The Nation Newspaper

Tag: 2016

  • Nigeria’s airports record 2.3% increase in domestic passengers – NBS

    The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that Nigeria’s airports recorded an increase of 2.3 per cent in domestic passengers in 2015 and 2016.

    The NBS made this figure known in its Fourth Quarter 2016 and Full Year 2016 Air Transportation Data released in Abuja.

    The report, however, stated that the first and second halves of the year differed substantially.

    It stated that it differed substantially whereas year-on-year growth in domestic passenger, numbers of 9.7 per cent and 10.3 per cent were recorded in the first two quarters respectively.

    “Declines of 1.3 per cent and 8.2 per cent were recorded in the third and fourth quarters respectively.

    “The declines were due to their size, most of this decline was accounted for by Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, and in both quarters, Abuja accounted for the largest fall.

    “Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos remained the busiest domestic airport in the third and final quarters of 2016.

    “This airport accounted for 891,770 passengers in the third quarter and 909,851 passengers in the final quarter, which represented 33.3 per cent and 34.5 per cent respectively.’’

    According to the report, the share of domestic passengers accounted for by MMA remained broadly stable throughout 2016.

    “It remained stable in the year with the highest share recorded in the first quarter of 34.6 per cent, and the lowest recorded in the third quarter.

    “As with the overall number of domestic passengers, the number to travel though MMA declined relative to the corresponding values in 2015.

    “In the third quarter, MMA airport recorded a year-on-year decline of 7.3 per cent, compared to an overall decline in domestic passenger numbers of 1.3 per cent (when comparing same set of airports.

    “In the fourth, this fell slightly to a decline of 7.5 per cent, although this was a smaller contraction than in the overall fall of 8.2per cent.’’

    Similarly, it stated that the share of passengers accounted for by Abuja Airport, the second busiest airport in 2016, remained between 30 per cent and 31 per cent in each quarter of 2016.

    According to the report, the third and fourth quarters, there were 822,702 and 810,410 domestic passengers to travel through Abuja respectively.

    “In each quarter this was equivalent to 30.7 per cent of the total number, which is higher than the shares in the first and second quarter of 30.4 per cent and 30.2 per cent.

    “Abuja was the airport to record the largest year on year reduction in domestic passengers in absolute terms in each of the third and fourth quarters.’’

    In the third quarter of 2016, the report stated noted that there were 81,270 less domestic passengers to travel through than in the same quarter of 2015, a reduction of 9.0 per cent.

    It stated that in the fourth quarter, the year on year drop fell to 110,005, equivalent to a 12.0 per cent fall.

    “The third busiest domestic airport in 2016 was Port Harcourt, although the number of passengers fell throughout the year.

    Meanwhile, under the domestic aircraft movement, the report stated the shares of domestic flights accounted for by each airport were similar to the shares of passengers accounted for by each airport, as would be expected.

    However, it stated that aircraft departing from and flying to larger airports carried more people. Therefore, the share of aircraft accounted for airports such as Lagos and Abuja was smaller than their share of passengers.

    “During 2016, Lagos airport accounted for 34.2 per cent of domestic passengers, but only 27.5 per cent of domestic aircraft.

    “This is due to the average number of passengers on aircraft to and from Lagos being 61.1 per cent, more than 10 passengers higher than average.

    “Similarly, Abuja accounted for 30.5 per cent of passengers, accounting for 24.4 per cent of aircraft.’’

    In the third quarter of 2016, the report stated that Lagos recorded a fall in the number of aircraft.

    “It recorded a fall in aircraft relative to the second quarter, of 13.8 per cent, to reach 14,097, before rebounding in the final quarter, growing by 9.9 per cent to reach 15,491.

    Consequently, the report stated that its share fell to 26.5 per cent in the third quarter from 27.8 per cent in the second, before rebounding to 28.4 per cent in the final quarter.

    “Abuja also recorded a decline in domestic aircraft movement in the third quarter; 12,593 aircraft moved through Abuja’s domestic airport compared to 13,682 in the second quarter, a drop of 9.2 per cent.

    “However, growth in the amount of domestic aircraft movement in the final quarter was smaller than for Lagos, at 1.4 per cent, resulting in 12,764 domestic aircraft to leave and arrive in Abuja in the final quarter,’’ the report  stated.

     

  • Edo Assembly reaffirms commitment to promotion of gender equality

    Edo Assembly reaffirms commitment to promotion of gender equality

    The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to continue to promote gender equality through the passage of laws that would protect the rights of women.

    The Speaker of the Assembly, Justin Okonoboh, made the promise during plenary to mark the 2017 international women’s day celebration in Benin.

    Okonoboh noted that the house had passed six bills that affected women and children.

    He listed the bills to include; a law to prohibit Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation, 1999. And law to make provision for the prohibition of inhuman treatment of widows, 2001.

    Others include; A law to amend the provisions of inhuman treatment of widow (prohibition) law, 2004 and law to provide protection against stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with (HIV/AIDS), 2006.

