Category: Midweek Magazine

By Oluwatoyosi Adegeye

Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Oyo Branch has honoured Mrs Bukola Ladoja as ANA Ambassador to restore the practice of reading among students.

The investiture ceremony was held at the Afe Babalola Hall University of Lagos, Akoka.

Mrs. Ladoja, who is the wife of former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, was made ANA Ambassador due to her support for the promotion of literature and reading culture. She is the Founder of Reading Awareness Society for Development in Africa (RASDA), a nonprofit making organisation with great passion in promoting reading culture for holistic leadership development in Africa. She is also a leadership coach, a mentor to many children and youths and has delivered papers at different forums.

According to the Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Oyo branch, “Mrs. Ladoja has distinguished herself for being a source of inspiration to the younger generation. Her acumen, capability, capacity and dexterity to mobilise and arouse the interest of our young teeming population towards imbibing reading culture is unparalleled”.

On his part, ANA President, Camillus Ukah, said “My job is to reaffirm a confirmation that was made sometime in April in Ibadan and that is, like the chairman has said, somebody who we have found very worthy of that position. People should cultivate the habit of reading because it opens the human mind that brings about innovation.”

Moved by the gesture, the recipient urged parents to encourage their children to read. “To have a new Nigeria with a sound mind, a Nigeria that is creative and innovative, a Nigeria that we will all work together to develop the reading culture. I intend to work closely with ANA to nurture our young ones through reading.  Government can come in to support and make us have access  to their schools because if we are bringing a message, the message and the messenger, they should give us an open environment to enable us enter into schools to talk to parents especially because this is one area that government schools are lacking,” she said.

Other dignitaries in attendance were Senator Ladoja, the recipient’s hubby; Ogun State Governor Kuola Karim, who chaired the event was represented by his special adviser of education Mrs. Ronke Shoyombo; Representing Ministry of Education Lagos State, Mr Sunday Jokotola; and PAWA General Secretary, Dr. Wale Okediran, among others.

Book review

Title: Thus I Invite

Author: Owere Ayinmoloun

Publisher: Kraftgriots

Pagination: 76

‘Thus I Invite’, as written by Owere Ayinmoloun (a pseudonym), touches on the subject matter of life, nature, death, tyranny, and everything that ails our humanity. This book of poetry divided into three parts – ‘Tributes and Elegies; Nature; and Shadows of Tyranny’ – brings to light the many ills which affect us as human beings. In ‘Tributes and Elegies’, the author brings to remembrance those who have long gone before us, but whose works still speak. There is also the subtle but consistent reminder that all souls shall one day surrender to the ultimate call, death. ‘To the hero at large’ specifically tells of the transition of a 78-year-old, and the people ask themselves what had just happened. But, alas, it’s only rhetoric as succeeding lines after the question shows. ‘But rhetorically we asked merely. For we knew our answer already. In the unmistaken transition

Of yet another overman

From our very midst

Into the reverence of the gods’

In ‘Singular Babarity’, the poet reminds us of Ogoniland and its martyrs who were murdered in cold blood. The poet personifies Ogoniland, and uses it to represent the larger Nigerian society. In it, we see a clear description of the harm and injustice done to Ogoniland and the nine martyrs. We are told of the subjugation and dehumanisation of humans by a fellow human, and how material things can have more value than human lives. The poem’s opening reads: ‘Shelled and degraded is Ogoniland

Because her oil counts for so much. Felled and degraded are the Ogoni nine. Because their people count for so little’.

The poem also praises these martyrs for paying the ultimate sacrifice when it said ‘And while alive, thought it noblest hazard. To fight injustice and environmental degradation.

