The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • First Class degree, yet no job

    MARIAM Adamson’s story is pathetic. Born in 1988, her education was very fast because she was given double promotions in her primary and secondary schools because of her uncommon intelligence.

    She soon got admission at 16 to study Agriculture in Moore Plantation, Ibadan where she graduated with Upper Credit and moved to Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) to study Animal Nutrition in 2008.

    Her intelligence came to play when she wrote her first examination in FUNAAB and her name was posted on the school notice board as wanted for malpractice due to her performance.

    She was made by the school authority to defend her written examination which she did without much effort.

    Again she got a standing ovation from her supervising and external professors on the day she defended her final project.

    Mariam Adamson, as expected soon graduated from the university with a first class in 2011 but until now, she is at home applying for jobs, attending interviews without any success.

    She expressed her disappointment at the University for not treating her specially.

    According to her, “I decided to do a Masters programme when the university did not offer me anything but the tenure of the then new Vice Chancellor, Professor Olusola Bandele Oyewole saw to an increase in school fees which I couldn’t afford. I had to defile my Masters Programme when again I wasn’t offered the opportunity to continue.”

    Asked what she has been doing since then, she said: “I have been applying for every job offer online but none of them called. These four years has been really bad, sitting at home, applying, waiting, hoping, it has being terrible.”

    She said it is frustrating not being able to do what she practised after four years. “I graduated at a very young age with first class. I was respected by my classmates and lecturers but it didn’t take me anywhere because I have not got the opportunity to prove myself.

    “I started to feel as if I shouldn’t have graduated with a first class. As if I shouldn’t have read as much as I did. I began to understand why many students don’t bother to read. I cannot even afford to do a Master’s Programme, let alone a PhD which has always been my dream. Any job I apply for, they ask for as much as 10 years experience and the only experience I have is my NYSC experience.”

    She added that she had a five year dream. “I wanted to work for two years, have enough finance to start my own farm and make it big by the end of the fifth year but all the dream has gone down the drain as four years has gone by.”

    Okonkwo Theresa, a 2012 first class graduate of the University of Lagos was so happy to assist this reporter with information because she believes that after this publication somebody will assist her with a job.

    She said, “I have been doing any job that comes my way. I am assisting my uncle’s friend who has a small office right now. Since I graduated in 2012, I have not done any professional job even as I read accounting and I never got an offer from the university.”

    Asked how it has been, she said it has not been easy at all. “I have applied for ICAN; I want to be chartered because I know it will help me when I finally get a job.”

    On how far she went job hunting, she said: “I applied for many jobs and even went to write a test with KPMG but didn’t meet the final stage. Another firm I went to called two people who didn’t graduate with a first class and when I spoke with them they said they know someone in the organisation.”

    Recalling the day she graduated, she said that day she told herself that she would work in an audit firm but when it didn’t work out she tried banks.  “I will like to be in a financial organisation,” she said.

    For Olagoke Kehinde Olalere also a 2011 first class graduate of FUNAAB, when he didn’t hear from his school and got to know that they would only get jobs when a vacancy is announced, he decided to apply for his second degree.

    “That is the only thing I have had the opportunity to do with the hope that I will get a job after I graduate. I believe that an additional certificate will help me get a job.

    According to him, it was a decision from the beginning in school to graduate with a first class so it took a lot of sleepless nights and reading with hope that graduating with first would give him a upper hand over his colleagues but when he applied to many companies and no one called him, he applied for a Masters Programme.

    “I heard that in some schools including FUNAAB, first class graduates get jobs as they graduate but the case wasn’t so with our set as there was a change of government so it was cancelled. That left us disappointed.”

    Asked if he is very sure to get employed after his second degree, the Animal Nutrition graduate said: “No, and we have asked our lecturers, they are also looking forward to the management changing their decision. They did not say no employment for first class graduates, they brought up a policy that positions in every department should be opened and made competitive instead of just employing first class but up till now, no position has been opened for application. It was also during this period that Masters Programme school fee was increased so many first class graduates could not come back for their Masters Programme.”

    For Foyeke Akinfenwa whose mother and siblings supported through school with the hope that she will repay them in future, when she was posted to the Osun State Ministry of Agriculture to serve, she thought she would be retained.

    “I read Animal breeding and genetics in FUNAAB and graduated with a first class. I studied in Moore Plantation Ibadan where I graduated with Upper credit and moved to FUNAAB to join the 300 level students.

    “Since I graduated I have not got any jobs. After I finished school, I served but I wasn’t retained so I started searching for jobs but when I didn’t get any, I decided to do a Masters programme which I am still doing.”

    In her search for a job, Foyeke confessed to have fallen into the hands of fake job recruiters.

    Asked how she feels now, she said, “I feel very bad that after four years I have nothing to show that I graduated with first class. I can’t even encourage my younger ones to do well in school because they are not looking up to me.

    “It is discouraging. This is the reason why students don’t read much; they don’t care about academics. They are not motivated anymore because they can count their finger for people that have gotten job after graduating with good result.

    “It is affecting the quality of students we are graduating. People feel once they have connections, they don’t need to read, she said.”

  • NIGERIANS IN LONDON The never told stories

    TAIWO ALIMI, who recently visited Britain, captures the untold stories of Nigerians living legally and illegally in London.  

    Clad in chunky overcoat and stretched fitting jeans worn over tight to keep away the biting London cold, Bunmi Adedapo (Not real names), dashed out of his one-room home at 4.30am to catch the early morning bus to his place of work. Adedapo works in the one of the biggest superstores in Bexleyheath, a quiet neighbourhood, 25 miles (about 40km) from London.

    After a quick check on his wristwatch, he realised he had only a minute to spare so he broke into a run. What happened next surprised the 48 year-old Nigerian, who arrived in London three years ago “I heard the blaring Police siren first; then, their unmistakable brightly coloured car with two officers crawled slowly alongside me. Instinctively I stopped and they jumped out with barrage of questions from where I was coming from to where I was going and why was I running?”

    Calmly, Adedapo answered these questions and more that came as if they have been rehearsed a thousand times. In between, one of them returned to their vehicle to punch in some information and after about 30 minutes-that seemed like eternity to the English graduate-he was allowed to proceed.

    “I wasn’t the only person on the street that morning. I was stopped because I am an African migrant and running at dawn. They assumed that I must have committed a crime or living in the U.K illegally.”

    Anthony Ayodele holds dual citizenships of Nigeria and U.K, and he has been living in Central London area for 10 years, yet he is not immune to the prying eyes of overzealous law enforcers. “I was on my way to office one morning. As I descended the underground station, I decided to video myself -something many people do every time. As soon as I reached the ground, two plain-clothes detectives pounced on me asking me to show them my video clips while identifying myself at the same time. I obliged them and after looking at the clips, insisted on seeing all videos and pictures on my phone. At this point, I declined asking if it was illegal to take pictures in the public. I quickly pointed at some people doing Selfie at that particular time.”

    Ayodele noted that they became more aggressive and if he had been an illegal migrant, he would have been arrested that instant.

    “I gave them my document and they had to ‘triple-check’ before apologising and allow me to go on,” added Ayodele, a seasoned journalist, who practised in Nigeria for two decades before relocating to the U.K.

