The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • Minister pledges support for tourism

    Federal Government will support private investment in culture and tourism, Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Chief Edem Duke has said. He  called on-well meaning individuals and groups to invest in the development of the creative sector. He noted that tourism, apart from offering good returns on investment; create jobs and other opportunities for the investor and the community.

    He spoke at the new Smoking Hills Golf Course and Resort in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State. The 18-hole Golf Course is owned by Chairman of Elizade Nigeria, Chief Micheal Ade Ojo.

    Duke, accompanied by Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Akin Adejuwon, noted that the tour to Ilara Mokin afforded him the opportunity to appreciate some of the attractions that Chief  Ojo has developed  to find ways of helping in promotion and development of tourism.

    Ojo, took his guests round the course and resort and the Elizade University. “This is one private university that I have seen that is built like universities you will find in Europe,” Duke said.

    The minister described experience of the visit as ‘overwhelming’ noting: “the environment, the undulating hills, the smoking hills and, indeed, the experience is completely overwhelming. I think this is a programme and a project, which not only the Federal Government will provide the support in terms of infrastructure, working with the state government, but we will do our utmost to ensure that, that is possible. When I see the opportunities here for tourism, hospitality and cultural development, I see the synergy not only of this golf course but also a synergy and a circuit that can be built around most of the tourist sites in Ondo State and neigbouring states like the Ikogosi Warm Spring, which is not too far away from here. And I see the various towns and communities around here providing the source for the development of local cuisine and the service industry that will bring value. I also see the university providing the opportunity for young people to grow into golf and the potential of having an inter university circuit. I see a great opportunity in this resort, not only to grow championship golf tournament and golfers but also an opportunity for professional retreats by organisations that will like to develop strategy sessions and then go out to play a game of gulf and enrich their own experiences’’.

    The Minister also acknowledged the possibility of other events in the state running into days so that tourists can experience the warmth and splendour of the golf course and resort.

    ‘’I see the opportunity of the Mare Festival held annually here in Ondo State growing into a one week festival, where after being a part of the festival, you can come to the golf resort and even drive to the Ikogosi Warm Spring and enjoy some of the other offerings around Ondo state,” he said.

    He praised Chief Ojo for his interest in the promotion of education, tourism and culture. He acknowledged Chief Ojo’s support for the yearly Mare Festival in Idanre, Ondo State and for his support for the production of Kunle Afolayan’s big budget movie October 1, which was shot on location in Ilara Mokin.

    ‘I want to most especially commend  Ojo, who has truly stood out as one of the leading lights in Nigeria business community. And I have always said to people, that no matter what kind of business you are in, the most enjoyable retirement is in leisure and entertainment. So it is a great opportunity to be here at Ilara Mokin.’’

    Ojo thanked the Minister for the visit and expressed the hope that with the visit, a lot of support would be extended to the tourist centre and to the community.

  • Lions Club to build eye hospital in Abuja

    The Lions Club International is to build  eye hospital in Abuja.

    District 404 A1, Nigeria Governor Olaitan Omolaja made this known at the investiture of Olugbenga Onasanya, as president of the Lagos Unique Club.

    The event, which held at the Nigerian Army Officers Mess, Yaba, Lagos attracted eminent people from various parts of Lagos State.

    Omolaja said the eye hospital would be constructed on 10-acre of land, adding: “ The Abuja eye hospital is going to be a landmark in this country. It is strictly planned to take care of myriad of eye challenges, and ultimately, eliminate the scourge of blindness that is becoming worrisome in the country.

    “I can assure you that with the support of our international association, the eye hospital will be the biggest in Africa. The 10-acre land was given to us by the federal government. The plan has been done, the architectural drawing has been completed and we are in the process of securing approval from the Abuja municipality to start the project.”

    Delivering his inaugural speech,  Onasanya said he was keen on contributing his quota to better the lives of the less-privileged.

    “ We are not here  just to  witness my public presentation as the president but to instal other officers of the club who will work with me to enable me share my dream with you with a view to contributing  your quota, so that together we can better the lot of the less privileged in our communities.

