and its predecessors since the birthing of this tremendously valuable initiative some 14 years ago? Here, in her own words, is a brief history of how the MAYEIN dream was born and how her call to action was prompted by an irresistible resolve:

I was troubled by the alarming number of children hawking goods on the streets of Ibadan during school hours. I believed that mobile libraries and small physical libraries in under-resourced neighborhoods would be an effective way to provide reading support and literacy resources to poorer and marginalized children who were out of normal school settings. I thought “If I can just put a book on the tray, it could change the child’s life”**.

Without any doubt, Edem was not the only one that saw these juvenal hawkers. They are all over Nigerian streets: those who hawk for their petty-trader parents or guardians, child labourers who flood roadsides in search of jobs, any kind of jobs from the riskiest to the flagrantly illegal; rag-wrapped, lice-covered youngsters schooled in the art of pestering and pick-pocketing ; the long lines of sanctified beggars with custom-made bowls in their hands, blackmailing passersby with the name of the merciful God who only opens Heaven’s door to those who open their wallets for the faithful beggar. Not far from here are demanding mentors and clerics waiting for the daily takings of this last category of juvenal menace   ……

I too have a story not too different from Edem’s own as told in her quote above.

Sometime in November last year, I was at the famous Oje Market in Ibadan to savour the typical market atmosphere in this seemingly amazing world of buying and selling. I ended up at my usual plantain depot, where my real business was usually accompanied with humorous repartee and how-is-the-family pleasantries, I discovered to my chagrin that the stall-keepers that day were two children aged about eight and ten. “Where is Mommy”, I asked almost instinctively. “She is away today and tomorrow, and she has asked us to open the shop”. My eyes made a quick dash to my wristwatch. It was 11 o’clock in the morning. “But you should be in school at this time of day”, I said in a tone sobered by torturous bother and anguished complaint. The two children answered me with helpless silence. As I selected my bunch of six plantains, I noticed a bout of shifting and shuffling around me. To my left were two boys and one girl; to my right a boy and a girl, all equipped with baskets, metal trays, and plastic buckets, each struggling to be the lucky porter of my bunch of six plantains. Again, all the five were aged between 8 and 10. Again, I asked “why are you here at this time? Why are you not in school?”. One said he had not had a good meal in two days because he had nothing to eat. Two said their parents couldn’t afford the school levy; one said his uniform was old and torn; the last one just looked away in sober silence.

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My painful testimony has not ended. In the past three years I have noticed a phenomenal rise in the number of juvenal apprentices who accompany the artisans and ‘blue collar’ workers that come to work on my house (and other houses in our neighborhood in Ibadan). Late last year, the plumber came with four; the aluminum worker with three; the bricklayer with three; the electrical generator repairer with two. These were workers who used to find it very difficult to recruit apprentices and assistants some ten years ago. Without a doubt, the remarkable rise in apprentice population is a symptom of the decline of the affordability rate of higher education among a significant sector of the Nigerian population as well as a disenchantment with its prestige, purpose, and indispensability. When I asked one of the new apprentices why he dropped out of high school, he told me he did so at the behest of his father who had observed that in today’s Nigeria, ise owo (technical/artisanal work) is far better than ise iwe   (book work). The boy then repeated to me the question his father asked him in words to this effect: what is the purpose of higher education which leaves you jobless after so many years of read, read, read, and bags of money spent on school fees? In this boy’s family, he said further, there are three unemployed graduates, two from the university, one from the polytechnic.

Many of the of street hawkers and juvenile loafers in today’s Nigeria are trickle-down victims of the socio-economic anomies so clearly revealed above in the dire situations of the child porters and juvenal apprentices. In a country where people would rather ka wo {count money) than ka we (count/read book); a philistine paradise that prides the opulent politician over the honest professor, the young population is not likely to aspire to the life of the book and its infinite wisdom.

And yet, as I have always thought and fervently believed, if you want to know the future of a country, go straight in to its classrooms and laboratories and libraries. Listen to the songs the children love to sing. Ask who their hero is. Ask: what is the real meaning of EDUCATION? After reading a new book, do you have the urge to write your own? Ask, as my Principal used to do in our secondary school days, “How many new books did you read last month?”.