    The treatment meted out to Adedayo and Ayodele by the U.K system is not uncommon for Nigerians living in London. “It is like the London weather: Erratic and unpredictable,” chipped in Adedayo.

    Two million Nigerians in Britain

    According to statistics obtained from the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK), it is estimated that about two million Nigerians currently live in the U.K and a sizable number of them, live in London. Their main abode is Peckham, a lively community in north London.

    Incumbent chairman of CANUK, Babatunde Loye confirmed that Nigerians daily live at the mercy of the U.K centralized system. He noted that Nigerians troop into the U.K ignorant of the immigration laws and regulations.

    “We have a system here where everything is concentrated on the government, in collaboration with the private sector. Therefore, you have to understand what workings to fit in. You cannot come here and think you can start work without securing work-permit and no organization will apply for work-permit without confirming you are residing here legally.”

    Loye is a manager in a leading insurance firm in London and he has been living in there for 15 years.

    “We try as much as we can to get all Nigerians under our umbrella so that we can cater and fight for them. I can confirm that we have over two million Nigerians in the U.K and there have been issues ranging from work problem, housing and feeding related issues. We try to pool resources together and address these problems. The reality is that many of our people come here without proper planning and they are stuck here. Some end up in prison or face deportation. We have a programme where we feed our people that are unemployed and homeless. Nevertheless, we can only do that for those who come forward to identify and register with CANUK.”

    Economic migrants

    From unofficial statistics gathered by this reporters over five weeks in London, it is observed that 90 percent of Nigerian migrants in the U.K are there for economic reasons. They come to search out the proverbial Golden Fleece and to improve their financial base back home.

    On the reporter’s first night in London, Fabian Eke, 51, an Economics graduate from a Nigerian University, was waiting for him at Heathrow Airport, to take the reporter to his hotel at Holborn – Central London. The Edo-born said he arrived in the U.K in 2000; and had worked as a store assistant and security guard. He now works as a cab driver with a major transport company with chains of businesses all over the U.K.

    “I am doing fine here,” Eke started. “I have worked as an assistant in a big store, then as a security and for four years now I have a stable job in a taxi company. I earn well to take care of my family and go to Nigeria once every two years. We have bought a house in the high profile Lekki in Lagos and I send money home regularly to my aged parents.”

    Asked if he is not troubled by the kind of job he’s doing? He snapped back. “You get paid well and on time for whatever job you do here. It is easy to plan knowing that you get paid. It is better than working in a big office in Nigeria and you are poorly paid.”

    Before the reporter alighted, Eke added quickly. “I hope (President Muhammadu) Buhari will fix Nigeria very soon, so we can come back home. Until then I will continue to drive taxi here so I can feed my family.”

    Adedayo, 47, decided to ‘bail out’ of Nigeria after 15 years in three media houses without financial fulfillment. “I am a graduate of English and I had to come to the U.K for greener pastures. I loved my job in Nigeria but it was not financially fulfilling. I’ve been working in a superstore as sales assistant for two years now and I’m fine. I send quality money home to my family and also planning to bring them here too.”

    As far as Adedayo is concerned, job fulfillment comes with financial growth and he is getting that as a sales clerk in the U.K.

    For Prince Efe Ereduwa, who has lived in the U.K for 31 years, he travelled there to study as a young man. He is now retired with a consultancy firm and a home to show for his stay. “In our days, we come to London purely to study and we stayed back if we get a good job where you are fulfilled as a young man. Today, it is a different story. Young Nigerians come to London for easy money and they are disappointed when they get here and see that you have to work extra hard to make money. Many have wasted their time and ended up in jail because they thought it is easy in the U.K.”

    He observed that Nigerians no longer work as hard as his generation again, hence the craze for London. “If you work hard and plan well for your coming it would be easier and you may get to do a better job that will be fulfilling for you. But, if you decide to come for the money, you will only end up like many Nigerians here; working in the store or as cab drivers and other unskilled jobs.”

    Uche Kingsley hails from Anambra and recently marked his 34th year in London. He was a top-ranked civil servant before jumping ship in 1981. Today, Kingsley is a ticketing officer in a superstore in London. “I came to London as a student, but it is very expensive now to come here for study. But it remains the best option; otherwise you are coming to London to suffer.”

    Emotional stress

    Aside  the feeling of second-class citizen, that permeates the air among Nigerian immigrants, sexual and emotional distress is also rampant.

    Mrs Rita Dimeji, 40, has been in the UK since 2007, she is a qualified nurse, and so getting a job was not so difficult. She works for a home that specializes in the care of the aged and she said she is fulfilled in her chosen field

    Her challenge however, is emotional. She lives in Peckham, alone, with her two sons; Labi (14) and Doyin (11) without their father, who has refused to join the London train. “It is not easy to live as a single mother in U.K. I have to work hard to train my boys because UK Welfare Service is watching, looking for the thinness of excuse to take away your children.”

    She also misses her husband’s intimacy and pays through the nose for the two tiny rooms they live in. “You cannot rely on a man here. Their goal is to reap you off as a single working mum.”

    Adedayo confided that since he got to the U.K three years ago, he has been under pressure from single mothers for sexual relationships. “I’ve been getting open invitations from women since I started work. Some of them are regular customers making passes at me. They are not genuine but only interested in your money. They have children from different men and are only interested in the child support benefits they get from government. It is another way women reap off men here and it is rampant among African and Latino women in the U.K.”

    Therefore, how does he ease off sexual heat in an extremely chilly climate? “I speak with my wife on phone every hour to keep me focused and reassure her because she is also under similar pressure at home.”

    To affirm Adebayo’s claim, the reporter went searching and met a Nigerian woman, who opted out of marriage for regular flow of child support settlement.

    Sade Williams (not her real names) booked her passage to London through her husband, a Nigerian with British passport. On getting to London, she became uncontrollable after having a child and within a year was out of the relationship. She became entangled with another unsuspecting Nigerian, got a second child out of him, and dashed out again.

    She now smiles to the bank every week to catch off her child support settlement.

    “I was treated badly by my men,” she stated, “and I don’t think I should stay put. The law here protects women, children, and the elderly and I’m much better without them (men).”

    High cost of living

    If Adedayo has a clear purpose of his coming to London, and would not part with his hard currency to women of easy virtue, he cannot beat the high cost of living in the U.K capital.

    For a single room that he lives in Bexleyheath, he has to cough out £100 pounds per week. That is £400 pounds (N120, 000) every month. In a year that amounts to N1.4million. Back home, Adedayo boasts of a three-bedroom apartment inhabited by his wife and only child.

    Mrs Dimeji shells out £150 pounds a week; £600 pounds for one month (about N180, 000) for two rooms in Peckham.

    “That is exclusive of water bill, electricity, gas, central heater, transportation, and other municipal charges. If you come to London and you are not working, I’m afraid you will have yourself to blame,” she added.

    Ayodele lives in Central London and pays higher than Adedayo and Mrs Dimeji. “I pay £200 pounds (about N60, 000) every week for my house,” he said simply while looking into space.

