The Nation Newspaper

Category: Arts & Life

  • Redemption of Africa (ll)

    Redemption of Africa (ll)

    (A review of Wole Soyinka’s Harmattan Haze on an African Spring)

    Politics of exclusion, intra and inter-country boundary problems, lust for power, warped ideology, etc. are identified as the heart of the crises plaguing the continent in the book. While underscoring the place of “strict adherence to democratic justice” in resolving most of the myriads of convulsions threatening the continent, the blind defence of these European-created boundaries of death certainly demand interrogation: “Is it truly in the interest of the occupants of that continent that the present boundaries are being consolidated, defended, held so inviolate that the population of the continent is routinely decimated, millions maimed and incapacitated for life, vast hectares of farm land rendered useless by liberally sown anti-personnel mines? Youths are robbed of their innocence and their humanity, as the continent becomes the corrupted playground of boy soldiers. In short, what price is worth paying for the illusion of boundaries and ‘sovereignty’?”

    To clear any misconception, the playwright-historian is not advocating the disintegration of the present nation entities. In fact, a proper interrogation could even lead to the opposite – amalgamation. The point is where such horrendous human conflict is traceable to this product of European fictioning, as in the case of Sudan, “Where this is seen clearly to be the case, and internal instability of a costly dimension evidently derives from such impositions, common sense urges that, at the very least, the basis for such amalgamations be revisited with a view to ascertaining where precisely lies the will of the people themselves, acting in freedom.”

    The criminality of the Janjaweed, under the banner of impunity, really troubled the human rights activist and he devoted a lot of attention to it. South Sudan eventually gained its independence after the publication of this book but then what does one make of the current internecine upheavals in the new country? I think the answer to the situation could be located in Soyinka’s lecture during his investiture as Awo Laureate on March 7, 2013: WINDING DOWN HISTORY: RELIGION AND NATION, POWER AND FREEDOM.

    One then comes to the conclusion that, whereas there are no absolutes in any propositions, it seems the path of “democratic justice” , as enunciated by the author, can be the best of all the alternatives as a way of restoring our humanity in Africa. The sanctity of the rule of law, constitutional provisions that safeguard the interest of minorities and entrenchment of democratic norms such as free and fair elections, all within the structures of government most suitable for different countries based on their cultural, economic and socio-political realities – federal, confederal or unitary. But admittedly, these can only be achieved through interrogation of the present in an atmosphere perfumed with burning passion for justice. Restructuring, either of the structures of government, forms of government or power relations, seems inevitable across the African continent.

    If I may add in passing; in Nigeria, for instance, the present unitary system disguised as federalism must be dumped without further ado. The aim of dividing the country into three regions, each with a regional council in 1947, according to the then governor of colonial Nigeria, Sir Arthur Richards, was “To create a political system… within which the diverse elements, may progress at varying speeds, amicably and smoothly, towards a more closely integrated economic, social and political unity, without sacrificing the principles and ideals in their divergent ways of life.” Inherent in this submission was federalism. Again at the Ibadan General Conference, preparatory to the promulgation of Macpherson Constitution of 1951, the question on the structure of Nigeria was asked: “Do we wish to see a fully centralised system with all legislative and executive powers concentrated at the centre, or do we wish to develop a federal system under which each different region of the country would exercise a measure of internal autonomy?” The London Conference of 1953 and Lagos Conference of 1954 that followed emphasised a full-blown federal constitution, which was later captured in the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 and Independence Constitution of 1960… Now that history has come full circle in Nigeria, we need to return to the bequest of our founding fathers – federalism.

    In Harmattan Haze on an African Spring, Wole Soyinka (WS) also holds that the redemption of African spirituality, indeed, Africa and the world lies in the embrace of the doctrines of Orisa. “Thus, for all seekers after peace and security of true community, and the space of serenity that enables the quest after Truth… we urge yet again the simple path that was travelled from the soil of the Yoruba, across the Atlantic landmass to contiguous nations, across the hostile oceans to the edge of the world in the Americas – Go to the Orisa, learn from the Orisa, and be wise.”

    What WS presented in this book is an exegesis of Orisa worship. The Babalawo (traditional healer/diviner), the equivalent of a Bishop or Imam is “the wistful embodiment of all that is missing in the political life of a continent.” Ifa, the equivalent of Bible or Koran, according to WS, “emphasises for us the perpetual elasticity of knowledge. Ifa’s tenets are governed by a frank acknowledgment of the fact that the definition of Truth is a goal that is constantly being sought by humanity, that existence itself is a passage to ultimate truth, and that claimants to possession of the definitiveness of knowledge are, in fact, the greatest obstacles to the attainment of Truth.”

    He rejects the tag of paganism often placed on believers of Orisa by Christianity and Islam and cautioned that these traditional religions should not be conflated with cults. “The accommodative spirit of the Yoruba gods (Ogun, Esu, Oya, Sopona, Sango, etc) remains the eternal bequest to a world that is riven by the spirit of intolerance, of xenophobia and suspicion,” he submits.

    WS spoke of the “beneficent gods and their potencies, their curative and fortifying interventions…the combative, even malevolent, who can be invoked to work against the enemy,” citing the reference by a former head of state after a visit to Mandela in prison to the potency of these traditional powers: “Where is our egbe? Where is our onde? Where is our famed juju to take out these perpetrators of hideous injustice on our own soil?”

    Rightly or wrongly, the question cannot escape the attention of a reader, let alone a reviewer: Why did these traditional powers not work against the intruders, including their religions on the continent of Africa?  The dramatist is a faithful of the Orisa but is he a worshiper in any shrine? This certainly is another conundrum.

    In summary, we cannot but agree with our erudite scholar that religion should be an evocation and constitute “the spice of life, not the trigger of strife.”

    The culture icon made a strong case for the efficacy and potency of traditional medicine, citing a haunting instance where the latter had come to the rescue of orthodox/western medicine. Harmattan Haze on an African Spring is a treasure trove, controversial to boot in some aspects.

