The Nation Newspaper

Tag: festival

  • Nigerian films excite at Durban Film Festival

    Nigerian films excite at Durban Film Festival

    THREE movies by Nigerian filmmakers are among the huge line-up of screening at the ongoing Durban International Film Festival.

    Although the big one, Half of a Yellow Sun, had aroused interest based on huge publicity and its affiliation with the British Film Institute (BFI), B for Boy by Chika Anadu and Gone Too Far by Bola Agbaje also made interesting outing with their thought-provoking themes.

    Half of a Yellow Sun, which will be released in Nigeria on August 1, was sold out during its first showing last Friday at Suncoast, one of the several venues dedicated to screenings at the festival. The movie, a feature directorial debut by Nigerian/British playwright, Biyi Bandele, has continued to generate interest, going by its account of the Nigerian civil war, as re-enacted in Chimamanda Adichie’s book from which it was adapted.

    B for Boy, on the other hand, is the also the feature film debut of a burgeoning filmmaker, whose shorts films AVA, was listed in the short film corner at the Cannes Film Festival in 2010. The film explores the phenomenal desperation for a male child among Igbo men in Eastern Nigeria, and how vulnerable a character like 38-year-old Amaka played by Uche Uwadili becomes in the hands of her mother-in-law.

    The fever pitch is the threats and sense of insecurity in the marriage, where the man could opt for another woman.

    The practice, as portrayed by Anadu in this movie, leaves no option of adoption, and one can only tell what woes will betide a childless woman in such tradition.

    Although a regular Nollywood storyline, it comes across as news to the diverse audience at the festival.

    Bola Agbaje’s film, Gone Too Far, is a fully BFI-sponsored movie, and so goes the credit  never portrayed as a Nigerian film.

    A British film by Nigerians, Gone Too Far, explores racial disparity among blacks in a white man’s land.

    Directed by Destiny Ekharaga, the film features British-Nigerian teenager Yemi (Malachi Kirby) who is ashamed to let his peers know that his just-arrived, socks-and-sandals-wearing Nigerian brother Ikudayisi (OC Ukeje) is his biological brother.

    The underlining message in the comic film climaxes with an exposé of the folly of denying one’s identity in a bid to feel British among fellow Africans, even when the British don’t see them as one of their own.

    Another remarkable presence of Nigeria at DIFF is the AfriNolly Showcase, a short film collection by a mobile application company that also grooms young African filmmakers through cash prize competition. The company is run by Mr. Chike Maduegbuna and his wife, who were both in attendance at DIFF.

  • When worshippers defied rain to mark Ifa Festival

    When worshippers defied rain to mark Ifa Festival

    The heavens opened.  But it was not enough to discourage the people as hundreds of Ifa worshippers gathered at the playground of the Government Technical College, Abule Ado, off Badagry Expressway, Lagos to mark the 2014 edition of Ifa Festival.

    The all-white attire adorned by majority of the people and their determination to remain undaunted in the face of the challenge posed by the rain combined to ensure the success of the event, the grand finale of the 2014 edition of Ifa Festival organized by  the Olokun Festival Foundation.

    The festival is one of the many other festivals conceptualized by the Otunba Gani Adams-led foundation as part of the efforts to restore the glory of Yoruba cultural heritage.

    One very important message witnessed at the event was the beauty of religious harmony among Nigerians. To open the day, the three major religions in the country offered special prayers that gave the event an atmosphere of beauty.

    Clad in a flowing snow white lace material with his abetiaja cap to match, Adams, for the first time ever, according to him, made public the story behind his undying love for white attire.

    Speaking on his worship of Ifa, Adams said: “If I had not consulted Ifa on the insistence of Musendiku Shina in Abeokuta, I would not have known that the colour that rhythms with my star is white. I would still have been in the dark, wearing all sorts of colours. But since then,I have stuck to my white and I am seeing the result. That is the story you have not heard before about my wearing white clothing.”

    The OPC leader stated that Ifa prophesied that he would come out of the crisis a more famous person whose fame would transcend the shores of Nigeria nay Africa and even beyond.