    He needed not to add that the astronomical standard of living is killing him and has deprived him the joy of bringing his family; wife and three children, to London permanently.

    The U.K system he complained bitterly has not been fair to young entrepreneurs like him.

    “I hold a British passport so I felt I would be given the enabling environment to excel in my line of business here. I relocated to London with the hope that I would be able to flourish my entrepreneurship. I have been here for 10 years, I have applied for several start up loans, filled many applications, written series of proposals, and attended several defences, but it has not yielded a pound. The system does not support Africans whatever the colour of your passport. It only takes what you bring and swallow it. It is either you conform to what they have to offer; which are menial jobs that their children pass off or nothing.”

    True to Ayodele’s assertion, most of the superstores in London; the like of Primark, Tesco, M&S, ASDA, and others are manned by Africans, Latinos, Indians, and Arabs.

    Mrs Ebun Folorunsho, 68, is battling rheumatism and ill-health from the extreme London weather, yet she told me she has to go to work to fend for herself. “I came to London 30 years ago with my husband, who passed on three years ago. My challenge is the cold and for some time I cannot move my legs. They get so stiff that I move around with great pains.” Mrs. Folorunsho plans to relocate back home in Ogun State this December.

    On the reporter’s last day in London, Eke (the taxi driver), sent him off with a parting shot  as he drove him to the airport, “The reality is that Nigerians in the U.K work extra hard to make ends meet under a harsh weather and system that look down on them. Underneath the façade that you see when we come home, is a heart willing to return home. I just wish they (Nigerian government) would make our country better.”

  • Facial marks in a dental museum

    In Ile-Ife, Osun State, a new museum on dental health and history has been established purposely to document and preserve the relics of various age and time used for oral dentistry.  Edozie Udeze who witnessed the commissioning ceremony in Ife writes on the essence of this and why more of such projects and ideas should be encouraged.

    The idea of having a private museum is not common in Nigeria.  It is even more amazing to think of it when the museum owned and run by the Federal and State Governments in Nigeria are being neglected.  In Ife, the cradle of Yoruba heritage, more of such ventures are daily being undertaken by different individuals.  The idea of this sort of situation is to help register the essence of museums in the minds of the public and to ensure that some important aspects of the legacies of the people are not put in jeopardy or left to rot away.

    In Ile-Ife, Osun State, Eyitope Ogunbodede, a Professor of Dentistry at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), has decided to establish a Dental Museum.  Declared open last weekend in Ife, the whole concept was to use historical approach to preserve the relics of dental materials that have been of immense use to the people.

    In other words, the Dema Foundation Dental Museum which took Ogunbodede many years to put together has in its storage, the history of Dentistry in Nigeria.  It has all the requirements used in treating dental and other related oral health problems.  The assemblage of these archival materials, in the reckoning of Ogunbodede, was “to mobilize society and then strengthen its capacity to play an active and significant role in expanding the frontiers of dental and general health.  It is to inform and help the society.”

    A non-governmental and non-profit making venture, the museum boosts of various profound historical materials which have been collected and preserved from around 1926 when Nigeria had its first dental doctor in the person of Dr. Sydney Obafemi Philips.  As the first dental museum in Africa, the rich contents of the collections include the history of modern dentistry in Nigeria from 1903 to the present.  Inside some of the rooms, there are relics of the first dental chairs used in Nigeria but were manufactured in the United States of America in 1907.  The very first chair was used by one certain Dr. Ewart Gladstone Maclean who was a Baptist Missionary.  He was noted to be the first to practice the treatment of tooth problems in the country.

    The objects and relics are so well identified, dated and arranged that once you step into the foyers of the museum, you are struck by the aura of the rooms and the heavy instruments of old used to extract people’s dentition and treat other problems that pertained to the mouth.  “We did this to ensure that nothing is left out,” Ogunbodede explained.  This was why in addition to the halls housing these implements, he wrote a book entitled History of Dentistry in Nigeria.  “This book is meant to complement the educational essence and mission of this museum.  The proceeds will also be used to help fund the museum,” Ogunbodede said.

    “Let me assure you,” the professor asserted before the large gathering of people from all walks of life, “that adequate thoughts have been made on how to preserve and run this centre so that it does not fizzle out.”

    In addition, and indeed in order to really combine tradition and modernity to give the place a complete historic outlook, the museum houses life-sized heads bearing the different tribal marks in Nigeria.  With over 30 of such important relics, the importance of the marks was to show some of the complications inherent in it and how this distorts the human face.  In the process of giving these marks, parts of the dentition of a person may be disorganized.  Often, this leads to bumps, dental diseases and oral and other hygienic disorders.

    In order to make this aspect of the show explicit, the National Troupe of Nigeria, led by its director, Akinsola Adejuwon, was on hand to demonstrate the exigencies of oral problems and the connection with tribal marks.  The play, written by Arnold Udoka and presented to the gathering, was titled Dokita Eji and it centred entirely on some of the myths people usually attach to most oral and dental problems and diseases.  And in simplifying the show on stage, it became clearer that dance-drama can always be a huge and potent means to bring issues of life closer to the people.

    Once you have a tooth-ache or decay, all you have to do is to look for a dental doctor to cater to your problems.  The play was used to disabuse people’s minds towards some certain dental issues and challenges which they often link with witchcraft.  There are different types of facial marks identified in the museum and how they have defaced people’s faces over time.

    The principal types among the Yoruba are Pele, Abaja, Gombo, Baramu, Keke, Ture, Mande and Jamgbadi.  Although it is not only the Yoruba tribe that gives facial marks, the import of the show was to let people know that it is not all facial marks that heal well or quickly.  Therefore, some of the complications come in forms of infections, tetanus, keloids and hypertrophic scars that often lead to death.  But the essence of the museum is to document issues and to enlighten the public on the dangers in it and how it distorts dentition and more.

    Located on Ilesa road, Ile-Ife, Dema Foundation Dental Museum is an imposing one-storey building which has all the trappings of a modern museum.  It was for this reason that the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Mallam Yusuf Usman described it as a centre put in place to tell the story of events and activities of things in a society.  “And for this, it is proper to encourage more people to follow the example of Professor Ogunbodede in order that we have more of such establishments to document our history.”

    In his own opening remarks, Emeritus Professor of Law, David Ijalaye commended the idea and quickly added that “this is part of the mission of promoting oral, dental and general health with particular focus on the history, education, research and information aspects of this huge project.”  This remark indeed set the ball rolling, for in his own contribution, Professor Jonathan Lawoyin of The Oral Pathology of the University of Ibadan described the book as a work of long years of painstaking research in which the author criss crossed the globe to secure detailed and valuable information.  This is what this erudite scholar has given to the society in addition to this beautiful edifice and the rich contents of the museum.”

    The occasion was witnessed by many scholars from different parts of the nation who indeed saw the need to have more museums in the medical realm.  For Adejuwon, the combination of dance drama and dental issues was to bring the whole concept closer to the people.  And since Ife is a university town, its location has many academic and social values to the people.  In fact, the idea is to encourage more Nigerians who have the means to go into such wonderful venture.