    He said the House also passed a law to protect the rights of the Child 2007 and a law to establish the Edo State Agency for the Control of Aids, 2009.

    Okonoboh said that the Gender Equality Opportunity Bill,2016 and a Bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life, prohibit all forms of violence against persons were pending.

    According to him, they are before various committees of the House.

    Mrs. Elizabeth Ativie, member representing (APC Uhunmwode) Constituency urged Gov. Godwin Obaseki to give top priority to 35 per cent affirmative action in his appointment across the state.

    The affirmative action seeks 35 per cent employment opportunity for women in governance.

     

  • The best of 2016 (I)

    The best of 2016 (I)

    They gave us so much. Amazing stunts, openness, responsibility, sincerity, new words and phrases, hope and more.

    Hit by the vicissitudes of these times – recession, Boko Haram, southern Kaduna, kidnapping and hunger – we are tempted to forget their roles in making 2016 a truly remarkable year. We shouldn’t. This being the season of recognitions and goodwill, it is fit and proper to honour all those compatriots of ours who went the extra mile to make the society better. They are our best.

    As protocol demands, we start from the top. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, the biggest casualty of the Brexit ignorance, looked good to carry the day when he gave us the phrase “fantastically corrupt”. It sparked a huge row that went on for days. Nigerians descended on Cameron for making such an uncomplimentary remark. The patriot in many a Nigerian was aroused. “Why call us corrupt when your U.K. is the receiver-in-chief of the proceeds of corruption? Isn’t this the worse hypocrisy anybody can think of?” many Nigerians grumbled to no one in particular even as everybody felt the depth of their anger. Some, the daring ones among the patriots, told the former P.M. bluntly: “Is it your money? What is your business in this? In fact, you must apologise to us.”

    With the uproar, it is a matter of great surprise that Mr. Cameron’s “fantastically corrupt” did not win the Phrase of the Year. Really? Not quite.  Aisha Buhari’s interview shocked many who never saw the critic in our affable First Lady. She said the administration had been hijacked by a cabal and warned that she might not support the President for another term should things continue the way they were.

    Many who had expected a civil war in the first family were disappointed when President Muhammadu Buhari dismissed it all with an amazing presidential jocularity. He said in far away Germany: “I don’t know which party my wife belongs to, but she belongs to my kitchen and my living room and the other room.” It was electrifying. Holidaying women rights activists, whose last known battle was fought and lost a few years ago when a distinguished senator insisted on marrying a minor, suddenly woke up. The President has offended women’s sensibility, they cried, demanding an apology. Needless to say, they got none as their voice was drowned in the euphoria that greeted the president’s salubrious sense of humour. Besides, the phrase “the other room” took on a life of its own, earning diverse interpretations, some of which I will not bother to repeat here, this being a family newspaper.

    Buhari’s “the other room”, without any fear of contradiction, is the Phrase of the Year. In fact, Mrs. Buhari’s interview easily qualifies for Interview of the Year, but for justice and equity, the first family will not be allowed to snatch away both trophies.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir David Lawal has been gravely troubled since senators levelled some allegations against him and demanded that the President give him the push. They said they were in possession of a petition alleging that Lawal awarded a contract to a company in which he had an interest. If they had left it at that, perhaps the matter would have just fizzled out like so many others, but his traducers peppered it all with the allegation that the contract, aforementioned, was to cut grass in Yobe – at N272.52m.

    No grass was cut, Yobe Information Commissioner Mohammed Lamin said, arming Lawal’s opponents, who are obviously envious of his success, with a lethal weapon to deal him a fatal blow. President Buhari ordered a probe and Lawal was forced to defend his integrity, as if he is just an ordinary civil servant. He said he had quit the affairs of the company that won the small contract and that his son was in charge. Didn’t United States President–elect Donald Trump announce recently that he was ceding his position in his companies to his sons and nobody raised any eyebrow? Not so here. He should show proof that he was not signing the company’s cheques even after stating that he had quit, the SGF’s incorrigible traducers yelled. The more Lawal explained his position, the worse the public perception of him got. His account in the bank of credibility, it seemed, was already in the red. Overdrawn.

    All is not lost. Didn’t the great bard say “sweet indeed are the uses of adversity?” The controversial contract has attracted the attention of the intelligentsia, with many researchers signing up for funds to have an academic excursion into what they have termed in popular lingo “contract without tears”. One, a professor of many years standing, I am told, is writing a book on “the grass-to-grace story of the grass cutter of Abuja”. His grass cutter, according to reliable sources who have caught a rare glimpse of the first grade work, is not to be confused with the bush meat that has become a popular accompaniment to pounded yam in many homes in Ekiti.

    No doubt, this is the Contract of the Year.