Believing that salvation lies in activism. At whatever cost rather than in acquiescence

‘Each accepted the possibility of death

From gangsters drunk with martial self-righteousness

And in one critical instant – even in of fear

Passed away into glory of martyrdom’

The Corpse’ recounts the tale of the cycle of life from cradle to the grave. The birth of every child is always celebrated widely, with so many possibilities of success awaiting the child. The child grows and experiences the rigours of school and ‘wicked cane-toting teachers’. The child might even attain the peak of education and career, but the inevitable is that one day the cock will crow behind his/her back. The greatest irony however is that no one knows that moment or manner it will come, but it certainly will come.

The second part is a tribute to nature and a praise of everything beautiful. From the Ant to the rain, dawn, the lagoon, and many others, it is a galore of praise singing for the beautiful work which nature bestowed on mankind. This part also gives the reassurance that all hope is not lost, and that the morning will come again after a dark night. This belief is exemplified by ‘Dawn’, where the poet describes the dawn as ‘the triumph of light again over darkness’; ‘revival, renewal, rehabilitation, rebirth, restoration, atunji; ‘new innocence granted blue clear skies again emergent, renewed faith in hope too’; ‘creation, coming into being, premonition, expectancy, the promise of life again, the herald of living again, idajii, reawakening, self-reawakening’; ‘the promise of rebirth, of restoration, ipinnu atunda, ipinnu irapada’.

The poet ends this poem with an admonition – ‘for hope, look towards the morning east’, an allusion to the saying that the sun rises in the east, and so all life should be encouraged with the break of every new dawn.

The last part, ‘Shadows of Tyranny’, explains itself. It dwells on the great disservice of tyranny and the need to be free from the shackles of oppression. In ‘Under the shadows of tyranny’, the poet describes the various categories of persons who exemplify tyranny in our society. The pot-bellied politician who is a kleptomaniac over public property; the soldier who has installed himself for worship because he has a horsewhip; the policeman who must meet his daily quota of bribe from us all regardless of tribe; the timid judge; the civil servant who is both victim and villain, and the master victim who has become numb to change and speculation and does nothing to break free.

In all, ‘Thus I Invite’ is a clarion call to everyone to ponder on the main and whole essence of life, and play our parts in the overall efforts at making life more meaningful for everyone. The invitation is open to everyone to understand that life is transient and we will all be gone someday, just like those remembered in ‘Tributes and Elegies’; life is a beautiful work of nature, and everything which makes it so give us the assurance that all hope is not lost; and that life is a matter of time, chance and opportunity, it will get to everyone’s turn at one point and so we should do away with oppressing each other.

 

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) has bestowed its prestigious Distinguished Service Award on the Director-General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Chief Ebeten William Ivara. The investiture took place in Abuja last week during the inauguration of the 11th President and executive members of the SNA.

Explaining the rationale for the award, the Coordinator, SNA Fellowship 2021 and Vice President, South East, Archibong Bassey said it is in acknowledgement of Ivara’s performance in office as Director- General of NGA within a very short period, which is a boost to the visual art sub-sector in Nigeria.

According to Bassey, ‘your cordial relationship with the SNA expressed through the recent setting up of the Joint National Committee of the NGA/SNA for the Harmonisation of the NGA Establishment Act for Repeal and Re-enactment, will go a long way to promote the development and progress of the visual art sector and the SNA as the umbrella body for all artists in Nigeria.’

Responding, Ivara said the honour will spur him to do more for visual artists in Nigeria in collaboration with the SNA. He disclosed that the harmonised Bill is ready and a date for the formal presentation will be made public ‘after which we will all move to the National Assembly with one voice.’ He tasked the National Assembly to give accelerated hearing to the Repeal and Re-enactment of the NGA Establishment Act so that the agency can become revenue generating.

Ivara had earlier announced a grant of N1.5million to SNA.

Other awardees at the ceremony included Oliver Enwonwu, (Distinguished Service Award) Vice Chancellor, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Aliyu Shugaba, (Honorary Fellowship) alongside

Arc. Ezekiel Nya Etok, Elder Ibook Eyo Ita and  Dr. Sami Mohammed.