These, in essence, are some of the questions MAYEIN has been asking and asking us to ask, directly or indirectly, in the past 14 years. MAYEIN has been a person-building, home-building, nation-building enterprise with its foot on the Present and its eye on the Future. In a country with a bloated, corrupt government and little governance, with rulers who play deaf when told in loud and clear terms that Nigeria is one of the countries with the largest number of out-of-school children in the world, the intervention of individual initiatives such as MAYEIN assumes a laudable significance. Edem Ossai was “troubled by the alarming number of children hawking goods on the streets”. But she didn’t stop at that. . She progressed from alarm to dream: ‘I thought “If I can just put a book on the tray, it could change the child’s life”’. With its book drives and mobile libraries, MAYEIN has been changing lives and making literacy a vital and indispensable achievement. Let the world rise to her aid as she strives to Put a Book in the Hand of Every Child.
May 4, 2025
NLNG unveils $1,300 VIBES economic empowerment scheme for Rivers youths

The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited has launched a new economic empowerment initiative, the Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme (VIBES), which will offer business grants of $1,300 each to the top 50 participants in Rivers State.

The scheme was inaugurated on Monday in Port Harcourt, as announced by NLNG’s General Manager of External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, through the Manager of Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Charles Epelle.

The scheme, formerly known as Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), is aimed at ensuring growth and sustainability of small businesses owned and managed by previous YES beneficiaries.

Speaking at the relaunch event in Port Harcourt, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr Sophia Horsfall said VIBES stands for Vocational, Innovation, Business, and Empowerment Scheme.

She said “NLNG believes that entrepreneurship is not just about starting and running a business, it is about creating opportunities that uplift the communities to drive economic growth and spark positive social change.”

“In line with NLNG’s vision of improving lives sustainably, VIBES is a deliberate programme to engender entrepreneurial knowledge, and the networks needed to grow entrepreneurs and change-makers in our communities.”

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Over 1400 youths from NLNG’s host and pipeline communities in Rivers state had been trained in 10 different empowerment programmes since inception of YES in 2004 though less than 300 are said to be operating viable business till date. The crafts include Automotive, Advanced welding, Catering and Hotel management, Fashion Designing and Cosmetology, Farm Management, Information and Communication Technology as well as Photography and Video Production.

Dr Horsfall who was represented at the event by the Manager, Community Relations and Sustainable Development, Charles Epelle said “We believe that VIBES will foster an environment where individuals can create businesses, generate employment, and become innovators. This belief drives our commitment to nurturing local capacity and enabling individuals to become creators of jobs, wealth, and lasting impact”

Speaking further, she said the programme is a modern approach to economic empowerment which “offers enhanced support through networking opportunities, grants, resources, and mentorship to help participants refine and scale up their ideas.”

VIBES came into force last year as a way of refining the implementation of the company’s YES programme, which was initially designed to make the participating youths economically and socially responsible and self-reliant through guided technical and managerial development training.

In conceptualizing VIBES, NLNG assembled experts in entrepreneurship, business development, law, technology and innovations and several other fields for continued training and mentorship of the select business operators to ensure continued survival, growth and sustainability of such businesses.

VIBES will provide comprehensive business training, which includes courses on financial management, marketing, strategic planning, law and legal practices and more. It shall also provide personalized advisory services and structured mentorship from seasoned business to the participants.

Beneficiaries will be administered professional, practical, participative training designed to build robust technical and managerial capacity.

Participants in the top 50 will receive a grant of $1,300 each, disbursed in two tranches. This funding is intended to help upscale their business and as part of a broader support system that includes mentorship, networking, and additional advisory services.

In the end, The VIBES Alumni Network will be created and is designed to provide continued mentorship, networking, and support after the completion of the programme, helping past beneficiaries to share experiences and access further opportunities.

Economic Empowerment is one of the four pillars of NLNG’s community development drive. Others are education, infrastructure development and healthcare.

May 2, 2025
Celebrating the power of music, IP in Nigeria

Nigerian music, particularly the infectious energy of Afrobeats, has emerged as a powerful global force. Nigerian musicians are making their mark internationally, with artists topping global charts, selling out stadiums worldwide, and forming powerful cultural connections. Through their music, they have become ambassadors of Nigeria’s identity, values, and resilience, demonstrating the soft power of the country’s creative economy.

It was on the bedrock motivated the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to join the global community in recognising the immense value of music as the heartbeat of creativity in the commemoration of this year’s World Intellectual Property Day, under the theme “IP and Music: Feel the Beat of IP”.

The role of Intellectual Property

“Music is indeed a universal language that not only entertains but also educates, motivates, and unites people across the world. Behind every melody, beat, and lyric is a creator—whether a composer, singer, sound engineer, or other key contributors—who depends on intellectual property, particularly copyright, to protect their works and ensure they are fairly compensated. Without strong intellectual property protections, creators would not be incentivized to produce the music that enriches lives worldwide. Music must feel the beat of intellectual property for the full potential of creativity to be realized,” according to a release issued by NCC.