    “The sick, the physically challenged, those who cannot afford a meal per day and abandoned people in the society need our support to have their lives enhanced. The total budget for our projects and activities for this Lion’s year is N10 million. As lions, we live by the international purpose and code of ethics which makes us prudent, effective and above board,” he said.

  • A lift for the less privileged

    The Good Shepherd Society of the Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Cathedral Church, Ikeja GRA in Lagos has laid the foundation for the Christian Mission for the Deaf Church in Somolu. SAFIYYAH ABDUR-RAZAQ was there. 

    Imagine a church where sign language is a means of communication. Praise and worship will be conducted without singing and drumming. That church is being built by the Christian Mission for the Deaf Nigeria (CMDN) in Somolu, Lagos. Last Friday, the foundation of the permanent site of the Christian Mission for the Deaf Church in Somolu, Lagos  was laid.

    The event began with a collective recitation of the national anthem after which a brief history of the church was read by the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Christian Mission for the Deaf Nigeria (CMDN), Elder Silas Eke. He traced the history of the CMDN to 1960 when a Deaf American, Dr Andrew Foster started Christian evangelism among the deaf in Nigeria and established schools in Ibadan, Kaduna and Enugu.

    “The schools in Kaduna and Enugu”, he said, “were closed down during the civil war but have been reopened together with several other schools. In 197o, the Lagos branch of the church was opened by Dr Foster in Yaba.”

    The Chairman of the church, Amos Akeju, said the site was acquired in 2005 and the old building 2was used for Sunday service, midweek and weekend fellowships.

    “We continued to pray to God to help us in developing the site. It was during this period that God brought the former president of the Good Shepherd Society, the late Sir IKV Ezeonyido to our church one Sunday. He heard the special announcement that we were collecting the money for a permanent place of worship and he made a donation to the church that day. He also informed his society and they have been our partners since then.”

    Bishop of Lagos West Anglican Communion Rt. Rev James Odedeji laid the foundation and told the audience that when a man sows a good seed, he reaps God’s blessings.

    “This is the time we have all laboured for. We are in God’s hands and this place by the grace of God would soon be completed. This is a good investment, an eternal one. And our contributions would be an opportunity for us to write our names in the Book of Life,” Bishop Odedeji said.

    President of the  Society, Ossie Nwankwu,  said the assistance being rendered to the CMDC is an evangelical contribution to the society.

    “Jesus Christ is a good shepherd and he taught us to be a good shepherd, so we have to look out for our not-so-privileged members. We are also using this opportunity to sensitise members of the public to come and do God’s work”, he said.

    He said the society also provides guide sticks annually for the School for the Blind in Oshodi as well as funds for the Spinal Cord Injuries Association of Nigeria.

    The CMDC church building, he said, will be a three-storey structure that would house an auditorium, classrooms, recreation facilities for the deaf and information and counselling for the deaf and their relatives.

  • Mother of quadruplets dies after birth

    A woman died hours after giving birth to quadruplets at a Phoenix hospital, US a close friend of the family has said.

    Erica Morales, 36, never got to hold her newborns before she passed away early last Friday morning after a C-section surgery at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Centre, Nicole Todman said.

    “They were transporting her from the surgery to whatever room, and she was still unconscious at that point. So, no, she never got to see them,” Todman said.

    Morales was about seven months into her pregnancy when she delivered three girls and one boy Thursday, according to Todman. She has been one of the few able to visit the premature newborns and said they are doing well.

    “They’re beautiful,” Todman said. “They have tubes in their mouths and their noses. They’ve got little monitors and wires all over their body.”

    The infants will likely remain hospitalised for the next two months while doctors help them to get stronger and each reach a goal weight of 5 pounds, Todman said. Currently, they all weigh between just above 2 pounds to just above 3 pounds, she said.

    Morales was initially hospitalised for high blood pressure. Complications ensued before Morales was taken into surgery, Todman said. She does not know what led to her passing.

    “I don’t even care to know,” Todman said. “It doesn’t matter why. She’s still gone.”

    Hospital spokeswoman Toni Eberhardt declined comment Saturday, but she released a statement from the hospital: “Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the family during this very difficult time.”

