The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Evelyn Osagie

  • Missing kids dumped in church premises

    • Church calls for autopsy report of dead kids found inside a Nissan car on premises

    Following the case of the alleged missing dead kids dumped on its camp ground at Matogun, Olambe Ogun State, the Christ Crusaders’ Deliverance Ministry has called for an autopsy report on the matter to unravel the cause of the death of the two kids.

    It made the call on Wednesday at a briefing tagged: “Missing Dead Kids Dumped Inside Church’s Premises – Our True Story” that was held in the church headquarters in Akute, Ogun State, in response to media reports on the issue.

    Contrary to reports, the kids named Isaac Ayegbo (6) and Ayomide Innocent (4) were found dead inside a broken down Nissan car on the premises on the early hours of Tuesday, April 5, 2016, around 2.47 a.m. immediately after a vigil held at the camp.

    According to eyewitness report, the bodies were discovered inside abroken down Nissan carparkedalongside a Hyundai Coastal bus owned by the women wing of the church on the premisesby some church membersafter a vigil. The members, some eyewitnesses, who didn’t want their names in print, said, then raised alarm which attracted the attention of the pastor in charge, Babalola Olakunle.

    The church spokesperson, Pastor Yemi Adebisi, stated that on seeing the dead bodies the church wasted no time to inform the police on the incident. “We are not aware of how and when the corpses managed to get into the said vehicle. But immediately the pastor in charge was alerted of the issue,a call was put across to the Church General Overseer, Pastor Festus Adewole, at the Headquarter church located at River Bank Estate Akute to report the strange incidence, who also advised that they inform the police immediately.

    “The church pastorate at headquarters went to Ajunwon Police Station to lodge the complaint. However, they were referred to Agbado Police Station which was claimed to be the station within its jurisdiction. They and the pastor in charge went to Agbado Police Station to report the case. It was, however,that after reporting the case, Pastor Babalola was detained along with a member of the church; the security and the car owner Mr Adewale Babalola, a member of the church. They were refused bail and are still under detention,” Pastor Adebisi said.

    Adebisi told reporters that the campground which covers an expanse of about two acres of land has been in existence since 2004 as a Prayer Mountain for millions of worshippers cutting across various Christian denominations.

    “The vigil that was held that night at the premises is a regular routine of the church. Note that it was the church that reported the incidence to the police immediately the corpses were discovered. And this is because the church has no ulterior motive and was totally unaware of the origin of the said corpses,” he said.

    The church urged the police to release its detained members; while calling for the autopsy report asinvestigationscontinue.Speaking on the issue, the General Overseer, Pastor Adewole, said: “The Church is interested in the autopsy of case because that would reveal the true cause of the death of the two kids.We dissociate ourselves from such despicable acts; it was a calculated attempt of unscrupulous elements to drag the name of the church to the mud.

    “We asked that proper investigation be carried out without sentiments by law enforcement agency so that the culprits can be brought to book, bearing in mind that our mission as a church is to save lives and not to destroy.”

     

     

     

  • African writers celebrate Achebe in Ghana

    African writers celebrate Achebe in Ghana

    ‪‎African‪ writers across the world will converge in Accra, Ghana, on Friday to celebrate life and works of late Nigerian renowned African writer and humanist, Prof Chinua Achebe.

    With the theme, ‘Celebrating the life and works of Chinua Achebe: The Coming of Age of African Literature?’ the Pan African Writers’ Association (PAWA) is gathering the writers and scholars to examine in detail the contributions of the late literary icon to the development of literature in the continent, PAWA has said.

    The conference, which began yesterday with the performance of a play by another of Nigeria’s renowned literary icon, Femi Osofisan, will run till Sunday.

    Osofisan’s ‘The Discombubulation of a Rookie Patriot’, a stage adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s novel, A Man of The People was staged at the National Theatre in Accra.

    The formal opening of the conference will hold on Friday at the Accra International Conference Centre and will be followed by an awards dinner.

  • Artists make case for change

    Artists make case for change

    •Onobrakpeya writes letter to Chibok girls

    It was an artistic statement that canvassed for change in all spheres of the society. It was the day 12 renowned Nigerian artists set ablaze the creative atmosphere of an Ogun State suburb, Olambe. The 12, led by the celebrated master artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya, joined the on-going conversations on change at the GreenHouse Art Empowerment Centre (GHAEC) exhibition, which opened last Saturday. Their artistic voices called for a people-oriented transformation, reports EVELYN OSAGIE. 