    Not much was heard or known about All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman John Odigie-Oyegun, a chief and former governor, after he joined the June 12 struggle against the vicious dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha (of dreadful memory). He was in politics quite alright but he never really hit it big until prominent politicians of like minds joined forces to form the APC that kicked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of power. Oyegun, waving the banner of a democrat and an epitome of integrity, got vaulted into the powerful office of party chairman. Needless to say, he has done well for the party and – as some would argue- for himself.

    The APC was set to be announced the winner of the Kogi State governorship election when suddenly, its candidate, Abubakar Audu, died. Many thought his running mate, Abiodun Faleke, who had gone through thick and thin with him would be asked to step into his shoes. Oyegun found in that proposition neither logic nor sense and reason. He announced that a new candidate, Yahaya Bello, a fellow who had dumped the party and actively undermined it after losing the battle for its ticket, had been appointed.

    Those who felt Oyegun would stand by his party and insist that the election was over after the APC had in its kitty majority of the votes cast – which the rerun in a few places could not torpedo – were disappointed. “Is this the Oyegun we used to know? What has come upon the former NADECO chief?”

    The APC was plunged into turmoil. The sheep were in disarray as the shepherds tore at one another. The animosity was yet to subside when the Ondo State governorship election hit the scene. The primary was as acrimonious as a motor park union’s election. The delegates’ list was upturned and a new one surfaced on the eve of the primary. Those who were hurt did the right thing. They took their case to the party. No justice. Since then, there have been calls for Oyegun to go. Faced with such vociferous calls for his head, many a weak chairman would have chickened out, surrendered and claimed that they threw in the towel under duress. Not Oyegun.

    For clinging on tenaciously to his seat despite what is seen by his critics as his obvious misjudgments, which have bred so much bellicosity in the party, Oyegun is Chairman of the Year.

    Step forward Youth and Sports Minister Solomon Dalung. Those who are not his fans deride him as an unserious fellow who thinks a ministerial badge is a licence for executive tomfoolery. Some, without conceding to him his fundamental right to be cloaked as he likes, accuse him of dressing like a doorman. Others say his khaki and military police/ Boys Scout beret portray him as a new Civil Defence recruit or a Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) commander. I really don’t know.

    Despite the darts fired at him, Dalung carries on with remarkable sincerity. When Flying Eagles coach Samson Siasia took the team to Atlanta, United States of America (USA), which the minister erroneously referred to as United States of Nigeria, just before the Rio Olympics, Dalung declared them missing. Perhaps they would have remained missing but for this outcry. The team was eventually found. They arrived in Brazil in unpleasant circumstances and went on to shock the world by winning the bronze medal. An inconsiderate minister would have shunned this modest achievement. Not so Dalung. He let the world into the secret of the team’s success when he announced that his pep talks did the magic.

    The other day when the victorious Super Falcons staged a sit-in in their hotel to demand payment of arrears of allowances, the minister was quick to let the cat out of the bag. He confided in the public that the soccer authorities could not pay the girls, the defending champions who had won the Cup of Nations at least seven times, because they were never expected to win. What sincerity.

    When he faced the House of Representatives Committee on Sports recently, Dalung was as blunt and frank as ever. He told the lawmakers that the funds “spended” on the 2016 Olympics were “properly spended”. Some fellows who never see anything good in hard working government officials pounced on him.” Is he not a lawyer and a former university teacher?” they growled.

    Take a bow Dalung. For your frankness, which your critics deride as buffoonery, you have the Minister of the Year trophy.

    Other awards to follow shortly.

     

    …And one last word

    Dear reader, this is just to inform you that I won’t be attending the Donald Trump inauguration tomorrow because of my very tight schedule. See you in a fortnight.

  • Taraba: How it was in 2016

    Budgeting is a permanent feature of human economic and financial experience. At the level of the individual, it is the simple practice of trying to achieve a balance between income and expenditure. In the case of large institutions and governments, it is a much more complex and tasking venture. The budget is a very important economic blueprint which determines and guides the procedure for socio-economic development. It is also the means by which the people can hold their leaders to account. That is why those who think that budgeting and budget presentation in Nigeria is a mere annual ritual are wrong.

    It is also for this reason that every new budget presentation begins with a review of the performances of the immediate past one. This aspect of the annual budget presentation is important because it is an opportunity to render accounts. In Taraba State where Governor Darius Ishaku recently presented the 2017 Appropriation Bill to the state House of Assembly, the review of the 2016 budget performance particularly earned even far more accolades.

    One key feature of the 2016 budget and which Governor Ishaku spoke extensively about at the 2017 budget presentation was the Rescue Agenda, a people-centred initiative for the achievement of economic prosperity. The achievement and sustenance of peace and security is a critical aspect of that agenda. Year 2016 was a period of profound commitment to that objective. Governor Ishaku had promised that commitment as part of the economic objective of the 2016 budget in realisation that without peace, the Rescue Agenda – the socio-economic fulcrum of the administration’s blueprint for development – would be crippled.

