The Nation Newspaper

Tag: arts

  • Yabatech acquires software for detecting plagiarism

    The Governing Council of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) on Wednesday said it had acquired a world-class security software capable of detecting any act of plagiarism in write-ups submitted by students and lecturers.

    Mr Lateef Fagbemi, Chairman, Governing Council of the college stated this at the 11th International Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Management and Social Sciences (iSTEAMS) Conference in Lagos.

    Fagbemi spoke on “Plagiarism and Its Legal Implications Within Academic Environments: Consequences On The Institutions And Offender”.

    The three-day conference organised by the Research Nexus Africa Network, in collaboration with the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ends on June 29.

    Fagbemi said the software would detect the slightest act of plagiarism and copyright.

    According to him, with the software, the college is confident that products, are now better secured and their final works, much more reassuring.

    He said the conference was apt as it brings to the front burner, the unfortunate situation of plagiarism.

    “Educational institutions must step up the quality control mechanisms and academic papers submitted by writers must be thoroughly checked to detect a possibility of plagiarism.

    “Yabatech has now acquired world-class security software that can detect even the slightest act of plagiarism in write-ups submitted by our students and lecturers.

    “This is where the deployment of technology comes in.

    “Relevant software must be acquired by our institutions to detect any possible case of plagiarism and be able to nip it in the bud,’’ he said.

    Fagbemi further remarked that plagiarism was prevalent, not only in tertiary institutions but also in science, journalism, literature, film creation and other areas.

    He said that in the academic and intellectual industry, plagiarism was a serious ethical offence.

    According to him, plagiarism cases could be detected even in works of famous writers, songs, filmmakers, philosopher, scientist, and public workers, among others.

    “Plagiarism is not in itself a crime, but can constitute copyright infringement.’’

    Fagbemi recommended that institutions must step-up the quality control mechanisms, while government must set up legislative intervention in curbing the problem of plagiarism.

    “ Our laws must be re-jigged to cater for the menace as a specific problem.

    “A specific problem deserves a special and deliberate solution.

    “The legislature must promulgate laws that specifically and pointedly address plagiarism, and all its variance, taking it away from the adaptation of the copyright laws, under which it is currently treated.’’

    Also speaking, Dr Obafemi Bank-Olemoh, Leadership/Business Intelligence expert at Caleb Business School, Lagos urged the Federal Government to develop the human resource capital to achieve industrialisation.

    Bank-Olemoh said the three tiers of government needed to re-access and reinforce the implementation of Technical and Vocational Education (TVE) policies.

    He spoke in a paper titled: “Nigeria’s Industrialisation Drive cannot succeed if not anchored on the Investment and Development of Human Resource Capital; particularly on Technical Vocational Education (TVE)”.

    He said the success of Free Trade Zones hinged on addressing infrastructure deficit by appropriate funding.

    He noted that sustainability of Nigerian Industrial Zones could not be achieved if the expatriate quota abuse is not controlled.

    According to him, the integration system pathway should be adopted to bring together TVE curriculum, academic and applied curriculum, the labour market demands, institutions and the society at large.

    “The focus now should be on the development of a viable natural system of a vocational and technical education programme that will have easy access and exit learning pathways.

    “It must be validated by accredited learning that will lead to work or continued progress along another learning pathway.

    “This will help ginger youths and adults to see TVE as challenging and worthwhile,’’ he said.

    Mr Obafemi Omokungbe, Rector, Yabatech commended iSTEAMS for organising the conference and urged participants to be active in all sessions.

  • Lalong pledges continuous support to arts, culture

    Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has pledged his administration’s continuous support to arts and culture to boost tourism.

    The governor made the pledge yesterday while opening the Nigerian Universities Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF) 2018 at the Plateau State University (PLASU), Bokkos.

    Lalong described hosting of festival as a vivid testimony that peace has returned to Plateau.

    He said: “NUTAF 2018 holding in Plateau is a great and vivid testimony that peace has returned to the state. Plateau is now on the threshold of progress as it looks towards achieving the desired economic growth and development.”