  • Togo: A journey of discovery

    Togo: A journey of discovery

    Taiwo Abiodun who recently visited Lome recounts his journey

    My heart started beating furiously, my temperature shot up and I suddenly developed goose pimples. At this juncture, different thoughts flooded my mind: should we go back? Will this vehicle ever take us to our destination? Are we going to sleep in the bush tonight?  I asked myself for the umpteenth time why I embarked on this journey? I had no airtime on my phone, and even if I had who would I call to rescue us?  I complained bitterly, but my boss, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin (Online Editor), whom I was travelling with could no longer stomach it.  He said “Taiwo, we would have travelled by air but since you wanted to see how the roads look like that is why I said we should go by road.” Again he mocked me and said, “Why are you panicking but you are the Babalawo of The Nation, now use your Babalawo power to operate the vehicle.”

    No, I was not groaning or complaining for the fun of it. When the Mercedes Benz car we boarded at  Agege Motor Park started jerking immediately we left Lagos, I knew we were done for  when one of the tyres started making unusual sound. I began to doubt whether this vehicle will get us through the two West African countries – (Benin Republic and The Republic of Togo) where we were heading. But  despite of our complaints, the fairly elderly driver  did not blink an eye. He did not care a hoot. He remained calm and spoke softly without being harsh yet  he knew the condition of the vehicle .The more I tried to make trouble with him the more Mr. Otufodunrin would pacify me saying we had already boarded  it and therefore we should be patient. Later we discovered that the man  had bandage on one of his legs and was limping while the second leg was swollen. Then, I remembered Long John Silver in the book Treasure Island, who despite his one leg was wicked and remorseless.

    The road to Cotonou was smooth and not busy.

    Porous borders

    At the Seme border, the Nigeria Customs officers were civil, they treated us with respect and dignity. We introduced ourselves as journalists; this impressed them and they immediately stamped our passports without demanding for money. However, reverse was the case at the other end of the border where our driver ordered the ‘border keeper’ (or more appropriately the gate keeper) to drop the rope after handing over to him N200. To my chagrin the gate keeper, with his nicotine – stained teeth grabbed the money and dropped the rope to allow the driver drive across the border freely. We were asked to walk across after we had been searched.

    The driver had deliberately left us for our passports to be stamped. However, the gendarmes and policemen had other motives: they demanded  for 2000 CFA, and many more at different points, this annoyed my boss and he argued with them. We later learnt that the driver had left us to allow them fleece us.

    With the porosity and high level of bribery and corruption at the borders, terrorists could use this to infiltrate the countries. I asked myself if rope demarcation between Nigerian and Benin Republic was secure.

    Petroleum in bottles

    For the first time in my life, I saw petroleum being hawked in bottles in Cotonou, it was being openly hawked like kerosene. In Benin Republic vehicles  stop to refill their tanks from petroleum hawkers and one could see different bottles of various sizes. I looked at them and cried Nigeria is blessed, she only only needs good leadership to put things right. I can now understand why people look at Nigerians as rich people. I can now see why Nigeria is Eldorado to many.

    Along the road from Cotonou to Togo, our driver pleaded that he would like to check his tyres when the noise emanating from them grew louder. In doing this, we wasted about 45 minutes yet the driver remained unrepentant and spoke in a cool voice. At 5:30 pm we arrived Togo and the driver who had promised to take us to our hotel could not locate the hotel.

    Lome, the capital of Togo is clean. They have good wall demarcation between Benin and their administration is well organized. The motorcycle operators (known as Okada riders) wore helmets while their passengers don’t. They, however, obey traffic rules and where the traffic lights are not working policemen are positioned to direct traffic.

    Language as a barrier

    While Mr. Otufodurin was at the hotel attending a meeting, I decided to kill boredom by venturing into the town to familiarize myself with the city of Lome. I seized the opportunity when I later went out with two people to collect money from the ATM. I was stunned when I did not see customers on the queue outside the bank but rather they went into the hall which is well guarded with security officers.

    Now left alone, I started strolling up and down looking like a thief. In fact, the area I found myself looked like Yaba in Lagos.

    When I asked where I could eat Yoruba food, I was  directed me to one ‘Mama Afolabi.’ I was stunned when a plate of food  was priced at 2,000 cefa thinking it was N2000. At Mama Afolabi’s place I ate Nigeria’s popular Amala with ‘Abula ‘. According to Mama Afolabi, she has been coming and going out of Lome  for the past 10 years. When asked which country she preferred between the two countries (Nigeria and Togo) she said, “am making my living here, so everywhere is home.” But when I told her there is money and business in Nigeria she smiled and said “let it be”. I saw Igbo and Yoruba speaking ladies  who were  hanging around  beckoning to customers, one of them called me but when she made mention of 20, 000 cefa, I quickly left. Another ran up to me and spoke in smattering English as she asked “Do you want to drink water? I go do you weli weli and I geti condom.”  I smiled and said ‘no’. The fact is that I just wanted to know what their evenings looked like.

    A man walked up to me and spoke in French. I said “non language Monsieur”, he did not understand me . Again he spoke but I dramatized to him using signals like a dumb and deaf, he looked at me with curiosity. He also did not understand English. I remembered my French teacher and muttered to myself, “Now I need to know French. I now know the value.”

    Orderliness in Togo

    Who says Togolese are not law-abiding citizens? Seeing the Okada riders could be interesting as they all wore crash helmets and obeyed traffic rules. The Okada riders were like locusts, they ride together. It was interesting watching them, it was as if it it was the only means of transportation. Taxis are not painted, and one can hardly see a rickety vehicle.

    On my way home I started reading the billboards written in French: Rama Golrodome , couture , Lavillage, Togoke El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Rues Des barabas, Prophete Momo, Complexe Solaire, , Auberge Du Lac, Auberge Sinoutin, 2 Vendre Plots, Rue Mausi , .Abraham Lincoln Inn, Bien Venenn, Bouvard, Daguerre,Ora bank!

    Back home

    We had no much problem coming back to Nigeria. At the motor park drivers were struggling to drive us back home. The moment they saw us one Peter called us; he is multilingual as he could speak, Yoruba, French and English. Since I knew our money had value I begged my boss to let me act like a big man, and I walked up and down majestically. I demanded for a Jeep to take us to Lagos. And I went to take a shot of their Alomo bitters by the Atlantic Ocean.

    We later boarded our vehicle and had a smooth ride to Lagos. At the Seme border the Nigerian Customs officers did not ask for bribe.

    Lessons from the journey

    Seeing the business in Togo and Cotonou where used cars, motorcycles (Okada), household utensils, clothes among others  were displayed,  I remembered my secondary school teachers in the 70s who taught me Economics and Commerce who used to say Africa would soon (then ) become a dumping ground for the Western world. With what is happening now they have been proved right. Another lesson I learnt is that I should learn how to speak French owing to the fact that my country is surrounded by Francophone nations.

    Our schools should be made to start teaching French language and this should be made compulsory in all schools.

  • Things Fall Apart goes on stage

    Things Fall Apart goes on stage

    It is in season now; Okonkwo’s Inquest is a play inspired by Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and it is being staged in Lagos at the moment to commemorate the 55th Independence Anniversary of the nation.  The play itself is centred on the life and times of Okonkwo Unoka, the lead character in the book and one whose life did not end on a sound note.  It has been noted that Okonkwo was not properly interred to the mother earth.  And part of the nitty-gritty of Okonkwo’s Inquest is to continue from where that tragic end of a hero of his people was recorded in the book.