    Ishaku spoke with pride of the remarkable progress that has been made in the attainment of peace and security. “You would agree with me Mr Speaker that my sincere commitment to the peaceful co-existence of all citizens of our dear state has seen to the remarkable departure from the near state of anarchy I met on assumption of office in May 2015.” He however acknowledged that occasional occurrences of security breaches are still being recorded in the state but noted that despite that, it was safe to say “that peace has finally returned to our land.”

    In the economic front, the drastic fall in revenue expectations adversely affected the general performance of the 2016 budget which stood at 43.27 percent. The percent performance for recurrent and capital expenditure as at September 2016 was 79.17 and 16.90 respectively. The low performance on the capital expenditure side was due to sharp declines in revenue but despite that unhealthy development, the administration was able to attend to key programmes with direct bearing on the welfare of the people.

    The year was one of tremendous circumspection in the management of state finances and Ishaku never compromised that culture which he is personally promoting. This greatly helped in the area of job creation and improvement of internally generated revenue through the production of high quality vegetables for local markets in Taraba and in other Nigerian towns and cities. Government was also able to sustain its funding of the Green House project in Jalingo and today, the project is about 50 percent completed.

    The health sector was a major area of attention in 2016 through the funding of major programmes. For example, the School of Nursing and Midwifery which had suspended its academic programmes for nearly 10 years resumed the training of nurses and midwifes again. More than 100 medical personnel representing the various cadres in the medical care sector were recruited and posted to health institutions across the state. Retired nurses and midwifes were also recalled back to work on contract basis as means of bridging the manpower deficit in the healthcare sector. In addition, more than N150 million was expended in the procurement of drugs for use in hospitals under the 2016 budget while the Primary Healthcare Development Agency was also established. This agency came on stream despite obvious financial constraints in the state because of the need to position the state to effectively handle health challenges that are common to children and women.

    In 2016, water projects enjoyed a big boost. Government ensured that the Jalingo primary water supply project was not derailed even in the face of the poor financial disposition of government. Assorted water treatment chemicals and high premium laboratory equipment were procured to ensure regular and quality water supple to the people. During the period, government also completed the drilling of 100 boreholes across rural areas in the state. Phase Two of that programme which will result in the drilling of 150 boreholes is also being planned.

    Electricity in rural areas was also a priority on the agenda of the government during the period. Transformers and other electrical and mechanical equipment required to boost and sustain power supply were procured and installed in Takum and Bali and several other rural communities in the state. The electricity power development programme is a back-up for government’s youth empowerment programme which has produced about 400 beneficiaries in tailoring, shoe making, soap making, wood works and carpentry. Improved power in rural areas is intended to help these young men and women to set up their own business outfits in their rural communities. The power projects pursued and completed in Bali, Kunini, Yakoko, Monkin, Kakulu and Bakin Duatse were all a product of this strategic thinking on the part of the Ishaku administration.

    Government’s commitment to roads construction was not in any way adversely affected even in the face of the obvious financial constraints. The determination to construct and rehabilitate roads in the state saw the government deploying scarce resources in that direction. This resulted in the huge progress made on the Phase One of Jalingo – Kona – Lau road which is now more than 65 percent completed. The road to Gembu, a major gateway to the Mambilla Plateau, was saved from total failure during the period. The failed portion at Lekitaba was promptly rehabilitated by contractors deployed to that site by Governor Ishaku.

    What was achieved in making travelling to and within the state easy and comfortable through roads development was also replicated in air transportation. The Jalingo Airport earlier rehabilitated by the government received more facilities to make it a lot more comfortable for its users. The current three flights a week arrangement facilitated by the Ishaku administration was sustained. There are also plans for the flights into Jalingo to become daily, beginning from January 2017.

    In 2016, dwindling revenue sources was a major constraint to government activities. This situation is not likely to change for the better in 2017. That means lack of funds may still affect government’s programmes for development. What, certainly, is not lacking is the political will and the sincerity of purpose on the part of the Ishaku administration. With that, the people of Taraba are assured of better days ahead as the implementation of the 2017 budget kicks off.

  • 2016: In life and death, art rules

    2016: In life and death, art rules

    Last year was a mixed grill for the art sector. The sector bubbled with exciting creative events across the country despite the economic downturn, but it mourned some of its own. EVELYN OSAGIE reviews happenings in the scene in the outgone year.

    January 2016 came with its drama. Nothing prepared the hearts of the arts sector players and enthusiasts for what was to come. Without time to prepare, recession came upon the citizenry, forcing all sorts of adjustments. But the arts, its players and art lovers would not be daunted.
    Due to the economic downturn, critics say but was a most trying period for the sector, yet the arts flourished. New art galleries were opened, even as a few were closed. Theatre and cinema flourished with some shows selling out.

