The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Talent

  • Reward for talent

    •11-year-old hyperrealist artist finds favour in Ambode’s eyes

    Promising 11-year-old hyperrealist artist Kareem Waris Olamilekan seems to have found his path early in life. His impressive skill was unmistakable as he drew a striking portrait of French President Emmanuel Macron at the New Afrika Shrine, Agidingbi, Ikeja, Lagos, on July 3.  In just two hours, the artist produced a portrait of Macron who visited the home of Afrobeat where he promoted the African Cultural Season 2020, which will be hosted by France.

    A report captured action and reaction: “While waiting for the President to arrive, Olamilekan got to work and created a portrait of Macron, which was presented to him by the event’s host, Nigerian singer, Banky W. A visibly moved Macron touched heads with Olamilekan and later took to Twitter to appreciate his work. He posted a short video of the moment, with the caption, “Very touched. Congrats to this young boy.”

    Waris’ art is particularly interesting because it is hyperrealist. The beauty of his style is its photographic appeal. His talent is undeniable.

    It is commendable that Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, who visited the Shrine with Macron and saw Waris’ artistic work, has taken an interest in the boy. Ambode, on July 12, hosted the boy and his parents at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja. The artist’s teachers and instructor were also there. Ambode  promised to support Waris’ education and help him to develop his artistic talent. The governor also pledged to support Waris’ instructor, Adeniyi Adewole Wasiu, who is said to run the Ayowole Academy of Arts, where he trains young artists.

    Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, said: ”We want him to be a successful well-rounded student first and foremost and of course as an artist. It is a long haul thing but first good education and let him continue as a good artist.”  Ayorinde observed that before Macron’s visit to the country, Waris, who is in JSS 1 in a public school, “had become a household name thanks to the special story done by a media house.”

    Ayorinde highlighted Ambode’s interest in helping the young to grow by citing another instance of the governor’s intervention that deserves public attention because of its cultural value. He stated: “So, the governor has invited him and his parents to come and meet him and because the governor is interested in his education and if you like the welfare of his parents, His Excellency has promised to assist just like he did to the Footprint of David boys who had a special performance at the State House during the Children’s Day.” The reality is that there are young ones in various sectors who need institutional intervention.

    It is heartening that Waris’ is a public school product, considering the low rating of public schools in a society that has more confidence in private schools. It shows that public schools are redeemable.

    The intervention by Governor Ambode may well be a turning point for Waris. The boy was quoted as saying: “I am very happy and excited. I thank Governor Ambode for this opportunity. Now, I want to study my art very well; I want to be a good artist, great artist in the world.”

    By pledging support for the academy that produced Waris, the governor acknowledged the contribution of the artist’s mentor. There are other talented children that could benefit from the academy’s activities, if it is sustained and given a chance to grow.

    Waris’ story shows that there are possibilities that need to be explored. Cultural governance is important in the context of political governance. It is observable that just as Macron’s cultural emphasis attracted public attention during his visit, Ambode’s cultural interest has drawn attention to the importance of cultural pursuits.

  • Group scouts for talent in upcoming theatre festival

    Art-based non-profit organisation, Playback Nigeria, is set to organise this year’s Children’s Theatre Festival in Abuja from June 27 to June 30.

    According to the organisers, the festival promises to be engaging and educative as 40 performances developed by 20 individual performers and 20 participating schools will be showcased by children, for children and about children.

    The CEO, Playback Nigeria, Damilola Apotieri, said this in an interview on Monday.

    He stressed on the need for children to be able to express themselves through different art modes such as theatre, drama, music, dance and spoken word.

    He said: “It will provide an opportunity for children to explore their concerns through art aside being an advocacy platform for the recognition and appreciation of the talent that lies within them.

    “Registration is ongoing with limited slots available for performers while tickets will be available for sale to audience members.

    “Playback Nigeria is working with different stakeholders including the media, corporate organisations and companies, volunteers and our own staff members towards a successful festival.

    “The festival is also open for partnership with organizations who promotes child-friendly contents.”

    For the past three years, Playback Nigeria has worked in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

    They organised several child development programs including trainings for teachers and psychosocial workers.

    The NGO also held Children’s Media Summits for 170 children from 7 local governments in Borno State in December 2017.

    Apotieri said that the NGO renders psychosocial support to thousands children affected by the insurgency and their caregivers through art-based methodologies.

    “Playback Nigeria is dedicated to using interactive arts for psychosocial support, community interaction, enhancement, development and capacity building.

    “The festival will help build children’s creativity and develop skills apart from being a form of education.”