    The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Yakubu Dati, said the festival’s theme: “Building Bridges”, was apt to the state with its security challenges.

    Lalong, who hoped that new and great talents would be discovered at the festival, urged participating universities to visit the state’s tourism sites to create a lasting memory.

    The Vice Chancellor, Prof Yohana Izam, thanked NUTAF’s Board of Trustees for making the university proud for being the first state university to host the festival.

    He noted that the festival has helped to build bridges across Nigeria with different universities doing the nation proud in relationship.

    Izam pledged the school’s commitment at building an indoor theatre for such a historic and memorable event.

  • Arts more lucrative than corporate jobs, says KVO

    Burgeoning Afro-fusion artiste Kelvin Oladiran better known as KVO is a singer and a photographer who has his sights on cinematography. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, the unsigned artiste who has four singles out recently released an EP titled ‘Sigh’.

    In a recent chat with The Nation, the artiste said he was greatly influenced by the likes of Burnaboy and American artiste TY Dolla Sign.

    Commenting on his path to music, the artiste said; “Growing up an only child with my single mother allowed me understand myself quite well. I found out how creative I was quite early; from singing in the choir at age seven to doing some work as a backup artiste and learning the fundamentals of digital recording.”

    Speaking on the limitations he has faced, the artiste remarked: “Convincing my mum that the path I have chosen is the right one was the hardest of tasks because she naturally believed that being a doctor or lawyer would be a better option for her only son. Another factor is the fact that pushing good music is difficult in Nigeria if it is not danceable.

    “I hope to build a large fan base soon enough that will allow me put out more music with the assurance that it will be heard by a lot of people.”

    He expressed no regrets at pursuing a career in the arts, saying that it was more lucrative than any corporate job.

  • Fusion of real estate, interior, arts

    Fusion of real estate, interior, arts

    It was all about luxury when Luxury Villas Group (LVG)  gathered stakeholders at the Civic Centre Towers, Victoria Island, Lagos for its exhibition.

    The three-part event featured an exhibition, conference and a magazine launch. Tagged: Fusion of real estate, interior and arts had a gallery of Nigerian art masterpieces, by the renowned curator, Oliver Enwonwu, Director, Omenka Gallery.

    Other artists whose works were on display included accomplished portraitist Kolade Oshinowo, expressive sculptor Francis Uduh, mythology-driven Bruce Onobrakpeya, Ben Enwonwu and folkloric narrative painter Tola Wewe.

    Why a fusion of the three  luxurious things? “It’s a novel idea I conceived after closely observing the real estate industry,”said Tommy Odama J.Z., the founder/Chief Executive Officer of Luxury Villas Group.

    He added: “As a luxury realtor, I realised that masterful and luxurious homes are never complete without art. I, therefore, set out to explore the dynamic and beautiful relationship between these two.”

    Mr. Gbenga Oyebode, (SAN), who opened the exhibition tagged it “colourful”. He said: “It is critical in our nation’s history as it signifies the revival of the arts. Today, we see all parts of the arts fused here: literature, fine arts and design.’’

    Mr. Solomon Ikhioda, the Chief Creative Strategist of R Insight Redefini, said the event is a turning point for the real estate sector and “it will inspire more innovations”. Emmanuel Omoniyi Taiwo, the Art Advisor  to Nayajo Gallery, said the event came at a good time and that he was getting to know about the LVG brands for the first time through the event.

    The exhibition was followed by a conference, which keynote address was delivered by Mr. Mustafa Chike Obi, the former CEO/MD of AMCOM Inc. He spoke on the theme: “Next frontiers: Building tomorrow’s masterpieces”.

    Other speakers were Mrs. Agatha Eric-Udorie, CEO, Agatha Interior Designs and Mr. Azu Nwagbogu, founder, African Artists’ Foundation.

    The highlight of the event was the gala night, where the Luxury Villas Group launched its Villas & Leisure, a real estate, luxury and lifestyle magazine, reviewed by Mrs Titi Ogunfere, president, Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) and Creative Director of Essential Interiors.