    The fight
    The year began with a shocker when a prominent member of the Lagos art community, performance artist Jelili Atiku was arrested by the police on Monday, January 18 and hurriedly arraigned and remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison for three days. He was accused of conspiring with Fatai Oluwa, Lasis Muraina, Adede Goloba and Monsurat Fasola to commit felony – public disturbance – with his performance on January 14 along Ifoshi Road, Ejigbo.
    The arts community went on rampage, with the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA). It petitioned Lagos State Governor Akinwumi Ambode over the detention and harassment of the artist. He was released on bail on Wednesday, January 20. At the end of his travail, Jelili urged “the local, state and Federal Government to look at issue of security in Nigeria”.
    As the arts community was about breathing a sigh of relief, the Artists’Village within the premises of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos was ‘attacked’. This time, the space, known for its rich creativity, was demolished, following an alleged directive from the National Arts Theatre General Manager, Kabiru Yusuf, on Saturday, January 23.
    Again, the community protested the matter. Led by the Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, they called for investigation into the demolition.
    He urged the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to look into the problems of the affected residents, their damaged properties and provide temporary accommodation for artists whose structures had been demolished pending compensation for the artists and rebuilding of such structures.
    Soyinka urged that the displaced artists and their works be relocated to the vacant offices of the National Film Corporation (NFC) and the Centre for Black Arts and Africa Civilisation (CBAAC) at the National Theatre.

    The arts blast
    However, January was not all about protests. Arts flourished despite the biting recession. More than any other year, the events calendar of Goethe-Institut Nigeria was packed with programmes across genres as diverse as video and sound art, spoken word and performance art, electronic music and graphic novels. And the turnout was just as much. It began the year with a spoken word advocacy event, marking the 16th International Literature Festival in Berlin.
    The event, put together by AJ House of Poetry, Goethe-Institut Nigeria, PEN International and other literary platforms in Nigeria, was also part of the worldwide reading for poet and art curator Ashraf Fayadh facing execution in Saudi Arabia for exercising the freedom he found in his art. It held at Freedom Park, Lagos. The event opened Institut to many more throughout the year, such as literary crossroads.
    The British Council was not left out. It began the year with its Lagos Theatre Festival founded in 2013. It had 109 shows, 35 companies and 5,500 theatre goers in attendance. The festival was part of the British Council UK-Nigeria 2015/16 season. The council also held a performance project, Acting Together, supporting communities across the North and the Niger Delta, such as Yinka Shonibare, iconic Wind Sculpture Victoria Island in Lagos and Laura Aldridge’s textile workshop and installation of ceramic vessels in Abuja, entitled: Go Woman Go!
    The visual artist had a flourishing year as diverse exhibitions by established and newcomers held across the country. Lagos had a major share. Victor Ehikhamenor made a comeback with his Infinite Treasures II in Terrakulture. Omenka gallery and Nike Art gallery also had their feel.
    2016 was an eventful year for QDance Center. Founded by celebrated Nigerian dancer and choreographer Qudus Onikeku, held master classes, dance/photo exhibitions and a command performance. Onikeku’s dance creation, We Almost Forgot, first premiered in Berlin, and later in Lagos and Abuja. It featured six dancers and an actress from six countries (Nigeria, Gabon, Morocco, Algeria, Madagascar France).
    As part of activities commemorating Lagos State’s golden jubilee on May 27, 1967, tagged: LAGOS@50, the Vision of the Child (VoTC) literary and painting arts competition was used to begin its chain of artistic events. With the theme, Sisi-Eko@50: Ageing gracefully? Or Na So-So Pancake?, the 2016 edition featured pupils from 200 public and private schools (primary and secondary). The anniversary continues as Lagos Under The Lens (50 Films about Lagos). It will hold every Monday till May, this year.
    Former Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education Prof Hope Eghagha and University of Lagos (UNILAG) don presented his long-awaited biography of his kidnap.

    Birthdays and awards
    Acclaimed thespian Taiwo Ajai-Lycett rolled out the party drums to celebrate her 75th birthday. She unveiled her book Just Sharing at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos. The event was graced by dignitaries, such as Chief Olusegun Osoba, Mrs Francesca Emanuel, Mrs Iretiola Doyle and Mr Tunde Kelani, and Ambassador Folake Marcus Bello.
    Last year, Soyinka clocked 82. The organisers of Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) marked his birthday a colloquium and an exhibition at his country home in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
    The ancient town of Iseyin, Oyo State, was agog when Soyinka visited it. The Nobel laurate was there for the Ebedi International Writers Residency. At the event, the administrators of the residence honoured Soyinka and three other iconic writers by naming its rooms after them.
    Soyinka not only unveiled the plaques for the rooms but instituted an exchange programme between Ebedi and the Wole Soyinka Residency in Abeokuta.
    The “publisher of publishers”, Chief Joop Berkhout, celebrated his 50 years of publishing. It was organised by the Centre for International Advanced and Professional Studies (CIAPS) in Lagos.
    The “Bariga boy” Segun Adefila turned 44 last year. The founder of Crown Troupe was celebrated by the art community with cerebral and theatrical events.
    The Committee of Relevant Arts (CORA) held its 25th anniversary. With the theme, 25 Years of Culture Advocacy: What gains? What prospects?, the art community thronged out in their numbers to celebrate its contributions to the development of the sector.
    Nigeria’s Broadway-like musical drama, Wakaa! The Musical, toured London last year. The Bolanle Austen-Peters Production has landed a slot in London’s world-class theatre district, and became the first Nigerian musical to make it to the Shaw Theatre in the British capital.
    Abubakar Adam Ibrahim won last year’s $100, 000 Nigeria Prize for Literature sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG). His novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms, emerged winner from a total 172 entries received for the contest.