    They came advocating change in the polity, with particular emphasis on infrastructure. They braved the coarse and hellish roads leading to Lagos suburbs of Ojodu through Akute and Iju-Ishaga through Oke-aro to the rustic community of Olambe in Ogun State.

    They waded through muddy puddles, dusty potholes and endured the inclement  weather from rain heavy showers to scorching sun.

    The love for the arts and the calibre of the artists drew guests to the opening of a 12-artist exhibition organised by the GreenHouse Art Empowerment Centre (GHAEC) in Olambe, Ogun State last Saturday. The day also featured the formal presentation of GHAEC Art Journal.

    The dignitaries included Major Bamidele Unigbe; a Director at Skye Bank, Mr Abdul Bello; celebrated poet Odia Ofeimun; Mr David Nwamara; former Creative Arts Head of Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof Peju Layiwola; Director, ThirstMate Water Company, Mrs Catherine Bolanle Isijola and The Nation Managing Editor (Online), Lekan Otufodunrin.

    “By the time you get here. You forget the hell you went through to come, on seeing the rich array of works and the depth of artistic expression that welcomes you to the place. It was not easy coming straight from Ondo State to the place. You wonder whether you are lost or still on course.

    “But it is good that one finally made it. It is always a pleasure visiting a place that one can encounter art – old and present ones. To have established such an edifice, I commend founders of the art centre. They remind me of the kind of things I intend to do in Edo State in time to come,”Ofeimun said.

    Perhaps to ease off the stress of the long travel, traditional drummers and dancers began thrilling guests with folk beats and acrobatic steps. Their rendition of the National Anthem was particularly touching, along with the news that the drummers featured a United Kingdom-based lady economist, Modupe Johnson.

    But the highlight of the event was the exhibition and keynote address delivered by the renowned artist, Bruce Onobrakpeya.

    Tagged: Nigerian Visual Artists and Politics, the group exhibition featured works of 12 renowned artists in different artistic skills, including: installations, painting, watercolour, textile, ceramics/pottery, mixed-media, sculpture and photography.

    With the works of Onobrakpeya in the lead, GHAEC artistic line-up also comprised Sam Ovraiti; Ato Arinze; Princess Theresa Iyase-Odozi; Dr Mabel Oluremi Awogbade; Stella Awoh; Kolawole Kosoko Olojo; Juliet Ezenwa Pearce; Bolaji Ogunwo; Stella Ubigho; Oke Ibem Oke and Osagie.

    As if to join their voice with the founders of GHAEC and the people of Olambe on the construction of good roads, the artists advocated change in sectors. Indeed, they joined their voices with the on-going conversations on change and national reorientation. Each of their works expressed thoughts on Nigeria’s political and artistic landscape, policy and infrastructural change, increased funding for the arts, nature, textile and many more.

    Onobrakpeya’s piece is particularly engaging. Through his installation, tagged: Sambisa Forest, guests were reminded of the plights of the over 200 secondary school girls abducted last year at Chibok. The artist, who read from his handwritten letter to the Chibok girls, who have spent over 510 days in the hands of the insurgents, urged the government to look into the plights of the girls by intensifying efforts to release them. He called for a collective and intensified campaign for their release through his letter and the installation which showed naked protesting women at the background of totems representing the girls and the armed insurgents, among other motifs.

    The installation and letter, Onobrakpeya said, were meant to create awareness and rouse the feeling of people on the plights of the girls in the hands of the insurgents. He said: “I am using both to urge the government and well-meaning people, who have the means, to do what it takes to release and get them out of their suffering. Both are both an advocacy and prayer for them. The government knows more than everyone about the situation. They should double whatever efforts they are making to release those girls from suffering.

    “Imagine if they were not kidnapped, some would have furthered their education or learnt a trade. They would have moved on in life like their peers. The government should do more to get them released so that they can continue to live their lives from where it stopped. They should be given the opportunity to progress in life just like any other Nigerian.”