 

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Guide to Peaceful Living

Author: Isiaka Oyebamiji

Reviewer: Abiodun Alao

This debut work by Isiaka Oyebamiji is, in a sense, an unconventional autobiography.Although written in straightforward prose, the author has woven his story around key nuggets of life. This thus makes Guide to Peaceful Living by Isiaka Oyebamiji a document of philosophy, a work of history, as well as a piece of literature. Looking at life through thematic issues that centre around the vicissitudes of life, the author has shown how the lemon that has been handed over to an individual by what some people would call destiny, can be changed to lemonade, and how hard work and persistence can alter the course of an individual’s life. When one talks of “take-off” advantages in life, Mr Oyebamiji may not be considered as being privileged, but he fought his way to prominence. The son of a home-based tailor, who ended up establishing one of the most successful schools in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, is a major leap. Indeed, you can ask him who his father was (because he was not known); but you cannot ask his children who their father is (because he is well-known).

Reading this book, what struck me most is the persistent theme of “belief”, on three levels: Belief in God, through the efficacy of prayer; belief in himself, through the dint of hard work; and belief in selected set of people, through the important element of trust.

This work is a treasure trove of precious knowledge and lessons which vividly and distinctly shine forth on its pages: First, perhaps, is that one can, through persistent hard work and determination, go beyond the boundaries of limitations. The brilliant way the author has shared this experience and threaded it throughout the book is an inspiration and a major way in sober reflection.

Second is that, problems do not cease to exist, just because they are ignored! On occasions that the author faced different challenges, he confronted these squarely and fought until he won…he was able to run around to put things under control, when many of the people around him panicked… His handling of the various challenges his school, Landmark College, faced, shows he is a dogged fighter, but one with principle. He does not give up easily but is also ever ready to make compromises for the sake of peace. The book also taught how to identify, seize and harness opportunities, playing significantly into one’s diverse strengths.

But more significantly, perhaps, is its stresses on the need to shun bitterness, so as not to obstruct God’s compensation for perceived hurt or injustice. The author shows that when you are bitter, you cannot be better and that it takes a lot of weight off your neck when you don’t keep malice and try to live at peace with everybody.

Overall, the author should be praised as much for his brilliant skill as a writer, as his personal courage as a man. He deserves huge admiration and respects, especially from those of us who have had to travel under far lesser hardship, only to still have achieved far much less!

ROTARY International has received commendation for its humanitarian services. The Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary, District 2, Lagos Ministry of education, Mrs Anike Adekanye, gave the commendation when Rotary Club of Gbagada South, District 9110 donated plastics, white  marker boards and unveiled the repainted signpost of its junior arm Interact to Eva Adelaja Girls’ Secondary School, Bariga, Lagos.

The PS, who was represented by Director, Curriculum, Science and Technology, Mrs Otunaike Adebimpe, said the club had been outstanding  in its support to schools in the district. She recalled some of the club’s programmes and projects in the past. She  canvassed public-private partnership (PPP) as a panacea to the problems of the  education sector. She urged the younger ones to emulate Rotarians.  ‘’Our pupils will continue to make you proud. You will not regret helping them,’’ she added.

The club’s President Uchenna Okwuego said their mission at the event  was in tandem with Rotary’s execution of its basic education and  literacy project held every September. He said the club’s officials had visited the school earlier to do its needs’ assessment and that the items they donated was their response to it. He urged the pupils to make judicious use of the materials. The school’s Principal, Mrs Oluyinka Soyoye, expressed satisfaction with Rotary’s donation, adding that it would enhance the quality of learning. Former District Secretary Femi Adenekan, stated that the importance of giving back to the community, adding that the teachers of the school should not only imbibe the spirit but also join Rotary

 

By Evelyn Osagie

With the mind of promoting the art scene, Art Master Africa, is set to reward artistic talents across the continent.

Winners have emerged for the art competition which is organised by BIC. The announcement was made on their website today.