    “And to my surprise, the prophecy came to pass as we are all a living witness today. Why I am saying this is to tell you that Ifa is the spiritual eye of man. Whoever refuses to believe this is not only losing, he or she is moving about unguarded,” he said.

    Considering the public apathy to tradition, owing to the influence of Islam and Christianity, Adams is, however, excited. He is glad for the global recognition lately extended to the Ifa divination with a specific reference to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which, according to him, added the Ifa Divination System to its list of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

    He said Ifa guided the founders of Yoruba towns and communities before they settled.

    “It is, therefore, not a surprise that these towns have flourished over the years, and I can tell you that they will continue to flourish according to what Ifa predicted long before they were established,” he said.

    The guest speaker, a lecturer in the Yoruba Department of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Ibrahim Adebiyi, commended Adams for his positive attitude to Yoruba culture and tradition.

    Adebiyi shocked the audience with his theory, suggesting that the inventors of computer had Ifa in mind when putting together the components making up the system. The university don highlighted some significance of Ifa to humanity and the need to accord it respect by the Yoruba.

    “Whoever is sincere with Ifa will be prosperous because Ifa symbolizes the truth. Ifa would not mislead. Rather it would  clear a way for one to escape difficulty. Ifa solves problems more than any other thing,” he said.

    The speech of the Yeye-Osun of Lagos, Chief Mojirayo Fafunke Olagbaju, came with a drama of sort to the delight of the audience who responded with occasional ovation. She showered praise on Adams whom she branded his adopted son and leader deserving her total support.

    Going down memory lane, Yeye-Osun recalled the struggle period when Adams was facing what she called persecution.

    “I said to myself that I must stand by him and see him through to shame his enemies. In the end, I was vindicated. Since then, I have never looked back because he has proved to be a leader to follow. I was scheduled to attend a function at Badagry today, but when I got his message, I had to send my children to that place and come to attend the festival.

    “Ifa festival we are celebrating today is part of our heritage which we must hold dearly. I have no regret doing my traditional religion, and I will never have any reason to regret it,” she said, revealing that her daughter is already learning the rope preparatory to taking after her.

    Also present on the occasion was the duo of Baba Orisha of Lagos, Chief Goke Atiku and Chief Agbeloba Orisatuwaji, who mocked that nothing compared to their traditional faith with a veiled reference to the contemporary religions.

    ”We are saying this because Ifa does not encourage deceit that is common elsewhere. It is our own and we shall hold it dearly,” they said unanimously.

  • When worshippers defied rain to mark Ifa Festival

    When worshippers defied rain to mark Ifa Festival

    The heavens opened.  But it was not enough to discourage the people as hundreds of Ifa worshippers gathered at the playground of the Government Technical College, Abule Ado, off Badagry Expressway, Lagos to mark the 2014 edition of Ifa Festival.

    The all-white attire adorned by majority of the people and their determination to remain undaunted in the face of the challenge posed by the rain combined to ensure the success of the event, the grand finale of the 2014 edition of Ifa Festival organized by  the Olokun Festival Foundation.

    The festival is one of the many other festivals conceptualized by the Otunba Gani Adams-led foundation as part of the efforts to restore the glory of Yoruba cultural heritage.

    One very important message witnessed at the event was the beauty of religious harmony among Nigerians. To open the day, the three major religions in the country offered special prayers that gave the event an atmosphere of beauty.

    Clad in a flowing snow white lace material with his abetiaja cap to match, Adams, for the first time ever, according to him, made public the story behind his undying love for white attire.

    Speaking on his worship of Ifa, Adams said: “If I had not consulted Ifa on the insistence of Musendiku Shina in Abeokuta, I would not have known that the colour that rhythms with my star is white. I would still have been in the dark, wearing all sorts of colours. But since then,I have stuck to my white and I am seeing the result. That is the story you have not heard before about my wearing white clothing.”

    The OPC leader stated that Ifa prophesied that he would come out of the crisis a more famous person whose fame would transcend the shores of Nigeria nay Africa and even beyond.