    The letter reads thus:  “09-09-15

    Dear Chibok Girls,

    “This is to let you know that our spirit are there with you in the Sambisa forest, where you have been suffering in the hands of kidnappers for a period of over 510 days. As grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, friends, citizens of Nigeria and the World, we share your pains. We daily work and pray for your release from the Forbidden Forest. I feel intensely what you are going through because I too had been kidnapped as a child during the Ekene festival, but was miraculously rescued before being taken away into the forest.

    “I dedicate this installation called Sambisa Forest to you. It is a prayer to the supreme intelligence for your release.

    “In the picture, protesting mothers parade behind totems which represent you girls, the armed insurgents, denied or delayed laurels, and most importantly staves of empowerment which you will receive at the end of your travail.

    “Finally dear girls, don’t lose hope, your present state may be a design by the Creator to put you at the top of the world.

    Sincerely Obo-me-yoma”

    Onobrakpeya, in his keynote address, entitled: The role of visual artists in people’s empowerment and politics in Nigeria, also called for improved funding for the art and artists. Apart from reflecting the goings-on in society, he said: “If harnessed, visual arts can make a country great. Because it is a desirable commodity of value, it is also a veritable source of wealth and empowerment.”

    Like Onobrakpeya’s, GHAEC’s Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Princess Theresa Iyase-Odozi’s work is equally catchy. Entitled: Nigerian Condrum II, the 4ft by 6ft in mixed media technique, also added the artist’s voice to the “bring back the girls campaign”.  Inside gigantic piece, showing diverse headlines, pictures, drawings of different scenes, people and naira notes, one could see that she was calling for the end of violence, especially in the north-eastern states. The piece also showcased the diverse challenges that the country is passing through.

    She said: “The theme of the exhibition, Nigerian Visual Artists and Politics, afforded me the opportunity to depict the various challenges facing the nation, especially on the eve of the 2015 general elections. It has truly been a year of political challenges and intrigues. My work simply poses the question: ‘Where do we go from here?”

    Having Onobrakpeya as guest artist and keynote speaker, Iyase-Odozi said, was done in recognition of his contributions to the development of the arts sector, especially in Africa. According to her, the master artist “remains an inspiration to me and many artists across the country”.

    Celebrated artist, Ovraiti’s oil on canvas piece, That way out, depicted the tension in the political landscape in the country. The tension, he said, “is caused by lots of unanswered questions that the politicians use as elections promises”.

    Awogbade’s acrylic on bisque ware, entitled: Set me free, advocated the effects of corruption in the polity.

    Arinze’s 6ft scultpture, Debacle 1, which was the first in the series of three masked sculpture, was inspired by Dr Olatunji Dare’s art Debacle in The Guardian during the June 12 Saga.

    As administration has taken on the baton of leadership, Oyovwe-Ubigho’s piece, We can see, depicted the eyes of the masses on the political class.

    Olojo’s pastel painting, Reaction, predicted doom as aftermath of bad leadership. Thus, he called for a political reorientation and improvement in the plights of the masses. “The Reaction shows the mass action by the aggrieved citizens, who took to the streets in protest against misrule,” he said.

    Maja-Pearce’s plastograph plate, entitled: The political-additive, focused on the integrity and vulnerability of the law.

    Other guests included ThisDay Deputy Editor (Sunday), Mr Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, who was the event’s compere; Mrs Abimbola Izu;  The Nation correspondents Taiwo Abiodun and Gboyega Alaka.

     

  • UN review of human rights begins

    As the Human Rights Council’s 17th Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Session began on Monday, the protection of the rights of women, children and vulnerable groups topped  the list of discussion at the United Nations office in Geneva, Switzerland.

    Saudi Arabia and Senegal reports on human rights protection came under strict review by the session, with  both countries being urged  to intensify efforts in the protection of rights of women and children and other vulnerable groups.
    Nigeria will  present its  records on efforts towards human rights protection in the country on Tuesday  at the session.
    In its report, the Federal Government has reiterated its “commitments to the Human Rights Council through its active participation in the work and activities of the Council, support for the National Human Rights Commission, commitment to human rights instruments and support for all strategies at regional and international levels to promote and protect human rights”.
    Other countries listed along Nigeria for the 17th session, which will run till November 1, include China, Mexico, Senegal, Jordan, Malaysia, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo and Belize.
    Afghanistan, Chile, Vietnam, Uruguay, Yemen, Vanuatu, Eritrea and Cambodia have been listed for the UPR 18th session. 
    About 30 journalists worldwide  would be covering the sessions along with attending a special training tagged: Media Empowerment on Human Rights organised by Gmedia Centre, a Geneva-based initiative committed to empowering the  media to further human rights and democracy goals.
    The training  is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Switzerland Government as part of the human rights review.
    Eight Nigeria journalists at the session include,  Sebastian Ebhuomhan (National Mirror), Tobi Soniyi (Thisday), Utibe Umoren (African Independent Television), Anwulika Ngene (Superscreen Television), Innocent Anaba (Vanguard); Bosede Ijelekhai (Federal Radio Nigeria); Yahaya Ibrahim (Daily Trust) and Evelyn Osagie (The Nation).
     