The competition, in its fourth edition, is an annual art affair that invites artists to creatively develop art pieces using the iconic BIC Ball Pen. The first place winner received a cash prize of USD 2000, and will have their piece showcased at an online personalised gallery and at Le Collection BIC – the company’s official contemporary art collection and exhibition. Second and third place winners have received a cash prize of USD 1000 and USD 500.

The winners included one continent-wide winner as well as 11 winners from countries within the Africa region. Ugandan artist Gayi Eric was named the 2021 BIC Art Master Africa champion. His portrait titled ‘Circle of Life’ was created using four BIC Ball Pens and took a total of 210 hours to complete.

Kamgaing from Cameroon, who developed the art piece entitled ‘In My Room’, was second place; while Nigeria’s Odaro Franklin Osaivbie with his art piece ‘Entranced’, came third.

Commenting on the occasion, Peter Van den Broeck, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Middle East and Africa said: “We are proud of the impact that the Art Master Africa competition has had on talent in the region to date. BIC has a longstanding history with art, and the inception of the Art Master Africa competition has allowed us to support thousands of talent across the region.

With the competition expanding into the Middle East this year, we are confident that we will continue to motivate and shine a bright light on talent across the region creating a future generation of creative and inspiring individuals.”

National winners across Africa are Badr Labied for the artwork ‘Enchantez la vie africaine’ (2021 BIC Art Master Morocco Champion); Astral Msekeli for the artwork ‘Ubuntu’ Art Master South Africa Champion); and Stanley were for the artwork ‘Life is what you make it’ (2021 BIC Art Master Kenya Champion). Similarly, the top ten Art Masters of Africa were announced, included Andrew Nathan for the art piece ‘Value’ – Nigeria; Thuso Modikela for the art piece ‘Flowers of the universe’ – South Africa; Ashaba Gabito for the art piece ‘Enchant everyday life’ – Uganda; Brandon Ponen for the art piece ‘Roll the Dice’ – South Africa; and Omphile Sefako for the art piece ‘Liminal Confinement’ – Botswana.

According to the organiser, winners from across the region have received cash prizes as well as BIC hampers.

“The creative artwork was chosen from 6,350 entries submitted by more than 3,700 artists from 52 countries across the Middle East and Africa. Artists were requested to submit their creative work through the campaign’s dedicated microsite BICArtMaster.com. The work was shortlisted by a panel of judges including experts from BIC, renowned artists from the region, winners from previous Art Master Africa competitions, and art experts from Europe

“BIC has long been connected to art and regularly celebrates the creativity and originality of talented individuals. In 2018, BIC hosted the first of its kind exhibition with 150 creations of art by 80 international artists. The collection, which started in the late nineties at an exhibition in Italy devoted to the life story of Marcel Bich today consists of more than 250 works by internationally recognized or upcoming artists. BIC has a number of established partnerships with art institutes around the world and has its products displayed in a number of renowned museums around the world,” the company said.

 

 

By Ayomide Onatoye

The Varkey Foundation in partnership with UNESCO has announced the top 50 finalists for the Global Teacher Prize 2021.worth $1 million. An art teacher from Nigeria, Mr. Olusegun, is one of the 50 selected from over 8,000 nominations and applications from 121 countries across the world.

Adeniyi, who teaches at Caleb British International School, Lagos, who for two decades nurtured new talents, made the list for his project which tackles plastic pollution in the ocean -entitled “Stop Ocean Plastic Pollution”.

The project involved a lot of people from around the world. About 90 percent of the people that watched the virtual exhibition and completed the survey use plastic every day and they all resolved to embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. Already a lot of students and staff members in their school community have started embracing an eco-friendly lifestyle. His students have participated in the Beach Clean-up initiative. The United Nation Information Centre Lagos has shown interest in using the “Stop Ocean Plastic Pollution” virtual exhibition video in their outreaches. The video has also been submitted for the UNESCO Green Citizens Projects.

