The Nation Newspaper

Tag: London

  • Mixta Africa takes WAKAA to London

    Mixta Africa takes WAKAA to London

    After its successful run last December,  in Lagos, Bolanle Austen-Peters Productions’ Wakaa!, will hit London’s West End for five days – July 21 till 25 – with seven shows.

    This first foreign performance of the musical is supported by Africa’s leading Spain-based real estate firm, Mixta Africa.

    Mixta Africa Chairman/ CEO, Deji Alli made this known at a joint press conference in Lagos with Bolanle Austin-Peters Production, (BAP) the award-winning production firm that also produced the popular Saro The Musical.

    According to Mixta Africa Communications Manager, Imma Puche, ‘’We are proud to be the lead sponsor of Wakaa!The Musical.’  Wakaa! is an original African export that tells the African story, the African way. It illustrates the  reality of the typical African youth who is looking for a way out of Africa and failing to see the opportunities that exist in here.

    He added: “When BAP Productions approached us about their intention to take Wakaa! to the global stage, it was easy for us to connect with, firstly, because we want to support the arts, an industry with immense potential. Our support also demonstrates what Mixta Africa is about: harnessing opportunities, which we do by building communities across Africa,” he said.

    Wakaa! The Musical is a play about the trials, successes and experiences of young graduates with varied background.A wager between them after graduation has a twist when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them. The story reveals the struggle and challenge young people face in present-day Africa and abroad. Wakaa The Musical takes you on an emotional roller coaster and is a strong satire of the Nigeria’s politics.

    Mixta Nigeria Managing Director, Mr. Kola Ashiru-Balogun, said Mixta’s support for Wakaa on the London project is also well– aligned with our strategy for the Diaspora market. “As you know, the African real estate sector offers huge opportunities for investment: right from affordable homes to luxury homes. There is a very strong African presence in London and we want to use this medium to reach out to them about the opportunities back home,” Ashiru-Balogun added.

    On taking Nigeria’s first musical to London, Austen-Peters, said: “We should start exporting products, especially culture, from Nigeria and our musicals present us that opportunity. Creating jobs has always been my primary motivation. For example, previously outsourced cottage industries such as costume designing and training for technical roles are now being done in-house. We are birthing industries and developing talent that can rival any of the big institutions in the world.”

    As part of the sponsorship, Mixta Africa will  host a real estate investment cocktail on the July 22 at the Pullman Hotel. It will also host Africans living in London on July 31 at a family fun day event which promises to be home away from home.

  • WAKAA! goes to London

    WAKAA! goes to London

    Bolanle Austen-Peters (BAP) Productions will be taking its play, WAKAA! The Musical, to London. This was made known at a recent press briefing at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Supporting the temporary translocation of the production are MIXTA Africa, MTN, Bank of Industry, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Nigerian Ministry of Information and Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, TV Continental, Africa Magic, Ebony Life TV, Africa Movie Channel, Beat FM, Waka Now, Arik Air, and others.

    The play has been staged severally in Nigeria with success. It embodies an affecting satirical representation of the Nigerian socio-political clime, and it also explores the peculiarly woven web of intrigues and treachery, which people spin in their lives daily.

    Austen-Peters said it was by popular demand that the musical was heading to London and that it has the potential to boost cultural diplomacy and promote Nigeria’s cultural heritage abroad.

    On the importance of taking the production to the English stage, Austen-Peters said: “It is historic. We represent us, as Nigerians at our best and we also create jobs for the young ones. There is a lot of cultural exposition; the best of which we will be showing. We have tried to create a berth for our people.”

    Meanwhile, Toyin Osinulu of MIXTA Africa said: “We are sponsoring this production because it is an original African export. Our support is well aligned with our strategy for the Diaspora market. There is a very strong African presence in London and we want to use this medium to reach out to them about the opportunities back home.”

    Echoing this sentiment was Babatunde Faleke, Regional Co-ordinator of the NEPC, who said: “There is a foreign exchange deficit and people may not know it, but one of the ways we can boost our currency is through export. Not just export of products, but export of services. BAP productions is doing just that because through them, we are exporting entertainment.”

    On a similar trajectory, Chinelo Mbonu of Waka Now said: “Our support is in line with a new initiative, which we launched in partnership with Ebony TV called destinations Africa where we foreground African ideals, heritages, and places that should be visited. With our support to this production, we are trying to show that Africa is beyond impoverished children. We are trying to promote African culture.”