    Toju Ejoh is the director of the play and he says the project is a product of Oxygen Koncepts whose basic assignment is to produce plays for public consumption.  “Yes, it is a new work and that is why we want to use it to celebrate Nigeria at 55.  It is usually very difficult for us to pick a script for the season.  It is not that we do not always have good scripts to pick from.  But for us this play is symbolic.  It is a classical novel known all over the world.  It is a book that has been translated into different languages world-over and it is read in most schools across the globe.  It is one of the best written novels in the world.”

    Now, many people have done works on it; works that have been used to celebrate the book.  “Now, it is for us to adapt a part of it into stage to let the world see what the book can demonstrate on stage.  It is a pity that no one has gone further to talk about Okonkwo, the man whose role made the book an outstanding work of art.  Now, we need to demonstrate his character as a man, his flaws, his brevity, his role in making his people stand out and more.  The play has to zero into his place in the book and those issues that led to his death.”

    Ejoh, known for his precise character interpretation both as a director and an actor situates the play in a more succinct way:” This is going to be like an inquest, a real inquest demonstrated on stage.  Okonkwo was not buried.  We do not want to rebury him but we want to know what happened thereafter.  You know because he committed suicide, tradition forbids that he be buried properly.  Now he was thrown into an evil forest and there is still a story to be told therefrom.”  Ejoh said.

    Accepting that Okonkwo’s corpse was left like a dog while Obierika and others tried to see what to do to remove his corpse, Ejoh inferred, “now this is Okonkwo in all his glory, who was a common man who rose to the highest pinnacle of his life and career.  This was a man who was very resilient and hardworking in his life and now he would be buried like a dog.  Therefore, the play is to celebrate those values and then bring these issues to the contemporary times.”

    The essence of the play is to highlight hard work and bring to the fore the values of patriotism and love for justice and what is good.  “Those leadership values that the country still lacks today have to be pinpointed.  Yes, Okonkwo was a good leader, very courageous and brave and proud to be who he was among his people.  He was devoted, diligent and fearless.  These are qualities of a firebrand leader and this is why we have to embark on this project, using this play as a pivot point.”

    In reality, Okonkwo had ample opportunity to back out of the series of scenarios that led to his demise.  But he chose to remain to prove that a general does not run away from the battlefront.  “But he continued to uphold the culture of his people.  Those elements of cultures, to him then, were the height of the civilization of the people.  Without those values, to him, the people had no values, had no principles.  He was a custodian of those elements of tradition that even his position did not allow him to be lily-livered.”

    Some of the pressures that Okonkwo faced are also some of the issues that often lead to our destruction or to our glory.  “Yes, these are some of the things we pieced together to get the Okonkwo’s Inquest,” Ejoh surmised.  “And so in all, it is a noble concept, away from the central theme of the book itself.  The concept of Okonkwo as a big and imposing image in Thins Fall Apart in the play looms larger than life.

    In terms of props and costumes and the stage setting, all elements of the Igbo traditions have been brought to bear on stage.  The mud houses are to show the period in time and to bring memories of yesteryears back.  It is indeed to bring back reality into the play and demonstrate in truth the place of the traditions of the Umuofia community of the days of yore.

    The music is also ancient and in consonance with the period.  There is a cave and various pathways on the stage, depicting a typical rural place of many years ago.  A lot of the signs showed shrines and huts which were rampant in the book.  In all, it is a play to watch to bring back memories of a hero who stood for his people.

  • Spectacle as Owo celebrates Igogo festival

    Spectacle as Owo celebrates Igogo festival

    The men wore traditional attires. The women danced and sang the praise of their king. There was exchange of gifts. It was a rich display of culture as Owo indigenes thronged the town from within and outside the country for this year’s Igogo Festival. TAIWO ABIODUN reports.

    THERE was a loud ovation as he came out in his royal regalia. Clad in a beaded regalia, Ewu  Okun, the monarch had four white feathers (Urere Okin) attached to his  plaited hair.

    With coral royal beads on his neck, ankles and wrists, he danced skilfully to the admiration of his subjects. He also had with him his traditional sword (uda maloore), his shining metal gong and a retinue of his chiefs.

    It was the 2015 Igogo Festival and the Olowo of Owo, Oba David Victor Folagbade Olateru-Olagbegi III, came out to be part of it all.

    Some climbed trees and rooftops. Others stood on brick fences and on vehicles as they struggled to have a glimpse of their monarch.

    It was a spectacle to behold as the monarch led traditional chants, with his chiefs chorusing. At intervals, High  Chief  Adeniyi Adewole, the Chief  Eminiken  of Owo,  would  raise his  voice in praises, chanting  panegyrics, such as Ologho! Baba o!  Orisa  ma  dimi s’Ologho,  tu wa pe hin waaa!”, meaning “Long  live  our  King!” The crowd would  respond “Baba O!”.

    Some titled  chiefs – both male and female – plaited their hair. Dressed in women  attires, they danced round the town visiting  their  friends and family members.

    Other chiefs wore wigs and  decorated their necks  and  ankles  with  coral  beads. There was no beating of the leather drum, or gunshots. Caps and head ties were forbidden, only the clanging of iron was allowed.

    Though it lacks the entertainment condiments used in spicing up most festivals, the traditional fiesta continues to feature diverse spectacles and a growing crowd. The yearly festival has become a season of union for the people of Owoland; this year’s edition was no different. It drew many from across the country and abroad.

     

    Festival history

     

    “The Igogo Festival has been in existence for over 600 years. It shows the cultural values that we have for our town. We call it a festival of love. During the period, we exchange gifts. It is an opportunity for those who are far and near to come home and see their parents, friends and beloved ones, and spread love,” the Olowo of Owo said.

    According to the him, the festival began during the reign of Olowo Regenjen. It was held in remembrance of Queen Oronsen, a mysterious woman who was loved by the king more than his other wives because of her beauty and her contribution to the progress of the town. Oral tradition has it that she used to excrete expensive coral beads of which the king used and even sold and which made the town to progress.

    As instructed, men are not to wear caps or women head-ties during the period. There is no shooting of gun and no beating of leather drums also.

     

    Dance at the market

     

    One of the rites of the festival is dancing in market by the monarch. This year, the Olowo danced to the Oja Oba (King’s Market), followed by a huge crowd. He danced seven times with the Akowa, a High Chief and spiritual leader of Iloro Quarters. During the ceremony, market women came out en masse to honour the king. In the evening of that day, a big ram was offered for sacrifice in replacement of human sacrifice used in the days of yore.

    According to Oba Olateru-Olagbegi, Igogo is a festival of peace. A few weeks before the festival, there were rumours that the monarch had jettisoned the festival because of his strong Christian faith.

    The monarch said there had been no attempt to stop the festival, saying:  “Igogo is part of our culture and we pray for the progress of everybody during the festival. It is a period when we preach peace because it is a festival of love.”