Supporting Nigeria’s creative economy

As the value of Nigerian music continues to rise, the commission stated that the Nigerian government recognizes the importance of providing the legal, institutional, and technological support necessary to empower creators. “This includes implementing policies that nurture the growth of the industry and protect its intellectual capital. The Nigerian Copyright Commission remains committed to fostering an environment that supports the dreams and talents of our musicians.”

Despite the international success of Nigerian music, the royalties earned by the average Nigerian artist remain alarmingly low, with digital piracy exacerbating the issue. In response, the Nigerian Copyright Commission recently revised the “Collective Management Regulations” to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance among collective management organisations (CMOs). These organsations play a critical role in ensuring that music royalties are negotiated, collected, and distributed fairly to right holders.

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Tackling piracy and strengthening enforcement

The commission, says it is also stepping up efforts to address digital piracy. With the support of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, who has designated the Nigerian Copyright Commission as a relevant authority under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022, the commission is now better equipped to tackle online infringement. Additionally, the Copyright Act, 2022, provides provisions for the takedown of infringing materials and the blocking of websites hosting illegal content.

A call to action for music users

The Nigerian Copyright Commission called on all commercial users of music to obtain proper licenses from right holders or their approved representatives. This legal obligation ensures that creators are fairly compensated for their work and contributes to the sustainable growth of the industry.

Private sector partnerships and anti-piracy campaigns

In collaboration with private sector stakeholders, NCC states that it will launch an aggressive anti-piracy campaign targeting the online environment. “The Commission is committed to putting in place legally enforceable standards for transparency, digital audits, and real-time royalty reporting to safeguard the rights of creators and ensure a fair, sustainable music ecosystem.

“As World Intellectual Property Day 2025 is celebrated, the Nigerian Copyright Commission will continue to champion policies that support the growth of the music industry, improve the livelihoods of Nigerian musicians, and foster a culture of creativity and respect for intellectual property. We envision a thriving music industry where creativity flourishes, creators are respected, and financial rewards are commensurate with their contributions to the global cultural landscape,” the statement read.

May 2, 2025
ScAN inaugurates zonal VPs, appoints Arinze interim President

Following the unexpected resignation of its erstwhile President, Dr. Kehinde Badaru, the Sculptors Association of Nigeria (ScAN), Board of Trustees has appointed Sculptor Ato Arinze (Southwest), as interim president of the association and will steer the ship of ScAN based on already laid down year 2025 programmes. Also, the board, which comprises of Prof. Tonie Okpe of Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Okay Ikenegbu of the Institute of Management Technology (IMT; rtd.) Enugu, Sculptor Afolayan Emmanuel of Auchi Polytechnic, Prof. Nelson Edewor of Delta State University, Abraka and Dr. Shola Kukoyi of Auchi Polytechnic, has inaugurated the six Zonal Vice Presidents of the association namely- Sculptor Ato Arinze (Southwest), Prof. Ken Koli (Northwest), Dr. Satsy Leni (Northeast), Sculptor Akande Pedro (Northcentral), Prof. Obiora Chijioke (Southeast), and Dr. Ken Njoku (Southsouth).

According to a statement signed by Prof. Tonie Okpe Dr. Okay Ikenegbu Sculptor Afolayan Emmanuel, Prof. Nelson Edewor and Dr. Shola Kukoyi (Secretary), and made available to The Nation, titled Inauguration of Interim President and Zonal Vice Presidents, the board recalled that on the 6th of October, 2024, the association held its AGM and elections of executive officers, however, election of the six Zonal Vice Presidents could not be immediately conducted for logistics reasons. The statement reads further:

“On April 17, 2025, the internal Board of Trustees (BoT) of Sculptors Association of Nigeria (ScAN), comprising of Prof. Tonie Okpe of Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Okay Ikenegbu of the Institute of Management Technology (IMT; rtd.) Enugu, Sculptor Afolayan Emmanuel of Auchi Polytechnic, Prof. Nelson Edewor of Delta State University, Abraka and Dr. Shola Kukoyi of Auchi Polytechnic, held a meeting with ScAN members cutting across the country.