    Lindsey Oliver, Chief Commercial Officer of Continental Broadcasting Service, representing TVC News, said: “TVC News is keen to promote the performance to not only the Nigerians in the United Kingdom, where we have broad coverage, but also to everyone all over the world. We are keen to promote more performances that showcase African culture.”

    The play will be staged from July 21 to 25 at The Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road, London’s West End.

     

  • Vivian Chiologi weds John Shittu in London

    Vivian Chiologi weds John Shittu in London

    Last Saturday witnessed another Nigerian elite wedding in London as Vivian Chiologi, the famous beautician and owner of Pride and Joy Salon in Lekki, Lagos, tied the nuptial knot with FIFA-licensed football agent, John Shittu, at the Dorchester Hotel. The unending smiles on the face of the groom were evidence of his joy at his new status, having been a widower for six years.

    Banke Meshida-Lawal of BM Pro, another beautician of repute, was on hand to give the bride a soft and classy face beat. Vivian, who is blessed with beauty in abundance and grace only a goddess can boast of, glowed on her special day just as her groom bloomed with pride. The event was planned by Mrs Wedding Planner and had among the guests Mo Abudu; Thisday Style Editor, Ruth Osime and Chelsea footballer, John Mikel Obi.

    The popular football agent’s first wife, Ibironke Alake Shittu, had died in London in 2010 after a brief illness.

  • Ear infection: Buhari departs for London

    Ear infection: Buhari departs for London

    •President begins 10-day vacation

    President Muhammadu Buhari will today travel to London for a 10-day holiday,  his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina said in statement last night.

    Adesina said the President will see an Ear, Nose and Throat (E.N.T) specialist to treat a persisitent ear infection.

    The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari will take 10 days off and travel to London on Monday, June 6th to rest.

    “During the holiday, President Buhari will see an E.N.T. specialist for a persistent ear infection. He was earlier examined by his Personal Physician and an E.N.T Specialist in Abuja and was treated.”

    According to Adesina, the Nigerian doctors recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution.

  • Ear Infection: Buhari takes leave for check up in London

    Ear Infection: Buhari takes leave for check up in London

    President Muhammadu Buhari will take 10 days off and travel to London on Monday to rest.

    The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.

    During the holiday, President Buhari will see an ENT specialist for a persistent ear infection.

    He was earlier examined by his personal physician and an E.N.T Specialist in Abuja and was treated.

    Adesina said that both doctors recommended further evaluation purely as a precaution.

  • Bimbo Manuel, Dolapo Oni hit London for Wakaa the Musical

    Bimbo Manuel, Dolapo Oni hit London for Wakaa the Musical

    In response to growing interests in productions of African origin across the globe, Wakaa the Musical, a Bolanle Austen-Peters’ production, will be showing in London from July 21 to 25, at the Shaw Theatre, 100-110 Euston Road London’s West End.

    Austen-Peters, who is CEO of Terra Kulture and also the producer and director of Wakaaexpressed her excitement as Wakaa will be presented to the London audience for the first time at a press briefing on Tuesday.

    “There is a large Nigerian and Afro – Caribbean population in London, who are interested and yearning to see world class productions such from Nigeria,” she said.

    She said that Wakaa the Musical has the potential to boost cultural diplomacy and promote the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria abroad.

    The cast include Bimbo Manuel, Patrick Diabua, Nengi Adoki, Dolapo Oni, OzzyAgu, JolomiAmuka, amongst others.

    Wakaa the Musical is a two-hour stage musical extravaganza of drama, comedy, live music and dance about the trials, successes and experiences of graduates with varied backgrounds. A wager between them after graduation has a twist when the realities of life and the folly of their choices hit them. Eventually they reunite, coming full circle.

    The strong satire of Nigeria’s politics  explores the scheming, intrigues, betrayals and games people play in life.

  • Nigerian London Business Forum faults corruption tag on Nigeria

    The Nigerian London Business Forum, United Kingdom, has described as unwarranted comments made by the British Prime Minister David Cameron, were he described Nigeria as a country that is “fantastically corrupt.”

    In a statement issued by the body and signed by its Chief Operating Officer, Danette Gayle and Nigeria’s Country Director, Prof. Chris Onalo, the Forum said the scathing remarks were not only in bad taste but capable of hampering the modest achievement by the body in the last four years.

    In a statement which reads in part, the Forum said: “As a trade and investment association committed to promoting bilateral trade relations between the two countries, and in recognition of the frantic effort which the forum has embarked on in the past four years resulting in bringing together British and Nigerian investors including businessmen and women with a view to strengthening business and investment relationship, we consider Prime Minister David Cameron’s statement as not only unfortunate but effectively capable of hurting the much needed trade and investment relationships which the two countries are seriously canvassing.”