    On his part, Prince Lanre Olateru–Olagbegi said they were working on modalities to make the Igodo Festival one of Nigeria’s largest, like the Osun and Calabar festivals.

    One of the side attractions of the festival was 93-year-old Chief Fehintola Famulagun, who, despite her advanced age and health, said she would not miss celebrating the festival with her family. Even though she could no longer go out and dance round the town, Chief Famulagun said: “The festival is important and has to be observed. This is my 54th year I am celebrating it. I have vowed that it must be done. I have never missed the festival since I became chief in 1964. I am among the oldest chiefs that partake in this festival.”

    Like Chief Famulagun, the festival is dear to the hearts of the indigenes, especially those in Diaspora. Mr Tunde Onibode, who  flew  in from  abroad  and  facilitated the Omega  Schnapps sponsorship whereby drinks were offered freely at the palace,  called for government’s support. This, he said would make it richer and bigger.

     

    Dance of bare-chested men

     

    Another attraction at the festival was the display by the Iloro  Quarter  men, called the Ighares.  Half-naked  with  white  caps  on, they danced  round some  areas  in  the  ancient  town. Some held two dried horns of buffalo with which they struck each other. In  place  of  leather  drum,  they clung iron metals,  sang   songs  of  love   laced  with  proverbs  and  chanted  panegyrics  as  they  wriggled  their  waists.

    During their performance, a goat  that  strayed into the exclusive zone, crossed past  them was  chased, caught and became their delicacy. According  to  one  of  the  participants,  any  animal  that  passes during their performance would  be “arrested”  and  slaughtered as  their  sacrificial meat.

    The  aged  chiefs with feeble legs who  could  no  longer go  out celebrated in their homes.  They  cooked food and entertained visitors. Infact, some chiefs who were sick managed to participate. One of them, Chief Olusesi Osenepen, in his royal dress, said he left the hospital bed immediately he was discharged to  participate  in the  festival.

    His words:“I am happy that I am celebrating with Kabiyesi. I was sick but now I’m better.“

     

  • Remembering the ‘Black Scorpion’

    Remembering the ‘Black Scorpion’

    He was one of Nigeria’s Civil War heroes whose exploits hit the mythical realm. In death, he is being celebrated for his contribution to the peace and stability of the nation, Veterian Journalist Oloye ’lekan Alabi writes in this tribute to the late  Brigadier-General Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle. 

    The family of the hero of the Nigeria Civil War, the late Brigadier-General Benjamin Adesanya Maja Adekunle (retired) has, in a full-page advertisement in The Nation on Sunday issue of September 13, announced the first memorial programme for the gentleman officer, who became famous worldwide while commanding the elite 3rd Marine Commando Division of the Nigerian Army during the Civil War (1967 -1970). The four-day programme begins tomorrow.

    The late Brigadier – General Adekunle, alias “Black Scorpion” was my hero, as he was to millions of Nigerians and foreigners alike, and besides was, with due respect, my older friend and guide. I admired and still admire, the professional soldier, sometimes brash when conditions demanded, though.

    When the late hero died on September 13, last year, aged 77, following was the tribute, published in some national newspapers, written by me in honour and remembrance of the great soldier. May his valiant soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen.

    “Nigeria’s civil war hero, Brigadier Benjamin Maja Adekunle, alias “Black Scorpion”  died in Lagos, on Saturday 13, September, this year aged, 77 years. May his gallant soul rest in peace. Amen.

    “Typical of Nigeria’s opportunistic class, crocodile tears and absurd tributes will, and indeed have started, be pouring in torrents to the departed professional soldier and gentleman officer, nationalist and self-effacing hero. Genuine heartfelt condolences will be far and in between for the late retired Brigadier – General Adekunle.

    “For a deserving citizen who had contributed so much to keep Nigeria a united country, clear the Lagos port during the self-inflicted, through government planlessness, congestion of the early 1970’s among other patriotic deeds, who was shamefully ignored, out of envy, pettiness and fickleness by successive governments, it is too late to now shed crocodile tears / pour hackneyed tributes to the “Black Scorpion”.

    “In my rejoinder to a former Sunday Punch newspaper editor’s jaundiced and unfair comments on another nationalist, Nigeria’s first Federal Minister of Social Services and Natural Resources, prodigy and ebullient politician, the late Adegoke Adelabu, alias “Penkelemesi”, published in The Punch newspaper issue on Wednesday, 14 November, 2007 (page 13), I wrote inter alia: “Due to reasons that we all know very well, Adelabu and other nationalists in his hue (Adekunle Fajuyi, Aminu Kano, Eyo Ita, Adaka Boro, Mbonu Ojike, Benjamin Adekunle etc) are deprived of history’s fair treatment by an ungrateful country”. That was my comment on Nigeria’s ingratitude to Benjamin Adekunle seven years ago when he was still alive.

    “In choosing a title for this tribune, I struggled with the above, “Don’t Cry for Him Nigeria” and Don’t Cry for Me, Nigeria”, a variant of the 1970’s chart buster, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, dedicated to Isabella, the late wife of the also late Argentinean dictator, General Peron. Why did I drop the Peron variant? One, Adekunle  never begged Nigeria to honour or mourn him and unlike the Perons, Adekunle was a patriot and complete Nigerian, if one considers the fact that his father, Thomas Adekunle, was Yoruba, mother, Amina Theodora, a Bachama from Adamawa and first wife, Comfort Akie Wilcox, from Bonny.

    “In my formative (teenage) years, Benjamin Adekunle was one of my heroes. Others were my late paternal grandmother, Mama Asmau Odunola, the women leader of the now defunct NCNC in Ibadan, under Adegoke Adelabu, Adelabu himself, Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Alimi Adesokan, Muhammad Ali, Pele, ’Wole Soyinka, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Yusuf Olatunji a.k.a “Baba L’egba”. As seasons fell on themselves, the portfolio of my heroes/ role models grew, and may still grow when individuals display talent, integrity, patriotism and fairness.

    “The Nigeria / Biafra civil war (1967 to Jan. 1970) threw up Brigadier Adekunle as a professional soldier, strategist and myth. I soaked up his warfare fame and made known to him, though letters, ad I did to Professor ’Wole Soyinka, while an untried political prisoner at the Kaduna Prison in 1967, courtesy of the retired General Yakubu Gowon – led Federal Military Government, my admiration of his (Adekunle) war exploits.

    “In 1983, when I became a press secretary to the then governor of old Oyo State (present Oyo and Osun States) the late Chief ’Bola Ige and also to three military successors of Ige (retired Major – General Oladayo Popoola, retired Brigadier – General Adetunji Olurin and retired Brigadier – General Sasaniea Oresanya), the paths of the late Brigadier Adekunle and my humbleself crossed.

    “Of our encounters, I recall here his courtesy visit to me in July 1999, sequel to my appointment as the Managing Director of Sketch Press Limited, Ibadan (although designated as co-ordinator) by the then newly – sworn in Alliance for Democracy (AD) governors of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Ekiti States. Before their election as governors though, Odua Investment Company Limited, owned by the five states named above, had been saddled by the five former military administrators of the states to oversee the affairs of Sketch. I was seconded from ODU’A in 1998, where I was the substantive Senior Manager, Corporate Affairs, to run the affairs of Sketch, pro bono, as Coordinator. Later, ODU’A conducted interviews for a new management for Sketch and I handled over to the new Managing Director, Mr. Biodun Oduwole.