    “And to my surprise, the prophecy came to pass as we are all a living witness today. Why I am saying this is to tell you that Ifa is the spiritual eye of man. Whoever refuses to believe this is not only losing, he or she is moving about unguarded,” he said.

    Considering the public apathy to tradition, owing to the influence of Islam and Christianity, Adams is, however, excited. He is glad for the global recognition lately extended to the Ifa divination with a specific reference to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), which, according to him, added the Ifa Divination System to its list of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

    He said Ifa guided the founders of Yoruba towns and communities before they settled.

    “It is, therefore, not a surprise that these towns have flourished over the years, and I can tell you that they will continue to flourish according to what Ifa predicted long before they were established,” he said.

    The guest speaker, a lecturer in the Yoruba Department of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Ibrahim Adebiyi, commended Adams for his positive attitude to Yoruba culture and tradition.

    Adebiyi shocked the audience with his theory, suggesting that the inventors of computer had Ifa in mind when putting together the components making up the system. The university don highlighted some significance of Ifa to humanity and the need to accord it respect by the Yoruba.

    “Whoever is sincere with Ifa will be prosperous because Ifa symbolizes the truth. Ifa would not mislead. Rather it would  clear a way for one to escape difficulty. Ifa solves problems more than any other thing,” he said.

    The speech of the Yeye-Osun of Lagos, Chief Mojirayo Fafunke Olagbaju, came with a drama of sort to the delight of the audience who responded with occasional ovation. She showered praise on Adams whom she branded his adopted son and leader deserving her total support.

    Going down memory lane, Yeye-Osun recalled the struggle period when Adams was facing what she called persecution.

    “I said to myself that I must stand by him and see him through to shame his enemies. In the end, I was vindicated. Since then, I have never looked back because he has proved to be a leader to follow. I was scheduled to attend a function at Badagry today, but when I got his message, I had to send my children to that place and come to attend the festival.

    “Ifa festival we are celebrating today is part of our heritage which we must hold dearly. I have no regret doing my traditional religion, and I will never have any reason to regret it,” she said, revealing that her daughter is already learning the rope preparatory to taking after her.

    Also present on the occasion was the duo of Baba Orisha of Lagos, Chief Goke Atiku and Chief Agbeloba Orisatuwaji, who mocked that nothing compared to their traditional faith with a veiled reference to the contemporary religions.

    ”We are saying this because Ifa does not encourage deceit that is common elsewhere. It is our own and we shall hold it dearly,” they said unanimously.

  • National Sports Festival: We are ready-Ugbe

    •Implores states to come with open mind

    Cross River State commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Patrick Ugbe yesterday said that Nigerians should expect a spectacular opening ceremony in the forthcoming national sports festival holding in calabar.

    The commissioner also implored participating states to come to the festival with open minds, as nobody will be allow to manipulate results.

    Ugbe said calabar is a home of entertainment adding that the festival will toll the line of London 2012 Olympics.

    “It’s going to be a wonderful experience.We are ready for November 23rd. The track is ready, we have also re-grassed the field.

    “As you go round the facilities, they are on different levels of completion, some higher than others, but the most important thing is that, they will be ready before 23rd of November, 2014. The indoor hall is under construction and will be delivered to us by the contractor in October.

    “We want to assure Nigerians that the festival date will not be postponed because we are ready. Postponement happened in Rivers and Lagos states because of unforeseen circumstances, even at the global stage, we had issues in the World Cup in Brazil, the facilities were not ready untill the last time, but that did not stop the World Cup from holding.

    “The facilities, the  structural design of the indoor sports hall and the finishing will be the last to be delivered to us in October. What is left now, is for the pillars to go up and the roofing. We have fixed November 23rd and we stand by it .

    “All the facilities needed for the festival are being worked on right now, tennis is going to take place at the Calabar Sports Club, if you go there today, work has gone to seventy percent, all contractors have their time limits to deliver.

