Artists to Dine, Reunion with Fasuyi

Rebecca Ejifoma
 

 

In celebration of an Icon, Timothy Adebayo Fasuyi, who has undoubtedly contributed to the Nigerian Art, great artists have set up plans to exude repertoires of various works at the art exhibition to hold for November 30 at the Resource Place in Ikeja, Lagos.

The exhibition titled, Redefinition, buttresses the revival of the erstwhile TAFAS gallery and its redefinition. The Resource place as a resourceful venue for art exhibition, fashion shows and book launch among others.        

The exhibition is intended to bring to the public glare of artist, art collectors and connoisseurs the accessible and befitting ambience of The Resource place located in the heart of Lagos state capital Ikeja.                             

According to Fasuyi at a press briefing held at the Resource Place recently, he is not producing art piece for sale; “I don’t need to go round for exhibitions. I want to leave them as legacy for the next generation. Each work I do carry some relevance to history, politics, environment and people so that the coming generation will learn what was there before them. It’s a wealthy programme.”

The names, Adebayo Fasuyi, has become like words to art connoisseurs and artists in the country so much so that several, who have benefitted from his awards across the country, have come to dine on canvass ones more. “After many years of absence of art activities in this place, I want to re-open it to its original focus, which is the promotion of artists and their works,” he said.

The exhibition, slated to start on 23rd November, will feature 40 works of seasoned artists including the pioneer of the Gallery; Chief Adebanjo Fasuyi; a Sculptor and Lecturer in the Department of Fine art, Yaba College of technology Mr Adeola Balogun and Bolaji Ogunwo, a Painter and Lecturer in the Department of Creative arts, University of Lagos.

A born artist, who through the rides and tides of this world has pictured man on canvass, said until now artists and art students come to ask him questions. “I want to see the best students come from all over n discuss this art,” he added.

He is a core student of Art, one of the first set of the Zaria Art School, worked in many art sectors and was the Federal Art Adviser who took over from late Professor Ben Enwonwu. As a result of his love for art, he established the Fasuyi prize for best graduating art student in tertiary institutions in the country to help art students. He added, “I also established Tafas Art gallery located in Akora Estate, off Adeniyi Jones Ikeja, Lagos in 1976, the first structure designed for art and culture, theatre, drama and dance. I was one of the officials, who selected the model for this national theatre with Enahoro. But the Tafas gallery played its role then, in fact it was at the gallery that most of the plans for the FESTAC ’77 were done, but after some while the place was used for other purposes.”

Besides the exhibition, the organisers said they were trying to bring together the artists, who have won the Fasuyi prize, an establishment when he was the FAA. “Although, some of them have not met him before it will be more like a re-union. We will look at the award and see how it has impacted on them,” one of them continued.

Art pieces include oil, acrylic, water colour, metal works, ceramics and mixed media among others.

Meanwhile, one of the exhibiting artists and creative arts lecturer at the University of Lagos, Bolaji Ogunwo, pointed out that it would be a platform to acknowledge Fasuyi on how he had impacted positively on artists through his award and at the same time put the place to its original use.

Redefinition will also feature the artistic rave of the moment, Dudu Emmanuel who was trained in Auchi Polytechnic, Edo state; prolific painter, Onyeka Gregory and a dexterous Ceramist, Ojetunde Sheriff trained in the University of Lagos while Biodun Badmus, an OAU best graduating student some years ago, will showcase his artistic talent.                          

The exhibition Promises to display experimental and expressionistic tendencies that characterised the artists’ works in recent times. Titles of works include: Marriage vows, Sunset and child labour, Expectation, Nostalgia, Acquatic Habitat and Shrine, Forest of demons, Sunset on child labour, Bushmeat on drier and Ifa.

The Return of Kakadu the Musical

Rebecca Ejifoma

Live Performance on Stage
 

Last year’s premiere of Kakadu the Musical at the MUSON Centre Onikan Lagos was worth the while. But this time, it returns more energetic with a different set of young characters, as an initiative to breed the youths and take them back to the experience of their parents. It is set to hold this afternoon at 3 p.m. at Cinema Hall, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

Kakadu the Musical is an exciting, inspirational and moving experience that takes its name from the famous Lagos night club of the 60s. It gave birth to an era of wonderful music and the distinctive social life that followed the coming of a young nation.

According to the Director, Kanayo Omo in a press briefing recently, it is meant to help the youths find themselves and discover beauty and excellence in themselves. “Play House Initiative is about mentoring the next generation in the arts,” he said. “And that’s what we want. It is one thing to find excitement and something new, it’s another thing to find yourself live that concrete reality.”