    “The Villas & Leisure magazine is full of beautifully written contents cutting across architecture, interior decor, real estate and luxury. They did a fantastic job putting it together. I was part of it,”she said.

    The event ended with a cocktail and networking. Nigerian OAP and TV presenter, Stephanie Coker, compered the event with air of class and style, impressing guests with, not only her sense of humour, but also her Lisa-Folawiyo-designed dress.

    A lady violinist got guests giggling to her sonorous sonatas.

  • Oando backs Nigerian creative arts industry

    Oando backs Nigerian creative arts industry

    •Oil firm promotes Lagos Photo Festival 

    Nigeria’s leading indigenous oil and gas company Oando Plc has continued to set the pace for other firms in the area of partnerships and support for Nigerian creative arts industry.

    The company recently partnered with the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) to promote African art as well as socio-economic diversification through the month long Lagos Photo Festival.

    The oil and gas firm’s backing was informed by lack of support for the nation’s creative sector, specifically tourism, culture and arts over the last three decades, owing to the fact that the area has not been considered a key contributor to the economy.

    The creative sector, Oando Plc said, contributes generously to the foreign exchange earnings of many countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania and the UAE.

    Unfortunately in Nigeria, the sector contributes less than 1.5 per cent to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it added.

    However, Oando noted that the recession witnessed by oil dependent economies has awakened the country to the benefits and need for a diversified economy.

    With Nigeria successfully exiting the recession in September, the Federal Government is implementing initiatives in partnership with the private sector aimed at diversifying the economy.

    The Lagos Photo Festival, which held its grand opening at the company’s state of the art head office, Oando Wings Office Complex on November 25, will run till December 15 across various indoor and outdoor locations.

    The grand opening included a well-curated selection of over 31 of the most talented African artists, including the New York Times portfolio review finalist, Elo Osunde & Kadara Enyeasi among others.

    The festival aims to engage the public with multifaceted stories of Africa through exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions and large scale outdoor prints displayed throughout Lagos.

    Oando, in 2011, set up its independent charity – Oando Foundation – with the aim of ensuring that children in public primary schools have access to quality education.

    Through the foundation’s work, the company is actively supporting the Federal Government in realising its education development goals.  Today, Oando Foundation has successfully reduced the number of out-of-school children, adopted and renovated over 80 public primary schools across 23 states in Nigeria and impacted the lives of over 200,000 students.

    More recently, Oando joined its JV partners (NNPC and Nigeria Agip Oil Company, NAOC) to champion the Green Rivers Project (GRP) / Farmers Day, a celebration aimed at promoting the importance of agriculture in spearheading the socio-economic development and economic diversification of the country, particularly in the Niger Delta.

    Calling on for more support of the creative arts, Head, Corporate Communications, Oando PLC Alero Balogun said: “For Nigeria to achieve its economic diversification objective, the principle of subsidiarity must apply.

    “The private sector must acknowledge that the government cannot do it all and we owe it to the country we operate in to create a positive and lasting contribution.”

  • Catching them young with arts

    Catching them young with arts

    It was a banquet of artistic activities at Marywood Girls College, Ebute Metta (West), Lagos State when it held its art exhibition. The event came alive with a showcase of various arts: drawings, paintings, fashion, dance, choreography and display of tye and dye, among others

    The pupils showed creativity and innovation while displaying their artworks, as some thrilled guests with their dance and dramatic performance. The fashion show was also a delight. Set like a professional show, the models walked down the red carpet in diverse lovely Ankara designs, among other trappings.

    The art exhibition, which was the highlight of the day, was equally captivating. Displaying great talents in drawings, paintings, and tye and dye, the pupils came up with creative designs, which many of the guests bought.

    The work of a Senior Secondary School Three (Art) pupil, Serah Song, was quite outstanding. While noting that “art work can be used to change the society for good”, young Serah said her work, entitled: “Mothers pride”, took her five days to complete, having made some research online.