    The sector mourn its own
    The news of the death of the literary icon Capt. Elechi Amadi (rtd.) came as a big blow to the art community. He died at 82 on June 29 and was laid to rest at his family compound in Aluu, Rivers State, on December 3. Several activities were held in his honour.
    And by September 4, the world woke up to the death of award-winning novelist and one of the pioneers of oral literature Prof. Isidore Okpewho. He was buried at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Hanover, New Jersey, United States on Saturday, September 17.
    As if on rampage, the wicked hands of death took away the son of the late Saro-Wiwa, Kenule Bornale Saro-Wiwa Jr on October 21. He reportedly died after a heart attack, and was buried on November 11, in Bletchingley, London.
    Death also visited the family of foremost novelist and traditional ruler, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, and took way his son Prince Osita. He was 54. He reportedly died of asthma attack on December 17.

    Festivals
    Besides, exhibitions, book presentation, recognitions, anniversaries and deaths, diverse artistic festival held last year. Renowned writer Ngugi Wa Thiong’o made Nigeria’s headlines when he visited the ancient city of Abeokuta to attend the Ake Arts and Book Festival. Ngugi feasted with other younger renowned writers, such as Okey Ndibe,Alain Mabanckou, Helon Habila, Laila Lalami, Petina Gappah, Teju Cole and others, at the festival.
    Last year’s edition of the Lagos State Book and Art Festival (LABAF) by the CORA was in honour of the 20th anniversary of the death of Ken Saro Wiwa. It had as theme, The Terror of Knowledge.
    The sixth edition of Lights Camera Africa!!! Film Festival held in Lagos, and the seventh edition of the Eko International Film Festival screened 30 films. Last year, the festival’s founder, Mr Hope Okpara partnered the US Department of State using film as a tool for change and for youth empowerment.
    And in Enugu, the Life in My City (LIMCAF) held with over N3 million worth of prizes won. It is the largest gathering of young artists, patrons, scholars, gallery owners and other stakeholders in the visual arts in Nigeria.
    The poets were not left out. From Night of the Spoken Word in Abuja, Dike Chukwumerije’s travelling poetic cum musical drama entitled: Made In Nigeria to the Lagos International Poetry Festival, the performance poets kept their voices and the stage alive.
    As 2017 begins, no doubt the sector holds promise for key-players and enthusiats.

  • Tourism landscape in 2016

    Tourism landscape in 2016

    NIGERIA has always been seen as a land with huge tourism potential both in the area of eco-tourism and cultural tourism. While some see the huge eco-tourism assets as the way forward, many believe the country’s diverse and rich culture is an area that the country has huge potential and as such should be developed.

    However, 2016, especially at the beginning, saw little or no activities. The country missed many of the international fora through which it had in the past showcased its tourism assets to the international community.

    In many events, such as FITUR in Spain (January), ITB-Berlin (March) and many others, Nigeria was conspicuously missing. It was as if the tourism industry was on a downward spiral. The industry in the first quarter of the year was comatose until the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, decided to call a stakeholders’ summit in Abuja.

    National Summit on Tourism and Culture

    Mohammed said the summit was designed to explore all the various opportunities in tourism sector to improve the economy. He said the change mantra of the Federal Government could only be sustained, if culture and tourism provided needed drives.

    He said: “We want to turn adversity into sustainable fortune by tapping our national cultural heritage and tourism.”

    Mohammed said the challenge before the country was to work out long-term strategies to develop the country’s culture and tourism sectors and move them into the mainstream of the economy, “while not failing to design ways and means of plucking some low-hanging ‘fruits’ along the way.”

    The President, represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Okechukwu Enelamah, promised to encourage public and private sector participation and partnership in all the desired areas of transportation, beach and resort development and other tourism sub-sectors as a deliberate effort to develop tourism as a catalyst for economic growth and diversification of the economy.

    “Tourism, therefore, is a resource of development and means of providing an additional opportunity for a non-industrialised country like ours, to diversify its economic base for the betterment of all,” he said.

    Akwaaba 2016: Problem with aviation in West Africa

    11th edition of the Akwaaba Travel Fair was held in Lagos. The fair,which has become the prime tourism event for West Africa, had more than 15 countries in attendance. The high point was the discussion segment that discussed issues affecting the travel and tourism industry in Nigeria and West Africa at large. Aviation experts, which included Mr. Yomi Jones, Mr. Femi Adefowope, Mr. Dapo Olumide, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, former  Managing Director, Virgin Nigeria, identified the problems affecting the growth of the aviation industry in Nigeria and Africa and why airlines failed.

    Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Ropeways Transport and former Managing Director of Virgin Nigeria Airlines, Captain Dapo, said lack of good corporate governance and ethics was the major reason why African airlines failed in Nigeria and Africa.

    Olumide observed  that the ownership structure of the airlines was another factor. He said “the owner appoints family members as directors instead of independent directors who are experienced in aviation business”.

    He stressed the need for airline operators to have the right aircraft in their operation.

    According to him, it does not make economic sense in deploying big aircraft instead of a small one on a route with less passenger traffic.

    He observed that the business plans must be right, adding that in most cases the airlines business plans are always wrong.

    Olumide identified the problem of maintenance where there are no maintenance facilities in the country to carry out major repairs and overhaul on aircraft as another problem facing the industry in the country..

    Hotel standardisation by SON

    A major feat towards the regulation and standardisation of hospitality business in Nigeria was achieved by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria as its National Mirror Committee (NMC) on Tourism and related activities has successfully completed work on the first ever national framework on standards of Nigerian hotels which is expected to form the baseline for the grading and classification of hotels in the country once approved.

    The National Mirror Committee was inaugurated by SON in April this year in Lagos with the mandate to review and adopt the International Standard Organisation (ISO/T228) and Africa Organisation for Standardisation set up by ECOWAS in accordance with international best practices for use in the tourism industry.

    Three other documents, which are meant for use in the Nigerian tourism industry, were also presented and adopted by the committee making it four documents that were deliberated on and adopted.

    Speaking on this development, Mrs. Chika Balogun, the head of the committee, said it had great import for tourism, as it would further boost the image of the country, inspire confidence in investors, encourage more investment and create jobs and wealth for the country.

    “This would attract the Direct Foreign Investment (FDI), local and regional investments, to the country and the tourism industry because it would not put their money where they are not sure, but with such an important document as standards for hotels, it would boost the confidence of investors to now trust the industry and invest in it because it has now become more reliable and respected as there are now standards of operation to guide operators and investors,” Balogun said.

    Removal of NTDC Director General

    The end of November saw the disengagement of the former Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Director General, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo. In the letter signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachir Lawal, her two-year tenure was said to have elapsed. She was instructed to hand over to the most senior civil servant in her parastatal.

  • 2016 set to become warmest ever

    THIS year looks poised to be the warmest year on record globally, according to preliminary data.

    With data from just the first nine months, scientists are 90% certain that 2016 will pass the mark set by 2015.

    Temperatures from January to September were 1.2C above pre-industrial levels, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

    The body says temperatures should remain high enough for the rest of the year to break the previous record.

    El Nino has had an impact, but the most significant factor driving temperatures up continues to be CO2 emissions.

    The provisional statement on the status of the global climate in 2016 has been released early this year to help inform negotiators meeting in Morocco, who are trying to push forward with the Paris Climate Agreement.

    The document says the year to September was 0.88 above the average for the period between 1961-90, which the WMO uses at its baseline.

    The whole of 2015, which broke the previous record by a significant amount, was 0.77 above the 1961-90 averag

    While there are still a couple of months to go this year, a preliminary analysis of the October data indicates that 2016 is very much on track to surpass the 2015 level, which in turn broke the previous high mark set in 2014.

    “Another year. Another record. The high temperatures we saw in 2015 are set to be beaten in 2016,” said WMO secretary-general Petteri Taalas.

    “In parts of Arctic Russia, temperatures were 6C to 7C above the long-term average. Many other Arctic and sub-Arctic regions in Russia, Alaska and north-west Canada were at least 3C above average. We are used to measuring temperature records in fractions of a degree, and so this is different,” said Mr Taalas.

    The report highlights the fact that other long-term climate change indicators are also breaking records. The amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere continued on its upward march in 2016.

    Arctic sea ice continued to melt in significant amounts, while the Greenland ice sheet displayed very early melting this year.

    Experts believe that the El Nino weather phenomenon played a role in the record warm temperatures seen in 2015 and 2016.

    They quantify it as roughly 0.2 of a degree – but the bulk of the warming is coming from the accumulation of greenhouse gases. And the impacts of that warming are being widely felt.

    “Because of climate change, the occurrence and impact of extreme events has risen,” said Petteri Taalas.

    “‘Once in a generation’ heatwaves and flooding are becoming more regular. Sea level rise has increased exposure to storm surges associated with tropical cyclones,” he said.

    The surprise election of Donald Trump as president of the US has increased expectations that he will bring a more sceptical view of climate change to the White House.

    Scientists are stressing that the evidence for the reality of climate change is getting stronger all the time.

    “We are seeing the impacts of climate change on extreme weather,” said Dr Peter Stott, who leads the climate attribution team at the UK Met Office.

    “One degree may sound a relatively small number but in the context of such a stable climate that we’ve had over the past millennia, and the rapidity of that warming, we are seeing this real world evidence that doesn’t come from a model or a projection.”

