The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Solomon Odeniyi.

  • It’s not easy to shoot babies – Bisola Ijalana

    It’s not easy to shoot babies – Bisola Ijalana

    Bisola Ijalana, owner of M12Photography is the first baby and children photographer in Nigeria. She speaks on the challenges of the job, the uniqueness of her profession and the journey so far with SEGUN ODUNAYO, PRAISE OLOWE and SOLOMON ODENIYI.

     Excerpts:

     

     Why children photography?

    I started children photography because I felt there was a need in Nigeria for baby photography. After I got married, my husband noticed I had a passion for photography and he encouraged me to go for photography training. After the training, I had my baby and it dawned on me that I needed to take my baby’s photographs.  From there I realized that, we had more of wedding photographers in Nigeria. This made me thirsty to learn more and then specialize in that genre of baby photography.

    After specialising, what did you discover about children photography?

    Children are wonderful gifts from God and they all have different characters. It is not easy to shoot babies; it requires a lot of patience, care and you have to be safety conscious in order to gain the trust of their parents.  It is also capital intensive compared to the other genres of photography. I keep buying props because I don’t want to repeat same setups /concept for every child.

    How have you been able to muddle through?

    Well, there is no job without its own challenges but I have been able to combine it effectively because I have a supportive family. My husband supports me one hundred percent and this has kept me going.

    What keeps your drive in this profession?

    The comments and feedback I get from my clients and people keeps me going, I am happy I help my clients create beautiful photographs of their children to cherish forever. I recently won an award which gave me more hope that there is need to keep doing what I do.

    What award did you win?

    I won the female photographer of the year at the Exquisite Ladies of the year award (ELOY) last year.

    Do you combine photography with other jobs?

    No, I don’t combine. I am a full time Photographer.

    What inspired the name M12?

    (Smiles) I met my husband on his birthday which happens to be March 12. And when I was making a decision on what name I wanted to use, it dropped in my heart, I thank God for that.

    What big names have you worked with?

    All my clients are special; I value the business they give me. The genre of photography I do is baby unlike events photographers that tends to work for organizations. I tend to work more for individuals and they are all special to me.

    Who are your role models in the industry?

    Photography in general is Ty Bello, for Baby photography Ana Brandt, Kelly brown and Luisandan.

    Don’t you have any Nigerian baby photographer you look up to?

    I started it first in Nigeria.

    How long have you been in the business?

    As for photography in general, it has been over six years but for baby photography, five years.

    What is your educational background?

    The secondary school I went to is Lagos state model college, Meiran.  For my tertiary education, I went to University of Ilorin where I bagged a BSc in Biochemistry. I have done other certification courses in Business /Entrepreneurial Management.

    What has been the pains and gains of the job so far?

    No pains, all gain. I enjoy what I do and I have no regrets.

    And what has been the gain?

    I have been able to create awareness and carve a niche in photography that has never been existing in Nigeria, I have also become an employer of labour.

    As a pioneer, what measures are you putting in place to take baby photography to the next level in Nigeria?

    I do training for photographers who are interested in becoming baby photographers.

    Do you do this for free?

    I have done both free and both paid training and I still do. I take interns as well.

    How will you rate the Nigerian photography industry?

    It is growing positively, the number of photographers increases and people are beginning to value and respect photographers professionally.

  • Arole and I are not one – Asiri comedy

    Arole and I are not one – Asiri comedy

    In an online interview with The Nation Online, Osundare Damilare also known as Asiri comedy, a comedian speaks about his relationship with Arole, his career among other issues with OLOWE PRAISE, SOLOMON ODENIYI and SEGUN ODUNAYO. Excerpts:

    How did comedy begin for you?

    Comedy for me started as interaction among my peers. Friends naturally gather round me because I was very lively and I throw funny jabs too. Later when I gained admission into the university I joined a drama group where I get to act the funny roles.

    How long have you been in this industry?

    I have been in the industry since 2010

    What university did you attend and what course did you study?
    I attended Obafemi Awolowo University Ile ife I studied Microbiology

    What has been your ups and downs so far in the industry?
    The comedy industry in Nigeria is a battle of USP (unique selling point), If you don’t have one you will be lost in the crowd. For me, every opportunity I get to make people happy is fulfilling. As for the downs, they are part of the plan to greater heights

    What’s your unique selling point?
    Depth, intelligence spontaneity and observational strengths as well as creativity

    Many believe Arole is your superior, what is your view about this?
    (Laughs) It’s not a game of superiority. We are two individuals with diverse strengths. Our duo is a fusion of individual strengths that is why as individuals we still function in our respective capacity. We have been doing active stand up as individuals before the duo came to play. Even in the midst of the duo our individuality is still pronounced

    So, you guys are not one?
    We are not one. We are different brands. Our coming together gave us remarkable mileage

    Many believe Arole  grace bigger events  than you do, especially as he travels outside the country to perform, do you think they are right?
    Arole has paid his price and he has given to the industry. He deserves every bit of achievement he is getting now. It is not a competition between us. It is Friendship. We have our respective niche and audiences and it depends on what you mean by the big stages because we have graced the stage of almost all comedy events in Nigeria this year.