Tribalism and Enmity Strikes Nigeria

Kakadu presents to the people the unity of the country, the unique influence highlife music had on the psyche of Nigerians and how it showed unity on diversity. Things fell apart in Kakadu, Lagos and in other parts of the country, hence, the centre could no longer hold. They, who marched down to war with weapons, came back on able-bodied men’s shoulder. Some lost their eyes during battle, some were amputated and others went to their early grave.
 

Omo alongside the Stage Manager and Assistant Director, William Ekpo, called on Nigerians to come and experience the era when everyday then was as good as Christmas at Kakadu.

A play by Uche Nwokedi, it heralds the widows’ anguish during and after the war from 1965 to the 80s. “Mecca” of collegial love lit up lives as much as it gave it. Suddenly, everything went wrong and the fun days were lost; love betrayed, honour taken away and birthrights shattered. Kakadu never remained the same again.
A collection of songs playing from different styles were creatively woven together by the author to elucidate the story of friendship, love and brotherhood.
The musical, which is set against the backdrop of a newly independent Nigeria, promises to surprise all this afternoon.

Aphorism Goes Beyond Aesthetics......Rebecca Ejifoma

Wisdom is Better than Silver and Gold
 

 

 

A solo art exhibition, featuring the recent works of Johnson Uwadinma, will open on Friday 1^st November at 4 p.m. at the Mydrim Gallery, 74B Norman Williams in Ikoyi Lagos.

 

The exhibition, titled Aphorism, will display 80 paintings based on truth and morality. According to the artist, he draws his thematic strength from proverbial, political, social, economic and spiritual didactism. ‘The body of work offers visual narratives that implore a discourse on life and living,’ he explained.

 

Uwadinma's recent array of aesthetic piece explores the dynamics of destruction and the visual tessellations of hues which he combines with strong compositional organization to create complex, yet simple visual metaphors.

 

This present engagement underscores his urge to see a world transformed by the engagement of truth and morality through his works, which will be exuded at the gallery. It will run from 1^st to 12th November.

Lagos Comic Con Sets to Improve Youths

Rebecca Ejifoma

 

Recently, art in Nigeria has become a centre of attraction and attention. The Annual Lagos Comic convention calls up for young up-coming artists, who are yet to find their paths, to come and learn more at its next event set for November 23 this year at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Lagos.

The event, themed Comic Animation and Digital Extension, will have the seminar and the trade fair sections, where people can buy what they want like comics, animation, graphics and illustrations among others.

Ayo Elegba

The founder and organiser of the Comic Con, Ayodele Elegba, said this at a press conference held recently at his Ikeja office. “It is an opportunity for young people to meet lecturers in the career, who are already in the industry. We have provided a platform for networking; bring speakers and different investors to come and see the talents we have in Nigeria. Then to probably pick or invest in some of the products the participants have. We are bringing speakers from all over the industry, game, comic and movie,” he assured.

The art trade fair, which started last year, has attracted the attention of the state. Who would have ever imagined the Lagos comic could get this far? Therefore, with such thrill and partial fulfilment, Elegba explained, “Because Lagos believes in this, the Lagos state ministry of tourism and the Intergovernmental Relations have sponsored this programme − they have seen the benefit of what we are doing to bring tourists to Nigeria and towards youth development.”

Elegba, who has been in the industry for 12 years or thereabouts says animation will come from abroad this time, “because most of them have seen what we do here and say they want to come back to Nigeria with their products; to start up something in Nigeria.”

With his project-100-programme in this event, which will be the first seminar for the day to start at 10 a.m., he says there will be great job opportunities for the youths. He added, “It is for 100 teenagers and youths to learn digital colouring and painting with the computer, free.”

Elegba also said that the con will give tickets and t-shirts to the first 500 persons that register unlike the last time.

With much certainty, he said the government entertainment is not all about music and movies; there is comic, animation and paintings among others. We see and watch films like avengers and the incredible hulk; they were once comic books but now they are block busters, making millions and billions.

This year’s comic con is giving hope to the young creative persons, who draws, writes and paints. Elegba is calling these teen-artists to come and meet like-minded people. “In America, there are schools that focus on animation, which is what we shall do soon, there is no standard animation school in Lagos right now,” he said.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature

On Wednesday October 9th, organisers of the Nigerian Prize for Literature, The Nigerian Liquified Gas Limited (NLNG), announced Tade Ipadeola as the winner for the NPL 2013 edition of the $100,000 literary prize.

At a world conference held today at the Oceanview Restaurant, Victoria Island Lagos, the panel of judges said Ipadeola’s The Sahara Testaments beat the other 200 entries submitted for the competition this year. “Ipadeola used the Sahara as a metonymy for the problems of Africa and indeed, the whole of humanity. His work encompasses vast stores of knowledge in an encyclopaedic dimension,” the chairman of the panel of judges, Professor Romanus Egudu, said.
Tade Ipadeola, the author of two volumes of poetry – A Time of Signs (2000) and The Rain Fardel (2005) and Lawyer, has also published short stories and essays. In 2009, he won the Delphic Laurel in poetry with his poem ‘Songbird’ in Jeju, South Korea. Tade currently serves as the President of PEN Nigeria Centre and lives in Ibadan, Nigeria, where he writes and practices law.