    Morales, a former real estate agent who more recently worked for the University of Phoenix, and her husband, Carlos, who works in manufacturing, had been trying to conceive a baby for two years, Todman said. She said Morales tried everything from acupuncture to fertility treatments. Morales suffered a miscarriage before becoming pregnant last June.

    Todman, who has been best friends with Morales since childhood, said Morales was more nervous about being a new mother than raising four children at once. Because of her previous miscarriage, Morales was apprehensive about getting too excited about the babies’ arrival. She mainly focused on doing things correctly throughout her pregnancy such as eating enough, Todman said.

    “Her focus of her pregnancy was to make sure she did everything to make sure they were healthy so she was able to bring them into this world — and she did,” Todman said.

    On Friday, Todman started a GoFundMe fundraising website for Carlos Morales and the infants on Friday. The site had received more than $29,000 in donations as of Saturday afternoon.

    “I’m so grateful for the overwhelming support and the wonderful comments, and so are Carlos and Sandra, Erica’s mother. They are so entirely grateful,” Todman said.

     

    • Culled from AFP

  • Pa Okelola is dead

    The death of Pa Benjamin Oloyede Oluseye Okelola (JP) has been announced by his family. He died on November 25 last year. He was aged 102.

    The late Pa Okelola was the Baba Ijo of St. James Anglican Church, Tigbo Ogan, Balogun Onigbagbo, Iporo, Abeokuta, Otun Balogun Okenla Ifo Christians.

    A release by the family said the christian wake will hold on January 22 at his residence, Ogan Town, Ifo Ogun State, at 5.00pm, while final burial ceremony and church service will come up on January 23 at St James Anglican Church, Ogan, Ifo Ogun State at 10.00am.

    Reception follows immediately at St. James Anglican School field, while outing service holds at the same church on Sunday, January 25 by 10 am. He is survived by his wife, Madam Victoria Olufumilayo Okelola, children, grand children and great grand children. Among them is Chief Oluranti Solanke (Nee Okelola) JP.

  • Ebedi Writers Residency opens with three women

    The Ebedi Writers Residency,  which is named after the host-town, is honouring three women writers for the January and Feburary edition .

    One of them Ugandan writer, Nakigaze Sakawa,  arrived from Kampala, Uganda last Friday. She will be working on her forthcoming novel. The duo of Chinyere Obi-Obasi and Timi-Nipre Ovusu will be joining her for the six-week residency.

    Sakawa is the fifth Ugandan writer to attend Ebedi. Before her were Doreen Baingana (January 2012), Barbara Oketta (March 2012), Agiresaasi Apophia (2013), Jackson Oyugi (2013), who is the only male writer amid of the‘Ugandan Ebedi Fellows’.

    She has written two short story anthologies on various women’s experiences(Never too late and Summoning the rains) and a combination of poetry and art anthology for children, The Butterfly Dance. Sakawa has also written for online magazines such as Start journal, in4uganda, Neutral magazine and The Monitor.

    In 2012, Sakawa, who holds a diploma in Guidance and Counselling facilitated a creative writing workshop among Secondary School Students in Uganda on novel writing.

    According to a statement, Sakawa’s trip from Kampala to Lagos is sponsored by Africa Moves Arts (AMA), a Belgian-based non-profit organisation, partnering with Ebedi Writers Residency since its inception five years ago.

    Obi-Obasi is an Abuja-based lawyer and Children’s Literature writer with three children’s books – The Brave Driver,The Faithful Dog and The Great Fall. Her short stories have been featured in newspapers/anthologies (Camouflage) and (Eko O nibaje). In 2011, The Great Fall was on the shortlist of NNLG Literature Prize, while her book, The Change won the ANA/Lantern prize.

    Obasi,  National Financial Secretary,   the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), will be spending her time in Ebedi to complete work on another Children’s book Chijike.

    On her part, Timi-Nipre, who works as speech writer to the wife of the Bayelsa State Governor, will be spending her time in Ebedi to complete a short story collection, The Butterflies In My Stomach. The author of Cyclamensand Words From My Fathers is a young writer, freelance/features journalist, poet and founder  Mangrove House Publishers. She writes a travelogue for Lockersmagazine.