    “But, with the advent of civilian governments in Nigeria in May 1999, ODU’A states inclusive, the five governors of ODU’A states, as explained earlier, sacked the Sketch Board and Management, and asked me to take over the newspaper company’s affairs again – also pro bono. It was during my second coming, as it were, in the capacity as acting Managing Director of Sketch that the late Brigadier Adekunle sent his Personal Assistant to me to deliver his congratulatory message and book an appointment for a courtesy visit. On the chosen day of the visit; my guest in keeping with military tradition arrived the now defunct Sketch Press Limited office on Oba Adebimpe Road, Dugbe, Ibadan, some minutes earlier than the appointed time. The Sketch has since been demolished to give way to a shopping mall.

    “I, with my management team, received him at the gate and led the late Brigadier – General Adekunle to the MD’s office on the last floor of the three – storey building. Protocol over, he asked me to tell him the circumstances that led to my appointment as the Coordinator of the Sketch Press Limited.

    “I narrated the story to him and as I was about rounding off, he asked “Mr Coordinator, do you have a letter of appointment as the acting Managing Director of the Sketch from the governors?”

    “I replied in the negative, as I was verbally appointed by the governors without even any mention of an allowance to me! Brigadier-General Adekunle shook his head and bellowed that I should head the following day of his visit, to the late Governor Lam Adesina of Oyo State (the ‘overseer’ of the Sketch Press Limited, to obtain a “formal letter of authority (appointment”.

    “He told me that his advice was based on his “bitter experience” as the emergency manager (actually Military Commandant) of the Lagos Port, Apapa, from where he was unceremoniously eased out, after cleaning the port (Cement armanda) congestion in the 1970s, after he had been recalled from the war front.

    “Thank God, I heeded Brigadier Adekunle’s advice to demand and obtain a formal letter of appointment, among other words of wisdom (advice, if your prefer) that he gave freely to me.

    “Sometime last year, his wife visited the late Aare Musulumi of Yoruba land, Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, at his Oluwo, Ibadan home. I was present. She complained to Aare that her husband’s ONLY plot of land on one of the Oyo State Government’s Reserved Areas (GRA) in Ibadan, was about to be acquired or taken over. True to his kind nature, Alhaji Arisekola promised to make enquires about the acquisition threat. When Mrs. Adekunle visited the Aare again early this year on the land matter, I was also present.

    “Alhaji Arisekola Alao had intervened on the late Brigadier-General Adekunle’s behalf on the premise that “heroes/patriots like General Adekunle should not be made to suffer over a plot of land which was legally acquired by him”.

    “May the patriotic and kind souls of Alhaji Alao and Brigadier-General Adekunle rest in peace. Amen. In concluding this tribute, I admonish political leaders and public officers to honour our heroes/patriots in their lifetime. Please put an end to the insultive posthumous ‘oju aye’ (belated and filthy) awards / tributes.

    “A word for our youth, please borrow the “I can – do” attitude of the late Brigadier-General Adekunle, who as a nine – year old in 1945, upon the death of his father, ‘Strengthened my resolve to take matters into my own hands. I resolved to leave home and look for someone to serve, in exchange for educational support”. He ran away from his family’s home in Jos, roamed the streets for several days before finding his way to the home of Reverend Ayiogu whom he (Adekunle) persuaded to employ him (Adekunle) as a domestic servant on a salary of one shilling and six pence a month.

    “Please don’t cry now, Nigeria, for Adekunle. It is too late. May the valiant soul of this great soldier and selfless nationalist rest in peace. Amen.”

     

    • Oloye Alabi is the Aare Alaasa Olubadan of Ibadanland.

  • Socio-cultural relevance of carved monoliths

    Have you ever heard of the carved monoliths? These precious blocks of stones are found in the Cross River basin area now known as Cross River State. Historically, the area once served as the capital of Nigeria before it was moved to Lagos in 1914.

    In 1940 under the colonial administration of Sir Richardson constitution, it was named eastern region and was later zoned under south eastern region 1967 when General Yakubu Gowon created 12 states. In 1976 Cross River was among the 19 states created by late General Murtala Muhammed. Cross River is a multi–lingua ethnic society which comprises of 16 local government areas. Efik is the major spoken language among the cross river people.

    By definition, monolith is a single upright block of stone (as a pillar or monument) that was shaped into column by people living in ancient time that have some religious meaning. It is slow to change. The monolith is believed to represent the ancestors that has been in existence over two thousand (2, 000) years. It tells the story of the origin of the people as well as the significance of facial and body marks. It also tells the story of the belief system of their time, especially about procreation and fertility which is illustrated on the shape and marking of different genders.

    These carved stones found in the middle of Cross River among the Ejagham people locally called Akwanshi or Atal were found across thirty communities. The stones are erected in circles standing in other to prevent them from being tampered with by the weather or human activities. They are found in strategic places such as meeting points in the community or in secret shrines.

    According to oral history, it is the ancestors of Ekoi people that put the stones where they are. It is also believed that the stones are gotten out of the river were smooth by water but the ancestors only cut out the faces with stones and iron. Each faces representing one of the dead chiefs whose names are not known.

    According to the Ekoi people, who live in various villages, there is a sole spiritual head or chief priest called Ntoon, thus, when he dies, he is also represented in Carved Basalt Monolith (Akwanshi).

    Over 300 monolith carved from basalt in this style were created in Cross River between 200 and 1900 A. D. These lithic monuments which vary in sizes ranging from two to over six feet in height are usually found in circular group facing inward. The images of human features on the addition, the scale, number and arrangement of Cross River monolith distinguished them from other grouping of an anthropomorphic sculpture like the Esie soapstone images.

     

    Origin

    Since the first discovery of the monolith in 1903, the origin has remained a mystery, their date of execution and their purposes. It is believed among the Ekoi people that the spirit of the dead returns to live in the stone and also another oral tradition states that the monolith or Akwanshi were carved between the 16th and 20th century A.D.  There are several sites in which monolith or Akwanshi is located in Ikom area of Cross River State among the main sites are as follows: Abayong, Agba, Akumabal etc.

    Though this object has played an important role in the ritual of successive generations of members of local communities. They may represent the spirit of the deceased ancestor. It is also possible that they were created as memorials to important figures. The other version maintains that the stones were created by spiritual powers and emerged out of the ground like trees. It is difficult to ascertain which version of the story is authentic and acceptable.

     

    Description

    They are different sizes, the Monoliths are decorated with geometric designs and stylised human features, noticeable eyes and open mouth, others have heads with rings, stylised pointed beards and elaborate marks navels, two decorative hands with five fingers, nose decorated with various shapes of facial marks.

    The geometric design on these images of the monolith perhaps show that the maker had basic calculations while some also believe that it is the method of Nsibidi writing.

     

    Features

    The Monolith have eyes, nose, mouth, beards and naval portrayed as well as ears, hands, arms, breast and geometric decorations (some of which represent tribal marks). Though the carvings ends at the naval but the beard is an indication that they are all male.