According to the panel, his work contains potent rhetoric and satire on the topical issues and personalities, ranging from Africa’s blood diamonds and inflation in Nigeria to contrite…Blair. “His use of poetic language demonstrates a striking marriage of thought and verbal artistry expressed in the blending of sound and sense. Sahara is replete with historical, geographical and literary allusions and tropes,” the General Manager, External Relations, Dr Kudo Eresia-Eke.

Other members of the panel of judges for this year's prize included

the Nigerian Prize for Literature winner 2008, Kaine Agary; International Literary Consultant, Prof. Kofianyidoho; Member, Advisory Board for Literature, Prof. Ben Elugbe; Vice Chairman, Advisory Board for Literature, Dr. Jerry Agade; Judges, Prof. Omolara Ogundipe and Dr. Andrew Aba.

 

ANA Lagos Rebrands through Election

Rebecca Ejifoma

In order to rebrand, restructure  and reposition Literature through her organisation, the Association of Nigeria Authors, re-elected Femi Onileagbon as chairman.
The election and congress, which was held at the Artistes Village in National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos at the weekend, was titled Free Publication Seminar for her members. 

According to the new chairman of ANA Lagos,  Mr Femi, having been up the road for eight years, his love for the organisation has not waned. "I am driven by a burning passion to see that ANA Lagos becomes the most vibrant ANA branch in the country and an Association that stands as a major player in the scheme of things in Lagos state," he added.
Among other things, Femi promised to build structures that will live beyond the terms of executive councils; find a functional secretariat, create an active board of trustees; revive guilds created during the tenure of Folu Agoi; literary festivals to promote the growth of literature in the state and will reach out to bodies and embassies.
"ANA Lagos has a great bank of brains and connections that have virtually been untapped for years. My goal is to consistently borrow from this bank in order to make ANA a powerful and a true mother to all authors in Nigeria," Femi assured.  
Some of the dignitaries, who witness and conducted the election, included Former chairman, ANA Lagos, Folu Agoi; Omenka 1 of Akumazu Kingdom, Mr Lari Williams and the National Assistance Secretary General, Mature Okoduwa.

ARTISTIC AGENTS OF CHANGE by Okechukwu Uwaezuoke

An ongoing joint exhibition of the works Ato Arinze and the US-based Solomon Isekeije seeks to bring change to a distressed world.