    Finally, WS urged that the questioning of cultures and social norms within the concept of what is globally acceptable or fundamental human rights is a categorical imperative. Cultural relativism or respect for other cultures should be within such a context. You cannot say because in your own culture, the toe of the first born must be cut or that girls must not go to school, therefore I have to respect such.

    Of course, this lucubration cannot but contain some errors – the ritual every reviewer must perform. “African past and present” is given as “African past and presence” on page 19. Berlin Treaty of Partition of Africa took place in 1885, not 1881 as provided on page 50. “…is one of my favourite” should have been “favourites” on page 98; “it serves” is typed as “it serve” on page 196.

    Through the exploration in Harmattan Haze on an African Spring, Prof Wole Soyinka, my intellectual avatar, has once again reiterated the immensity and polyvalence of his knowledge. He has sown a seed on a fertile ground, which should sprout to produce “a new breed of explorers for the relay race towards a deeply craved Age of Universal Understanding – African inspired.”

     

    •Soyombo, is an Abeokuta-based journalist

  • ‘Let’s show more commitment to stage theatre’

    ‘Let’s show more commitment to stage theatre’

    A dynamic couple in and out of stage, Olu and Joke Jacobs find drama in virtually everything they do. When it comes to this profession which they love so much, they indeed speak with one voice, showing that theatre is life and life is also theatre. In this chat with Edozie Udeze the couple speaks about their pet project, why live theatre has to be revived and the need for the younger ones to be more committed to the profession and lots more. Excerpts.

    Olu Jacobs and his amiable wife, Joke Jacobs, are two thespians who know their worth about theatre and acting. They met on the job; they’ve also shown over the years that actors and actresses who found themselves as husbands and wives can indeed make the best out of the situation. Often enough, the couple are seen together in public, and when one is granting an interview, for instance, the other does not hesitate to make contributions. That, in reality, is how close and inseparable they have grown that the voice of one is often the voice of the other and vice versa.

    During a chance meeting at the National Theatre, Lagos, Olu was asked to comment on the state of stage and live theatre in Nigeria, but midway into the chat, Joke could not hold her enthusiasm to be part of the interview. And so before long, it had turned into a dual interview in which the couple, long known for their avowed love and commitment to entertainment and the world of make-believe, took a deep look into their profession, making a case for theatre academy, lambasting government for not being serious and committed enough to theatre and then proffering ways to make the younger ones find plausible peace and fulfillment in the profession which they both confessed still remains a tough terrain to date.

    Olu Jacobs, as a professional, started his career as a stage actor, but today he is better known as a film actor. “Oh, yes,” he began as his affable baritone voice gently tore into the air, “like I have always said, we want the government to provide the enabling environment for us to function. They ought to make things affordable for us to thrive. Let them create the necessary institutions where we can train and raise more artistes, younger actors and actresses because we ourselves are passing on. And so we need to make sure that we provide for the next generation of artistes so that we do not create a vacuum. These are the things we need for the stage which is the mother of them all. If you have such institutions, well-structured and equipped, the artistes will graduate well and be well-equipped for the future. And when you see them working, they’ll know exactly what they’re doing.”

    To him, the provision of all these and more would help to enhance theatre and restore back the glow. “These things have been lacking, even though we have always had the market. It was a market that grew so fast; that people who didn’t know the job came in; a lot of people cried, that they went and employed people who didn’t know the job. In the end, they ruined them, but for us to grow and continue to develop, we certainly need all these institutions-build-theatre academies and so on. Not everybody will have the opportunity to go to a higher institution, but even if they do, not everybody will be so accommodated. This is so because they have limited number of people they can take. We therefore need a lot of people to be trained. These academies provide for you to practice right away. You do more practical theatre there. The children need them because even on location they are asking for them.”

    A core veteran, Jacobs agreed that there is a generational disease that is haunting the profession. “All these take time, except that we have a generational disease. Our young ones are in a hurry. They need to be more gentle and more understanding. In our own case, we had to struggle hard, fight the system to get to where we are today. We are appealing to the younger ones to come to terms with the situation even though we are supposed to increase our own speed. I think government needs to release the funds they promised on time. They do not need to do so piece-meal because that system and approach doesn’t make for progress. We have not even seen any money yet, there’s too much talking without action. And if there is money, we need to see them given to people to do the appropriate jobs, so that this industry can move forward, can create the necessary job opportunities for Nigerians.”

    Concerning the long-awaited endowment for the art, he stated thus: “Eh, our problem is that we have excellent ideas that we do not follow up conclusively. Oh yes, that is a good idea but where is it now? We need to start from somewhere. If it is a hundred people (artistes) government wants to start with, let them do so. From there, it can grow to more, but let them start from somewhere. That is my concern. From there, we can then begin to see hope. The way things are at the moment, ah, it is difficult for the industry to sustain itself, because theatre plays an important part in our lives – the telling of stories of our historical origin and past…”

    At this juncture, Joke intervened by saying “Oh, yes, stories that prod our cultural memories; if you do not have the pride of theatre, your cultural memory is diminished. It is valueless and you lose it. People who do not have cultural memory often repeat the mistakes of the past. And this is not good for anybody. You can see that there are other people who have taken over from Chuck Mike (the black American, artiste who trained a lot of artistes in Nigeria in the 1980s to early 1990s). We, for one, have taken over from where such people stopped.”

    To date, the Jacobs have set up a performing arts school where they train young thespians in all facets of acting. “Of all the people who come for training only few focus on theatre, the rest focus on film. However, we do theatre and do film. We equally realise the importance of theatre and then we give them the training of performing artistes. A lot of our graduates are doing well. They are not stars as yet, but we hope with time they’ll get there,” she said.

    When the call for the establishment of private theatre houses has become a Herculean task for some willing Nigerians, what then is the next step to be taken? Here Olu interjected and said, “if you try and try and it does not work, then try and try again. Those who give up easily do not go far in life. We need to build more private theatre houses and stages to make theatre prosper. You don’t stop: you fall, stand up, wipe your back and run. With tears in your eyes, carry on. With deep depression, carry on. Because in all, nobody said to you that it was going to be easy. No. but we didn’t know it was going to be this bad. We found it so and we had to fight it. We saw this National Theatre go down but I am happy it is this good now. I am very, very happy to be here to see it now. This is what we are saying, people can now come and watch any play going on here now.”