    How did you come about the name Asiri?
    I got it from Mark 4:11

    Which states?
    It is given unto men to know the Mystery of the kingdom of God. Asiri means secret or mystery

    Are you a circular comedian or a religious one?

    I’m far from being religious. I appeal to all cliques

    So, why the religious inclination of some of your videos on Instagram?

    Give me examples

    Your videos tilt towards Christianity, isn’t so?
    That is not true, Its about dynamics. When I’m in a religious setting I stay within the confines of religion if that is what they can relate with. When I’m in a corporate setting I speak their language to them and utilize their registers to get their attention, just recently I did a joke on Davido

    Give us an insight into your background
    I grew up in Ibadan, I have two  sisters. I am the only male child. My parents were disciplinarians. I enjoyed reading a lot. I have read books like Oliver Twist, Animal Farm and Things Fall Apart since when I was just about seven years old

    What’s your name and what secondary school did you attend?
    Osundare Damilare Simeon. I attended Stars Comprehensive College in Oke koto sawmill area, Ibadan. I was very stubborn then. I loved playing pranks a lot

    What’s your state of origin?
    Oyo state

    Who are your mentors in the profession?
    I don’t really have my mentors in the comedy profession. However, I have Great men like Alibaba, Bovi that I have understudied and learnt from them from afar

    What should your fans expect from your stable soon?
    I am staging a two hour stand up show soon tagged “InspiComedy”, I will be blending inspirational stories will full dose of comedy for two hours, It’s going to be one of a kind.

    Will you be collaborating with other comedians or entertainers on this?
    They will be around as guests, but it will be exclusively about me

    Where do you see yourself in five years?
    I would have been a global voice

    What has been your most embarrassing experience from a fan?
    I was pressed this fateful day, so I hurriedly entered a mall. Few meters before getting to the rest room, this lady blocked me requesting for a selfie. I tried my best to oblige her. As soon as I allowed her, she beckoned on five other friends, I just ran off the scene. To my surprise, I met them still waiting while returning from the rest room

    Thanks for your time Asiricomedy
    You are welcome, thanks for putting me on the hot seat.

  • Listen to the voice of the people, Meduoye urges leaders

    Listen to the voice of the people, Meduoye urges leaders

    The General Overseer of Foursquare Gospel Church, Rev. Felix Meduoye has urged leaders in the country to always listen to the yearnings of the people.
    Felix spoke at the 70th birthday and valedictory service for Rev.Victor Iwala. The cleric noted that this would enable them get feedback needed to move the nation forward.

    Meduoye described the celebrant as an Agape pastor, who loves and share with all adding that he’s a minister that brings people together. He added that he wished Iwala does not retire but for the church’s constitution, however, he stated that the septuagenarian was “retiring to re-fire”.  He said: ” I personally Dont wish to let him go because of his active role in the church.  He has provided focused leadership at various hierarchy within the church. He has represented the church both at National and international level. He is still agile. But according to the constitution he has to go. I believe he’s retiring to re-fire. I am sure he will still make himself present in any Foursquare related activity.”

    Also, the wife of the former General overseer of the church, Rev. Mrs Badejo described  Iwala  as a personification of Christ’s love whose good human relations cuts across all and sundry. One of his daughters, Oluwaotoke Iwala described him as a supportive man, mentor and a man committed to the upbringing of his children, adding that he gives himself for the comfort of others.
    Dignitaries at the event are; Wife of the former General Overseer of Foursquare church in Nigeria, Rev. Mrs Badejo, The National President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Rev. Dr. Felix Omobude, General overseer of Four square, Rev. Felix Meduoye, Assistant General overseer of the Redeem Christian Church of God, Pastor Johnson Kalejaiye among others.

     

  • ‘How our community paper has survived for 25 years’

    ‘How our community paper has survived for 25 years’

    Dada Olanipekun, Founder and Publisher of Prestige Newspaper in this interview with The Nation speaks on twenty five years of publishing his community paper in Ogun State.