The meeting which was held at the instance of the internal BoT, was to inaugurate newly elected Zonal Vice Presidents of the Association and to appoint an acting President for the Association from among the newly elected six Zonal Vice Presidents. The internal BoT was constrained to this action due to unexpected resignation of the erstwhile elected President, Dr. Kehinde Badaru.

Recall that on the 6th of October, 2024, the Association held its AGM and elections of executive officers, however, election of the six Zonal Vice Presidents could not be immediately conducted for logistics reasons. Constitutionally, the Board of Trustees, comprising external and internal members is empowered to conduct election and inauguration of newly elected officers, hence, the internal Board of Trustees, standing proxy for the general Board of Trustees conducted the inauguration and the appointment of a primus interpares among the six Vice Presidents of the Association.

Hence, after the inauguration of the six Zonal Vice Presidents of the Association namely- Sculptor Ato Arinze (Southwest), Prof. Ken Koli (Northwest), Dr. Satsy Leni (Northeast), Sculptor Akande Pedro (Northcentral), Prof. Obiora Chijioke (Southeast), and Dr. Ken Njoku (Southsouth), Sculpt. Ato Arinze was appointed the Interim President of Sculptors Association of Nigeria. His tenure as an acting President will terminate at the 2025 AGM.

The interim President, Sculpt. Ato Arinze, the five Vice Presidents, and other elected executive officers of the Association- Sculplt. Emmanuel Ubamadu (Sec.Gen.), Sculpt. Muraina Akeem (Treasurer), Sculpt. Djackosi Kassi Nathalie (PRO), Sculpt. Kunle Fajemirokun (Asst. Sec.Gen) and Sculptor David Adeogun (Fin. Sec.) will steer the ship of the Association based on already laid down year 2025 programmes of the Association for year 2025 (International Sculptors Day, International Conference and the AGM.).

The Board of Trustees, members of the Association, art industry stakeholders and the general public are hereby notified of this development.

May 2, 2025
How TOBIDREAMZ captivates, connects fans through soulful songs

Oluwatobi Olamide Akinola, better known as TOBIDREAMZ, isn’t just another name on the rise—he’s the voice of a generation craving authenticity, rhythm, and real stories.

Born and raised in Ogun state, TOBIDREAMZ is captivating listeners with a soulful blend of Afrobeats and Afro-fusion, wrapped in deeply personal lyrics.

His music draws from the raw emotions of everyday life—joy, heartbreak, hope, and reflection—making each song feel like a moment shared with someone who truly understands.

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What makes TOBIDREAMZ stand out is his ability to turn ordinary experiences into extraordinary soundtracks. Whether he’s singing about love or life’s quiet struggles, his smooth vocals and magnetic melodies carry a sense of comfort and connection.

His latest single, “Lover Lover,” is a perfect example of this gift. The track fuses passion, groove, and cultural depth, offering fans a sound that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.

“My music is a reflection of where I come from and what I feel. I want people to hear my songs and feel seen, heard, and understood. That’s what drives me,” he says.

TOBIDREAMZ isn’t just creating songs—he’s crafting emotional experiences. And with every new release, he continues to touch hearts and solidify his place as one of Nigeria’s most meaningful musical storytellers.

April 30, 2025
Tourism Destination 2030

• Ikogosi Warm Springs, Cavista join forces to promote Nigeria

A team of hi-tech experts from the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, led by the Minister, Hanatu Musawa and Cavista Holdings, converged on Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre in Ekiti, last weekend, to discuss the integration of technology and data into the tourism development agenda, Ozolua UHAKHEME reports.

The four-hour retreat was engaging and enlightening for both parties. Backed by demonstrations and illustrations of the product designs, participants were led into the workings and offerings of the different elements of the project stage by stage. The gathering tagged Destination 2030 Strategic Retreat witnessed reviews of work done so far, as well as meaningful contributions from travel and tour writers, and the signing of MOU of the renewed hope cultural, creative and tourism projects initiativesbetween Ekiti State Government and Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy. Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Prof Ojo Rasaki Bakare represented Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the signing ceremony.

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Cavista Holdings, Mr. John Olajide; Special Assistant to Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, on Sub-National Partnership and Tourism, Mr Abiola Adulkareem; Director International Tourism Relations and Cooperation, Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Dorothy Duruaku; and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Oyebanji on Waste Management and Environment, Ademola Obariise among others.

Highlighting the significance of reliable data, Musawa said access to reliable data remains one of the key drivers of growth and investment in any sector. She recalled that on assumption of duty at the ministry, she identified the urgent need to properly collate and document data for Nigeria’s creative, cultural, and tourism industries. “The Destination 2030 data platform, developed in partnership with Cavista Holdings, VIISAUS, and Big Win Philanthropy, is a critical tool that will support the Ministry in achieving the broader goals of economic expansion and job creation,” she stated.