    She holds a degree in Theatre Arts, a diploma in Freelance and Features Writing at the London School of Journalism and a certificate in Creative Writing from the Elechi Amadi  School of Creative Writing. Her works has been published in various journals, magazines and newspapers, including News Africa. Her play, Abiku, was staged by University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) Theatre Arts Department.

    The Ebedi International Writers Residency, which is in its fifth year is a private initiative for the provision of an enabling environment for writers to complete their works free to the writers.

    Apart from free boarding and lodging facilities, residents are also entitled to free medical facilities as well as the chance of having their completed manuscript published by a reputable Nigerian publisher. In return, residents are expected to spend a few hours of their time every week to mentor secondary school students in Iseyin.

    Over 50 writers from Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana and South Africa have since participated in the residency.

  • Alakija transforms Molue into mobile art

    Alakija transforms Molue into mobile art

    Until eight days ago, an old  Mercedes Benz 911 bus popularly known as Molue with yellow and blue strips was a regular sight on some  routes in Lagos. With a School Boy tag atop its front roof, the all-metal bus conveyed commuters most times,  leaving behind memories of the hustle and bustle of Lagos.

    Last Saturday, after the unveiling at Quintessence, School Boy transformed into a mobile art for some select art enthusiasts in Lagos courtesy of Polly Alakija, a United Kingdom (UK) based artist who turned the bus into an object of painting. The following day, it was driven round some roads in Lagos starting from Park View Estate in Ikoyi, to raise awareness for the fundraising in support of the Ebunoluwa Foundation’s Eruobodo Home for Special Children in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

    The project is a collaboration between Quintessence and Alakija and the art work on the Molue will be used to form  a series of limited edition prints by the artist.

    Promasidor Plc Managing Director  Mr Keith Richard was the compere at the event that attracted art enthusiasts, such as Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Aduke Gomez, Oti Bazunu, Alan and Ekaba Davies, Bukola Oye, Victor Ehikhamenor, Goethe Institut Director, Mac-Andre Schmachtel, Wilfred Ukpong, Bisi Silva and other members of Lagos Jazz Series, We Love Lagos team, who are lead supporters.

    According to Alakija, the series has included other iconic painted objects  such as VW Beetle car, a Tricycle (Keke NAPEP), a water tanker and a Bedford truck. She said some percentage of the profits on sales   would go to Eruobodo Home for Special Children.

    “The Molue is instantly associated with the hustle, bustle and vibes of Lagos reflected so well through music and the intrinsic need to dance. Our Molue depicts Sina Apaye’s Parkhood Dancers who he trains every evening in Freedom Park, Lagos

    This park on the site of former colonial prison is   the venue for able bodied people to enjoy their own good health and vitality. We have the freedom of movement. For some, their body is a prison,” Alakija said at the ceremony.

    She added that the prints would be enriched with excerpts from Olasupo Shasore’s book, Possessed as background to the Molue image in the limited print of 25.

    Expectedly, Alakija dwells on the yellow and colour in Aso-oke format while the Osa Straight tag at the tail end of the bus reminds viewers of the route as well as the unfortunate accident that claimed lives when a Molue plunged into Lagoon few years ago. The black lines depict leather strings of the talking drum while School Boy remains the central figure of the mobile art.

    Beyond fund raising, the project is another means of documenting history, particularly the mode of transportation in Lagos.

  • Maybe Tomorrow holds Sunday

    Maybe Tomorrow holds Sunday

    Want to know what happens when two long lost friends who had fought side by side during the civil war suddenly reunite? A police interrogation room is surely not the best of venues for such an encounter, especially when one is the suspect and the other is the chief interrogating officer.

    This is the teaser in Maybe Tomorrow, a highly suspenseful drama that speaks about our past, present, written by Soji Cole and directed by Ibukun Fasunhan.

    Theatre enthusiasts can find out how this interrogation went as the play produced by Eclectique Theatre, a production outfit aimed towards creative approaches to stage plays opened last Sunday at Terra Kulture.

    Those who missed last week play have the opportunity of watching the high-paced again this Sunday by 3pm and 6pm. The play, which is centered around two characters “Kenule Ododo” and “Adolphus Wariboko” played by two of the gifted stage actors, Patrick Diabuah (Laitan of Saro the Musical 2) and Kenneth Uphopho (director of Saro the Musical 2). It also features Samuel Animashaun and Ossai Franklin as “policemen”.

    As the election draw near, the play is advocating change. Fasunhan, the stage manager for SARO, and the producer and director of ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ said his choice of directing the play was influenced by this preoccupation. The play highlights the issues currently facing the Nigerian society, and how best to resolve it. It takes the audience through several satirical and comic moods with creative directing and acting styles, which vitalizes theatrical experience.

    It also discusses various issues facing the Niger Delta, and the issue of complacency on the part of the Niger-deltan youths, and exploitation of the masses. The play is apt for this period due to some issues of bad leadership it highlights in the play.

    He said: “I was inspired to choose this play, based on the civil unrests facing the country, and the fact that stage producers for the past years, have filled the stage with comic plays, instead of addressing some basic issues in the society. Maybe Tomorrow is a play that I have always admired since the playwright gave it to me to read four years ago and since I have no power to fight, I draw my sword in the theatre with Maybe Tomorrow, hoping it is sharp enough to effect a change in the society. As such, being the first play I would be producing, I see it as a matter of necessity to contribute my own quota to addressing these issues by staging Maybe Tomorrow, which leaves the audience with their thinking caps on.

    Fasunhan is a stage manager, director, actor and a writer. As a stage manager, he has stage managed over thirty productions such as Saro: The Musical, Make We Waka (2014 British Council Lagos Theatre Festival), and Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, amongst others. He has also directed plays like Osofisan’sMany Colour Make the Thunder King, Women of Owu, No More the Wasted Breed, and Ade Adeniji’sDevil’s Song amongst others. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degree (with Distinction) in Theatre Arts from the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, Akoka, Nigeria. He is the artistic director and producer of “Eclectique Theatre”, a theatre company aimed towards new and creative approach to theatrical performances.

    Diabuah studied Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos. He is unarguably one of the best stage artiste in Lagos having featured in quite a large number of productions which includes Saro, Death and the King’s Horseman, Kakaadu, Love and Colours in Delphi, Rubiewe, Trials of Brother Jero, Lion and the Jewel,Anatomy of a Woman and ‘Shattered’ at the just concluded Lagos Theatre Festival organized by the British Council. He has more than 100 plays to his credits, and also to his stage talent is music.

    Uphopho has been part of the theatre renaissance in Nigeria for over a decade now. As an actor, he has appeared in over 100 stage productions such as The Gods Are Not To Blame, Wedlock Of The Gods, The Wives, Things Fall Apart and a host of many others. Kenneth is the Creative director at PAWS (Performing Arts Workshop and Studios), where he trains actors, produces and directs theatre. Kenneth has also co-produced and managed major events such as The Muson Festival, A Season of Soyinka, Black Heritage Festival, World Dance Day, International Theatre Day, Festival of Plays, and A Harvest with Soyinka. He is recently commissioned as Artistic Director/Producer for the 2014 British Council Lagos Theatre Festival.

  • EKO 2015: Yoruba in Diaspora converge on Lagos

    No fewer than 2000 Yoruba in the Diaspora will converge on Lagos for the first Oodua Peoples Union world congress tagged Eko 2015. Venue of the congress which has as theme, Team Leadership and Role of Leadership in effective Service Delivery is Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Monday, January 26. 2015.

    According to convener of the congress and National Coordinator Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) Otunba Gani Adams “efforts are being made for the successful hosting of the over 2000 Nigerians in Diaspora who have signified their interest to attend the world congress of the Union in Lagos. He said the union is leaving no stone unturned for the success of this congress in order to benefit the nation and the participants.

    “It is going to be one of the largest convergences of Yoruba in Diaspora in recent times and we are bracing up to ensure that such a gathering is not only productive to the nation but enrich participants  by engaging in discussion that will help in sharpening their leadership instincts and sense of responsibility,” he added.