    Some monolith, especially those of the Etina have the neck groove shallower which arms, hands and surface decoration are added. Some also look unusual in lacking a sculptured navel, while others have massive leads on the faces which bears the diagonal cheek marks. At Nkrigor (Nselle), there are Akwanshi that have open mouth wedge, shaped beard and protruding naval as well as facial marks.

     

    Location

    Basaltic stone monolith have been found almost exclusively in the five villages of Nnams, Nselle, Abaanyom, Nde and Akaju, which are located in the middle of the Cross river area of Nigeria and who speak Bakor, a sub-dialect of the large linguistic group known as Ekoi or Ejagham. The monoliths were first discovered by Charles Partidge in 1905 in the Nnam Village of Alok but by 1968, Philip Allison had listed over fhundred mostly arranged in circles in abandoned villages.

    According to Ekpo Eyo, monolith or Akwanshi stone can be found in cluster and some of them feature in their annual new yam festival which represents their dead ancestors more especially, legendary figures.

    Monolith or Akwanshi stones are found in Cross River central upward to the northern part of the state. It has played a significant role in the life of the people, such as ancestral worship which protect and provide for the common man who believed in this ancestral cult. The stone has been distributed far beyond the area where it was first carved.

    These monoliths became crafts for the people of Cross River State therefore provided a means of livelihood. Also, the stone carving became an important trade among them that is why they are found nearly every meeting point of the villages.

    Just like other parts of the country such as Esie, Ife, Igbajo etc. who believed in stone carving that represent their ancestors, who provides and protects them at the time of difficulty.

     

    *Gbaniyi is of National Museum, Onikan Lagos.

  • MUSON holds 2015 festival

    MUSON holds 2015 festival

    All is set for this year’s Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) festival.   Accroding to the organisers, this year’s edition will feature talented groups and artistes, particularly students and alumni of its School of Music.

    With the theme, the arts through young Nigerian eyes, the society will also be partnering with the Playhouse Initiative and the Society for Performing Arts of Nigeria (SPAN), they said.

    According to the Chairman 2015 Festival Planning Committee, Kitoyi Ibare-Akinsan, the festival would kick-off with a youth concert on October 14, which would feature a competition in which seven finalists would be expeccted to compete at its grand finale.

    He said: “This will be followed by a favorite of the festival, tagged: My Kind of Music. It is a personality programme which would feature a select cast of eminent Nigerians who will provide a lucid exceptional glimpse of their persona, with regards to music, to an invited audience.

    “This year’s line-up of dignitaries include Head, Energy and Natural Resources, First Bank Nigeria capital, Ms Rolake Akinkugbe; South African Consulate General to Nigeria, Ambassador Sam Mokghethi; the Chair, Shell companies in Nigeria, Mr Osagie Okunbor Country and Deputy Director of MUSON School of Music, Mrs Edna Soyannwo.

    “Against the backdrop of their favorite music, they will discuss their musical preferences in relation to aspects of their lives, personal beliefs, philosophies and more.”

    Ibare-Akinsan said they would also be honouring deserving  outstanding stakeholders in the performing arts sector.

    And to broaden the appeal of the festival, he said, the committee will be partner with to the Playhouse Initiative to offer  the ageless  musicals.   Jesus Christ Superstar, produced by Uche Nwokedi (SAN), will be on stage on October 16 and 17 , followed by the MUSON Symphony Orchestra in concert conducted by German inspirational visiting conductor, Walter-Michael Vollhardt.

    Festival recital, a selection of best performance of the MUSON diploma school, comes up on October 19.

    The School’s Jazz Band, Big band, the Girlz Rule Band. Philip Uzo and Ranti Ihimoyan have been slated for October 23 at the evening of Jazz, dance and varieties. SPAN will perform a dance on October 24.

    This year’s festival will close with the MUSON day Concert, which would coincidentally take place with the Gala choral concert, featuring the MUSON choir and school Orchestra will present Gilbert and Sullivan’s riveting opera: The pirates of Penzance.

    Vice Chairman MUSON, Louis Mbanefo assured that the festival would indeed be a treat to the devoted audience, positively influence the country’s form of music and become a pointer to the future direction of the Musical Society of Nigeria as a centre for all forms of art at its peak.

  • Revisiting Badagry

    Revisiting Badagry

    The ancient Badagry town is a famous tourist destination. SOLOMON ADEOLA, who visited the town, writes that some of its famed relics have gone seedy.

    IT takes over one hour’s drive from Badagry to some neighbouring West African countries. The town has not only become a business hub but also a major tourist destination. Visitors from across the world are drawn by the historical wealth that the town has to offer.

    Every corner of the town is full of history.  One of such places of the historical wealth that never fails to attract tourists is the Nigeria’s first storey building, overlooking the Badagry waterfront.

    The ancient structure, which was built in 1845 by Rev Charles Andrew Gullmer, houses various historical relics that tell of the town’s rich celebrated past. Sadly, this artefact is currently in a state of disrepair.

    This abundance of historical relics in the building is testaments of the town’s great heritage and the wealth that is scattered in the place.

    Mr Ezekiel Viavonu, a tour guide at first-storey building, who took this reporter round the edifice, decried the dilapidated state it is in. He called for increased efforts to preserve national monuments.”The state government should do more in caring for its national monument like this one. If they are properly renovated, and tourism is taking seriously, it would ignite the love for history and national heritage in the young,” he said.

    Despite the decay, the visit to the landmark building was an unforgettable one. Visitors would still find items used by the early missionaries and slave maters in the place.

    There is the first Yoruba Bible, the first chair the missionaries used, the volts containing old currencies, such as cowries, penny, shillings and kobo.

    The place also contains historical apartments that would awaken the scholarly probe in any history student.

    On the ground floor is the room of the first teacher in Nigeria, Mr Claudius Phillips (1845-1868), who established the first primary school in Nigeria – the Saint Thomas Primary School founded in 1845 with 40 students.

    The room of Mr Philips’ housekeepers is another interesting place. In the room are the corrugated iron sheets and the nails used the roofing. The doors and hinges are still intact.

    But as one moves upstairs from the ground floor, the visitor is sure to be taken aback, and frightened by the look of the wobbly wooden staircase. Even thought the staircase has lost some steps, the thirst for adventure was more than the fear of risks for this report.

    Undaunted by the risks of falling off or missing a step or two, he continued his exploit to the room of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther, who wrote the first Yoruba Bible. In this room, one would find he first English Bible belonging to the first Anglican missionary to first land in Badagry, Rev Henry Townsend when he was invited by his friend Birch Freeman. The Bible is sits side-by-side the Yoruba version translated by Bishop Crowther.

    From this room, one can see the house of the then Governor of the Colony and Southern Protectorate Lord Fredrick Luggard. The room seemed to be under construction, but Viavonu decried the slow pace of the work.

    As one moves from the Bishop’s room, the next room to it is that of Rev Gullmer. In it is the first bench used by the missionaries. On this floor are the Bible room where the missionaries stored their Bibles, and the safe room also has the first safe used by the missionaries in 1856. This was where they kept their money and other valuable items.