Musawa described Destination 2030 as one of the core eight initiatives the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy to reposition Nigeria in the eyes of the world. “We want to use our cultural, creative and tourism assets because that’s really where the interest is in Nigeria, it is that content. And when you talk about that content, our beautiful landscapes, the beaches, the beauty of nature in Nigeria adds to that content that you speak of in Nigeria. So, we want to use that to change the mindset of people. It’s the soft power.

“That is where our power lies. So we want to use that to change the mindset of the global community as to what Nigeria is. And part of that story and part of that journey is to use a destination such as Ikogosi as a rallying point to bring people into Nigeria so that they can experience and change their mindset as to who we are as a people,” she added.

She thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompting and his mandate and the directive that he has given, which must be delivered to the Nigerians.

Musawa, who had earlier unveiled the newly completed Presidential Suite at the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre, acknowledged the project as a major milestone in the ongoing revitalization of Nigeria’s premier tourist destination. The new Presidential Suite, spanning 320 square meters, offers a luxurious hospitality experience for discerning guests. Designed to accommodate up to eight persons (four adults and four children), the suite boasts world-class facilities, including a master living room, master and guest bedrooms, a full kitchen with an island, pantry/store, outdoor patio and grill, backyard sit-out, dining area, mini kitchenette, and a range of modern conveniences found only in the best holiday resorts in the world.

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Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Musawa commended the efforts of Cavista Holdings and Glocient Hospitality, operators of Ikogosi Resort, for investing in infrastructure that elevates the standard of hospitality services in the country. According to her, Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort is ‘a magical, remarkable wonder of nature’, and reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging strategic partnerships to grow the tourism sector, drive economic expansion, and create jobs.

“I didn’t believe that there was anywhere in Nigeria that had this kind of magic. And that’s really the word to encapsulate it. This place is absolutely magic. The new Presidential Suite that we’ve just commissioned now, anywhere you go in the world, this is what you are going to find. And what I noticed is the attention to detail that Cavista and the people have played to ensure that they have delivered something that is completely of global standard. This is really the place, when you talk about tourism assets in Nigeria, we all know that Nigeria has so many beautiful tourism assets,” she noted.

She observed that Ikogosi has completely raised the bar in terms of what Nigeria has to offer in hospitality, adding that ‘we really have to key in to ensure that IKogosi not only is able to be maintained, but is also upscaled and sustained for the benefits of the whole, not only of Ekiti State, not only of the tourism industry, but Nigeria as a whole.’

On the tourism master plan, she reiterated that the focus of the ministry is domestic tourism because there are many Nigerians that really want to experience Nigeria from north, south, east and west, noting that everywhere you go in Nigeria there is something different.

“One of the initiatives that my ministry is working on is the Renewed Hope cultural and tourism programme that Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked us to put in every state. He wants every state to tell the story of their unique peculiarity through the eyes of culture, through the eyes of tourism and through the eyes of creativity.

So, what we have done as a federal government is try to reach out and do a handshake with every state. So every single state will tell us what they want us to collaborate on that will build on their tourism assets. And my hope is that we will now use that as a template to ensure that there’s domestic tourism so every state will have something to build on.

“I think what they have done here in Ikogosi is really a template that can be replicated all over the country. What has been done here is something that can be done anywhere in the developed world. One of the greatest things that I’ve seen that they have done in terms of job creation is to engage the local community.

And you know that is very empowering because when you engage a local community, you give them a sense of ownership to that edifice that you have. And they will also want to protect it. So the issues of insecurity, you’re able to mitigate that in one way or another,” she added.

Musawa assured that the ministry is very intentional in working with the private sector, stressing that the ministry will continue to work with Cavista to see how to drive traffic into Ikogosi in order to sustain, maintain and upscale the infrastructure.

Expressing concern over easy access to the facility, she hinted that discussions were already underway with subnational and MDAs to facilitate easy access to the facility. “But in order for us to be able to deliver places, destinations such as Ikogosi as a holistic tourist destination, not only for domestic tourism, but what I hope will be for global tourism as well is to ensure that we put up that infrastructure.

“Now, when you talk about infrastructure, access is one of the main discussions. So, I have already started discussions with the state government and of course other MDAs, inter-ministerial collaborations, so that we ensure that access to Ikogosi is a lot easier.