     
  • BornTroWay sets Obalende agog

    BornTroWay sets Obalende agog

    The arts advocacy initiative, BornTroWay, has taken its campaign for social reorientation and cleaner environment to Lagos metropolis where youths got the chance to tell their stories, reports, Evelyn Osagie.

    Crowdy, dirty, noisy, rhythmic, talent, trade centre, Nigeria’s New York and more were words used to describe the Lagos metropolitan area, Obalende, when the advocacy initiative, BornTroWay came to town. Those words were some open reflections of their home they have always known. But the 35 young participants, who were mostly aged 15-25 that were part of the sixth edition of the arts advocacy initiative tagged, BornTroWay Obalende, set out to show, that in spite of the squalor in the ghetto area of Obalende, the place has also got talents.

    And this was evident during the free training sessions that included four major classes – spoken word, music, dance and acting. They got the opportunity to‘ showcase their talents and leant how to make tie and dye. Not minding the baking heat of that afternoon, the youths sang: “Obalende would be livelier if the bridges were painted in colours, if the dirt were swept off the streets, if a talent centre for jobs could be opened and traffic were reduced…”

    According to the organisers, the project aims to promote individual self-confidence, self-expression and teamwork among youths in Obalende. The five-day event, which was organised by Music Matters in collaboration with the music maestro, Ade Bantu, also had the founder of Crown Troupe of Africa, Segun Adefila, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Lagos branch chair, Dagga Tolar, among others as trainers.

    Co-founder of the project, Ilaria Chessa of Music Matters, said: “We are happy, they got the opportunity to showcase their talents and air their views. As always, this edition’s workshop used spoken word, music, dance and acting to focus on the issue of ‘waste’ — environmental issues and human waste (undiscovered, untapped or underutilised talents).

    While the first day saw the participants acquainting themselves with many stories on their environment and learning how to use music, spoken words and dance as media of expression, on the second day, they displayed greater self-confidence as they created their dance, poetry, song and acting pieces.

    On the third day, after the physical warm-up exercises, friend of BornTroWay and artiste Abolore Sobayo gave a master class in tie and dye, after which participants created the t-shirts that became their uniforms for their grand performance. By this time, the creative pieces have begun to take shape, although participants still displayed challenges with concentration and voice projections. The instructors assisted participants to merge together their pieces and prepare the ground for an all-day rehearsal the following day. The fourth day was a long sweaty one. Participants spent the day weaving together all the creative pieces from the previous three days and rehearsing together. And by this time, they mastered the value of inclusion, concentration and team collaboration.

    The event climaxed with open-air performance at Girls Model Academy and Obalende Market on the fifth day. After the rehearsals in the morning, the team headed for the heart of Obalende ,where they staged the performance to the delight of the public made of market traders and buyers, school children heading back home and passers-by. Their message was meant for the public and government. The performance drew attention to the sorry state of the environment, the need to salvage the situation, while calling for cleaner habits, reorientation of the public towards environment and the downtrodden.

    “Improve education, security; give us electricity; renewed the town; demolish dangerous collapsing buildings and reconstruct them, clean the environment; take the beggars off the street; increase the quality of medical health care; change people’s mind-set especially the youth; give good water; resolve prostitution, touts, child abuse, violence and pick pockets; better organised bus stop; roads, play grounds, better leaders; create good market places, bring job opportunities, etc,” they screamed.

    The funny, engaging and well-coordinated dramatic performance was an amazing testimony of the value of team effort and consistent hard work. The team kept their neighbourhood entertained for over 30 minutes. Singer of the famed song, “I am a born champion”, General Pype ,graced the occasion to encourage the participants.