    The Forum which fell short of accusing Cameron of being a spoilsport, said the efforts of the group to influence the negative mindset and perception of British investors and potential business partners about Nigeria through discourse in the series of conferences and summits was beginning to yield a positive outcome before the number one citizen of the United Kingdom made such a remark.

    Apparently giving its endorsement of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, the Forum said it believes in the genuineness of the current anti-corruption war being waged by the present government.

  • Siasia hits London today for Victor Moses

    Siasia hits London today for Victor Moses

    • To hold talks with Mikel after Leicester City game
    • Hopes to parley with Ighalo over over-aged players’ status

    Dream Team VI handler Samson Siasia left Nigeria yesterday aboard British Airways flight to London to meet with Super Eagles Captain Mikel Obi, West Ham striker Victor Moses, Watford forward Odion Ighalo over the prospect of joining the Rio 2016 Olympics bound team.

    Siasia has over 10 shortlisted over-aged players on the 60-players pool submitted for this year’s Olympics and he is taking his time to know where exactly is needed to beef up the team for the competition which he almost led the Nigerian team to the final of the 2008 edition in Beijing, China losing the gold medal to the Lionel Messi led Argentina.

    The Coach is eyeing the gold medal of this year’s edition and he has mapped out visitations to London, Germany, Spain and France to meet one on one with the likely players that falls within the age bracket of the competition and over-aged players too.

    His first point of call is England where he left for yesterday morning and he would use the opportunity to watch the Chelsea versus Leicester last English Premier League match after which he would now sit down to discuss with the Eagles captain, NationsSport learnt exclusively from a top source from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in Abuja.

    He also has a special date with West Ham striker Victor Moses and Watford star Odion Ighalo on the possibilities of joining the team for the Olympics.

    Siasia told NationSport that “we have to take the bull by the horns and go and meet these players and their clubs face to face so that we can be very sure of their release for the Olympics. You know very well that the Olympics Football Tournament is not in the calendar of FIFA”, he observed then.

  • As PMB goes to London

    President Muhammadu Buhari arrives in London tomorrow to join 50 other world leaders at a landmark international anti-corruption summit called by Prime Minister David Cameron. The “Anti-Corruption Summit London 2016” will bring together world leaders, business and civil society to agree a package of practical steps to: expose corruption so there is nowhere to hide; punish the perpetrators and support those affected by corruption; drive out the culture of corruption wherever it exists, and put in place infrastructure and tools that can be used by international organizations, countries and national institutions to fight corruption.

    In a remarkable recognition of his ongoing war against corruption, President Buhari will speak twice at this event, first as a keynote speaker at a pre-conference meeting called by the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Patricia Scotland and the second for eight minutes allocated to each President or head of government at the main summit, giving the clearest indication that the President’s focus has become a template for the rest of the world.

    In London, President Buhari intends to share experiences with other leaders. He is of the strong conviction that increasing globalization has has made it difficult, if not impossible for stand-alone nations to combat corruption; that without global synergies against corruption, nations will fail in their efforts towards economic growth, maintaining  security, reducing  poverty and protecting the environment for their children. He will, in the light of this seek support for anti-corruption capacity for our national institutions and the citizenship.

    As his own contribution, the President has substantially aligned himself with major initiatives enunciated by the convener, Prime Minister David Cameron that seek to increase transparency and governance in several key areas.

    He has formulated a Nigerian position on how to end impunity for corruption and ensuring that those involved in grand corruption are brought to justice through the active enforcement of laws and restrictions. Equally in agreement with Cameron, he is making suggestions on ways of empowering those affected by corruption by ensuring that its proceeds are returned to those to those from whom they have been stolen.

    President Buhari will also join the world leaders in designing a global architecture and tools that can be used to by international organizations,countries and national  institutions to fight corruption.

    In an outline by the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami SAN, specific areas of interest to Nigeria which the President will put on the tables include the development of beneficial ownership information related to corporate ownership, procurement, and public contract. By this, Nigeria will seek the lifting of the veil on corporate ownerships in order to disclose the true owners of a corporate vehicle in contact bids and procurement processes. Beyond this, the corporate ownership profile may be shared with other countries or interested stakeholders.

    Already, there is a broad view among the participants that public contracting is a source of public corruption and must be tackled as such. Our officials recommend that contracts within a certain threshold should be published and those behind the companies bidding for the contract should be listed for public scrutiny both at national and state levels.