“Again, it’s really about partnership and collaborations and conversations with other MDAs to ensure that everybody calls his weight to deliver that destination. And this is what I plan to intentionally do with Ikogosi. If you want to go for a retreat or to experience the beauty of nature, Ikogosi is the place,” she added.

Musawa stressed that one of the strategies the ministry is adopting is to sell Nigerian tourism through the eyes of the tourist destinations. She noted that as Nigerians ‘we should be able to sell to the global community Ikogosi as a destination.’

“I want to thank Mr. President because it is because of his prompting and the mandate that he gave me to ensure that I ensure we deliver these tourist destinations and Ikogosi is really at the top of my intention in terms of delivering one of those first tourist destinations to the global community,” she said.

Continuing she said: “My hope is we’re going to hold a National Tourism Summit possibly to be hosted here with the NESG and it is to encourage every single government body to do their retreats here. And I think we’re going to as a ministry be very dogged and intentional in ensuring that we continue to encourage not only the private sector, but different sectors in Nigeria and the government to patronise and to ensure that they also experience the beautiful warm and cold springs and the magic of Ikogosi.”

General Manager Glocient Hospitality, operators of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre, Mr. Lanre Sharafa Balogun, expressed delight at hosting the Minister, saying: “We are honoured to welcome the Honourable Minister Hannatu Musawa to Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort. Her commissioning of our Presidential Suite and her leadership at the Destination 2030 retreat reinforce our shared vision of building a smarter, more sustainable tourism ecosystem for Nigeria.”

With these developments, Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort and Conference Centre is poised to strengthen its position as a top destination for leisure, business, and policy innovation in Nigeria.

April 30, 2025
Mind of the Masters: homage to African icons

Inspired by a strong desire, a bold and imaginative project envisioned by Larry Segun-Lean is being designed to amplify the celebration of artistic brilliance on the African continent. This initiative for rethinking and rewriting the narratives that have long shaped perceptions of the continent’s creative identity, will unfold in a 24-month travelling exhibition series across the continent celebrating the genius and legacy of Africa’s master artists.

Over the next 24 months, this visionary programme will unfold across Africa, showcasing the work of 20 iconic master artists, two at a time, in a series of deeply immersive exhibitions hosted in their countries of origin or residence.

At a recent interaction with the Arts Writers in Lagos, the convener said in a statement that each exhibition cycle will present a minimum of 10 masterworks per artist, offering audiences an extraordinary opportunity to engage directly with the heart and soul of African creativity. From Cairo to Cape Town, Dakar to Addis Ababa, the series weaves together Africa’s most brilliant minds—uniting their stories in a powerful rhythm of expression, resilience, and reinvention.

The proposed initiative will be launched in the third quarter of 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria before it moves to the West Coast then East and Southern Africa.

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“At the core of this initiative lies a commitment to honour the intellectual depth, cultural grounding and visionary excellence that define the master artist—not only as a creator of beauty, but also as a voice of history, a shaper of identity, and a provocateur of thought. In reframing these icons as thinkers, philosophers, and nation-builders, Peep into the Master’s Mind invites a new generation to reimagine the power of art to transform lives and societies,” it said.

But to the Chief Visioner of the project, Larry Segun-Lean, the project is about building bridges—bridges of friendship, of cultural understanding, and of shared pride in the towering achievements of Africa’s master artists. “By taking the exhibitions to the homelands of these legends, we celebrate their genius in the very soil that nurtured it—and invite the continent to dream together.”

“Beyond its curatorial ambition, this project is a movement. It is an open classroom, a living archive, a cross-cultural bridge that connects communities to their creative inheritance. Each two-week exhibition will not only showcase art—it will be accompanied by public dialogues, educational tours, and storytelling experiences designed to deepen local pride and global appreciation,” he added.

Segun-Lean noted that ‘every country we go, we will hold the exhibition and invite admirers, collectors, critics, and enthusiasts. We have not gotten the broad spectrum of their mind. So, every event we have in the next two years will involve us going round Africa. We’re going to have a number of players too.’

The tremendous value of celebrating these masters cannot be overstated. They are the keepers of memory and meaning, the translators of African experience into form and colour. In honouring them, we restore dignity to the artistic process, legitimacy to the cultural profession, and inspiration to a rising generation searching for models of excellence.

As the series unfolds, the Mind of Masters will become more than an event—it will become a landmark record of 21st-century African creativity and the powerful role that master artists play in shaping the soul of the continent.

April 30, 2025