  • Odiaka rates PSG-Irukka football talent hunt high

    Former Super Eagles ace striker ,Monday Odiaka has said that he is happy to be part of the proposed PSG-Irukka football talent hunt.

    Odiaka praised the management of Irukka Online Limited  for coming up with such bold initiative  which he said would help make Nigerian football ,first among equals in the world of football..

    He also commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for endorsing the talent hunt and  also for having youth football development  as one of its cardinal objectives.

    His words :“I am glad to be part  of the PSG-Irukka talent hunt because it is a laudable project  with the capacity to develop grassroots football in Nigeria .I am rating it very high going by the quality of personnel that have been assembled for the talent hunt .People like Samson Siasia ,Garba  Lawal ,Waheed Akanni  among others .These are men who have played football at the highest level and therefore , know what football is all about .I am also happy that the NFF is strongly backing the talent hunt because it is in line with its cardinal objective which is youth football development .It is this type of synergy that Nigerian football needs to develop to international standard.

  • Osundare @ 70: Talent not enough

    Osundare @ 70: Talent not enough

    A survey of Nigeria’s major newspapers last Sunday would reveal a complete blackout. Not even a quarter – let alone full – page advert featured to trumpet a major landmark.

    Save for a short tribute by President Mohammadu Buhari. Yet, it was the 70th birthday of one of Nigeria’s finest poets ever, a master prose stylist, an original thinker and, above all, a moral titan.

    Well, that should be expected in a land riven by philistinism. He is not to be counted among the tribe of politicians that can hardly boast any principle.

    Neither is he one of your wealthy tycoons with no identifiable business address, nor the false prophets in garish cassocks. Professor Oluwaniyi Osundare operates at a much higher intellectual and ethical frequency. Surely, only the deep can call to the deep.

    Indeed, what sets the Ekiti-born bard apart is not so much the gift of a unique facility that spews lyrical lines effortlessly – that prodigious power that infuses words with life and tweaks same to evoke the deepest meaning possible.

    (By the way, just anyone with writing talents can scribble anything.) Rather, what distinguishes Prof Osundare from the rest is a skyhigh moral capital, a fierce refusal to be purchased or captured, in an environment where intellectual promiscuity has quite become fashionable.

    He flourishes in the tradition set by Professor Wole Soyinka. Other than poetry, he has also been involved with Nigeria in the last four decades as a public intellectual. Whereas many have lost their innocence along the way in cavort with power, he remains uncorrupted and incorruptible.

    Two years ago, he was named winner of the coveted National Merit Award. Soon came the gossip that the trophy might begin to becloud his critical lens, muffle his trenchant voice, to the pleasure of the already fawning Goodluck Jonathan who had the statutory privilege of physically presenting him the prize in Abuja.

    That, as against spitting fire of old, the “people’s poet” might soon begin to “lick ice cream” like many others. It was a defiant Osundare who fired back a bazooka:

    “Nobody is keeping me quiet!” Speaking at a lecture organized in his honour in Ibadan, he clarified: “Nigerian government didn’t give me award; it’s the NNMA committee that recommended me; it’s a peer-review award. We were many academics on the list before I was chosen.

    This is the only award regiment in Nigeria that I recognize. “We must learn to celebrate the best in us. This is a beautiful country. We must not judge Nigeria by the thieves in Aso Rock and in the government houses in the states. There’s so much beauty in Nigeria.

    “We have a country to build, not a ragtag assemblage that we have now. It’s we that have to build it, not Indians or Americans. Don’t give up hope; don’t despair.

    It used to be said, ‘As long as there‘s life, there’s hope’, but for us, it should be ‘As long as there hope, there’s life in this country!’” Many happy returns of the day, Prof.

  • School inaugurates talent discovery centre

    The pupils of Laural Stephens School Lekki, Lagos, impressed guests with ballet and Yoruba traditional performances as they recieved Senator Gbenga Ashafa, who represents Lagos East Senatorial District.

    The event, which attracted parents, students and friends, was the inauguration of the school’s talent discovery arena called the “LauraStephens Centre” which the director, Mrs Josephine Ndubuisi Kanu, said synchronises with the school’s vision to provide a world class education in a world class learning environment.

    “Our promises have remained to encourage each child to experience the excitement, wonders and joys of growing up and learning.

    “We hope that the LauraStephens Centre which contains a swimming pool, will further add value to the lives of our children as well as benefit the wider community that we seek to serve,” she said.

    Inaugurating the centre, Ashafa expressed delight with the efforts made by the school to provide an edifice in which pupils could showcase their talents in debates, dance, quiz competitions and others, which, he said would help broaden their horizon.

    While praising the pupils’ presentations, Ashafa urged schools to make Nigerian languages a priority, saying it would help children understand their cultural heritage.

     

  • 1,200 attend Talent Hunt

    NO fewer than   1,200 participants attended the third inter-school Young Business Talent Hunt (YBTH), which held at Skyline University College (SUC) United Arab Emirate (UAE) campus last week.

    They were drawn from three categories – advertisement design, new business plan, and new mobile application.

    TYV Founder/Editor Dr. Namrata K. Pathania said the contest attracted responses from about 291 teams.

    He said: “The competition aims to challenge high schoolers to gain real-world opportunities and skills. Every year, TYV and SUC provide a platform for students to demonstrate their business ideas and strategies. This event helps them explore their hidden talents and encourages them to network with business experts and peer groups which help them add value to the business plan.”

    Aside providing quality education, the young business talent aims at harnessing students’ knowledge while at the same time inculcating in them virtues such as hardwork in academics and extra-curricular activities.

    Pathania thanked the judges, as well as staff of SUC and TYV, for their efforts.

    This year’s edition is a joint partnership between Skyline University College and The Young Vision Magazine.

  • ERIKI, BULL FUJI TALENT WINNER, DROPS ALBUM

    AS part of the demands of his victory, winner of the fourth edition of Bull Fuji Talent Hunt, 28 years old Ishola Ade, a.k.a Eriki, has dropped audio CD album, titled Bull Fuji Varieties. The twelve-track album was released as part of promise made by Intercontinental Distillers Ltd., (IDL) the company that powered the Fuji music competition, across southwest part of Nigeria.

    The album boasts of songs like Oriki Oti which pays tribute to origin of Gin. Eriki, gave good account of his talent via singing about other quality drinks from IDL, e.g Veleta, Chelsea London Dry Gin, Action Bitters, DeRok and Eagle Aromatic Schnapps.

    The artiste also advocates for peace in Nigeria, as well as recommending Bull brands to first time consumers and Fuji music lovers.

    Ishola Ade , a Mass Communication student from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, Kwara State, it would be recalled, won the Bull Fuji Talent Season 4 competition in Ibadan, Oyo State on Friday, June 3, after a keenly contested competition among seven Fuji acts.

    “In all, the audio CD is a good effort from Eriki, which has made him follow footsteps of his predecessors; Nurudeen Atanda a.k.a Antenna who did BullFujimania, Idriss Akanbi a.k.a Aloma who did Bull Fuji Vibration, and Muftau Alabi a.k.a. Senior Prefect who did Bull Fuji Flavour ,”  says Lanre Alabi, Chief Operating Officer of Kingsize Entertainment, organisers of the competition.

  • ‘I discovered my music talent in church’

    ‘I discovered my music talent in church’

    Alexander Adelabu became the cynosure of all eyes recently after he won the “Got Talent” show organised by the Mass Communication Students Association (MCSA) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The 100-Level Mass Communication student, whose stage name is Magikz, tells MIFTAUDEEN RAJI (300-Level Mass Communication) what he seeks to achieve with his music.

    When did you start music?

    I started from the church. Then, I was a member of the choir. I learnt how to play musical instruments, such as mouth organ, flute and trumpet. That was where I had my foundation in music. At the age of 12, I had started writing lyrics. I started with gospel music, I added rap later. But naturally, I am a singer.

    What does EP stand for?

    It is called ‘Extended Play’ to launch my coming album. This is just like a taste of what the album will look like. I will drop three tracks next Saturday from the album. There is a song already being played. It is titled Mirror. The song will be premiered on UNILAG Radio and we are going to have air time on Kiss FM the same day.

    What inspired the songs you released?

    My inspiration came from the need to create awareness for my name in the music industry. The reason I am releasing the album is actually to get a record deal. That is basically the objective, but I am seeing farther than what I have achieved now. The first thing is to get a record deal, because I could grow a fan base with these songs. And this will make my name to be attractive to record labels.

    Without being signed up to record label, how did you finance your album?

    Actually, I will appreciate friends who support my dream. I don’t have sponsors yet, and it has not been easy. I believe support will come after I drop the first album. I have to do quality songs for people to hear and accept my talent. This is the best way to draw investment.

    What makes your music unique?

    I sing Afro-fusion, rap and R&B. All these put together make my music to be unique, because I am versatile. I don’t just sing one kind of music. You will find it funny that I can sing reggae too. I can tell you that Magikz is a complete brand.

    Do your parents support your music?

    I won’t say they support it completely, because most parents don’t want their children to do music. But for me, my mum supports it partially. Every parent wants their child to go to school and get good grades. I will definitely complete my education, because this is very fundamental. I have partial support from my mum, but my dad does not want to hear anything like music. I am confident he would change his mind when he sees my talent.

    How do you cope, combining music with academics?

    I try not to think that education is the least. I also try not to look at music as everything. I still take my education very seriously. I try as much as possible to focus on both. But as it stands now, I can’t say I’m 100 per cent focused on any of them. Right now, I would say music is taking more of my time. But, as God would have it, I am not dullard. I believe things will work out for me on both sides.

    What is your advice for students doing music? 

    They should know that whatever they do, they must give total commitment to it. You don’t know where God will help you. Everywhere you find yourself, always try to express your talent and don’t believe that the future is coming. The future is now. Education will actually open your mind to aspire for more. It is what you use the education to achieve will be your gain.

  • Talent hunt brings out the best in teens

    It was an evening when individual’s talents were showcased as the Voice of Ministries International (VOM) organised a ‘Talent Hunt’ show for its teenagers.

    The teenagers exhibited various talents including singing, dancing, choreography, speech and poetry reading, drawings, drumming, playing of saxophone amongst others.

    The Judges who were drawn from various fields scrutinized the youngsters as they were shown their strong and weak points and how their talents could be improved upon.

    Charging the youths before the commencement of the show, Pastor Flora Peters said the talent hunt was organized to enable the teenagers showcase God’s deposit in their lives adding that talents have to do with the natural abilities God have deposited in everyone.

    According to her, a lot of people lose their talents because nobody could guide or direct them urging the youths to allow the Spirit of God to guide them to enable them do exceedingly well with their talent.

    “Nobody is empty, there is a deposit of God into the lives of everyone. We do not want the talent in these youths to die in them. This talent show is not for competition or pride but for the name of God to be glorified.

    “You cannot enter into your glory when you have nothing to present. As you keep on doing what have been deposited in you, you will be recommended”, she told the teenagers.

    At the end of the talent hunt which trilled everyone present, the General Overseer of Voice of Mercy Ministry International, Pastor Ojo Peters commended the youngsters for having the courage to showcase their various talents adding that greatness does not start in one day but starts in a step.

    He said that they all have a chance of improving their performance by training harder and getting more training.

    Peters urged them not to neglect their books as education is also important in getting their talents just as he admonished them to avoid sin which have the capacity of terminating their destiny.

    He also promised the teenagers to get them musical instruments to aid in their practices.

    Some of the youths who were interviewed after the talent show expressed their happiness in being able to showcase their various talents. They appreciated the leadership of the church for giving them the opportunity.

    The teenagers said they now know where their strength lies as most of them promised to get more training in order to improve on their talents.

  • Talent hunt brings out the best in teens

    Talent hunt brings out the best in teens

    It was an evening when individual’s talents were showcased as the Voice of Ministries International (VOM) organised a ‘Talent Hunt’ show for its teenagers.

    The teenagers exhibited various talents including singing, dancing, choreography, speech and poetry reading, drawings, drumming, playing of saxophone amongst others.

    The Judges who were drawn from various fields scrutinized the youngsters as they were shown their strong and weak points and how their talents could be improved upon.

    Charging the youths before the commencement of the show, Pastor Flora Peters said the talent hunt was organized to enable the teenagers showcase God’s deposit in their lives adding that talents have to do with the natural abilities God have deposited in everyone.

    According to her, a lot of people lose their talents because nobody could guide or direct them urging the youths to allow the Spirit of God to guide them to enable them do exceedingly well with their talent.

    “Nobody is empty, there is a deposit of God into the lives of everyone. We do not want the talent in these youths to die in them. This talent show is not for competition or pride but for the name of God to be glorified.

    “You cannot enter into your glory when you have nothing to present. As you keep on doing what have been deposited in you, you will be recommended”, she told the teenagers.

    At the end of the talent hunt which trilled everyone present, the General Overseer of Voice of Mercy Ministry International, Pastor Ojo Peters commended the youngsters for having the courage to showcase their various talents adding that greatness does not start in one day but starts in a step.

    He said that they all have a chance of improving their performance by training harder and getting more training.

    Peters urged them not to neglect their books as education is also important in getting their talents just as he admonished them to avoid sin which have the capacity of terminating their destiny.

    He also promised the teenagers to get them musical instruments to aid in their practices.

    Some of the youths who were interviewed after the talent show expressed their happiness in being able to showcase their various talents. They appreciated the leadership of the church for giving them the opportunity.

    The teenagers said they now know where their strength lies as most of them promised to get more training in order to improve on their talents.