    ” “Why should states complain, look at the coastal regions, it spread from here in Calabar to Lagos, many states along it, you want to tell me canoeing, for goodness sake, we are taking part in canoeing in All Africa games and what did our festival suppose to do? Our festival suppose to produce the athletes that will represent this country in All Africa games, and the Olympics, in our festival, we did not take part in the sport, where are we going to get the athletes that will represents us internationally. Our festival is an opportunity for us to fish out  the athletes. Do you know the number of medals that we are losing from all those sports by not taking them seriously, those simple sports we participate in are not our key areas .

  • Osogbo prepares for Osun festival

    Osogbo prepares for Osun festival

    IT has been on for close to 800 years. And for many more years to come, the romance between a people and their patron goddess would continue.

    So far, the Osogbo people never fail to call the whole world to their city in honour of their goddess, Osun. And for many indigenes and worshippers of the Osun goddess, that is the source of prosperity for the town and people of Osogbo. Next month, tourists would once again troop to the ancient artistic Osogbo kingdom to celebrate with the city as it holds another Osun Osogbo festival.

    But the festival has gone beyond a  festival for the people of Osogbo. Whatever cultural tourism value Nigeria has in the world, Osun Osogbo festival and the Osun grove contributed greatly to it. For tourists interested in experiencing the celebration of the festival, it is time to start making travel arrangements, especially accommodation as there never seems to be enough bed spaces in the city, especially on the grand finale.

    Being a festival that attracts huge tourist traffic to Osogbo during the 17-day event, corporate organizations have latched unto it to promote their products and make huge sales.

    So, it has become a kind of custom for the Osun Osogbo marketers, Infogem Limited, to unveil the each year’s activities at a corporate forum. The forum is also an opportunity for the marketers and the Osogbo Heritage Council to announce date for the event and unveil sponsors for the year’s edition. One of the things that has made the Osun Osogbo festival a cultural- cum- touristic activity is the custodians’ ability to not open up the festival to activities within, outside grove and traditional rites.

    As such Osun Osogbo has become a festival that has evolved over the years, incorporating activities that attract both the young and the old, it attracts also individuals and corporate organizations. So, Osun Osogbo celebrates the ancient and the modern. This is reflected in activities lined up for the celebration. It will hold next month. Iwopopo, the traditional cleansing, which signals the beginning of the annual festival, is set for Monday,August 11. Aside this traditional rite, there will be fun for tourists.

    The Iwopopo Town Storming, a  musical fiesta, would also be on the card. The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria’s (FTAN) Osun Forum will hold on the 12th, while the Festival of Art Exhibition’s opening ceremony and Ayo Olopon (traditional ayo games) will be on Wednesday, August 13. Olojumerindinlogun, the Lighting of a 16- Point Lamp will hold on August 14.

    The lamp itself is of great interest as it is reputed to be over 500 years old. Another key traditional event, called Iboriade, is on Monday, August 18.  Iboriade is the celebration of royalty and ancestry of the Osogbo people. On display will be the crowns worn by past Ataoja, oba of Osogbo’s title. The crowns date back to hundreds of years. Susanne Wenger’s Sacred Colloquium will hold on Wednesday, August 20.

    The grand finale is expected to hold on Friday, August 22. This year’s event would conclude with the Osun Festival Trade Fair, a day after the traditional grand finale. In its effort to help Osun Osogbo continue to develop as a destination, the Osun State government said it had spent N147,385,250 in the last three years to uplift the festival.

    This was disclosed by the Special Adviser to the Osun State Governor on Tourism and Culture, Mr. Ladi Soyode. He said since the inception of the Aregbesola administration, “the promotion of matters that have to do with the Yoruba cultural renaissance is given a pride of place.”

    According to him, this was because “the objectives of reviving our traditional industries like cloth dying and weaving, bead making, carving of art works in various mediums, revival of traditional hair styles, the promotion of ancient festivals and celebration in majestic proportions will not only reduce poverty by encouraging industry, but promote the ethos of Omoluabi which form the basis of the socio-political ideology of the Aregbesola administration in Osun.”