Of course, two creative minds would always join forces! This is more to be expected when they consider themselves kindred spirits. Fate had neatly scripted the meeting between the Lagos art scene’s acknowledged “guru” of ceramic sculpture Ato Arinze and the US-based artist, Solomon Isekeije. The two artists – Arinze and Isekeije – share so much in common, their interaction would later confirm to them. Both wish to use art to improve the environment.
It had started with a “chance” first encounter at an exhibition held at the Goethe-Institut’s former waterfront premises along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue in Victoria Island, Lagos. Facebook told Isekeije more about what he would like to know about his new-found friend.
One of the logical fallouts of this creative symbiosis was the joint exhibition, which opened on Saturday, August 24 at the Quintessence’s new location close Ikoyi’s Parkview Estate gate. Titled Primal Rebirth, it featured ceramic sculptures, prints and drawings and is on until September 8.
At the press briefing cum briefing, held at Quintessence’s Q-Café, the two artists enthused about the similarity of their works. Isekeije had trained first trained at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in Ile-Ife, where he was mentored in sculpture by Professor Agbo Folarin.
Professor Folarin, the dreadlocks-sporting artist recalled, had introduced him “to the dynamics of various sculptural techniques, strength of materials and material applications through riveting lectures and the opportunity to assist [him] on his public art commission projects”.
Arinze, a 1991 Yaba College of Technology sculpture graduate, has honed his skills with clay during his over 20 years of studio practice as a ceramic sculptor. “I enjoy working with clay,” he declares in his artist statement. “The vessel for me is a metaphor for the world, the surface a canvas. It’s my belief that one who can model perfectly, rounded pot can equally make the best from life. He can also influence many.”
The artist, whose works are highly sought after by art patrons, has in addition facilitated many seminars and workshops on creativity, art business, pottery and sculpture. “My thoughts, concepts and feelings are influenced by nature and events around the world,” he further explained. “All this determines the fate of a given vessel. The shape and forms of each work depends solely on my vision as inspired by activities in our environment.”
The works of both two artists seethe with restrained emotions. In a world where, more often than not, unbridled passions overrule rationality, they stand out as solitary rocks in their quest for change and the deeper meaning behind it all. They do not lose themselves in frenzies of religious self-righteousness but seek through their works to express their hopes and aspirations for a better world. Arinze, for instance, explained: “When thinking of man’s inhumanity to man, the destruction of the ecosystem and the conflict and instability all around the world, the urge to punch or perforate the vessels with holes and lacerations become apparent. However, when a concept is inspired by the beauty of nature and the celebration of good deeds, I am moved to embellish the surface of the vessels with beautiful motifs.”
The coherence of the two artists with their mediums is irrefutable. While Arinze frantically seeks to claw his way from out of the chaos of his environment, Isekeije grapples with his experiences of diverse culture and his African identity in the Diaspora. While producing his works, Arinze is mainly motivated by the urge to share, give and love as he seeks enlightenment and the understanding of peaceful human co-existence. Isekeije goes through the path of “research and artistic investigation”, edging his materials “to their logical limits and beyond”. The University of Maryland Eastern Shore lecturer added: “Sometimes, my experiments yield the desired result and quite often the opposite is the case. This phenomenological approach results in various projected and inadvertent [outcomes] incorporated into my mixed media art pieces.”
Arinze’s patented decorative ceramic pots and nameless contortions with fired clay might as well be logical extensions of Isekeije’s ceramic sculptures like “Sonnet to the Red Moon”, “Totem to the Palm-wine Drinker”.
But Arinze’s “Syria” parodies the incoherence of the intrigues in the crisis-torn Middle Eastern country. A lacerated and contorted ceramic vase with simulated cracks is an apt metaphor for the events in that country. Besides the obvious allusion to the anti-Assad insurgencies and divisions even among Syrian rebels, the metaphor could be extended to the logic-defying intrigues of the US and other Western powers as well as the obduracy the embattled president’s backers.
Obvious in Isekeije’s works are his exploration of the psychological effects of acculturation. His serigraphy offering, “Irinkeredo” (Constant Traveller), alludes a psychological journey through the Diaspora experience of an African. In the work, a traveller – depicted as a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man” – stands at a crossroad carpeted with an American flag and with iconic African and American images as a backdrop. While he is trailed by his cultural, mental and meta-physical baggage, he assumes a chameleonic personality which is captured in his altered physical appearance.
A confluence of ideas divergent ideas, the artist seeks to condense them in visually-coherent images. He struggles through the dense thickets of cryptic images to express what he wants his viewers to accept as “the collaboration between art and science and an attempt to draw a correlation between man and his universe.”
Isekeije currently teaches sculpture, ceramic and printmaking at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. According to the artist, he manages a state-of-the-art computer laboratory, which he had secured his course redesign grant. “My primary objective in the classroom is to inspire my students and help them cultivate a sense of personal and artistic identity. The idea is to teach my students to explore from within, understand and learn how to become relevant [in their societies] by defining their personal worldview. Every day in my classroom, I pursue this goal, one student at a time.”
The exhibition’s rallying call to use art as an agent of change is in sync with the activities of both artists. Arinze, for instance, as the co-founder and co-coordinator of the art collective, Artzero, has been actively involved in the promotion of the works of young, upcoming artists within and outside Lagos. As one of Artzero’s helmsmen, he was instrumental to the group’s flagship exhibition, Art on the Mainland.
“Through our art, we can draw strength to push our society forward,” Isekeije said. Before the coterie of art journalists, who attended the preview, he spoke of self-definition. This implies defining one’s own personal identity.
The MFA degree holder of the Old Dominion University is one of the brains behind the UK-based Theoo Foundation, which seeks to rehabilitate less-privileged members of the society.
His joint exhibition with Arinze launches him back into an evolving art scene he had left behind 13 years ago. This exhibition is a precursor of his planned collaboration with locally-based artists in his quest to improve the society. He, for instance, decried the dreariness of Nigeria’s flagship airport, Murtala Mohammed International Airport and offered to work free of charge to upgrade the airport’s aesthetic value.
Change, for both artists, begins with each individual.

SPAN Promotes Youths

Sarah Boulos

The Founder, Society for Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN), Mrs Sarah Boulos, has said recently that the Nigerian youths needed extra encouragement in the world of Arts to achieve greatness in their areas of endeavour.

She told reporters in Lagos at the 1st Dance and Music Academy Graduation ceremony of SPAN held at the Eko Hotels that SPAN is here to educate and promote Nigerian youths in whatever they wanted to do in the world of Arts. ‘We have created opportunities and enabling environment for them and also make sure that they dialogue, develop and overcome limitations through the arts.’