    When then are people going to see the Jacobs again on stage? And Joke took over with an explanation that cleared the air immediately: “Yes, we are planning a stage show here at the Theatre in October. We are co-producing the show which is basically a musical drama. It is by Garden Theatre and it depicts the life of people in Nigeria – the very rich and the very poor. It is a combination of both worlds and it will show a society where the two extremes come together. It is important for us to show how those who are privileged in the society can be responsible and work harder so that those who are not can gain from it. This is to also encourage the poor to get out of their poverty situation. And that way, we can build human capital. Right now, in Nigeria we do not have human capital, yet we have huge population. That’s the underlying theme of the production.”

    It is a show that will make people laugh, shuffle their legs and generally fall in love again with stage drama. And so for weeks , the theatre will be alive and the Jacobs will be on hand to receive acclaims and exchange banters with admirers and fans. “Oh, yes, people will clap, dance, and sing. People will see the reality of stage theatre and what it means to be closer to them. It will be fun all through,” she said with a tinge of pride.

    Joke then gave a clear picture of what needs to be done to give younger script writers the conducive platform they need to exhibit their talents. “I must tell you that young Nigerian writers both at home and in the Diaspora are doing well. What we do is provide the necessary platform to make them better writers. There have to be series of workshops where they can be taught more on the rudiments of script writing and more.” “And our young ones need to have an enabling environment to do this better,” Olu added.

     

  • Wailings for Africa

    Wailings for Africa

    Title: A Cry for Help: The ordeals of the

    African mother and child

    Author: Queen Esther Paul

    Year of publication: 2013

    Number of pages: 224

    Reviewer: Joe Agbro Jr.

    Despite being one of the most endowed countries and people in Africa, nay the world, Nigeria and Nigerians seem to always navigate to the doldrums. And when these happens in the forms of corruption, poverty, hunger, abuse, while everyone in the country suffers, the people most affected, most vulnerable, are the women and children.

    And it is the plight of these sections of people that Queen Esther Paul addresses in her book, A Cry for Help: The ordeals of the African mother and child. That there are things to cry about in Africa is not news. The continent is replete with strife, sadness, and sorrow. And Paul’s book, which is generously laced with photographs, graphics, as well as poetry, conveys how the situation of the African child and woman can be better.

    While her book looks at the fate of the sufferings of women and children globally, she focuses on the Nigerian situation. Starting with the child, Paul analysed the myriads of problems that befall the African child to include tradition, government’s neglect, wars, and poverty.

    According to the book, the environment in Nigeria is not conducive to a child. It corroborates the The Economist magazine’s projection that Nigeria is the worst place to be born in 2014. However, this needs not be so, considering the nation’s wealth which spans oil, other natural resources as well as abundant human resources.

    And zeroing in the plight of female children, especially as it concerns sexual abuse, Paul, who also works as a Christian counsellor, relives diverse experiences to show how destructive such acts can be. She also talks of the struggles of seeking help for abused women and children being stifled by age-long traditions such enforcing female genital mutilation (FGM) for young girls or the use of children as househelps by poor parents who offer their children to well-to-do people for financial gratifications.

    But the author also offers tips on how this ugly trend can be stymied, and placing the biggest responsibility of sex education on the parents. She writes: “Parents must educate their children on the purpose and the abuse of sex. They must be made to know that sex is meant for married adults who are ready to have children. It should be implanted into their conscience that sex before marriage is an abomination and leads to disastrous end.”

    One positive thing about the book is that it is filled with experiences: both personal ones and those from third parties.

    From reading her book, one wonders why despite the various laws set aside to protect the child’s rights, the abuse continues. But, she also supplies some answers. No doubt, in these perilous times, Paul’s book forces the reader to not only take another look at how we can better protect our women and children but also serves as a road map.

  • Behold the masters

    Behold the masters

    An ongoing art exhibition tagged the masters series is showcasing works of Nigeria’s foremost visual artists, reports Edozie Udeze

    Imagination is a very powerful tool that brings more thoughts from obscurity to reality. With imagination, therefore, the minds of people are capable of conjuring the unimaginable while its realisation brings an exhumation of physical translation. This, indeed, aptly demonstrates the artistic function embedded in the end result of every creative works.” This was how Abdullahi Muku, the Director General of The National Gallery of Art ((NGA), described the Masters Series Exhibition currently holding at the Red Door Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The exhibition is an understanding between NGA and Red Door Gallery to sensitise the public on the importance of Nigeria’s many masters of the visual art; those whose works have been in the custody of NGA for many years. The works cut across all genres of the visual art and also embody the best anyone can get to see about Nigeria’s crops of works by both the first and second generations of painters, sculptors, print-makers, woodcarvers, etc. This shows that the richness of Nigerian art is an all-important documentation of many spheres and history of the nation.

    This is evident in the works of Nigeria’s all-time greats as they dwell exclusively on the rich, deep and colourful heritage deserving of communal celebrations, rural landscapes, geography, history and all aspects of the Nigerian entity. The artists have been able to bring all these to the fore in the past 10 decades or so.

    During the opening ceremony penultimate week, art lovers, collectors, patrons and art enthusiasts gathered in their numbers to savour the richness of these works. Many people were particularly touched to see the beautiful works of such great artists as Ben Enwonwu, Erhabor Emokpae, Akinola Lasekan, Ben Osawe, Solomon Wangboje. Others are Obiora Udechukwu, Yusuf Grillo, Odita Okechukwu, Jimoh Buraimoh, Josy Ajiboye, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Abayomi Barber, El Anatsui and many others.

    These artists are classified as masters considering their consistent contributions to the visual art profession in the past four to five decades. Through their works they have been able to display consummate skills and professionalism. And to date, these works serve as models for the next generation of artists in the country. There is hardly any of these works that cannot command immediate attention anywhere they are displayed.