“The prize will give hope, fulfill dreams and give the Nigerian children irrespective of their social and cultural background a world-class STREAM school with a global perspective and exposure. It will definitely advance the learning field of art and connect Nigeria to the world Art space (theory and practice). Olusegun wants to build a space that will open the minds of Nigerian children to unlimited possibilities in technological innovation, creativity, and Art,” he said.

The project which was an offshoot of his participation at the British Council Connecting Classrooms training, tagged:  ”Critical Thinking and Problem solving”.

To help with this global outlook, he has brought experts from around the world to his class to share their art and concepts. He has also showcased his students’ sustainability projects at different conferences and art shows, within and outside the shore of Nigeria.

His students conducted research online about the impact of plastic pollution on marine lives. His teaching philosophy is established on Humanistic student-centered philosophies which is about fostering each student to his/her fullest potential. “I implored the Blended Learning Classroom-cum-project based learning aided with technology tools to engage my students in real world issues exploring their own creativity with a global perspective.

By Evelyn Osagie

To help bring awareness to the needs of out-of-school children across the nation, Mavin Records is partnering the Young Bookworms to celebrate little school kids at the Agala community in Apapa, Lagos.

Since 2018, the Young Bookworms, a non-governmental  organisation supporting displaced children to access basic education, has adopted the indigent community of Tarkwa Bay. And after the Tarkwa Bay eviction of January 2020 that displaced over 2,000 families, most settled in a neighbouring community called ‘Agala’.

Here, the NGO and its partners have committed about N2,000,000 to construct a Learning Resources Centre (LRC) for the children in Agala which was formally launched on August 14, 2021. The centre, which has become a hub providing basic education for the displaced children in the Community, the Young Bookworms have a student body totalling around 80 children. They have an unflinching enthusiasm to acquire formal education and the visit was to encourage them, equip them with a larger world view, and inspire them to dream bigger.

The Mavin Records team, led by her Head of Human Resources, Jennifer Imion paid a visit to the community and students recently.

On the visit, Jennifer Imion did a book reading while engaging the students in conversations about moral values, their hobbies and even conducted a mini talent show.

The team also met with the community head to further discuss how the students can gain better exposure via community growth and some extracurricular activities. The African entertainment powerhouse sponsored a spelling bee competition amongst the students to mark this year’s literacy day, while rewarding the winners with an all-expense-paid trip to do some back-to-school shopping, a stop at the cinema, and the amusement park. The students were tasked with buying gifts for their parents and peers to build a sense of responsibility and community.

“Literacy has become a basic life skill- one that has become increasingly indispensable in the digital age. For international literacy day, Mavin Records wants to highlight this reality and also support an initiative that is providing a solution,” Imion said.

The centre is an enclave bristling with the typically excited chatter of young students. A wooden structure constructed on a landmass of about 400 square metres, the exteriors like the interior are brightly painted to match the children’s palpable energy. Furniture is interesting little pieces, wrought from recyclable materials and converted into functional space elements. ‘They were made by the kids’, says Mr. Godson Emezi, the project’s coordinator and guide on the visit.

Speaking of the collaboration, Mr Godson Emezi the project coordinator said: “The visit and sponsorship align with our vision of intellectual and personal development of the African Child. This is the first time the kids have left their local community. The visit made the kids know that people outside there cared about them and that the society is broad and waiting for them to explore.”

 

By Angela Echefu

In  furtherance  of its  sensitisation  campaign    against  breast  and cervical cancers, My Body  My Asset Cancer  Foundation, a  non- governmental  group, organised a football match  between  its  team, the Eagles  and Galaxy  Ladies  of Nwanyi  Ezza  Foundation  under the theme:

Bring  Us  Cancer  Awareness   Friendly  Football  Match .

This is the second segment of this year’s campaign. The first campaign was held on June 5.

The event was held on October 2 at 9 am at Santos Field, in Akowonjo area of Lagos. It was one of the programmes lined up to bring awareness to the doorstep of women on the dangers associated with cancers of all forms to make life worth living for the women folk.

The Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the Foundation, Mr  Onyemaonyilo Godfrey Aroh said: ‘’We encourage everyone to embrace the awareness and campaign and get screened. We believe that prevention is better and cheaper and we hope to build a generation of strong women who will like above all forms of cancer’’.

Speaking in a similar fashion, a cancer survivor and head of the Foundation, Mrs Franca Eze said:’’ It feels nice to be well and healthy. A woman whose reproductive organs are sick is not functional. Get the necessary information to stay healthy. Ignorance is not an excuse’’.

She said that the football match which lasted for 45minutes  was preceded by ‘Red carpet at 8am.

She urged every woman to be part of the programmes in future.

Other features of the programme included  how to live well, health is wealth, breast and cervical cancer awareness. Awards were given and many  were screened especially women from churches and markets. Some past centres where screenings  had been conducted  included Healing Stripes Cancer Center Surulere, Blessing & Kelvin Diagnostic Centre Akowonjo, St Christopher Catholic Church Ijaye, St Thomas Catholic Church Cement, St. Dominic Church Yaba, Foursquare Gospel Church Ijesha, Ejire Primary Health Centre Surulere and many others.

 

By Evelyn Osagie

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to strengthen deaf education and employment in Nigeria using Sign Language Based Education.

Through its “Strengthening Deaf Education, Empowerment, and Employment (Deaf-E3)”, it is set to build the capacity of groups integral to advancing education that fully meets the needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind, including educational professionals, Nigerian Sign Language interpreters, and development actors.

USAID Acting Mission Director Katie Donohoe, together with officials from Gallaudet University, the Nigerian National Association of the Deaf (NNAD), and other partners has launched a new activity to empower deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf blind children and youth through education, employment, and life opportunities in Nigeria.

The launch, which was held to mark  the International Day of Sign Languages during the International Week of Deaf People, was attended by Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, a former Governor of Nasarawa State who is part of Nigeria’s deaf community, among other dignitaries.

According to Donohoe, the Deaf-E3, which is a new three-year, $2.05 million activity, will build the capacity of groups integral to advancing education that fully meets the needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf blind Nigerians, including educational professionals, Nigerian Sign Language interpreters and development actors.

“Through this partnership with Gallaudet, USAID is supporting a changing of the tide for the deaf community,” Donohoe said at the launch.  “Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do, except hear.  In fact, deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind people can excel at all levels of education and employment when they are provided an education that is accessible and designed for them to directly interact and communicate with their parents, teachers, and peers.”

A Gallaudet University alumnus who serves as the Deaf-E3 Project Manager, Olufemi Ige, provided a Nigerian Sign Language (NSL) lesson to commemorate the day and engage attendees in the recognition of sign languages as relevant and valued forms of communication for all.

Operational since May 2021 and continuing through 2024, Deaf-E3  will develop manuals to train educational professionals in a multimodal and multilingual approach in deaf education, build the capacity of NNAD and its stakeholders, establish a consortium of interpreters and deaf individuals to improve practices in sign language interpretation in education, and increase the capacity of USAID and other development actors to promote awareness of the NNAD and other advocates for the deaf community, it was stated.

”Fewer than 40 percent of Nigeria’s deaf children are enrolled into primary school, and even fewer are allowed to continue into secondary education,”  Fela Bank-Olemoh, Senior Special Assistant to the President of the Federation on Education Interventions said. “Programme like this are critical to ensure all stakeholders’   hands must be on deck to address the problem of under-education, under-development, and poverty among the deaf community.”

Considered the premier US institution of higher learning for the deaf community, Gallaudet conducts research in many fields, including education, linguistics, psychology, educational neuroscience, deaf history and culture, and Black deaf history and culture, and already has a presence in Nigeria.  Other Deaf-E3 activity partners include Wesley University-Ondo, Discovering Deaf Worlds, and the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities.