The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • Harvest of deaths as Lagosians abandon footbridges

    Harvest of deaths as Lagosians abandon footbridges

    Olusegun Johnson chronicles the unsavoury reality on Lagos highways, as pedestrians reject the use of footbridges, thereby leaving room for traders and beggars to take over.

    When the idea of pedestrian bridges was first muted, wherever that may be, one can be sure it was to ease pedestrians’ crossing of dangerous highways, eliminate all risks and save lives. Nigeria’s case was no exception, as the governments, both states and federal, have over the years, taken time to invest huge public funds to construct overhead bridges, especially on dangerous highways and multiple-lane expressways. Like every responsible government, both tiers of government have taken it upon themselves to, as much as possible, construct these bridges, to protect their citizens. Sometimes they even go the extra mile, by compelling citizens to use the bridges and, as someone put it, save them from themselves.

    However, this seems to have amounted to little, as many citizens still ignore the bridges and embrace the dangerous option of dashing across the dangerously fast roads. The implication of course have been that many Nigerians have been losing their lives, while the facilities have been taken over by beggars and traders, who have found them veritable for their purposes, especially as there seems to be plenty of unchallenged space on them.

    Prince Adesoji, a pedestrian spotted trying to cross the Oshodi Expressway at the popular ‘Under the Bridge’ spot, who gave his reasons for not using the pedestrian fly-over, said he usually crosses the highways whenever he is in a hurry or under pressure to meet an appointment.

    He confessed that the only time he uses the bridges is “whenever the KAI (Kick Against Indiscipline) brigade officials are around.”

    At the Palm-grove end of Ikorodu Road, another pedestrian, Mr. Jones, who had just crossed the eight-lane road, said people normally cross the road due to impatience. “As human beings, you know we tend to prefer short cuts; that to me is the reason many people including me, cross the highway.”

    Mrs. Adekoya, a resident of Onipanu, near Palm-grove, however explains that she had to cross the road on this occasion due to tiredness. “Today, I have been trekking all day and I’m coming from a far place; sincerely,  if I use the pedestrian bridge, I know my blood pressure is likely to rise; and that is what I’m guarding against. However, I do make use of the bridges when I have the strength.”

    Another woman caught on the verge of crossing the expressway at Onipanu told this reporter that hers was due to old age: “As you can see, I am old and my legs are weak; it is difficult for me to use the pedestrian bridge. If I try to climb the bridge, to come down will be difficult and the whole of my legs would be shaking. That is why I don’t use the pedestrian bridge.”

    A gentleman, who refused to reveal his identity at the Obanikoro axis of Ikorodu road, however gave what seemed like a valid reason for not using the pedestrian bridge there.  “If you look at the Obanikoro pedestrian bridge up there, you will see that it has gone rusty with holes, making it dangerous for human use. If the government can repair or replicate the modern ones for this spot too, then I’m sure people will start using it again, as against risking their lives crossing the expressway.”

    Traders and beggars take over

    What the pedestrians have however left unused, beggars and traders have seemingly taken over. Most of the pedestrian bridges across metropolitan Lagos and other major cities in the country; have been turned into quick markets and alleyways for beggars of all sorts. Except for the renovated bridges manned by uniformed security men, virtually all the other footbridges have traders and beggars jostling for space. A good example here would be the foot bridges at Charity Bus-stop, even though it has been renovated, Cele Bus-stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Anthony Bus-stop. Most times, pedestrians have to thread gently, else they anger the traders, who are quick to give them a piece of their caustic tongues.

    Blessing, a trader who has commandeered a portion of the Obanikoro pedestrian bridge, said she now sells on the bridge because she cannot raise the money to rent a shop.

    According to her, “The government agents have been here so many times to force me off the bridge or confiscate my wares, but I always beg them to have mercy on me because I have no space to showcase my goods. And this is my only source of livelihood.”

    Somehow, she has been lucky thus far, as she says she has been there for about two months.

    In the same vein, a physically-challenged beggar on one of the footbridges at Oshodi told The Nation that he has taken a space on the bridge to seek alms, because he has to raise money somehow to fend for himself. “I am here because I don’t have money to eat and nobody to care for me; but when I stand here, passersby who see me and my condition, pity me and show me mercy.”

    Almost similar to the above, though not quite, is Gbadebo, a physically-challenged Lagos State Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) staff, who says his duty is to keep the Oshodi pedestrian bridge clean. However, he takes advantage of the generosity of the pedestrians to make extra bucks, as most of them take him for a beggar offering voluntary service, and throw him their loose change.

    Authorities confess frustration

    The Nation sought explanations from one of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI officials mandated to maintain sanity in these places. One of them, Mr. Ajibade, at the Oshodi traffic point said “People are so stubborn that they’d rather use the highway, rather than take advantage of the pedestrian bridges. We have arrested many of them overtime; and usually, we take them to the mobile court in Alausa, where they are charged and fined immediately. But that has not changed anything.”

    Curiously, Ajibade also revealed that they (KAI) also become subjects of attacks each time they try to carry out their duties. “Whenever we arrest people who ignore the pedestrian bridge, you find that passersby, traders and thugs would be raining insults on us; sometimes attacking us and telling us to release them.”

    He therefore calls for a strengthening of the law, so that pedestrian will know the gravity of the offence they’re committing.

    Explaining further, Ajibade said “If you go to the U.S where their highways are mostly eight lanes and you insist on dashing across the road to get to the other side, then it means you’re likely to get hit by a vehicle or if you’re lucky, get arrested.”

    He recalled one of the most gruesome sights he has ever witnessed, which he said occurred two years ago at Ikeja Along bus-stop (Lagos), where six people died instantly on an environmental day, killed by a Toyota Jeep, while trying to cross the highway. “I had tried to persuade one of the victims, a woman, to use the pedestrian bridge, but she ignored me, and sadly, death claimed her life seconds later.”

    Ajibade said the situation is so bad that you will always witness an accident along Palm Grove, Onipanu, Obanikoro and Ikeja Along, mostly between 9 am and 12pm daily.

    He wondered why people have chosen to ignore these facilities and take such high risks, despite the fact that the government has spent millions, constructing them for their use and safety.

    Another KAI officer, Hammed Mukaila, stationed at Onipanu bus stop said the reason the problem has persisted more recently is lack of enforcement. He said it was more stringent in the time of the immediate past governor of the state, Babatunde Fashola and hoped that such degree of enforcement can come back. “During Fashola’s tenure, you dared not cross the highway, especially at Ojota, where you had the policemen to the left, and the KAI officials to the right, waiting to pounce on you.”