    This was why Bola Asiru of Red Door Gallery described the scenario simply as “the celebration of beautiful works by a sample of African contemporary artists that have stood the test of time and now influence and inspire artists and art lovers globally. Indeed, there are hundreds of masters across the African continent but we are constrained to exhibit just a few in this series. Today, we have cause to celebrate those things which are truly African as our art has become globally, recognised and appreciated as a reference point for creativity and excellence,” he said.

    Muku, on the other, hand stressed the need for more private galleries to show interest in the ongoing federal government policy to engage more art lovers in its Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme. “Yes, this is one of the series we’ve embarked upon to ensure that the necessary awareness is created for the art. This was why we particularly picked the works of those great artists Nigerians seem to have forgotten. As it is now, Red Door Gallery, will equally continue with the works of other great artists after this. This is why it is called Masters Series exhibition. And we hope other galleries in other parts of the country will also show interest so that we can basically raise the awareness level of the visual art in Nigeria.”

    Reminded that it was only the painting of General Yakubu Gowon as a former head of state that was on display, he responded thus: “It doesn’t mean that Gowon is the only head of the state whose painting is in our custody. Like I said earlier, this is a series and you know this gallery is not wide enough to contain everything at the same time. Therefore, in the subsequent ones, we will have other former heads of state on display. We have plenty of other works that dwell on national history in our collection. However, when the exhibition is over, the works will be returned to the NGA. We also wish to make it a travel exhibition if Red Door can get sponsors to do it.”

    Muku, who believes that with the necessary awareness and enlightenment, Nigerian art can go places, explained that the attention of NGA is not only concentrated on the production or exhibition of the masters. To him, the younger generation of Nigerian artists have not only been proving their mettle, they are ever eager to go places. “Yes, they’ve been doing well in the field of art both locally and internationally. Some of them have works that have competed favourably across the shores of this land. Gradually, attention will shift to them, but for now, Red Door wishes to start with those we’ve tagged the masters.”

    He, however, made it clear that NGA is committed to the promotion and preservation of visual art in Nigeria. “We want to continually ensure that this sector is ever kept alive. Like we’ve been saying severally that, as a country, we’ve been going through a micro-economy. We are trying to see how art can be of help to boost the economy. We believe also that there is so much wealth in the art. It is left for us to continue to encourage and tap the resources for the economic wellbeing of the society. We also believe that there is enough market in the country for the art. Again, we hope to open up more market opportunities so that artists themselves can have plenty of arena to sell and market what they have.”

    Some of the remarkable works on display include: Mother and child, Yemoja, Hide, Anyanwu, Negritude, Favourite team, Olokun Shrine. Others are Fulani shepered boy with flute, Market scene, Awana, Njikoka panel, Man of the people, Academician and many others.

    The exhibitions will be on for one month to enable more people to view and appreciate these works.

  • Mothering Sunday in Jonathan’s hometown

    Mothering Sunday in Jonathan’s hometown

    It was their day. Women worshippers in the President’s family church, St. Stephen’s Church, Otuoke Deanery in Bayelsa State, came gorgeously dressed for this year’s “Mothering Sunday”. EVELYN OSAGIE writes on the event which attracted Otueke indigenes from home and abroad.

    The classic song by highlife maestro, the late Nico Mbarga, “Sweet Mother, I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffer for me o!…” rent the air as men, women and children went about exchanging gifts and pleasantaries. Yet, it was no party. The celebrators were mothers who have served their families and society.

    It was their day and women worshippers in President Goodluck Jonathan’s family church in Otuoke, Bayelsa State turned out in large numbers to mark “Mothering Sunday”. Sons and daughters of the town trouped home for the event.

    The yearly feast, celebrates the importance of motherhood to the family and society.

    It was the women’s day of glory and they showed they knew what it meant to look good. They had set out to outdo one another in their dressings and the gifts they shared. Many wore white blouses and green and blue wrappers that bore emblem of the Anglican Church Women Guild, made specifically for the occasion.

    They had matching scarves and shoes. Others came in different eye-popping attires. The men and children were not left out: they were also gaily dressed. The event drew notable personalities, including the Obenema of Otuoke, Lot Ogiasa, Oke X; Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sarafina Otazi; Dr Celina Eze; the biological sister of President Goodluck Jonathan, Madam Obebtiatein Jonathan, among others.

    There was a shower of gifts. People, young and old, moved from one row to the other dishing out all sorts of gifts to the women.

    There was no discrimination. Even though this reporter was not a member of the church, she got a fair share of the gifts. She left with a bag full of gifts.

    It was a refreshing turn of event for the reporter, having been initialy stopped at the entrance by an usher, who bombarded her with questions.

    “Who invited you?” “Who did you come to see?” he asked.

    Wondering if there was a problem with her dotted white-and-black kneel-length gown or cream hat or if it was the church custom to treat visitors that way, she answered: “I was invited by a friend.” He took down the friend’s name and had ran off to confirm her claim, but not without saying: “Wait here,” before leaving.

    Stunned and amused at the same time, the children’s presentation calm her nerves and she resolved not to allow anyone spoil her mood. The day started on a refreshing mood. It rained heavily that morning cooling the hot Otuoke’s air.

    “I am sorry, please follow me,” came the voice that jolted her back to reality.

    As he led the way, she wondered if all guests were given such “close watch”.

    There was a brief announcement calling those paticipating in the dramatic performance to get set as the reporter sat down just in time to listen to Mrs Elizabeth Amangala give the New Testament reading taken from II Timothy 1:3-7 in which Apostle Paul enjoins Timothy “to stir up the gifts of God in him” while citing his mother and grandmother as worthy mentors. The women drama drove home the role of mothers in the life of a child, family and society.

    For the Vicar’s wife, Mrs Ipoton Eli, women are the bedrock of the family; and as such should live up to their responsibilities. Her submission was taken from Proverbs 31:10 to the end that urges women to build their homes rather than destroy it.