    Soyode gave a breakdown of last year’s  festival arrivals. The festival attracted 21, 713 domestic tourists, while 123 in-bound tourists also attended the fair last year. He  said the state government was committed to the following activities at this year’s festival: Tourism Ambassadors Programme, Osun Osogbo Festival Trade Fair, the Festival Marathon Walk, Osun Osogbo Food Festival and the festival concert. Giving the history of the festival, the Festival Co-ordinator, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, said the relationship between the town of Osogbo and the Osun goddess started around 1370 AD with an encounter between the founders of Osogbo and the Osun Osogbo deity.

    He said: “In about 1370 AD, founder of Osogbo, Oba Gbadewolu Larooye, and the great hunter, Olutimehin, settled in the sacred Osun forest to establish the kingdom and actualized a pact of association and togetherness with the river deity. Since then, Osogbo has remained a peaceful, progressive and benevolent city without any ravage of war or pestilence. This is the pact of association which rekindled every year in the month of August.”

    Buraimoh described the activities associated with the festival as springboard for cultural development in Osun State and Nigeria in general. He said despite the influence of western civilization, education and religion, the festival has, to a large extent, maintained its originality, authenticity and acceptability worldwide.

    From plans being put in place, it is going to be another successful edition. Also sponsors such as  MTN, Nigerian Breweries and brands such as Seaman’s, Alomo, Eko Hotel  and many others have identified with this year’s edition.

  • Etisalat backs Lagos Photo Festival

    Etisalat Nigeria, a leading telecommunications company, has announced its readiness to partner with the organisers of the annual Lagos Photo Festival towards staging this year’s edition tagged “Staging Reality, Documenting Fiction”.

    Speaking at a press briefing held at the African Artist Foundation, Ikoyi, Lagos to kick-off the event, Enitan Denloye, Director, Brands and Communications, Etisalat Nigeria, said that the company was committed to supporting the arts, promoting excellence, nurturing talents and providing a platform for people to express themselves and communicate their ideas.

    According to him, Lagos Photo is the first photography festival in Nigeria that uses the power of photography to bring stories that capture individual experiences and identities from all over the world.  “We are delighted to have another opportunity to support creativity in Nigeria. Etisalat sees this platform as an identification of the growing arts and culture industry in Nigeria and our partnership with Lagos Photo re-inforces our commitment to celebrating our culture and creative talents. We are reiterating our commitment to keeping our customers connected to unique experiences that connect with their lifestyle,” he said.

    Also, the Director, Lagos Photo Foundation, Wunika  Mukan, disclosed that the 2014 Lagos Photo Festival would examine contemporary photographers working in Africa who toe the line between photography and truth, by incorporating conceptual practices that expand traditional photographic approaches and techniques.

    The theme of this year’s event, according to Mukan, will also explore “how photographers imagine different futures and charter fictive worlds using photography as a catalyst to explore the changing realities of Africa today.”

  • Igbo Film Festival to hold in Asaba

    A body of Nollywood Igbo extraction has revealed that it will hold its 4th Nollywood Igbo Film Festival and Awards later in the year.

    The festival, according to the organisers, is to help filmmakers reach a wide audience, enable the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema and promote Asaba City in Delta State as a major film-making centre.

    The organisers further said: “The event is a viable platform for the promotion of the rich cultural heritage of Ndigbo.”

    Already, preparations are in top gear for this year’s event, which holds at the Nelrose Hotel Complex in Asaba, Delta State from August 27 to 30.

    Alex Eyengho, Vice President, Federation of International Association of Film Producers, will deliver a paper titled: “Legal framework for defending intellectual property rights in Nigeria and internationally.’

    Also,Dr. IFO. A. Amata of Delta State University, Asaba Campus will deliver a paper  titled: “Nollywood: Veritable tool for cultural expression”, while Rob Emeka Eze, CEO, Reemy Jes Production and Leader of Film & Video Producers/Marketers, South East, Nigeria, will talk on “Making, Financing and Distributing Films in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects”.

    Other events lined up for the programme include a conference, courtesy visits, excursion, script and film workshops, awards, film show, exhibition, cultural displays, Nollywood poolside party and many more.