Sarah explained that it is a healing and transformation tool to get where they want to be; adding that today, they are defined by what they do more than who they are. ‘For that reason, we motivate, encourage, reinforce, recognise, appreciate, nurture and engaged youths and others to further their talents in learning their acts. When people, especially youths, are encouraged to further their education or driven to excel in their heroic journey, the country benefits. There, we will see loyalty, integrity and dedication and transformation in our nation.'

According to her, SPAN would always give and encourage the richness and diversity of Nigeria’s culture and tradition, which will forever be nurtured, preserved and showcased for all to see and experience.

Meanwhile, she stressed that the academy would be a hub for creativity, where ‘our community will not only find a place to escape boredom, appreciate the craft, be inspired and be educated  but will also value it. ‘We regrettably announce the passing-on of one of our students, Zainab Raji before the end of last season. In honour of her, we opened a foundation.’              
The foundation’s hope is to challenge the mindset of youths and others; to be empowered to serve the nation and affect its environment then provide a promising future for the generation to come. While its aim is to set a world standard performing arts education in Nigeria it offers classes in professional stage acting, music and dance.

At the event, certificates were awarded to them and two people were given scholarships to further their dance act in France. ‘Already, 15 students indicated interest in the training in the academy for music and dance act but only nine was able to scale through,' she said.

SPAN is a registered non-governmental organisation founded in 2004, which seeks to provide the much needed opportunity for the talented and gifted persons, especially the children and youths, to express themselves through the arts.

ANA Lagos Sets for Congress and Election

 

The executive council of the Lagos Branch of the Association of Nigerian Authors plans to hold its Association's state congress for September 14 this year at the Little Theatre (NCAC Artistes' Village) National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos, at 2PM.

 

According to its chairman, Mr A.J. Dagga Tolar, the congress will have as its major agenda items’ elections into the executive council of the Lagos Branch and preparation for the ANA International Convention in Akure from November 7-10, this year.

Folktale in Colours: Lindy’s Gems to hold Funday

Children having fun at Lindy's Gems event in Victoria Island, Lagos, recently...

All is now set for this year’s edition of fun-day event, which will hold on October 19 this year at the Muri-Okunola Park, Adeyemo-Alakija, in Victoria Island, Lagos, at 10 AM. 

This charity event, titled, Nigerian folktale in Colours, is organised by Lindy’s Gems Foundation; in line with its vision to build self motivated, balanced and confident children across Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

  

According to its initiator, Mrs Eme Aderinokun, in a press briefing recently, this year’s event is centred on exploring the minds of the future leaders and their interpretation of the folktales in Arts    pictures and crafts, as the country celebrates her Independence. 

“This theme will expose our under-privileged children to the world of art (against all odds), trigger the creative and artistic instincts in them, to appreciate the value they can get through Arts and begin to nurture dreams that can make them better people and in turn great leaders,” she explained.

The event, sponsored by Total Nigeria, GTB, MTN, UAC, LEGO, MTN,

GlaxoSmithKline, promassidor, IBST media, Lucid audio visual, TW Magazine, Foot Prints, Aero Contractors,  Bella Naija, HNK events and Classicus rentals  among others, promised to be a fun-day for all.

Entry Submission for Etisalat Prize for Literature Closes 30th August

Enitan Denloye

Etisalat Nigeria, has announced the 30th of this August as its closing date for the submission of entries into the Debut Fiction category of the Etisalat Prize for Literature. The DF category, which opened on 5^th June will officially close this August to kick off the judging process by the panel of judges chaired by Pumla Gqola.

According to the Director, Brands and Communications Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye,  in a press release issued by its Public Relations Officer, Mabel Aladenusi, the entries received spanned across the continent, a testament to the abundance of literary talent out of Africa. 'We have received some exciting and quality entries since the call for entries of the Etisalat Prize and what we are doing with this Prize is to focus attention on first time published writers.  We are delighted to have provided a platform that showcases and celebrates the uniqueness and creativity in the literary arts as it relates to fiction in Africa.'

He explained that the EPL is the first ever pan-African prize to applaud first time writers of published fiction books. It boasts of a seasoned panel of Judges from across the continent; each with the aim of identifying new writers of African descent. 'Submitted works must be the writer’s first fiction book of over 30,000 words, which has been published in the last 24 months.'

Enitan explained, 'Entries for the Fiction Novel category will be assessed by four preselected judges chaired by the Associate Professor in the Department of African Literature at the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), Pumla Gqola; Professor of Creative writing at the University of Ohio Zakes Mda; writer and academic Sarah Ladipo Manyika and the Managing Editor of Kwani Trust, of the literary Journal Kwani, Billy Kahora.

With a prize money of £15,000, alongside a Samsung Note, the winner of the Fiction Novel category will also go on an Etisalat-sponsored book tour in three major cities and be awarded a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, the pre-eminent school for creative writing and mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of the Last King of Scotland. The second place will receive a cash prize of £1,000 and also go on an Etisalat-sponsored book tour with a Samsung Note. Etisalat will also purchase 1,000 copies of the three shortlisted books, which will be distributed across libraries and schools in the continent as a way of celebrating the publishing industry.

Etisalat disclosed that in just four years of operations, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of 15 million in a competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include easy starter: easycliq, easybusiness, easyblaze and easyflex; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

'For its outstanding performance since the launch of commercial operations, Etisalat has won the Nigerian telecoms industry’s first ever Excellent Service and effective Collaboration with the Consumer Affairs Bureau to ensure access to Customer Care Help line.'

The company has also won several other awards, which include Brand of the Year, Best Telecom Customer Service, Telecom Innovations Company of the Year and Most Innovative Corporate Social Responsibility Company.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 15 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 140 million subscribers and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers.

Etisalat Launches Prize for Literature

Pix 1 (L-R): Head, High Value Events & Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Ebi Atawodi; Patron, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Dele Olojede; Chair of Judges, Etisalat Prize for Literature, Pumla Gqola and the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Steven Evans, at the Etisalat Prize for Literature Press Conference, held at Wheatbaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos recently...

The Etisalat telecommunications launches its first ever Pan-African prize for literature celebrating African writers of published fiction novels throughout the continent, as entries begins from today, 5^th June until the 30^th August this year.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr Steven Evans at a press briefing of presenting the judging panel for the maiden edition at the Wheat-baker Hotels, Lagos, entries for the Fiction Novel category opens today, the 5^th of June, to publishers, who have published a minimum of five authors in the last three years. In the end of the competition and process, the winner will go with 15 thousand pounds and other prizes.

The two categories include Full length English fiction novels and Flash Fiction Short Stories, to be launched towards the end of the year and driven entirely through social media. ‘All entries will be assessed by a panel of four preselected judges chaired by the Associate Professor in the Department of African Literature, University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and South Africa’s most celebrated intellectuals, Pumla Gqola. Other judges include the Professor of Creative writing at the University of Ohio and winner of the Commonwealth Prize, Zakes Mda; the Managing Editor of Kwani Trust, of the literary Journal Kwani Billy Kahora and Sarah Ladipo Manyika, writer and academic.’

He explained that the submitted works must be the writers’ first fiction novels of over 30,000 words and which have been published in the last twenty-four months. ‘The judges will work together to select the long list as well as a shortlist of three novels and finally the winner will be announced next February (2014).’

Criteria for entry to the Fiction Novel: publishers will submit a minimum of 10 books. Each publisher will be allowed to enter a minimum of three books each from different writers with seven copies of the novel being entered alongside acceptance publicity terms.  

Evans added that the Prize was created out of the need to give recognition to indigenous works of literature while also rewarding new entrants and encouraging further participation. “We are pleased to have initiated this important project that celebrates literary excellence and creativity in Nigeria and across Africa. We believe literature has the potential to effect change and serve as a catalyst for promoting a cultural revolution. However, it is a field that has been relegated to the background, making African fiction and short story writers to look to international awards for recognition.’  

While the long list announcement will be on 11^th December this year, the shortlist announcement will hold on next January15. ‘The winner will be announced next February.

The telecommunications company, Etisalat, says this prize is a way of sharing in the passions and aspirations of young and upcoming writers as well as breathing new life to the literary society. ‘It serves as a viable platform for the discovery of new creative talents from the continent and invariably promotes the growing publishing industry in Africa.’

Other patrons present at the event included the first African born winner of the Pulitzer prize Dele Olojede of Nigerian; the Youngest and first black woman publisher and co-founder of Allison & Busby, Margaret Busby; the Deputy Editor of Granta Magazine Ellah Allfrey from Zimbabwe and the Nigerian intellectual and writer, Professor Kole Omotoso.
 

CORA Book Party to Celebrate Poetry

The CORA BOOK Party has set August 18 to honour and announce the final three laureates for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature 2013, at the EkoHotel on Victoria Island Lagos at 2:30PM.

According to its promoters, the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, in a press release recently, the Prize this year is devoted to Poetry. ‘This is the 5th edition of the Book Party and the CORA, is setting up this elaborate feast to honour the shortlisted works and authors, expected to emerge from the near 200 entries, which the organisers said they received for this year’s prize.’

It said the essence of the Party is to enable the public encounter the poets and engage the works that have been adjudged fitting to earn the $100,000 (N16million) prize.

The programme, which is organised by CORA, Committee for Relevant Art, has promised that the short listed works would be reviewed, discussed and critiqued. ‘It is a package of literary feasting, featuring performances, wining and dining, where the shortlisted authors and their works are celebrated for emerging as some of the very best in the country.’

Lagos Black Heritage Sets 1001 Faces of Corruption as Theme

In order to educate and build the future of the state and the country, the Lagos Black Heritage Foundation in partnership Diamond Bank disclosed the theme for the Season Two of the Voice of the Child Annual Painting Competition: A Thousand and One Faces of Corruption.

Mr Dozie Uzoma; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu; Ms Ayona Trimnell
and Akinola Ibukunoluwa at the event recently...

At the press conference held at Freedom Park, Lagos Island on Tuesday February 5, the representative of Professor Wole Soyinka, Her Royal Highness, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu said that the aim of the Heritage Festival should not be misunderstood. “We are not out to make activist of children. They deserve their childhood, their season of innocence and security.”

She explained that it was to challenge the creativity of the children early in life and provide an outlet for those observations and feelings, for which they sometimes seek the means of expression.

“Today, of course, society has made progress. A slap on the wrist, a token fine is considered sufficient to close the books on dishonourable acts. Banking scams, oil subsidy bribes, police turned kingpins of kidnapping gangs – children as easy front-line victims of such degraded minds, all the way to elected lawmakers, who attempt to institutionalize the fraud of ghost workers in high places, such as mere private appendages of power, unrecognized by constitution for whom they attempt to budget some four billion naira for a private undertaking.”

This time, she addressed the adults. “If adults have lost all shame, become immunized against peer censure “then let us explore what goes on in the quiet minds of those whom we often deem should be seen but not heard.”

In his speech, Soyinka asked if people imagine that children lack all powers of observation and discernment, even without the bombardment of news, images and public discourse.

With over 1, 000 participants for the competition, Erelu booed the adults that they ought to put their heads under the table in shame. “What can I do to make Nigeria? We must do it, lest, our children do it for us. Then where do we stand?”

Others present at the event included the Executive Director Diamond Bank, Mr Dozie Uzoma; the representative of the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Mr Olalekan Olagunju; the Head, Corporate Communicator, Diamond Bank, Ms Ayona Trimnell; representative of the Chairman of Badagry, Ositode Moses, Mr Samson Apata; the 2012 winner of the VOTC, Akinola Ibukunoluwa from Methodist Girls High School, Yaba and the youngest Ambassador of LBHF from Island Builders Baptist School, Eziuku Divinegrace.

The Lagos Black Heritage Foundation with its Voice of the Child disclosed the theme for her season two: The Thousand and one Faces of Corruption, to the participants, who will express their thoughts on it through paintings.

'Badagry Unveils world Tallest Drum'

Left-Right: Assistant to the Chairman of Badagry, Mr Ojo; Rhonda Watson, other supporters, (middle) Femi Coker and Mr Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku (third from right) and other guests-speakers at the unveiling of the drum In Badagry...recently

 

Badagry, the land of history, civilisation, designation for tourism and a one-time slave port, made history on Saturday, February 16, when it unveiled the world’s tallest drum, measuring 11 feet in height and six feet wide. This was at the Badagry Heritage Museum, during the celebration of the Black History month in the historical littoral city for the first time.

Where else could such history be made, if not the land, where slaves were once shipped away into the unknown? Thus, a reunion of the Diaspora blacks in the city would be an emotional event for the long-gone brothers and sisters.

According to the Public Diplomacy Officer, United States Consular-General Office, Mrs. Rhonda Watson, the focus on black history stems from the fact that for too many years the contributions and accomplishment of African Americans were never recorded in the history books. “It was as if we did not exist and that we didn’t even matter,” she lamented. “Our children were growing up ignorant of the achievements of black people and consequently had a distorted view of their own potential in life and could grow up with low aspirations in life.”

She drew everyone’s memory back to an event, which had occurred in 1925.  “Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson came up with an idea to rectify this deliberate historical omission through the establishment of Negro History Week, which was aimed at highlighting and teaching about the contributions of black Americans. Over the next 50 years, the accomplishment of African Americans soared but the struggle for equality continued, even after the passage of the landmark Civil Right Act of 1964 that outlawed discrimination against racial and religious minorities; ended racial segregation in schools and at the work place.”

Watson also told the gathering about the commemoration of the Black History Week in 1976, which was expanded to a month-long celebration. Though the legal barriers for black progress had been largely overcome, economic progress still eluded many.
“The 2013 celebration of BH month is especially significant, because this marks the 150th year of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves in the US and this is the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington D.C, where Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King gave his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.”

In November 2008, she said, the election of Barack Obama as the first black US president was a realisation of Luther’s dream and certainly a cause for celebration but one mixed with dubious scepticism that his victory actually represented the destruction of racial barriers. “So, the need for Black History month goes on and we continue to learn lessons and draw inspiration from the struggles and achievements of our forefathers.”