    “God inspired me to come up with the design, after which I made more research online. The message I am passing across with the art is that people living in poor society, still have a lot to offer the society. Children from such communities can still become the pride of the nation,” she said.

    For Amarachi Iroabuchi, a Junior Secondary School Three pupil, “arts can be used to identify problems and fix the solutions”. Hear the budding artist:  “The solutions to the problems of our nation, including child abuse, robbery, kidnapping and domestic violence, can be drawn with a view to correct the situation.” Like Serah, her work caught the eyes of guests, even as an SSTwo pupil, Boluwatife Olabanji, shocked all by making 18 tye and dye cloths, which were showcased at the exhibition.

    “My passion for fashion and desire for it since my younger days made it easy for me to complete the work,” explained Boluwatife.

    The school’s administrator, Rev Sister Catherine Ologunagbassi, said, the arts displayed by the pupils were meant to impact on the society. Introducing children to the Arts early in life, she said, enables them to have a critical mind and contribute to the society.

    She, therefore, urged parents to nurture the creative gifts in the children. “Parents should support their children: having discovered their gift, they should allow them be who they want to be, provide all that they need to actualise their dreams and encourage them to take their skills to the next level.”

    She affirmed that children in the arts cannot deviate from the other school subjects, noting that the school has structure in place to ensure the pupils do all other subjects they are required to.

    She also charged the government and private sector to support and encourage the children with art skills, noting that it would enable them move to greater heights.

    The Chairman, Dr Kunle Filani also enjoined parents to encourage their children in arts.

    “When a child shows interest in creativity, they should be encouraged, because people make the best use of what they love doing and that is where they can triumph. Parents and students must understand the career opportunities, so that children can decide to do what they like doing.

    “Often times because of lack of adequate understanding of the discipline, parents find it difficult to encourage their children to pursue career in the arts. No one can do without arts in our daily activities. Our clothes, shoes, cars and phones are within the creative skills in the art industry. Art is beyond paper and pencil. Whatever discipline you want to settle for, if you have artistic ability, you are likely to be a better person, because your senses of observation, creativity, and competitive skills, combined with your aesthetic ability will help you have an edge.”

    He encouraged the pupils to continue in the line of creativity, be it in the theatre, visual or poetry, adding that parents should support and follow their children’s career.

    Chief Executive Officer, Tabernacle of Talents, Miss Abiola Ajao, observed that God has deposited talents in every man to be of benefit to humanity. According to her, gift is for God, the child, their parents and to serve others.

     

  • Student filmmaker promotes arts, journalism in ‘Hidden’

    Student filmmaker promotes arts, journalism in ‘Hidden’

    AN undergraduate of National Film Institute, Jos, Agbo Kelly, is set to begin his journey into Nollywood, the Nigerian motion picture industry; but he must thread the road less travelled with his first feature film, ‘Hidden’.
    As important as journalism is to the nation’s polity, Agbo noted, it is rarely celebrated through the medium of film.
    “I made this film with my team of few,” he told The Nation, explaining that ‘Hidden’ is an “untold story based on true event that happened in the North-Central (Kaduna), where I was born.”
    According to Agbo, “This movie is made to promote art, celebrate history and journalism, and to always encourage good over evil, love over hate, and unity over disunity.”

    Scene from Hidden

    ‘Hidden’, he said, tells the story of “Amina, an investigative journalist who refuses to be compromised by the corrupt influences that target her. She remains steadfast along the ideals of freedom of speech and justice advocacy… Amina’s resolve, and will to survive is tested as she soon finds herself trapped inside a well in a dreaded forest; with a broken leg and a cracked rib to contend with. She must rely on her best skills to survive…”
    With a Facebook page named #Hidden#, teaser and behind the scene photos already on social media, the filmmaker has begun the first stage of promotions for the film, to be released soon.
    “I trust that people will like it. I am also trusting it will contribute towards a greater change especially to Nollywood,” he said.