    According to her, Mothering Sunday is not only set aside by the church to celebrate motherhood but also “women of virtue”. While speaking of the importance of motherhood, she listed the qualities of a good mother, which she termed a “virtuous woman”, urging women, paricularly mothers to imbibe the qualities listed therein.

    She said: “The success of your home is in your hands. Whether it is to succeed or not, you have a role to play. Don’t leave everything to your husband. You need to walk together with your husband to raise your children. We saw in the drama what the end of a mother who abandons her family and one who does not is.

    “While one was cursed by her children at the end; the other received blessing and lived to enjoy the fruit of her labour. Let us lead our children alright. Only then can we receive the blessing of being a virtuous woman as we read in the Bible which says: ‘Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come’.”

    Mrs Otazi reiterated the Vicar’s wife words, urging women to be dedicated to God in their actions and service to Him. She said: “In the first Sunday of March I was here, and the Vicar said the Bishop had said that our “God is a God of impossibilities” and that with “Him nothing is impossible”.

    Today, the Vicar’s wife preached that women should do away with characters that will not allow them make progress by supporting the men to take care of the family. “If we serve a God of impossibilities, I think all we will need to do is to ensure we live rightly, do away with characters and behaviours that allow us to make progress and support our men for the development of the family,” she said.

    Madam Jonathan advised mothers to do all to give their children a better life, saying a true mother is one who cares for her children.

    “I believe one of the lessons the day holds is for mothers to live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that their children are well-taken care of. And mothers should support the efforts of their husbands. They should struggle to see that they do not allow their children to suffer.

    “My mother was like that, even though we were poor, my mother never allowed us to starve. She supported our father and worked hard to make sure we had food on the table. I think all mothers should be that way.”

    The speeches were followed with a thanksgiving service. The women danced out in style in appreciation of God’s goodness, while donating a blue canopy to the church. “The blue canopy is symbolic of the presence of God in the family and home,” said Mrs Eli. The day ended with an exchange of gifts. Children and men were seen presenting gifts to their mothers and wives along with other women.

     

  • ‘Mbanefo an asset to tourism’

    ‘Mbanefo an asset to tourism’

    Abia State Governor Theodore Orji has praised President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Mrs Sally Mbanefo as Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC). He described her appointment the act as “a patriotic fetching of an appropriate person to excavate and exhibit a goldmine for the benefit of the nation.’

    Governor Orji spoke when he received Mrs Mbanefo in his office in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. Mrs Mbanefo was accorded a rousing welcome at  the airport where she was received by the Deputy Governors of Abia and Imo states, Chief Emeka Ananaba and Prince Eze Mbadumere. She was presented to Chief Uche Sunday Aja,  the chairman of Ukwa East Local Government.  Aja led the NTDC train to Oganihu Women Hall where the community had gathered to receive Mrs Mbanefo. “We are expecting in our midst  a lady of immense intelligence, a humble achiever, a go-getter, a woman who is showing to all that Nigerian women are not push over, a reasonable and responsible representative of President Jonathan.

    “A woman who has within seven months as the DG  toured over 14 states which none of her predecessors in office ever did. A woman of great aura who is coming to Abia to help us market and promote our tourism sites so that we the people will make money and enjoy from the blessings which God Almighty has blessed us with in the state.”

    The Chairman of the local government, Chief Aja, praised her for the seriousness of purpose, which informed her coming to Abia State in general and his local government in particular. The people were pleased with the DG ‘for not staying in her plush office in Abuja and talking grammar of domestic tourism without venturing to see the places by herself. This has distinguished and sets her apart from the crowd of armchair DGs.

    “We are happy to see you. We are seeing the seriousness of purpose in you. We pray that God Almighty will see you through.”

    Mrs Mbanefo described the ceremony as wonderful and unexpected reception held in her honour. “I am also short of words. This reception and your kind words are not only appreciative pills but rejuvenating tonic to do more. I promise you to do all within my capacity to promote the tourism potentialities of this great country and this wonderful community.”

    The DG assured the people of her desire to assist in the promotion tourists sites in the state. “We are going to collaborate with the state government, members of the private sector and foreign investors to turn this great lake into a global tourism site,” she added.

    DG and her team also visited the War Museum and said: “Though these are reminiscences of our past which might be not too palatable, but the right efforts should be made in preserving for the generations yet unborn, our strides and struggle during the process of becoming a nation. Also, it showcases to the world the innate ingenuity of the vibrant people called Nigerians. We at NTDC will not shy away from our charter in ensuring the effective marketing and promotion of these sites.”

    Governor Orji said: “I have to thank you for not only identifying the tourism potentialities of Abia State but also coming personally with your team to visit the bastion of tourism in the Southeast. I have been monitoring your activities since your appointment and I can boldly say you are an asset to the tourism sector. You have raised the stake in that sector. We shall support without looking back.”

    The Governor assured the DG of immeasurable support for the

    DG and NTDC, saying “we are going to reinforce your efforts

    which are geared towards the mobilisation of the hidden tourism wealth of the nation. You have displayed within a little time, your sincerity of purpose and commitment to the mission of the Federal Government. We are not going to let you down. Thank for coming to Abia State. We appreciate you.“

     

  • Celebrating a man of architecture

    Celebrating a man of architecture

    Amid cheers by family members, friends and associates, renowned architect Sir Gabriel Oladipupo Ajayi walked into hall of the civic centre in Lagos for his 60th birthday celebration. He was accompanied by his wife, Lady Alaba, for the twin-event which also featured a book presentation. Evelyn Osagie and Adeife Adebiyi report.

    As the band began to play, ushers decked in traditional short-styled Iro and Buba with matching Suku hairstyles bid guests a warm welcome to the ornate hall of the Civic Centre, Lagos.

    It was the birthday celebration and book presentation of renounced architect and illustrious son of Ilupeju-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Sir Gabriel Oladipupo Ajayi. He arrived at the venue accompanied by his wife, Lady Alaba.

    He was dressed in an Aso-Oke Agbada; on his neck and wrist were royal beads crafted stylishly with a gold pendant in the middle.