     What prompted the establishment of your Community newspaper?

    Fundamentally, immediately after the demise of Abiola’s community newspaper in Abeokuta and Chief Osoba’s Magnet Newspaper Ogun State was left without good and well-balanced community newspaper. I sat down in 1991 with some friends, colleagues who were journalism teachers, to plan a well-read, unbiased community newspaper for the three senatorial districts of Ogun State without pretending to be national, a medium based on people, places and events round the nooks and crannies of Ogun State.

    As jobless mass communication major who did not want to work for anybody or organization, the zeal to be self-employed prompted me. In fact it was the profit I made from producing industrial TV documentaries for some cable makers companies such as Kabemental, Microm, Nacaco (Kaduna) Mic com as an innovative TV documentary maker that I ploughed into community newspaper publishing.

    I got into mainframe act of the production in 1991, having been a Catholic reader of national and International media.

    What specific goals did you seek out to achieve 20 years after, will you say; you have accomplished your goals?

    With a sense of modesty, the goals and vision are to publish a newspaper that does not pretend to be national, well balanced community publication, well-respected, that can never be accused of partisanship, brown envelope receiver and without unnecessary legal tussle.

    After 25years of the publication, we have proved cynics wrong that a community newspaper can stay afloat without being accused of one-single libel case. 25years after, no individuals, associations, government in power can ever accuse Prestige newspaper or our reporters of brown-envelope syndrome in Ogun State. Many call us the last “Man” standing in professional journalism practice.

    What has kept you going considering the challenges, usually faced by publications like yours?

    Pure determination not being involved with brown envelope, integrity and credibility built over the years among many readers in the three senatorial districts of Ogun State.

    Added to the above, exclusive interviews, news that readers always yawn to read, creative idea, good management and sound strategies have rained in our favour as the best community newspaper among newly established 25 community newspapers now in the whole of Ogun State.

    What have been the major landmarks in the life of your publication?

    Staying afloat like a shining star without a single libel case or sedition for 25years having loyal and professional editorial members and being respected by 90% of Ogun readers as a community newspaper to trust and believe when it comes to exclusive, well-researched, well-written news interviews, and prosaic style. Respecting off record discussionswith the low and the high in the community called Ogun State and walking by talks.

    Though we were nearly muscled by a former civilian government, we put our foot down without yielding to pressure.

    In fact, we have successfully reported more governments which had seen us as a thorough-bred journalism practitioners with accolades and laurels from NUJ, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and many others too numerous to mention.

    What are your future goals and aspiration, for your publications?

    First to retain the standard and maintain the integrity and credibility and to remain the best ever, second, to leave a legacy to others who are up and coming young publishers that community publishing if well managed professionally can turn you to people’s hero who contributes to the growth and development of its state through self-employment and provision of job for others. That is, if you are contended.

    What community issues will you say; the State government should pay more attention?

    Specifically, my Ogun State, grassroots should be the major area of development, the yawning of the people in grassroots must be listened to before embarking on projects for them. Relationship between government and community development associations (CDAS) must be stronger.

    Rural electrification with renewable energy; (solar and wind) and bole holes and motor-able roads. I have travelled a lot within Ogun State, conducted scientific polls and I feel for the poor masses and the deprived communities. Our farmers in the rural areas must be supported. And those in power at the center must pay unscheduled visits to villages and towns in the rural communities.

     

  • 10 days in Sun City premiered, released in Lagos

    10 days in Sun City premiered, released in Lagos

    The most anticipated movie of the year, 10 days in Sun City has been premiered.

    The movie shot in Sun City, Northern West Province of South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria was premiered on Saturday 17th June 2017 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos and was released in Nigerian on Friday June 23rd.

    In the movie, Ayo Makun, popularly known as AY, featured a journey to the beautiful Sun City in South Africa with fellow cast– Richard Mofe Damijo, Adesua Etomi, Gbenro Ajibade, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Falz, 2face Idibia, Alibaba, Alex Ekubo, Yvonne Jegede, Annie Idibia, Uti Nwachukwu, Fathia Balogun among others.

    Aside the A-list Nigerian cast, the hilarious star-studded comedy movie also featured Miguel Nunez Jr. a Hollywood actor and an equally hilarious South African cast consisting, Amanda Du Pont, comedian Thenjiwe Moseley, Celeste Ntuli and lots more.

    10 days in Sun City was directed by award-winning South African-based Nigerian Director Adze Ugah, written by award-winning writer-director Kehinde Ogunlola and produced by Ayo Makun, Darlington Abuda and Kirsty Galliard.

    One of the outstanding scenes from the movie was the Elephant Sanctuary scene which featured the stars having an interactive elephant experience.

    Other breath-taking scenes in the movie are; Hartebeespoort Dam,locally known as Harties. It is  famous for its sunset cruises as it is for the Lesedi Cultural village, which showcases the fascinating cultures and tradition of the people of South Africa. The scenes in Johannesburg showcased the famous Sandton City and the world renowned Nelson Mandela Square.

    South African tourism in a statement  by  it regional manager in West Africa, Mr Hloni Pitso expressed delight to have partnered with AY on the production of the movie adding that it served as an avenue to showcase South Africa as a holiday and business destination as well as encouraging inter-Africa travel.

    The statement reads in part: “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Ayo Makun on what promises to be yet another blockbuster production. AY is a passionate, determined, dedicated and hardworking individual. This time last year on one of South African Tourism’s influencer hosting trips AY saw opportunities as he travelled throughout South Africa. He did not hesitate to seize the opportunity when he decided that this had to be a location for his next movie. A year later, we are here in Lagos for the movie premiere to watch the much anticipated movie “10 Days in Sun City”.

     “We saw this partnership as an opportunity not only to showcase South Africa as a holiday and business destination but also as a platform to encourage inter-Africa travel. It is important for Africans to explore their own land and discover its people. It is through travel and tourism that we can learn about each other’s historical and cultural heritages. Tourism, entertainment, arts and culture are the key sectors that have the potential to unify this continent through people to people relations for the better advancement of Africa. We are seeing this more and more lately through music collaborations, comedy and now movies. I trust we will see more of such partnerships and collaborations.  Africa united, only greater things can come.”

  • Tuition hike: Student groups storm YABATECH, demand reversal

    Tuition hike: Student groups storm YABATECH, demand reversal

    Students under the auspices of the National Association of Nigerian students and the Alliance of Nigerian students against Neo-liberal Attacks have stormed Yaba college of Technology to protest the “anti-student” policies in the institution.

    The student groups alleged the management of incessant increment in the institution’s tuition fees, proscription of the student Union Government, and the suspension of 21 students last year over their alleged roles in a protest last year.

    In a recent protest, students from within and outside the institution converged at the gate with placards bearing various inscriptions like; “Bring back our comrades”, “we say no to increment in our school fees,” “Recession in the land, the increments must be reversed” among others. They also sang solidarity songs.

    Before long, men of the Nigerian police force arrived at the scene in large numbers. Not bothered by the presence of security men, the students continued their protest until the Registrar of the institution and the Dean of Students Affairs, Mr Oladipo Ademola came to address the crowd.

    He was said to have instructed them to come up with a seven man committee for a meeting with the management as he could not speak with them all. The Protesting students latter moved downed to the sport complex where members that made up the seven man committee were chosen.

    The protesting students on Thursday

    Speaking with The Nation’s CampusLife, Akinola Abiodun, the director of Travel and Exchange of the National Association of Nigerian Students said the protest was to demand for a better deal for the students, requesting that the 21 students suspended last year and the proscribed Students Union Government be reinstated as well as a downward reversal of the increased fees.

    He said: “In the last two years, there has been no students Union Government in this institution. During this period, the school fees has been increased twice. From #19,500 the fee was increased to #23,400 and to #34,000.

    “For fresh students, the increment was from #23,000 to #35,000  and for the part-time students it was increased from 55,000 to 84,000. Most of the students have been tortured with this, some have had to defer their studies by a session to raise money.”

    He added that he was one of the students suspended for his involvement in the February 10, 2016 protest noting that they are all yet to be reinstated.

    The General Secretary of the Alliance of Nigerian Students Against Neo-libral Attacks, Adeyeye Olorunfemi noted that his group joined the protest to express their disdain over the injustice meted on students in the school, adding that: “The acceptance fee has been increased from 10,000 to 20,000, this is a hundred percent increase. When we looked at the break down of the fee, we found some discrepancies for example is the medical examination and XRay.

    “The Rector and other members of the management refused to come out, when we confronted the Medical director to explain the difference between the Media examination and the xray fee in the new school fee structure to us he ran away. Although the registrar has promised to look into all this.”

    When CampusLife visited the Dean of Students Affairs, Mr Oladipo Ademola he declined giving comment on this. He claimed not to be aware of any protest on campus.

    Also, all efforts to get the Public Relations Officer of the institution proved abortive. He was said to have attended a function, same we were told he was absent.