    To achieve this, Nigeria plans the enactment of a regulation that will authorize the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC to obtain information on beneficial ownership of foreign companies that can be held in a different database to be managed by the CAC.

    Nigeria will be demanding the strengthening of the supervisory responsibilities of financial and non-financial services regulators and provision of specific training on compliance requirements for these sectors and will seek the establishment of an inter-agency collaboration as a key element in improving the implementation of Financial Action Task Force, FATF standards (such as the money laundering laws, anti-corruption laws, and Financial Intelligence Centre Bill).

    As part of measures to enhance fiscal transparency which is required in enhancing economic growth, improved GDP and poverty reduction, officers working in budget offices as well as those responsible for approving public spending may henceforth  be properly scrutinized, monitored and required to declare assets on a regular basis.

    The Nigerian government has in fact set for itself the objective of signing the Open Government Partnership and Open Contracting Partnership.

    A major issue of interest is greater transparency in the extractive industry (oil, gas and solid mineral sectors). The U.K. Government and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, OECD have identified 20 percent of international corruption and bribery as coming for this sector. Nigeria will argue for greater fiscal transparency and and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws to deal with the problem.

    The President is expected to give assurances that a lot of work will be done  on a set of laws that will improve enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Nigeria has already begun reviewing its anti-corruption laws enacted since 2000 to bring it in compliance with international developments. In addition, the country which has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption UNCAC is currently reviewing the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention for possible ratification. The OECD convention is considered among the stringiest of measures against corruption in corporate governance.

    President Buhari has also forwarded the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Bill, 2016 to the National Assembly for enactment into law. When passed, it will enhance mutual assistance and  international cooperation between Nigeria and other countries. The President will also announce that a new Nigeria Financial Intelligence Centre Bill has been drafted for this purpose and would soon be forwarded to the National Assembly.

    The Nigerian government will also indicate support for the UK proposal on the development of the International Anti-Corruption Coordination Centre. This is to be based in London and will serve as a global forum.

    As part of contributions to the evolution of the global anti-corruption infrastructure, Nigeria will seek support for the hosting of an “International Summit on Assets Recovery “ in 2017 in Abuja and for the establishment and hosting of a “Forum on Assets Recovery in Africa” to be based in Abuja.

    This trip is important for both Nigeria and the international community which reposes a lot of hope on Muhammadu Buhari who is faced with the daunting task of reversing the the socio-economic and political mess in which the previous administration left the country. In addition to the anti-corruption summit, the visit will also focus on trade and investment between Nigeria and the U.K. President Buhari will welcome British investment in Nigeria.

    It is hoped that the bilateral discussions between the Prime Minister and our President will focus on issues of common interest and do everything to possible to take the relationship between the two countries to newer heights.

     

    • Shehu, is Senior Special Assistant to the President

    (Media and Publicity).

  • Buhari for London’s anti-corruption summit

    Buhari for London’s anti-corruption summit

    President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday travel to London to participate in the International Anti-Corruption Summit.

    A statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said that Buhari as an internationally recognised leader in the global fight against corruption will play a prominent part in the summit.

    The summit will be hosted by Prime Minister David Cameron of Great Britain with many other Heads of State and Government in attendance.

    President Buhari will, ahead of the summit’s opening, deliver a keynote address titled: “Why We Must Tackle Corruption Together” at a pre-summit conference of development partners, the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, Transparency International and other civil society groups on Wednesday, May 11, 2016.

    He is one of the world leaders scheduled to speak at the opening session of the Anti-Corruption Summit with others, including Prime Minister Cameron and the President of the World Bank, Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

    Thereafter, President Buhari will join other participating heads of State and Government at special plenary sessions on Exposing Corruption, Tackling Corruption and Driving out Corruption.

    In his address to the summit and interactions with other participating leaders, President Buhari will urge the international community to move faster on the dismantling of safe havens for the proceeds of corruption and the return of stolen funds and assets to their countries of origin.

    He will also reaffirm his administration’s unwavering commitment to the fight against corruption and the Federal Government’s readiness to partner with international agencies and other countries to identify, apprehend and punish corrupt public officials.

    President Buhari’s delegation to the Summit will include the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Alhaji Abubakar Malami and the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu.
    Before returning to Abuja on Friday, the President is expected to have a separate meeting with Prime Minister Cameron to discuss ongoing Nigeria-Britain collaboration in the war against corruption and terrorism, as well as other issues, including trade and economic relations between both countries.