    Peter, a monumental guard at the Palm-grove flyover, said “It pains me to see children and women with babies crossing the highway everyday, with no KAI officers in sight to arrest them. Do you know that three people have died crossing this road in the last two weeks, two of them students? Seriously, we need people to stop them from killing themselves.” He said.

    “What I find strange now is that Agbero guys now take the place of the KAI officers near the BRT Bus Stop at Fadeyi Bus Stop, arresting those crossing and extorting money from them.”

    Concerning beggars who have turned the bridges to begging zones, Peter said “We send them away always. But there is a particular one, who has refused to heed to our instruction for four years. He claims he is son of the chairman of this garage. He is the only one who has been giving me trouble.”

    Another KAI officer at Oshodi, who gave his name as Mr Cole said, “We persuade people to use the pedestrian bridge but if they ignore, we arrest them.”

    He however said they have stepped down the arrests because of change of administration, saying that “We are waiting for the new administration to give the go-ahead from the headquarters.”

  • Navy Boys pass out in style

    Navy Boys pass out in style

    A soldier never retires, he can only pull out of service. This was the case with 170 Navy boy’s who took their bows at 2014/2015 passing out parade of Nigeria Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta. Daniel Adeleye reports

    THEY came as toddlers six years ago to Nigerian Navy Boys Secondary School, Abeokuta, they saw and today, Nigerian Navy is sending them out to the larger world.” This was the opening remarks by the compere as all road led Nigerian Navy Boys Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The occasion was the 21st edition of the 2014/2015 ‘Passing out Parade.’

    Unlike the speech and prize giving day ceremonies of conventional secondary schools, that of NNSS, Abeokuta came with the display of ceremonial military drills.

    In military institutions, schooling is the combination of academic training and the rigours of military drills.

    The ‘navy boys’ as they are fondly called, dazzled their guests with the expertise imparted to them of established navy drills.

    The passing out parade, which had former commandant of Nigerian Military School, Zaria and the paramount ruler of Egba land, Oba Michael Aremu Gbadebo and other dignitaries, in attendance, was all glam.

    Interestingly, the school musical band added a lot of colour and panache to the occasion what with the beautiful rendition of military melody.

    Expectedly, for a first time audience, the passing out parade could easily pass for an archetype military ceremony with the martial music composition.

    Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, as the Chief Reviewing Officer set the tone for the occasion.

    Rear Admiral Ango identified knowledge, discipline and hard work as unambiguous path to success in life.

    Ango who was represented by Rear Admiral Bee Ibe Enwo, Western Naval Chief Staff Officer, described the parade mounted in his honour as highly impressive and admonished the graduands to be good ambassadors of their respective families and NNSS, Abeokuta.

    “Occasions such as this provide opportunity to admonish and encourage young school leavers like you that are stepping into the ladder of life to face the challenges of the larger society.  Though the challenges of life are enormous, there is no gainsaying that the training you have received in this school in the last six years must have prepared you to tackle and surmount such challenges and forge ahead to succeed in life.”

    “Every year, like all secondary schools, Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Abeokuta graduates students that complete the secondary education.

    “All you need to do is to always plan ahead, as this is the most logical process that ensures success. Those who fail to plan are definitely planning to fail as the old wise saying goes.”

    The naval chief who seize the opportunity of the ceremony, announced that infrastructural improvement and temporary staff regularisation of the school are being looked into tasked the outgoing naval boys to contribute no matter how little, to the good image of the school and not be the ones that will drag the good name of the school in the mud.

    The commandant of the school, Navy Cdr Felicia Arukwe who could not hide her joy that the 197 students that gained admission into JSS1 together six years ago are graduating at the same time described them as gifted and talented students who would mount the helm of affairs of Nigeria in the nearest future.

    “It’s a thing of joy to see the students live to witness this day, 197 of you that entered into JSS 1 together are graduating at the same time.”

    “I pray God’s protection for you even as you are leaving NNSS, Abeokuta, to the larger world. You should be focused, believe in yourselves, and above all always bring God to everything you do. The world is full of so Many distractions and opportunities, for you to excel, it takes the decision that come from inner self.”

    “You should always remember your school, don’t derail from its motto of hard work and discipline, which you have been trained with in the last six years. With this, there is nothing you will not be able to achieve in life.”

    The highpoint of the ceremony was the pulling out of the graduating students to the adjoining Panseke/Adatan road by the junior boys to corroborate the military popular saying that ‘Soldiers don’t retire, they are only pull out of service.

  • ‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’

    ‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’

    He was scolded for choosing to study Theatre Arts. The tides soon turned and the profession earned him fame and glory. He not only became a celebrity in his days, but a culture ambassador and former Executive Director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. With over 30 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, Dr Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma has remained true to his calling and an inspiration to many in the industry. Now the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Ayakoroma is promoting a fusion of culture, theatre and the film industry, christened Nollywood, for cultural development and national diplomacy. He speaks with EVELYN OSAGIE.
    biodata

    Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma attended L.A. School and St. Enda’s College (now Agbarho Grammar School) all in Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, graduating with a second class honours (upper) division. This was followed with a Masters from the University of Ibadan, and a Doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt, also in Theatre Arts. His area of specialisation is Directing/Film Studies.

    Ayakoroma had a stint at Prof. J. P. Clark-Bekederemo’s PEC Repertory Theatre, Lagos in 1985 before moving over to the Rivers State Television (RSTV Channel 22 UHF), Port Harcourt, Rivers State (1986-1992), where he held various positions, such as Operations Supervisor, Head of Programmes, and Head of News and Current Affairs. He has written, acted in, and directed many plays on stage and TV.

    He is the author of Dance on his Grave, A Matter of Honour, A Chance to Survive & other plays, Castles in the Air, Once Upon a Dream, and A Scar for Life. His other works include, Strangers in the Land, The Chief Engineer, A Night Out, One Wife Two Husbands, and The Odi Saga. His screenplays include, Master in the House, Castles in the Air, Hidden Agenda, No Hiding Place, Ikemefuna, and From Grace to Grass.

    Ayakoroma, until recently, a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was a Consultant with the Living Earth Nigeria Foundation (LENF), where he pioneered the Bayelsa Community Theatre Programme. His collaboration with Arikpo Arikpo, formerly of LENF, produced three collections of plays: All for a Canoe & other plays, The Golden Goose & other plays and Our Forest, Our Future & other plays.