    The event was spiced with interesting activities, including the presentation of Amazing World of Architecture, an architectural compendium. The book identifies the author’s passion for creativity to illuminate, inspire and motivate.

    It was published by My Heritage Books. According tothe publisher, Mr Oluneye Oluwole, the celebrator is “a guru in architecture, arts and nature lover, and an unrepentant romantic” that is worthy of celebration.

    The 232-page compendium also captures the world’s most iconic buildings, superb photography and practical lessons in architecture. It was reviewed by the pioneer and immediate past Vice Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Prof Sidi Osho.

    According to her, the book focuses on “a Man”, “an Artist”, “an Architect”, and “a Builder”. Amazing World of Architecture is a story of the successful journey of hard work, commitment, professionalism, achievements and contributions to national and environmental development.It takes the reader on an architectural journey, to exotic and interesting parts of the world, showcasing several masterpieces and brings the reader back to Nigeria, where other masterpieces are found.

    “Architecture is all around us and the book portrays the author as not only an excellent architect, but a builder exhibiting commitment and professionalism. The book identifies the author’s passion for creation to illuminate, inspire, create and motivate,” she said.

    The President of the Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Architect Umaru Aliyu described it as “an inspiring documentation of architectural data in the annals of architecture in Nigeria”.

    The event also featured a short footage filmed by the celebrant’s children on the behavioural patterns of their father which portrayed him as a disciplinarian and workaholic who love to sacrifice his food and rest to pursue his passion. The footage, however, ended with the words: “Daddy, learn to take a rest; you are getting old”. In another footage, his wife also eulogised him, saying he is a caring father and brother,”who is passionate about his work and family and a role model to his children”.

    Yinka Ayefele was also thrilled guests with his fantastic musical. Men and women in matching outfits and gele in gay colours of red and gold thronged the venue to celebrate the architect. Itdrew Nigeria’s crème de la crème.

    The event, chaired by Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN), was atteneded by past governors from Ekiti and Ogun states, captains of industries, business tycoons, the academia, family and friends. They included Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Chief Niyi Adebayo, Chief Olusegun Osoba, Asiwaju of Ile-Ife Chief Oyekunle Alex-Duduyemi (OFR) and his wife, among others.

    They described him as a force in the world of architecture, while praising him for his tenacity and forthrightness.

    Born 60 years ago in Ilupeju-Ekiti, the celebrator obtained his West African School Certificate in 1975 with Grade One result. After a brief stint with the banking industry, he proceeded to the former University of Ife, (now ObafemiAwolowo University), Ile-Ife, where he graduated with bachelors and masters degrees in Architecture in 1982 and 1984.

    His professional career began in 1984 with the Lagos State Development Property Corporation as a Senior Architect and as the years went by, through years of hard-work, dedication and excellence, SirAjayi became a Principal Architect. In 1987, he established his company, Spatial Design Consults, an architectural design and construction company with a mind of inspiring the next generation of architects.

    Fayemi commended the trail-blazing achievements of his kinsman, as another feather to the cap of Ekiti State indigenes. A lover of books himself and a prolific writer, he said he would donate several copies of the book to architectural, environmental sciences and engineering departments in all state-owned higher institutions, saying it is in line with his support of academic excellence in the state.

    Chief Duduyemi described the celebrator as a “man of integrity”. “I have known him for some years and he has been a son that is consistent , full of integrity, he is very loyal and supportive. I confer on him the membership of my family. From when he left the University of Ife, he has always been on my right hand. He is our in-law. I treat him as an in-law, nephew and supporter. Architect Dipo is different. When I knew him as an undergraduate at the University of Ife, he was doing part-time teaching to keep up with finances at the university. And since then I started giving him a little job, he has grown up to be one of my best supporters in the industry,” he said.

    For the celebrator, architecture is life. While urging youths to utilise their God-given talents for the progress of humanity, he said, despite his humble childhood, he said hard work, dedication and determination were his driving force to success.

    According to him, his firm would be collaborating with universities to affect the lives of the next generation of architects.

    He said: “I dream architecture. It is a way of life which dictates the mood of the individual and nation. It has rhythm. Architecture is interesting and fulfilling. I could have gone into politics but as for me, architecture is love, architecture is romantic, and architecture is music. I intend to leave a name behind in my profession as well as contribute positively to the lives of the coming generation of architects.”

  • X-raying a literary amazon

    X-raying a literary amazon

    The pain and horror of the killing of some University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) students referred to as ‘Aluu Four’ were brought home when the literati and scholars gathered in Lagos to celebrate a literature doyenne, Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, at the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA)Vintage Wine and Flesh Blends, reports Evelyn Osagie.

    They came protesting. Teenagers- boys and girls. They raised their voices and placards to protest the 2012 carnage that took place in Aluu, a Rivers State community.

    “It was a day dream died/Faith withered in the furnace of unbelief… Adieu, oh hapless victims of Aluu…” they chanted.

    It was no protest rally but the performance of the poem Season of Carnage from the collection Dancing Masks written by seasoned writer Prof Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo.

    There were mixed emotions as the kids, from four secondary schools, took turns to give theatrical interpretation of the poem on stage. Their reaction was not far-fetched. It was weeks after several bombings and killings in the northern part of the country.

    Emotions were high.While fueling audience’s emotion, the diverse interpretations and costumes added spice to the poem’s preoccupation. The poetic lines, which the poet said was borne out of the hideousness of the act, and the theatrics not only re-enacted the scenes, but also called for firm action against such inhuman acts.

    The Lagos City College’s performance, which was the most expressive of the four schools that included National College, Gbagada; Ikosi Senior High School and Gretech Educational Foundation, clinched the first place position.

    The teen-actors with budding passion for literature, were the “Fresh Blends” while the poet was the “Vintage Wine”, explained the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos Branch, Mrs Femi Onileagbon.

    She was one woman wearing many hats. She is a prolific writer, with over 50 publications, including 14 books and numerous journal articles. She is one of Lantern books award-winning authors, who has won diverse literary prizes such as the NLNG Prize for Literature Prize and ANA prizes for Prose Fiction and Women Writing; and has judged several others.

    Her achievements are not limited to the literary front alone. She is an English Language professor and was the head of department of English at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where the event was held. In the home-front, Adimora-Ezeigbo is also a success as wife, mother and grandmother. She was there with her hubby Prof Christain Ezeigbo, their children and granddaughter, bright Chinemenma. And on the traditional front, she is a chief with thetitle Ugonwanyi Edemede Ndi Igbo.

    With a large portfolio of accomplishments that serves as inspiration for the young and for her contributions to the advancement of the course of Literature, Onileagbon said,Adimora-Ezeigbo earned a spotlight at the Second Vintage Wine and Fresh Blends. The event was organised in conjunction with Literamed Publications Nigeria Limited, who donated books and prizes to the schools.

    According to the ANA Lagos Chair, the programme aims at creating a mentorship environment for new and budding writers. “It invites the best of established literary figures, publishers and political figures (Vintage Wine), whose experiences and life paths have the weight to influence positively the creative development of new, young or aspiring writers (Fresh Blends) with the aim to nurture them. This edition we chose to celebrate Prof Adimora-Ezeigbo and work with Literamed Publications Nigeria Limited that has published and promoted scholarship for 45 years.”

    Impressed by the efforts of the teen-actors, Adimora-Ezeigbo, who started literary voyage early as a member of Debating and Dramatic Society where she wrote her first play, encouraged the children to keep at their passion, saying she started many years ago like them. She advised parents and schools to encourage the budding talents in their wards, saying: “Encourage your children to imbibe the culture of reading and writing early. Schools should identify talents in their wards and begin to nurture them”.

    To her quiet mien are her vocal and activist sides that came alive during the interactive session with the reporter and a representative of Literamed Publications Nigeria Limited, Ms Busayo Sawyerr (Editor-in-Charge). To Ms Sawyerr’s observation of low quality of manuscripts being a reason behind fall in the number of works by budding writers published Literamed, the author advised to them not to lose faith but to engage the services of book editors.

    Adimora-Ezeigbo “the advocate” kicked against destructive criticism that seeks to damage the writer, observing that “sometimes critics can damage writers”. She opined that Nigeria has an abundance of destructive criticisms that are highly subjective. “I would wish we have more of the constructive criticism. Some so-called critics would begin to attack the writer instead of the book. Critics should look at the good and bad things about a book,”she said.

    Her novels promote African culture and cultural tolerance; the school of feminism that accommodates men. In a world that is often said to be ruled by men, the author canvassed for negotiation and cooperation between the sexes, while throwing her weight behind what she calls “Snail-sense feminism”. She said: “The Snail-sense feminism is based on the Igbo cultural belief that advocates that men and women should negotiate and work together. The snail negotiates and dialogues with its environment and other objects around it. I think that is what African women are and should be doing.

    “Some described it as an accommodative stand. Feminism is culture-based and is constrained by our social and cultural beliefs. In Africa, we believe we have to work with the men to move the society forward. If you watch women who are successful, it is not through aggression but through negotiation. You have to work together with the men. If you notice the home that is successful, it is where the man and woman work together.”

    Her novels often promote women empowerment with female lead characters with strong personalities, who wield influence and cause positive change.

    Coming from a background of strong and independent women, she hammered on the importance of women empowerment, saying it is the inspiration behind her advocacy.

    No doubt, African cultures are patriarchy and women are often at the disadvantage, however, Adimora-Ezeigbo said,the continent still prides itself of men who support and believes in the progress of their wives and daughters.

    “My husband is that kind of man. When we are talking about the best woman activist, encouraging women, he is Number One. Right from home, all the women in my family were strong, independent women, who are empowered. I grew up in a background of strong women. My two grandmothers were strong, independent women, who believe in the empowering of women. We were encouraged to be strong and independent. My parents empowered me and that is what I believe and encourage. And I am blessed to have a husband that also believes and encourages it,” she said.

    And how does it feel have a wife with such a lofty portfolio, Prof Christian Ezeigbo was asked. Hear him: “If you are lucky to have somebody who is successful, the least you can do is to encourage that person to the utmost because your joy and that person’s joy will multiply.”

  • East meets West documentary

    East meets West documentary

    “Crocodile in the Yangtze’ is a film that tells a story of how China’s first Internet entrepreneur and former English teacher, Jack Ma, battled US giant, ‘eBay’ to build China’s first global Internet Company, Alibaba Group. The “documemoir” written, directed and produced by an American,Porter Erisman, who worked in Ma’s company for eight years, Crocodile in the Yangtze captures the emotional ups and downs of life in a ‘Chinese Internet world’ between 1995 and 2009 when the Internet brought China face-to-face with the West.

    An english-language film, Crocodile in the Yangtze is a compilation of period footage shot in the 1990’s-2000’s in Hangzhou, China. Film editor, Giuseppe De Angelis spent hours in editing the footage into a comprehensive and smooth film drawing on 200 hours of archival footage filmed by over 35 sources.

    Erisman followed his heart to China and spent ten years living and working there. He worked as a Vice President at Alibaba.com and Alibaba Group in Hangzhou, China between 2000 and 2008. It is clear that from the film, Erisman was a truly integrated and respected member of the Alibaba family. In several scenes, he and Jack shared the glory of the developments that occured in the company.

    It is incredible to consider how this footage was captured in real-time and preserved, but according to Erisman, a camera was always rolling behind the scenes at Alibaba’s, even from the earliest days of the company’s formation. The film contains childhood photos of Ma as a small boy and his personal journey from English teacher to a global business leader. It also shows Erisman as a young boy in the US and later as a young adult in China, telling the story of what brought him to Alibaba and what caused him to want to stay.

    The story rolls forward on a double lane: Alibaba thrives in a time when social, economic and technological transformation are happening in China and the outside world watches Alibaba with a careful eye, finally realising its strength.

    In addition to behind-the-scenes footage, Erisman and De Angelis weaved in archival news coverage of reporters on Wall Street interviewing Ma and assessing his company to potential investors. It is interesting to watch the narrative about Alibaba’s change over time within the financial media.

    The film is more than an account of the history of a Chinese internet company. It gives a truly inside perspective on internal meetings and private conversations between Ma and his team, capturing the triumphs, but also repeated struggles to turn a profit.

    It mirrors how Ma led Alibaba to startup the business in a small apartment which later grew into a global company of more than 16,000 staff.

    One of Erisman’s goals in making this film was to inspire young entrepreneurs with a dream. As the film chronicles, Ma was originally trained as an English teacher, with no background in computer science or business. For that reason, his story is one about a simple man with a dream. That relatability makes this film accessible to everyone.

    Konga.com has hosted the technology business community to a special screening of the film documentary. Konga believes that 2014 will be a promising and rewarding year for the Nigerian technology and business eco-systems, not only because there will be growth, but because these sectors will provide solutions to Nigerians at large.

  • Writers tackle touchy Nigerian issues

    Writers tackle touchy Nigerian issues

    Let against the background of the ongoing National Conference, it was more than a coincidence that the last edition of the Guest Writer Session, of the Abuja Writers’ Forum (AWF), took on touchy Nigerian issues.

    Zainab Sule got proceedings going with one of her new singles, Fire Down Below. It was a good teaser to set the mood for an encounter with fun and excitement and it was evident her performance was enthralling as the audience sat transfixed, gazes locked at her like the future depended on their picking out every word of her lines and guitar strumming. A situation that would repeat itself when she came back in between the writers to run through a couple of her songs.

    The sobering highpoint of the evening came when multiple award-winning journalist, read from his book, Home Away From Home. He described the book in a recent interview as “my offering to making Nigeria a great nation as some of the ones I have visited.” Though the book is solely about the history of the Ogbomoso people in Jos, the scope turns out to be far beyond that. It actually tells the sorry story of the collapse of the inter-ethnic harmony that existed among Nigerians who had lived together in peace for so many years. The book chronicles the arrival of Ogbomoso people in Jos, their settlement there over the centuries, the peace, love and unity they enjoyed as they lived, did business and mingled with the indigenes other settler-tribes.

    However, tribal and religious differences suddenly crept into the picture and turned erstwhile friends, neighbours and brothers into sworn enemies. He recalled that in his days as a little child in Jos, his family, a Christian family bonded so well with their Muslim neighbours that they’d sometimes follow them to the mosque and the friends would also follow them to church. Oyegbile decried that such a scenario is impossible in the city today, with the incessant religious and tribal fights that have erupted over the years, claiming thousands of lives and reducing the city into a theatre of violence.

    According to him, his father got to Jos before the amalgamation in 1914 that gave birth to Nigeria. At the time he left Ogbomoso, the father, he said, was too young to pay tax. He settled in Jos, worked there for decades and paid his taxes to the Plateau State government. By the time he returned to Ogbomoso, he was too old to pay any taxes. In spite of his father’s loyalty and long sojourn in Plateau State however, Oyegbile said if he needed a scholarship, he’d have to go and apply for it in Oyo State! This, he said, often makes him wonder if indeed we are ready to live as one nation.

    He did not only paint a picture of the grim situation, he also proffered solutions to the strained relations between Nigeria’s ethnic and religious groups. He advised that citizens be educated on the gains of peaceful co-existence; recommended the prosecution of criminals who are caught in the act of sectional aggression and the development of the right political will by our leaders, towards mending the broken relations among the various divides of the Nigerian people.

    The audience had earlier savoured poems from Iruesiri Samson Kukogho’s debut collection What Can Words Do? Samson said of the title of his collection, that he derived it from the importance that words play in our daily lives as humans. “I have seen words start and also end wars; words have broken marriages and mended broken hearts,” he said. The question of what words can do, he said, is to bring to the consciousness of the reader, the importance of the words we speak and is one that everyone should ask themselves often so as to guard their choice of words when they speak to others as they have the potential to hurt and heal, give life and also kill.

    From the themes Samson explores in the poems in his collection, it is obvious that he is motivated by true-life experiences and is also driven to add his voice to issues of social justice and the general enhancement of society. His voice rails against rape, violence against women and social disorders. His passion for the family institution is also clearly depicted. “Society is being torn apart because families are collapsing,” he lamented. The poet emphasized that the more we lose the family, the more we lose our society and called for a show of concern by all citizens and especially parents whom he advised not to let the proper upbringing of their children and the responsibility to show them love and care, suffer because of the search for daily bread.

    Later while responding to questions, Samson expressed his gratitude to his father whom he said had a tremendous positive influence on his reading culture. He said his father was a very rigid man and forced him to read a lot of books from his well-stocked library and though it was quite a burden for him as a child, he is grateful today because it laid the foundation for his present appreciation for the literary arts, his writing prowess and the quality of his intellect.

    After the writers did their bit, Zainab Sule took her turn with a set of enthralling songs. The UniJos graduate of Mathematics and web designer proved why she is referred to as Nigeria’s queen of soft rock. After he performance, a member of the audience sought to know how long she took to perfect her handling of the guitar. She said she started playing the instrument in 2001 when she was a student at the University of Jos. She said she did a lot of online study on how to play the guitar which has paid off with her ability today.

    Zainab’s sounds have been referred to as a “mixture of Tracy Chapman and Avril Lavigne, mixed with a touch of soul”. A collection of beauty and talent, when she is not writing songs, or on some musical tour somewhere, she works as a consultant to some major companies under her company name and alter ego, Pishon Designs.

    Maiden graduates of the AWF Creative Writing Workshop Advanced Set collected their certificates, while some members of the audience won free books from a raffle-draw, and the three guests were given mementoes. The Guest Writer Session, which started in June 2008, holds at the prestigious Nanet Suites located at the Central Business District in Abuja, and runs from 4-7pm on the last Saturday of every month. The Abuja Writers’ Forum is a community of writers and book lovers. The forum creates opportunities for writers to develop their skills, helps in promoting and celebrating established and upcoming writers and also developing the book culture among Nigerians. Activities of the forum are free and open to members of the public.