    According to the WMO analysis, 16 of the 17 warmest years have been recorded this century. The only exception was 1998.

  • AFRIMA 2016: AFRICAN STARS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO MANU DIBANGO, KSA, PAPA WEMBA

    AFRICAN music stars will perform to honour three of Africa’s renowned music legends, Manu Dibango, King Sunny Ade and Papa Wemba, at this year’s All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, on Sunday, November 6 at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos.

    In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, and the support of the Official Host City, Lagos State, AFRIMA 2016 grand awards ceremony is preceded by The AFRIMA Music Village on Friday November 4, 2016, a non-stop music concert with over 40 African artistes performing live at the Waterfront, Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    “Contemporary African stars will be pledging their loyalty to these grassroot legends of African music to show the beauty of their music through outstanding performances on stage during the AFRIMA awards,” said President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada, describing the three music icons as the ‘voices of African music and the epitome of Africanness.’

    “It is also a means of showing the younger generation that they can connect to music made by older generations of artistes and use this to unite the world through music.”

    Some of the top African artistes billed to honour the legacy of the three African legends include: Kiss Daniel (Nigeria); Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania); Brymo (Nigeria); Wax Dey (Cameroon); Seyi Shay (Nigeria); FallyIpupa (DRC), YemiAlade (Nigeria); Victoria Kimani (Kenya); Tiwa Savage (Nigeria); Aramide (Nigeria); Niniola (Nigeria); YCee (Nigeria); TJAN (Nigeria) and Flavour (Nigeria) among others.

    Eighty two year-old Cameroonian saxophonist and vibraphone player Manu Dibango, nicknamed ‘The Lion of Cameroon’, is recognised for developing a music style fusing jazz, funk and traditional Cameroonian music. His song “Soul Makossa” has influenced several music hits, including Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin”, as well as his recording of that song with Akon, the Fugees’ “Cowboys”, and Rihanna’s “Don’t Stop the Music” and Comedian Eddie Murphy in his 1982 parody song “Boogie in your butt”.

    Artiste-in-Residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and two-time Grammy award nominee, known for his pioneering of modern world music.

    And Papa Wemba, the late iconic musician from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who died at age 67 on April 24, 2016 during a stage performance in Cote d’Ívoire, also pioneered a blend of African, Cuban and Western sounds which became one of Africa’s most popular music styles. Dubbed the ‘King of Rhumba Rock’, Papa Wemba was also a fashion icon who popularised the La Sape look and style through his musical group Viva la Musica, with whom he performed on stages throughout the world.

    Meanwhile, public voting continues on AFRIMA website.

  • Lagos Assembly re-orders 2016 Budget by N44.9b

    Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday re-ordered the 2016 budget by N44.9billion at the instance of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

    Details shows that re-ordering from Capital Expenditure is N21.9 billion, that of Recurrent Expenditure is N23b, totalling N44.9billion.

    Re-ordering were drawn from some Ministries, Department and Agencies MDAs, and pumped into other MDAs that needed funds for critical projects

    The total Capital Expenditure for the budget is now N404.3billion, Recurrent Expenditure, N258.2billion. bringing the total to N662.6 billion

    Ambode’s letter to the Assembly, requesting for the re-ordering was read  on September 6, It was passed to the House Committee on Economic Planning and Budget for scrutiny.

    In his letter, Ambode said  the re-ordering is to “enhance efficient delivery of services and world class infrastructure to the people of the state”.

    The objectives of the re-ordering as contained in the commitee’s report which was adopted by the House include: rehabilitation of hospitals; relocation of the Milke 12 Market; continuous delivery of light-up Lagos initiative; up-scaling of road construction and rehabilitation to ensure connectivity; maintaining fiscal strategy and sustaining expenditure profiles, improving capital expenditure ratio to 61:39 from from its present 50:50, completion of the first phase re-modelling of the Emergency Response System an upgrading of facilities at Cappa and Ikeja Command centres.

  • OTHER TIFF AWARDS 2016 WINNERS :

    • Short Cuts Award for Best Canadian Short Film: Alexandre Dostie’s Mutants
    • Short Cuts Award for Best Short Film: Raymund Ribay Gutierrez’s Imago
    • City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film: Johnny Ma’s Old Stone
    • Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film: Mathieu Denis and Simon Lavoie’s Those Who Make Revolution Halfway Only Dig Their Own Graves
    • FIPRESCI Special Presentations Prize: Feng Xiaogang’s I Am Not Madame Bovary
    • NETPAC Award for World or International Asian Film Premiere: Maysaloun Hamoud’s In Between
    • Grolsch People’s Choice Midnight Madness Award: Ben Wheatley’s Free Fire
    • Grolsch People’s Choice Documentary Award: Raoul Peck’s I Am Not Your Negro
    • Dropbox Discovery Programme Filmmakers Award: Yanillys Perez’s Jeffrey.