    He was appointed the Executive Director of the Bayelsa State Council for Arts & Culture in August 2000.

    Ayakoroma was the leader of the Bayelsa State delegation when the Egbelegbele Cultural Troupe of Amassoma participated in the 2002 edition of the International Children’s Festival of Culture & Art in Tianjin, China. The troupe also had performance engagements in Beijing and Yanbian before returning home. He had also led the Bayelsa State Troupe in performance tours to London, Paris, and Algiers.

    Ayakoroma is a member of many professional bodies, which include the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA), Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria (ICA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), among others. One of his plays, The Rejected Ones, in A Chance to Survive & other plays, took the second prize in the 2003 edition of the ANA organised NDDC/J. P. Clark Prize for Drama.

    Ayakoroma was appointed the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Abuja, on November 3, 2009, and has positively changed the fortunes of the Institute. He is a member of the Governing Board, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Visiting Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

     

     

    Theatre practice vis-à-vis
    the Nollywood experience

    Professional Theatre practice is not what we used to know in those days. For now, the theatre profession is in a flux. The way forward is for professionals to really go in and practise what they were trained for.

    After my youths service in 1984, I freelanced at the National Theatre in Anansa Playhouse by the late Bassey Effiong. I was his Assistant Director then. I later worked with Prof J.P. Clark-Bekederemo in his PEC Repertory Theatre in 1985. Unfortunately, all those theatres are no more. But, we are happy that we have young men with great prospects of going to the next level, like Patrick-Jude Oteh who runs the Jos Repertory Theatre that has survived for more than 10 years.

    Theatre productions are very expensive. Maybe why we are not getting it right is because we have not got the money to do the kind of production that would attract the kind of large audience that we want. The redeeming thing is that Nollywood is thriving. It provides a platform for young Nigerians to ply their trade. Unfortunately, theatre artistes have been bystanders, watching, thereby, giving room for people who do not have the requisite training to take over the industry. But I am glad the awareness is there now that theatre artistes should take the bulls by the horn and ensure the profession thrives.

     

    The industry’s teething challenges

     

    Some name insecurity and lack of funding as challenges, it is possible for us to cultivate our own theatre audience no matter the environment we find ourselves. It is also possible for us to do productions and get people to look forward to watching our plays – everything boils down to packaging. I’d often point at the example of the cinema culture. The cinema tradition that was once dead is now resuscitated by Silverbird Galleria. Now, there are others; and every weekend, the cinemas are full of people. If cinemas are thriving in this same in security environment, it means the ball is in our court. If we package good shows, people would come and watch. Another example for theatre professionals to borrow from is that of the stand comedy. Don’t people go to watch Ali Baba, AY Live, Basket Mouth and so on. If these sectors in the entertainment industry are thriving, why can’t theatre?

    Others may complain about venues. I don’t think that is an excuse. There are various venues that can be used for presentations. The local government councils have halls that can be used. In those days at Anasa Playhouse, we used to hold schools’ drama. We produced plays, such as Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame and hold day-time performances in various secondary schools. And even if professional theatre practice is not thriving outside, the university can perform plays every month because they have a ready audience. Also, most arts councils have halls like that of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture; so it is possible for the councils to cultivate theatre audience. In Rivers State Arts Council, where I once worked, we used to have productions every month end. When I left for Bayelsa State, we attempted to do that but realised people wanted something free.

     

    My journey in to the world

    of the Theatre

     

    From my childhood days, I’ve had this love for drama. I’ve had that dramatic flair in me right from my primary school days. I used to perform in concerts and school’s drama sketches. I remember acting as one of the witches in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in secondary school. After my secondary school’s education, I went to Lagos and was working in P & T (Post and Telegraph). Then I used to go to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to be part of some live programmes. That was where I encountered people like Comish Ekiye (Chief Odunuga), Melville Obriango (Teacher Ogene), who were part of the cast for The Village Headmaster of old, and from Bayelsa. I felt proud that they were from my place; and I wanted be like them and appear on TV for people to watch me too. That was the deciding point for me. But at first, I had wanted to study Business Administration, Accounting or Law, that contact with television changed my mind.

    When I made up my mind, I was told the only way I could do that was to study Theatre Arts. I didn’t know what ‘theatre’ meant at the time, but I filled in Theatre Arts in JAMB form anyway, wrote the examination and was eventually admitted to study the course in the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

     

    My dilemma at

    the choice of study

     

    When I got admission, an uncle first congratulated me and later scolded me on my choice. That made me wonder then if I had made the right decision. That question crossed my mind again after I graduated, when one year after graduating, I had no job. My anxiety was heighten by the constant scolding by my uncle: anytime I went to see him, he’d say: ‘You see, I told you to go and study courses like Law and Accounting; and you said you wanted to study Theatre Arts. Now, see how you are suffering’. And each time, I’d have no answer to give him. I remember advising my young sister who had dropped out of school after being pregnant, to return to school. And she replied: ‘Is it the school you went and can’t even find a job that you want me to go back to. What kind of school is that?’ Of course, I couldn’t find words with which to reply her, because I wasn’t a good role model to her at the time – there I was without any job a year after leaving the university. But, soon things changed through Rowland Henshaw, a producer at Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). We did a drama series called the Fault is not in our Stars by the late Effiong. At that time, there were not many TV dramas; and so they kept repeating the episodes. Before I knew it, I had become a star. And by the time I went back to that my uncle’s place, women and children were hailing me on the streets, saying ‘See that brother wey dey appear for television’. They followed me and gathered at his compound. While I entered people were asking him of me and he kept telling them, ‘he is my sister’s son; he studied Theatre Arts’. Before I went to study Theatre Arts, he used to offer me Coca Cola drink, but it stopped when he got to know what I was studying. And by time he saw how people were admiring me, instead of Coke, I was promoted to Maltina!

     

    My experience over

    30 years after

     

    It was not easy; but I am happy I study Theatre Arts. I have no regrets studying Theatre Arts because it is that decision that has made me the director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. It is this theatre profession that lifted me to Abuja to become the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), . It is this same theatre that makes me visit Nassarawa State University regularly where I am an Associate Professor. And I don’t see those who went to university and study something else same time as I did as better off. From after I featured in that TV drama, things started working out. I later joined Puppet Playhouse. But because people kept telling me I needed a regular job; that I won’t always have money, I went to work in Rivers State Television. And when some of us were not comfortable with the political environment under which we found ourselves then, I left Rivers State Television (RSTV Channel 22 UHF) in (1986 to 1992) for the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – the academic provided ready shelter for us. Precisely on November 10, 1992, I left for UNIPORT to teach and have been teaching since then. I have eight published plays, 12 co-authored plays and many unpublished plays. I have also published works on Theatre Management; my recent work is Trends in Nollywood.

     

    My days as Director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture

     

    During my time with the Bayelsa State government, we were fortunate because we had the support of the state. I served under former governors: Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Governor Timipere Sylva. They all gave me their support during their tenures. In fact, I was challenged by Sylva to write a play in my next set of plays to be published. And I’d say I had the best of environment to express my talents. That also explains why today Bayelsa State has the best Cultural Centre –built under my watch – that hosts AMAA Awards yearly. I came in and saw the skeleton and made recommendation and things were done.

     

    Plays political class watch

     

    It wasn’t in their place to decide what plays we’d presented. As the Executive Director, it was left for me to look at the occasion and chose a play. Every leader wants to relax and enjoy himself. The type of plays government officials watch depends how well-package they are. If you have good and well-packaged plays, people will want to read and watch them. Alamieyeseigha once implored me that he’d often go from home to office and back, saying: ‘To help me relax the only thing you can do for me is to have productions’. So, whether it is tragedy or comedy once the productions are well-done, they’d watch and enjoy them, no matter who they are. I’ll say the bulk stops at the table of the playwrights. The onus is on playwrights to write good plays and theatre professionals to stage quality production.

    At the council, we used to stage a production during major national holidays, such as Arm Forces Remembrance Day and Independence Day. My play, Castle in the Air, an adaptation of East African play that was recently staged by the Jos Repertory Theatre, was inspired by the fact that we needed to show a play that highlights the north-south dichotomy during a certain Independence Day celebration.

    I remember staging Pepper Soup, a play by Elechi Amadi, a retired army officer, during the Arm Forces Remembrance Day   in January, 2001; and Alamieyeseigha rewarded us with N660, 000 an amount which was later shared among the 66-cast. He also directed that the guest-artistes be given automatic employment. Later that same year, when we staged Dance on his Grave, he was so impressed that he hosted the persons that acted king and queen to lunch at government House. I remember they were overjoyed because that was their first time they were hosted. They were later given N50, 000 each and automatic promotion.

     

    My inspiration

     

    The need to contribute to knowledge is what inspires me. For instance, my latest work on Nollywood was inspired by the need to contribute to that area of study. I realised that there were not many authoritative works on the subject. With the publication, people can now read and learn things they didn’t know about the industry.

     

    Promoting culture

    through film industry

     

    Nollywood is critical as far as Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy is concerned. On the list of Nigeria’s cultural ambassadors, Nollywood is next in line to football. Outside the shores of country, many, with African descent, may not know the name of Nigeria’s president but once you say you from here, they’d ask about Nollywood celebrities and certain places they’d seen on movies.

    Knowing its importance to cultural development and national diplomacy, we, at NICO, have hinged this year’s edition of SONTA, which would be held in Abuja next month, on the essence of Nollywood with a mind of attracting interests support and collaborations of the industry key-players. Hence, the theme is Repositioning Nollywood for the Promotion of Nigeria’s Cultural Diplomacy and National Security.

     

    Promoting culture,

    indigenous languages

     

    The challenge, in harnessing these diverse cultures, is having to contend with over 500 languages and over 250 ethnic groups is no small task. But then, we can only move at the pace at which we can move. Funding is a major issue. I have since realised that the performance of any government office is very much dependent on the leverage given to it by government: if the government does not fund a sector, there is no way it can perform very well.

    On the promotion of indigenous languages, we insist that all trainees at the NICO Training School must compulsorily offer a Nigerian indigenous language other than their own. If the institutions of higher learning will adopt such as part of general studies where students can learn the languages of their immediate environments, it would reduce communication gaps in local communities. I remember while studying in Calabar, Cross River one of us learnt the language the wrong way and got some slaps when instead of asking for food from a caterer, he asked for something else. I am happy that former president Goodluck Jonathan, as an academic, restored history to the secondary school’s curriculum because it is very essential that our children are taught the history of the land.

  • Fashola years in the eye of artist

    Fashola years in the eye of artist

    ‘Could Fashola Years have remained the same without photography? Probably not, for were it not for his liberality in giving access to the photographer, much of contemporary history of Lagos would have been lost and the remnant would only be conjectures with mere written texts. The Fashola Years is an integral part of a continuing present, an encompassing articulation of the social and political memories of not only an artist, but the politician who represents the hopes of the people of Lagos State’

    Lagos is changing in such a daily phenomenal way that many Lagosians who are participant-observers, are not physically conscious of these changes. Take, for example, the rustic and dangerous Oshodi with its notoriety for crime and drugs, and its nerve-breaking snarling traffic. Or is it Ojuelegba and CMS Bus stops, or Orile and Oyingbo axis? On the other extremes are the Lagos Carnival, the Eyo Festival and the boat regatta – all colourful and veritable attractions to ‘natives’ and tourists alike.

    It is within this context that we must locate Lukman Olaonipekun’s The Fashola Years, a photographic compendium of governance, a rich and successful work relationship between a state governor and his official photographer. The exhibition Eyes of History accompanying The Fashola Years is also the natural follow-up on the earlier photo book, Babatunde Fashola: A Story in Photographs with its exhibit titled Lagos: Being and Becoming.

    According to the Curator of Eyes of History, Tam Fiofori, the photographer with his seeing eyes brings us sights of history, culture, lifestyles and landscapes. Lukman Olaonipekun, otherwise known as Lukesh is privileged to document the immediate past executive governor of Lagos State, Babatunde  Fashola in such a compelling manner. Tam Fiofori sums this up as “a vivid visual story of contrast and change from both an aesthetic and physical points of view.” His pictures allows the viewer to enter into the privacy of the governor in rarely seen moments, including lonely late hours, tender interactions with the populace, etc.

    What do we have in Lukesh’s Eyes of History? And what do we know with certainty about these images? Are they spontaneous or are they contrived, and are they true records of what happened in the eight-year stewardship of Babatunde Fashola? These are fragments of moments captured in the Fashola Years as the governor went round Lagos State: aerial photography of Makoko water community on the Lagos Lagoon, a rustic fishing community, the housing scheme in Lagos, the dug-out canoe, the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge taken at sunset, the Third Mainland Bridge, the Eyo Masquerade, the Badagry drummers, the Lagos Carnival, etc.

    Lukesh’s stylistic treatment of the Fashola Years goes beyond the mendacity often synonymous with governance in Nigeria, for the images are graphic and representational, and are progressive in treating the physical changes in Lagos in a descriptive manner. And the proof of all these is a very rich collection of over seven million images taken in the last eight years. The Eyes of History as an exhibit is barely made up of forty photographs but is descriptive enough as to tell the photographer’s story. This is an everyday documentary taken in the course of Governor Fashola’s Years.

    The  Fashola Years is made up of 339 pages with 16 chapters including Foreword written by the first executive governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande. The Fashola Years is a governance statement on security, health, education, housing, environment, transportation, tourism, power, law and order, agriculture, infrastructure, legislature, governance, statesmanship, etc. At his first inaugural address, Fashola promised a brighter and rewarding future with a testament to do it again for the second term. The man’s whose life passion is the administration of law did his level best to practice it in examples. Not for a day did he break the traffic law and he ensured that the menace of siren associated with convoys never had a place in his administration. This book did tell the story of more than a thousand words in pictures.

    One outstanding image in the book is when the governor accosted a senior military officer who broke the traffic law at CMS in Marina, Lagos, a testimony to the social re- engineering and governance in Nigeria and Fashola best put it thus: “What is bad has no other name and when a society decides to live above the law; one of the consequences is that it depreciates the quality of life of the whole society.” Of course, Fashola never for a day in his tenure broke the traffic law. He indeed walked the talk. The subject is the governor and the officer; and the form are intrinsically the spontaneity of the photographer’s presence of mind, or what the critic calls the timeless moment. This is representational of the challenges of the military submitting to civilian authority. But there are other photographs; of the bus mass transit that is attempting to solve the historical Lagos ‘go-slow,’ of interventions in agriculture, housing, global warming and erosion prevention, engineering involving bridges, light railway transportation, aesthetics as in the beautification of parks and gardens, reclamation and reconstruction of canals, interchanges, etc.

    Thus, Lukesh’s image relieves us of the burden of time as memory fades in what Fashola Years was all about. For with time, it is history as recorded and distilled that is remembered and venerated. As observers, we will through Lukesh’s images become either subjective or objective in our remembrances of the changes in Lagos.

    Could Fashola Years have remained the same without photography? Probably not, for were it not for his liberality in giving access to the photographer, much of contemporary history of Lagos would have been lost and the remnant would only be conjectures with mere written texts. The Fashola Years is an integral part of a continuing present, an encompassing articulation of the social and political memories of not only an artist, but the politician who represents the hopes of the people of Lagos State. Lukesh has managed to make himself the recorder of those involved in the events photographed.

    Lukesh, the personal photographer of Fashola started out innocuously enough when he borrowed a camera to document his sister’s wedding. But it was a great moment for him and from there went on to earn some income when he was in the polytechnic. In 2003, he became the personal photographer to the Onigbongbo Local Government Chairman in Ikeja and just three years after became the photographer to Babatunde Fashola. He had been in a series of solo exhibitions, a group exhibition and won several awards. He is the author of two photography books: Babatunde Fashola: A Story in Photographs and The Fashola Years. In 2009, he attended the London School of Photography, is a member of the Photojournalists Association of Nigeria and World Photography Association.

  • ‘Here was my father, my best friend’

    ‘Here was my father, my best friend’

    On June 28, 2014, at about  7 pm, I got a call from my mum that my dad, Suleiman Gambari, had been taken to hospital. It was on a Saturday and by the next day; I headed for Ilorin from Abuja. I had to go by road as there were no flights out of Abuja to Ilorin on Sunday morning.

    As we set out on the trip, I couldn’t help but think about him. He had received treatment in Abuja the previous month and was certified okay before he traveled to spend some time resting in Ilorin. While in Abuja, we shared a lot. He told me stories of how he started his career. How he wished being enrolled in the Army and eventually became a journalist. The funniest part of the story was how he met my mum. They went to the same primary and were worst enemies. Until fate brought them together many years later as husband and wife when my mum travelled to Kaduna where he was working after school. I thought about how we argued endlessly about me reading law and I insisted on Mass Communication.

    All these thoughts flashed in and out of my memory.

    Then, I decided to put a call to him. I called several times with no answer. Relentlessly, I kept calling until someone suddenly picked up the phone. Rather than hear his voice as he usually calls out my name “ Hajia Aishah, Allah ya yi miki albarka”, anytime I called him,  it was my mum’s voice I heard who said dad had been under close monitoring and cannot pick calls. Then it dawned on me that there was trouble.

    While the illness lasted, my dad used to pick his calls. He even called many times to check out on us. For him not to pick calls on that day, then I knew something seriously has happened. But, I kept praying and hoping that everything will be alright.

    After eight hours drive, we arrived in Ilorin. Immediately, I headed to the hospital. Getting there, I called my mum who sent someone to pick me up at the hospital entrance to lead me to the private ward where my dad was.  There he was lying in pains. I broke down immediately because I just couldn’t imagine seeing him in that state. This was a man who hardly falls sick. Not once has he ever complained of headache.

    Being the eldest child around at that time, I had to quickly put myself together and be strong for my mum and younger siblings. I called the doctor in charge of his case and he briefed me about his findings. He recommended several tests and ultra- sound scans which we immediately conducted.

    By the evening of that same day, while sitting by the edge of his bed, he opened his eyes, and the first thing he said to me in Hausa was “Aishah, kin zo ne, ai da kin bari. Zan samu lafia In shaa Allah,”  meaning Aishah, you came, you shouldn’t have bothered, I will be fine by Allah’s will.  He then looked up and smiled, while I smiled back too.

    We were at the hospital until July 2, 2014. That morning he called me and he started talking about where he has what, and what I should do with them. I got frightened and insisted that he takes some rest. He insisted on talking, but I called my mum in and we both found a way of making him rest.

    The most intriguing thing about the whole situation was that until he took his last breath, he had hope. He kept repeating it that we shouldn’t worry, he would be fine.

    On the morning of July 3, 2014, my worst fear came. That morning, I sat by his bed side and started reciting various prayers for a sick person from the Quran. By this time, he couldn’t talk again neither was he able to eat anything all day. His eyes were opened which suggested he wasn’t asleep. My mum and younger sister who were also there joined in the prayers.

    It was during the month of Ramadan and we decided to seize the opportunity to intensify prayers for him. By the evening of that day, his condition started deteriorating. We were all scared and we kept praying. The doctors came in and out trying to revive him. And at 6:36pm just as everyone was getting ready to break their fast, he lost the battle, and gave up the ghost!

    Then a pandemonium followed. My dad’s elder sister, her kids and his mum were all present. Everyone started screaming.  My mum broke down immediately, my sister was also down. I was the only one who tried to hold myself up so that I can take care of my mum and my sister.

    While many other families were breaking their fast in comfort, we broke our fast with the drop of tears rolling from our eyes down our lips.

    It was the worst day of my life. I went close to his body, felt his pulse again just to be sure because his eyes were still opened. Nay, he’s gone! We closed his eyes, covered him up and said prayers for the repose of his soul. It was a day I will never forget.

    Here was my father, my best friend, my mentor, my teacher, my strength being taken away forever. I realized I will never have a father again. There will be no one to fill that gap he left behind.  No one can ever replace him in our lives.

    My father was born into the Royal family of Ilorin by the then District Head of Lanwa, Mallam Muhammadu Laufe, son of Shuaibu Bawa the 7th Emir of Ilorin. He was the brother of the 9th Emir of Ilorin Alhaji Sulu Gambari Mohammed. Suleiman Gambari is the great grandson of Mallam Abdul Salam, the first emir of Ilorin who was the son of Sheikh Salihu Moddibo Alfa -Alimi, the founder of the Fulani dynasty of the ancient city of Ilorin.

    Sheihk Alimi was one of the trusted flag bearers and disciples of the great Jihadist and Islamic scholar, Amir Almumunin, Sheikh Usman Danfodio from whom he received a flag of authority and a letter of investitude to establish orthodox Islamic religion and government in Ilorin in 1831.

    Gambari, a renowned journalist, started his early career life with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations in Sokoto, in 1969. In 1970, he was transferred to Kaduna and subsequently joined the Nigeria Defence Academy, (NDA) and was attached to the Training branch of the Academy.

    In 1975, he decided to take journalism as a career and he applied and got a job with the New Nigerian Newspapers in 1978 as a reporter. He attended series of journalism professional courses at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos, between 1981 and 1983.

    Since then, he has held various Editorial positions in the New Nigerian Newspapers. First, he was appointed Editorial Representative in Zaria, Kaduna State, he was also a State Editor in Minna, Niger State, Sokoto, Kano and Ilorin between 1984 and 1987.

    He was later posted back to Kaduna where he was appointed the news editor, editor special pages and later daily editor of the New Nigerian Newspapers.

    While in Kaduna, he enrolled into the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to study part time Law. He graduated in 2002 and was call to Bar before he got a transfer of service from the New Nigerian Newspapers to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) where he retired as the Editor in 2013 to join the Afe Babalola Chambers as a legal practitioner  before his untimely death.

    Dad, as we mark the first year of your demise, I know where ever you maybe, you are resting in peace. I miss your smiles and laughter. You were always happy. I never saw your sad face. You were humble to a fault and carried yourself with such humility which many princes of your caliber never exhibited. Your friends were the downtrodden as you treated them with so much love and was ever willing to give your last plate of food to the needy.

    Your wife misses you a lot. You were the best husband any woman can have. You showed her so much love and care and you were very faithful to her.

    And to us your children, you showed us so much love. You raised us to know nothing but Islam. You raised us to be responsible in life and always responsive to the needs of the less privileged. Thank you so much for all you did in our lives. We shall continue to live to remember all you left us with. How you taught us the Quran, how you taught us how to observe Salat, how you thought us never to give up on anything in life but to hang on to God? Worldly things to you were vanity, all you preached was modesty, the fear of Allah and  care for the less privileged.

    May Allah reward you for all you did for us. May your soul continue to rest in peace. May Al-Jannatul Firdaus be your last resting place.

    And for those who stood by us during those trying times, may God reward you. May you never have any cause to shed tears.

  • Yoruba culture light up Dublin

    Yoruba culture light up Dublin

    A new chapter of the Odua Progressive Union (OPU) has been inaugurated in Dublin, Ireland to promote, enhance and sell the pristine Yoruba culture particularly among the Diaspora.

    The ceremony attracted hundreds of Yoruba people who turned out in colourful traditional attires.

    Impressed by the event, Mr John Smith, a guest at the Lucan Spa Hotel, Dublin, venue of the event, couldn’t help but marvel at the various designs and colourful constellations of traditional attires and cultural dances exhibited.

    He said: “This is very colourful. I am endeared to this country Nigeria and the Yoruba race in particular. I know that Dublin harbours a sizeable number of Nigerians but this is my very first time of seeing so beautiful and colourful side of Nigerians.”

    The Yoruba in Dublin, who have been eager to showcase Nigerian cultural identity, utilised the opportunity to bring out their best attire and display their dancing steps at the launch of Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), which is a socio-cultural association initiated by Otunba Gani Adam, the National coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), to stimulate and revive the pristine Yoruba culture and tradition among the Diaspora.

    The association, which has been founded in over 52 countries of the world, was again inaugurated in Ireland to the embrace and acceptance of the Yoruba who believed that such an association was long overdue.

    OPU Ireland Coordinator, Alhaji Ibrahim Saheed, commended Otunba Adams for his untiring efforts at ensuring the revitalisation and rejuvenation of Yoruba culture, arts and tourism assets among the Diaspora Yoruba .

    “I must specially thank and commend Otunba Gani Adam who has risen stoutly beyond politics and personal consideration this time around and embark on the voyage of Yoruba cultural evangelisation   and revivalism all over the world . This has become imperative because of the dangerous trend of extinction which our cultural values , language and identity has been trekking lately,” he said.

    Saheed said: “The fact is that this kind of association was long overdue mainly because some of us here have not only been displaced psychologically but we have allowed the material and social circumstances of our new environment to rob off our culture identity, value and sense of perception. This is why is why some of us are here to identify with the mission of Otunba Adams on OPU and ready to stoke the fire of the vision with all our energy, strength and material resources “

    Saheed commended other coordinators from Europe, America and Britain led by Akogun Banji Ojo for witnessing the inauguration of OPU Ireland Chapter.

    He added: “I will once again assure all in this hall, particularly Otunba Adams, who is here with two other royal fathers from Nigeria, Oba Yisa Olanipekun, the Zaki of Arigidi Akoko and Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti State that we members of OPU Ireland will not only engage in acts that will tarnish the image of Nigeria, nether shall we involve in any act that will stain the integrity of the Yoruba race but especially we shall do everything positively humanly possible to promote , enhance and spread the traditional values and culture of Yoruba race“

    Oba Adewole and Oba Olanipekun, who were at the event, lauded the people for making the race proud by their attires and traditional costumes.

    They urged people of Yoruba ancestry living abroad not to forget their roots but to also ensure their children speak, dance and imbibe the Yoruba culture.

    The Ajero of Ijero said: “Your birth and time has placed on your shoulders the role to ensure that your children imbibe our culture and know the values which has brought you this far. Any attempt by you in not doing this may warrant on us generational curses by the time our great grand children are living without identity “

    He charged the Yoruba in Ireland to hold their head high and flaunt the traditional values and culture of their pedigree.

    Otunaba Adams commended Saheed for his temerity of purpose and organisational ability by holding a beautiful event and “convincing all of us here particularly the delegate from Nigeria to be here today,”

    Otunba Adams, who made a clarification between Oodua People’s Congress, O(PC) and Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU) said: “I must enlighten all about the difference between Oodua Progressive Union, OPU and Oodua People’s Congress, OPC. Oodua People’s Congress is a Nigerian based organisation ready to fight and agitate for the protection of the territorial integrity and political respect of Yoruba race while Oodua Progressive Union is out to promote, enhance and sell the pristine Yoruba culture, particularly among the Diaspora. You cannot be members of both. If you want to be OPC you cannot be OPU. OPU is culturally inclined with every sense of responsibility while OPC is for agitation via responsible militancy and strident advocacy for our race’s right.”

    “OPU is not political but purely for the propagation of our cultural values, assets and promotion of our pristine tourism assets for profitability and acceptance. That is why we lay emphasis on celebration and showcasing of our culture whenever OPU is inaugurated. This is because we must show the part of what they should come to Yoruba land to see ,“ he stressed.

    Mr Femi Daviesof Metroline news blog, described the inauguration of the OPU Ireland chapter as a testimony to the global appreciation of the efforts of Otunba Adams Cultural Revolution and his global acceptance as a world-class cultural idol whose acts are recognised san Nigerian’s border .

    “OPU Ireland inauguration was a plus to Nigeria and a good one from the stable of Otunba Gani Adams. I was elated by the comments and responses of Dubliners who were fortunate to see Yoruba culture on display. It brought out one single fact, that if well packaged, Nigeria culture can sell Nigeria better and can also attract the right people and investment to Nigeria,” he added.

  • Ogun to immortalise Fela, Ogunde others

    Ogun to immortalise Fela, Ogunde others

    If the quality of guests and the colourful atmosphere at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, were a measure of the success of the recent presentation of Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks, the organisers of the event may have realised one of their objectives.

    The guests included Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Oba Michael Gbadebo Adedotun, Alake of Egbaland; Senator Daisy Danjuma, Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, Oloye Lekan Alabi, Mrs Bolanle Austin-Peters, Tunde Kelani, Segun Odegbami, Air Vice-Marshal Okanlawon (rtd).

    Governor Amosun, who pledged to buy many copies of the books for distribution, reiterated his administration’s determination to immortalise the illustrious sons and daughters of Ogun State who have contributed immensely to the growth of the state.

    He disclosed that there were plans by the state to create memorials for legends, such as the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti and the doyen of theatre, the late Hubert Ogunde. “As for development, we have not scratched the surface because there is a lot to be done. We will buy the books and send to all our embassies, schools and libraries. We will like to have memorial for the late Fela who is a music legend. Also, the late Ogunde will be remembered too. We will look at all of these in order to add value to the state heritage. Nothing else excites me now than to develop Ogun State. Let’s put our heads together for the overall development of the state,” he said.

    He recalled that he wanted to launch the book earlier to distribute to relevant bodies in the state, but changed his mind.

    “I realised that it would make greater impact and more symbolic to distribute the book when the state will turn 40 in February. The book is not for us alone but for the Diaspora and younger generations of Egba.

    Governor Amosun, who commended the author of the book, Hakeem Adenekan, said the state occupies a prime place in the country and the world, noting that before the advent of Nigeria as a country, the Egba had been accessing loans from international bodies.

    According to the governor, there are new things in the book he never knew, saying there is more to Abeokuta than Olumo rock, which the author has proved in the book. “Let us tell our story. We want to see more of this,” he added.

    Oba Adedotun said there are many books on Abeokuta by many authors, but that the latest by Adenekan captures the scenic views of the ancient city known for its rusty roofing sheets and rocky hills of Olumo. He hoped that there would be more books on Abeokuta, a community that has moved from a small town 185 years ago to a city.

    Chief launcher Omooba Shyllon drew the attention of the state to tourists’ sites, such as Oyan dam and Olumo rock, saying they are capable of generating revenue for the state. “With all the firsts in Abeokuta, we can attract tourists to the city thereby generating revenue,” he said.

    Senator Danjuma described Abeokuta…Beyond the rocks as one of the best coffee table books that will be valuable to tourists and researchers to Abeokuta. “Hakeem has written a book that will preserve the heritage of Egba,” she said.

    Reviewer of the book, Jahman Anikulapo lamented that Nigerians have not done enough to document and preserve their heritage, saying no one book can capture all about the local councils in the state. He, therefore, called for the involvement of writers in the local council areas in the documentation of the state heritage.

    Adenekan described his book, which took him five and half years to complete, as one way to put Abeokuta on the world map. He regretted that Nigeria doesn’t have quality record, commending the Alake of Egba for his support.

  • Tribute to Tinubu

    Tribute to Tinubu

    I do not admire Tinubu because he is a saint.

    I do not admire Tinubu because he is from the south.

    I do not admire Tinubu because he is a Yoruba.

    If I want saints, I will proceed to heaven not on earth. Every human is fallible.

    I admire Tinubu because he saved Nigeria from the danger of falling into “one party state”. He has nurtured many renowned National successors.

    He listened to the voice of the masses to surrender his personal ambition at the most critical moment.

    He strategically terminated the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) 60 year’s life spam in 16 years.

    The robust critic and critique we are enjoying today is because Tinubu aligned himself to the masses to return the power to them.

    Tinubu has the option of joining the PDP elites to hold us hostage for another decade but he gave his all to the masses to dethrone the elites.

    Political juveniles believed that APC won because of the votes from the North. No!!! APC victory was cemented the day PMB and Asiwaju resolved to work together.

    Asiwaju and PMB almost became a Nomadic by visiting every human that can help midwife Nigeria salvation. Those Nomadic Almajiri walk later brought salvation to us.

    God willing, PMB is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Anybody, any cabal, any Viju milk activist, attempting to humiliate Asiwaju must have me to contend with.

    An average PDP man is sad with Asiwaju because he brought them to their knee.

    If anyone thinks that bringing down Asiwaju is his project, that mission will not only crash but it will boomerang.

    Don’t tell me he is overbearing, your “underbearing” mentors were nowhere to be found when this country was lying critically at the intensive care of the universe.

    Recall my first line, Asiwaju is not a saint. Stop demonising what you admire out of envy. Even your mentors admire him.

    He owns Lagos! I hear you! Ask your grand father and parents how they acquired your so called “familyland”. Is it God that allocated it to them?

    You are terrorising your neighbours and village with your kpof-kpof kobo yet you criticise a man that is naturally addicted to technocrats irrespective of their tribe or Religion.

    Hmmmmm. I don talk am ooo, Asiwaju is not a political office holder ooo. Please let him be.

    He is evil, I agree, but we need more of him than your saintly specie.

    Dear Asiwaju,

    Good Morning!

    The gentle stride of a tiger is not a symbol of cowardice.

     

     

  • Creative workshop for Asaba

    Creative workshop for Asaba

    A six-day hands-on creative art workshop on turning waste to wealth will open on Thursday, July 23 till 28 at The Marble Hill School, Asaba the Delta State capital.

    It is opened to primary and secondary school pupils in Asaba.The aim of the facilitators is to champion the promotion of the arts at the grass-roots and basic levels of education, bolstering the arts across the grade school curriculum.

    The workshop will be led by the convener Philips Nzekwe an Asaba-based sculptor and arts teacher at the yearlyAgbara Ottor Harmattan Workshop with fellow artist and painter Juliet Ezenwa Maja-Pearce and supported by other artists and teachers. Maja-Pearce is a veteran workshop facilitator on converting waste to wealth and recycling of disposable materials. The workshop will cater for no fewer than 50 pupils for the four days.

    According to Nzekwe a lot has gone wrong with urbanisation without consideration for preservation due to lack of visual literacy. He said promoting healthy living and going–green is the primary aim of this workshop. “Psychological effects of living-green together with creative engagements we hope will result in youth restiveness and peaceful coexistence,” he noted.

    The participants will acquire skills which will enable them become self-employed individuals and entrepreneurs. The workshop activities are designed to engage the community through close interactive participation of parents, children, community leaders and youths.

    According to Nzekwe the recycle themes will focus on using easily found materials to create objects of beauty. “We are careful to align our activities with the present school curriculum so that it is easy for the participants to relate art to other areas of human endeavours. Therefore we are using art as a tool for socio- development,” he added.

    The sole sponsor of the programme Mrs H.I. Odume, a former director of education in Delta State and an art enthusiast said: “effective learning can only occur if all domains of human knowledge which include the cognitive, affective and the psycho-moto are fully harnessed. The objective of this workshop is in line with the vision of the Marble Hill School, Asaba.”

    The venue for the workshop was made available by Mrs Odume because she believes that students should be thoroughly furnished and equipped for nation building. “The main challenge faced by this project is lack of government support…This programme will probably fair better if we get support or collaboration from the state government,” she said, noting that the absence of an art gallery in Asaba has impeded the aesthetic development of the students in the vicinity.

     

  • UNICEF seeks participation in govt via U-Report

    UNICEF seeks participation in govt via U-Report

    The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is determined to encourage and increase participation in government via its innovative SMS-based platform known as U-Report.

    With U-Report, UNICEF seeks to empower Nigerians to participate and engage in policy-making and governance. In addition, Nigerians would be able to access real time information on key social issues, it has said.

    To increase access to social change-related information and provide opportunities for participation while pushing forward U-Report, UNICEF has gone into a partnership agreement with Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications services provider with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa.

    The agreement allows UNICEF to tap into Airtel’s mobile services to make health, education, child protection and community-focused content available to Airtel customers across the country. Through improved connectivity, more Nigerians will have free access to mobile applications and services developed by UNICEF, such as U-Report.

    The deal, according to UNICEF, will expand their collaboration across all 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The platform, which was launched officially in Nigeria on April 29, this year, has over 400,000 registered users, making Nigeria the leading U-Report platform globally, among 16 countries that are running the same application.

    Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, said the company is committed to empowering Nigerians and is keen on supporting programmes that will enrich the lives of its various stakeholders.

    He said: “At Airtel Nigeria, we constantly look for opportunities to excite, delight and empower our customers. This innovative partnership with UNICEF offers Nigerians a golden opportunity to transform the country and we are glad to be part of the U-Report project.”

    UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Jean Gough, said: “UNICEF is committed to providing innovative solutions towards better delivery of services and social change. This partnership with Airtel has the potential to empower millions of Nigerians through access to information and with opportunities to help them transform their societies.”

    About 15 million text messages were sent and received through the U-Report platform while the country battled Ebola last year ahead of the official U-Report launch this year. The awareness messages and real time responses via SMS and on the U-Report Social Media platforms sent out during the Ebola outbreak were able to combat rumours about mythical remedies such as bathing with hot water and salt and taking bitter kola to cure the disease. U-Report participants were informed about how to identify the disease, and how to keep safe.

    U-Report Nigeria has sent out more than 70 polls and 25 million messages over the past year on topics such as prevention of HIV/AIDS, unemployment, maternal and child health, safety and security in schools, child protection, electricity, water and sanitation and hygiene.

    UNICEF strongly believes that through U-Report, communities can improve their standard of living and significantly contribute to transparency and accountability in the management of public affairs, which is key to the development of Nigeria.

    The support provided by AIRTEL has enabled U-Report to grow into a vibrant tool to empower Nigerians.  UNICEF looks forward to continued collaboration and expansion, striving to achieve its target of 1 million U-Reporters by the end of this year.

    To become a U-Reporter in Nigeria, text the word ‘JOIN’ to 24453, it said. It was free. To access U-Report information, see http://www.nigeria.ureport.in via a mapping infographic interface, the website shows U-Reporter responses across Nigeria to more than 50 questions over the past one year, according to UNICEF. “Poll questions on a wide range of development topics continue to be asked to U-Reporters every week, providing a deep source of real-time information on the views and opinions of Nigerians@, UNICEF stated.