    Otunba Adams explained that “Eko 2015 is about leadership training. It is not just a forum for social interaction, wining and dining. It is all about sharpening the leadership content in our mental and behavioural armoury for personal enhancement, community advancement and national aspiration. Hence, we came out with the theme Team Leadership and Role of Leadership in effective Service Delivery.

    He said discussants and guests lecturers for the event have been carefully selected in cognisance of the theme and cosmopolitan outlook of the participants.

    “We have selected two guest speakers who are eminently capable and distinguished enough for the thought changing theme. Prof Kolawole Raheem of University of Education, Winneba in Ghana and Prof Olajumoke Familoni, Lead City University, Ibadan Oyo State will lead the participants through the discussion,” he said.

  • Making meaning out of nothing

    Making meaning out of nothing

    TITLE: Biblenomics: Before Adam Smith, there was…
    AUTHOR: Bayo Sodade
    PUBLISHER: The Book Company Limited
    NO. OF PAGES: 138
    YEAR OF PUBLICATION: 2014

    Having an insightful, well-researched book on economic concepts,ethical values and management principles which stem from biblical precepts, depicts ingenuity as exhibited by Bayo Sodade in “Biblenomics: Before Adam Smith, there was…”

    The book’s publication is a novel idea meticulously conceived through the in-depth knowledge of economics and the Bible, as Sodade deftly underscores modern thoughts in economics, finance and management, in comparison with biblical precepts, flawlessly referencing wisdom nuggets that drive home his points.

    It is noteworthy that the Nigerian civil service is characterized by intellectually-gifted elements as the latest book obviously brings to fore the ingenuity of some of its practitioners, most especially, in economic planning, as personified by Sodade.

    Having worked at the Lagos State Civil Service, where he garnered his wealth of experience in the area of budget, planning, finance and procurement for 31 years, Sodade has proven his mettle as a versatile economist with this unique presentation.

    The author maximises his exploration of the Bible, showcasing a clear understanding of  its concepts, and establishing the fact that economic and management thoughts have their roots in the age-long spiritual book.

    Divided into three chapters which explicitly define productivity, division of labour, conflict management, delegation of duties, integrity, nepotism, among others, the book corroborates each economic concept with references from the Bible, with the author copiously quoting the scriptures for clearer understanding.

    Chapter one’s analysis is based on contemporary economic and management concepts in comparison with wisdom nuggets from the Bible; Chapter two seeks to identify the scriptural compass to financial success, while Chapter three deals with biblical stumbling blocks to financial success which must be avoided by individuals desirous of economic growth.

    Sodade’s submission is that for every value system humanity places premium importance on, the ancient book provides the source. He infers that Adam Smith, whom the world believes to be the father of economics and the most influential thinker in the field, could have drawn his inspiration from the Bible.

    “What is the connection between the Bible and Economics? Economics studies human behaviour as it relates to meeting unlimited needs from resources that are not only scarce, but also have alternative uses. The Bible was inspired by a benevolent God who understands human needs and provided divine guidance to prosperity. Our God cannot co-reign with poverty because He is the El-Shaddai-the All Sufficient God….,” he writes.

    The author awakens reader’s conciousness as he convincingly establishes the nexus between economics, finance, management and the Bible, giving a road-map into living a successful and God-fearing life.

    The book would be of tremendous value to Christians who strive for success in a corrupt-ridden world, and guide them towards its attainment.

    “The Bible is a sword, arming the Christian for all earthly battles, including those of poverty and want,” the author stresses.

    Having carved a niche as a reputable former facilitator in the Lagos State Treasure Training School, and the incumbent Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Sodade seeks to impact positively on the readers in this book.

    Citing gossip, anxiety, pride, procrastination, greed, discrimination, corruption, dishonesty, hypocrisy and envy as some of the avoidable hindrances to success, he makes it crystal clear that the road to economic breakthrough is paved with a myriad of challenges which could deflate ambition and sentence the unwary to a perpetual state of misfortune.