  • ‘Arts, culture can earn huge revenue’

    ‘Arts, culture can earn huge revenue’

    Developing Nigeria’s Arts and Cultural heritage can generate huge revenue, says Permanent Secretary of Lagos State, Ministry of Education Mr Adesina Odeyemi.

    He spoke at the Festival of Arts and Culture for schools. The theme was: ‘Bringing the past into the present and the future.’

    Odeyemi noted that the programme was intended to remind Nigerians, especially the young ones, the culture as a people, sustaining and growing same to international standard and earning revenue from it.

    “The peculiarity of cultures makes them attractive to people outside that cultural group and your knowledge of the artistry that makes the culture can be a veritable source of revenue to you. As the saying goes, you can’t sell ice to the Eskimo. What attracts people is what is strange to them not what they grew up with and that is what drives tourism.

    Odeyemi admonished students to use their artistry talents to bear positively on the growth of the nation’s culture. He told them to introduce new initiatives that would result in rebranding and attracting patronage of both local and foreign tourism,” he said.

    Odeyemi underscored the need for the young ones to learn about their culture in order to preserve it and also exploit their talents in the arts to earn a living.

    “I charge you all therefore to develop your talents beyond the raw knowledge you have now and you will see yourselves not only being self -employed but an employer of labour. However, that should not becloud your quest for academic excellence because your education will come handy in everything you do,” he said.

    The programme was a climax of colourful presentations of dance drama, poetry recitation, and acrobatic display, among others which thrilled the dignitaries, teachers and pupils present.

    At the end of an exciting final, Education District IV emerged winner of the 2016 edition with the presentation Igbeyawo beating Education District VI which presented acrobatic display to second position, while Education District III emerged third with their Apala presentation. The winners received trophy each.

    Tutor-General/Permanent Secretary for Education District IV, Mrs Lola Are-Adegbite, said she was sure her district would win because of the level of preparation participants had ahead of the festival.

    “I feel really delighted and on top of the world.  I knew they would win because they have really been practising,” she said.

     

  • We’ll continue to promote excellence with arts, entertainment- Ambode

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday said his administration would continue to utilise the elements of arts, culture, entertainment, tourism and sports to showcase the potentials that abound in the State.

    The Governor, who spoke when he hosted members and nominees of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) to a cocktail at the Lagos House, Ikeja, said Lagos was fast emerging as the entertainment capital of Africa, saying that the State was honoured to be hosting the 2016 AFRIMA awards.

    ”As you already know, Lagos is a mega city with a vibrant artistic soul. Our aim as the entertainment capital of Africa is to continue to use arts, culture, entertainment, tourism and sports to promote excellence in our state.

    “This of course is the reason why we are hosting the AFRIMA awards this year and why we are always willing to open our doors to great and credible initiatives that align with our vision to be the foremost hub for tourism and entertainment in Africa,” the Governor said.

    Governor Ambode said he was impressed with the quality of performances exhibited by the artistes at the AFRIMA music village on Friday night, saying it was a good prelude to the main awards night.

    “I therefore thank the organizers and the AU delegate for this great initiative and for a job well done. More importantly, my hearty congratulations go to all the nominees. In Lagos, you are all winners and we promise to see you again,” he said.

    The event featured performances by several nominees and music stars from across the continent, including Naomi Mark, while fast rising comedian, Kehinde Peter Otolorin popularly known as Kenny Blaq thrilled the audience with rib cracking jokes.

  • AURODA: Nigeria arts exhibition holds in UK

    AURODA: Nigeria arts exhibition holds in UK

    An art exhibition by the Nigeria Arts Society UK entitled AURORA  is on in  London.

    The exhibition which commenced on October 13 will last till 29th. The work of seventeen artists are on display.

    According to the the President of the Society, Hassan Aliyu, the promotion of one’s cultural identity in a racially and culturally diverse society as the UK is of utmost importance in the wake of Brexit.

    AURORA according to him,  therefore highlights the spectrums of colour that constitute Britain today as well as the freshness and vibrancy Nigerian artists and Nigerian people in general bring to making Britain Great.