  • Durban film festival preaches post-war peace with A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake

    One of the gala highlights at Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is the world première of A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake, a documentary themed on the subject of reconciliations as it concerns African countries that have tasted the bitter pills of war and political unrests and other forms of genocide.

    The organisers said the work, which is a documentary debut of celebrated television director Michael Lessac, would be screened on July 20, as one of the highlights of this year’s festival-with some of the country’s foremost peace mediators joining the director, special guests and members of the cast and crew for the show that will be followed by a question-and- answer session.

    The film was originally titled Truth in Translation, but Lessac said: “We changed it to A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake because no matter how true that might be, when revenge is celebrated as heroism, it is a poor excuse for killing.”

    The documentary’s intriguing title refers to a question that often appears in conflict situations when asked why perpetrators killed young babies.

    According to Lessac, the answer, irrespective of culture, is always that “A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake.”

    A Snake Gives Birth to a Snake follows a diverse group of South African actors as they tour global war-torn regions to share their country’s experience of reconciliation. As they ignite dialogue among people with raw memories of atrocity, the actors find they must confront, once again, their homeland’s complicated and violent past-and question their own capacity for healing and forgiveness.

    Produced by Jacqueline Bertrand Lessac and Emma Tammi, the film is said to be featuring never-before-heard original music by jazz legend Hugh Masekela, with lyrics taken from Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) personal testimonies.

    Lessac wanted the world to understand the subtleties of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and in so doing, brings the story of the TRC to a wider audience while exploring the possibility of the TRC as a concept, which can successfully be exported to other post-conflict zones.

    According to the filmmaker, “This film pays homage to a very special group of South African actors and interpreters who were warriors of the most special kind.  They allowed themselves to travel through worlds that were often more painful than their own worst nightmares.”

    DIFF 2014 holds in Durban, South Africa from 17 to 27 July, with over 250 screenings in nine venues across the city.

  • Festival of songs and praises

    Archbishop Vining Memorial Church Cathedral, Ikeja, Lagos, hosted the Anglican Diocese of Lagos West to a special programme tagged: Jesus Festival 2014. AMIDU ARIJE reports

    It was a time of praise and thanksgiving at the open field of the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral in Ikeja, the Lagos State capital. Members and guests gathered for a special programme tagged: “Jesus Festival 2014.”

    Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) helped to reduce the traffic snarl on Oba Akinjobi,  Road leads to the church. Other security agencies also had a hectic controlling human and vehicular moments inside and outside the church.

    The church members shone out in various customised shirts designed for the occasion. Church members also pitched their tents on the field according to their zones and archdeaconry.

    It looked like a political gathering but it was not.

    It was a programme to praise God and thank Him for His mercies upon the church.

    The programme is an initiative of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion.

    The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion Bishop James Olusola Odedeji was the host.

    The Boys and Girls Brigade of the Cathedral entertained the gathering.

    Each archdeaconry also marched round the field while Rev Odedeji and other ministers of God stood and waved.

    Afterwards, songs of praises continued.

    Chief Olusegun Osunkeye took the congregation through a bible reading.

    It was followed by a sermon by the Rector of St Francis of Asisi Theological College, Wusasa, Zaria, Kaduna State, the Rt Revd Praises Omole-Ekun.

    His sermon centered on creation, redemption and restoration.

    He urged Nigerians to desist from ungodly activities to receive the blessings of God.

    “God’s blessing to mankind is that: It must be fruitful, you must multiply; replenish; subdue and you must have dominion on the land,” he said.

    He called on the country leaders to be more patriotic in the governing of the affairs of the citizenry.

    “Our leaders should become more patriotic, most of the leaders are only interested in what they will gain and not the interest of the people,” he said.

    Rev Omole-Ekun urged the leaders not to abuse the privilege of office God gave to them.

    “Our leaders should understand there is an honour and privilege in what God has given them they should not abuse it,” he said.

    He prayed for the deliverance and salvation of all people present on the occasion.

    BJ Sax band entertained guests after the sermon.

    Speaking on the importance of the festival, Bishop Odedeji said it is meant to increase the spiritual level of the members and thereby making them closer to God.

    “The major vision of this diocese is the spiritual growth of our members, if our members are spiritually grown, other things will follow,” he said.

    He urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and shun every form of violence or activities that may ginger violence in the country.

    He seized the occasion to remind the leaders of trust God placed on them and urged them to provide adequate security for the people.

    “Leadership is very important, every citizen is entitled to right of security, our leaders should wake up from their slumber. I believe if everyone cooperates and the leadership lead as expected, this situation will be better, there is no place in the world where we don’t have disaster and calamity but the one in Nigeria is alarming and the leaders of the country should be cautions that God will ask them on what they did,” he said.

    “Nigerians are living in fear, poverty is everywhere, wherever you go, you will see poverty written on people’s faces, I pray this doesn’t not boomerang, when the poor man cannot sleep, the rich man will not sleep; for those at the helms of affairs it is high that we see to the security of our people,” he said.

    The festival came to an end with prophetic declarations and Episcopal benediction

  • Festival of fun, fury

    Festival of fun, fury

    It was all fun at the Imo State University (IMSU) during the Students’ Union Week, sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria and Solo Phones, a telephone firm. AHANEKU EKENE (300-Level Optometry) reports.

    The Imo State University (IMSU) in Owerri was agog last week as students gathered for their union week. Etisalat Nigeria, a mobile telephone service provider, in collaboration with Solo Phones, hosted the soccer tournament to mark the Week.

    For many students, the soccer fiesta was the biggest sporting event ever held on the campus. Students trooped to the pitch for the game.

    Activities marking the week started with a health awareness programme, anchored by Hardy Mbadugha, a 400-Level Optometry student and the union’s Director of Health. This culminated in a raffle draw organised by the union and Etisalat. Students won prizes, such as books, shirts, Android phones, laptops and the grand prize of a Kia Picanto.

    Students were thrilled by the soccer event and music show, which brought popular hip-hop artistes, such as Phyno and Terry G to the campus. The local artistes, including Golden Okafor (X-busta), the union’s Director of Socials, also thrilled the students with their music during the football match.

    Four teams – SUG Executive, Union Parliament, Judicial Council and School – participated in the football tournament. The matches, which had male and female teams, were officiated by the school’s sport officials.

    Before the opening match between the SUG Executive Team and the Union Parliament Team, gifts were given to students who participated in the ball-raising exercise.

    The opening match was entertaining. The Executive Team, with SUG President Christian Ogbu as skipper, beat the Parliament Team 2-1. This qualified the winning team for the next round of the tournament. The union Speaker, Odinaka Ezeji, led the Parliament Team.

    The second match was played by the School Team and the Judicial Team. As the match was going on, branded items, such as exercise books and shirts, were given to students. The Judicial Team won 1-0.

    The final match was played between the two winning teams; the losers slugged it out in the third place contest.

    The Nigerian Red Cross Society officials were on hand to treat the injured.

    The Executive Team scored the opening goal a few minutes into the game. The Judicial Team equalised 70 seconds into the injury time. In the penalty shootout, the Executive Team won 4-3.

    Speaking to CAMPUSLIFE, Hardy, who played in the Executive Team, said: “This is my first time of playing on a standard field. It was really a nice experience for me. The cheers from the crowd made the game memorable.”

    For the union’s Sport Director, Chijioke Obilaso, a 300-Level Philosophy student, the soccer event was fulfilling. He said: “I am grateful because this tournament marks a great achievement for me as the Sport Director. I thank the union president and others who helped me achieve this landmark in IMSU’s sport history.”

    After the trophy was presented to the winners, X-busta and other school artistes thrilled the crowd of students on the field.

    Chiamaka Onyedeke, 300-Level Law, said: “It was a wonderful day. I am happy because I enjoyed myself throughout the event. I commend the union president and his team for this feat. We appreciate Etisalat and Solo Phones, which have proven, by the sponsorship of the game, that they are friends of all Imo State University students.”