Having traced her root and history, she discovered there were other Watsons still living in Badagry. “It is a unique experience for me to be here in Badagry to celebrate this, because it is possible that my own forefathers were snatched from these very shores and sold into slavery. My last name is Watson and I have been told there are some Watsons here in Badagry. So if any of you know where they are, I would love to meet them. And if I am from this area, I’m glad to be coming back as an American Diplomat.”

She was glad to let everyone know of her husband’s origin too. “My husband is from the Benin Republic and his name is Ahouandjinou. He knows that he has family here in Badagry from his mother’s side but he has not met them yet. Although our relatives were separated by slavery hundreds of years ago, we find ourselves reunited by love.

“Therefore, it’s an opportunity for me to applaud the creators of the World’s Tallest Drum. African drums have always held a special attraction for me, because it is like a primal call for me to gather to gather with the clan,” she gushed.

According to her, each time she heard the sounds of drums in the night, she would stop to listen and would feel a special tug to follow the sound. “I hope that the World’s Tallest Drum will serve as a call to action for Nigerians to unite as a single family, join forces and play an active role in tackling national challenges such as massive unemployment, eradication of extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS, corruption and violence against women.”

The unveiling of the drum was done in commemoration of the Black History Month, by the director of Femi Arts Warehouse, Femi Coker, in partnership with his counterpart of De Roots Renaissance, Babatunde Olaide-Mesewaku.

“In reminiscence of the aims and objectives of the Black History Month, the tallest drum is a symbolic representation of the gargantuan contributions of the black race to world civilisation. The history of the black race is trapped in the twisted but stoic peregrination from the dark realm of slavery, colonisation, oppression and suppression through iron and blood struggle for freedom and libration to the regain of actual freedom, egalitarianism and global recognition,” Mesewaku said.

He said that through all the vicissitudes, the Blackman could still raise his head, making steady but monumental contributions to science and technology, sports, entertainment, music, academia, business, inventions and politics among others.

He also said that Coker has marked a historic moment in Badagry. “It is the 87thyear of initiating the Negro Black way. We are trying to stimulate and create awareness to black culture; telling people that blacks have contributed to the globe and to showcase through this artistic coronation to develop the world all over.”

According to the News Letter publisher, Mesewaku, the symbols of the Drum represent Africa culture and ways of life. “In African perspective, it is important in the sense that you want to see the drum performing when a child is born, or when a person is getting married or a person is being buried. We use it to symbolise the monumental achievements of the Blacks in the world. In civilisation and world history Blacks achieved a lot.

“We want this drum to be exhibited at the 2014 Black History Month in the United States of America.”
Watson prayed and believed with hope. “May the sound of this drum tug at your hearts and move you to action and may BH month be that of reflection on the accomplishments of the past with a renewed dedication to improve the future.”

According to Coker, the images on the drum symbolise royalty before the advent of the colonial masters. Africans were born kings, princes and princesses. Our culture, African History, Heritage and Humanity; it shows our festivals like Eyo, Ogun Ajabo and Ifa. “I’m trying to tell the religions of our people and that Africa is very rich in culture.”

Meanwhile, the sculptor of the drum is Edward Jonathan. Others present at the event included the representative of the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, High Chief Baala; the master drummer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Uga, who is also an indigene of Badagry; the representative of the Commissioner for Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations, Mr. Ashamu Fadipe and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Consultant and Head of Social Sciences, Crawford University, Professor Alaba Simpson among others.

Some of the groups that performed included the Sato, Stilt-walkers’ and the Kpoji dancers, respectively.
After the representative of the Akran of Badagry Kingdom, High Chief Baala, unveiled the drum, at 2.10pm, the three young stilt-walkers of Badagry played the drum to the sound of everyone, which caused them to dance, celebrate and hail the black race.

The 11-foot drum is made of hard wood and sealed at the end with a deer’s skin. Constructed round its long solid body are carved reliefs of various cultural and historical representations and interpretation beautified with cowries.

Photographers Portray Beauty of Niger Delta

Photograph, they say, tells a story more than a thousand words. Citizens of the Niger Delta region have come out to show and promote the culture of their land and what it has got to not only Nigerians but also to the world that the beauty of their land is more than the ugly side the visitors encounter. This was revealed to journalists at a press preview on Wednesday, the 6th of March at the Falomo Shopping Centre, Falomo, Ikoyi-Lagos.

An F/Stop Collective group of five young artists, who came all the way from the Niger Delta to Lagos, tell the story of ND's beauty, culture, festivals, colours, life scheme, creeks, beaches, traditions and lifestyles among others, using photography as a tool.
Such five artistic photographers include, Timipre Willis Amah, Ebiware Okiy, Israel Ophori, Tuoyo Omagba and Perez Tigidam.

According to the supervisor of the group, Mr. Tam Fiofori, ND has always been seen as a violet place. But these young men are trying to remind the people of the beauty in the place. They are using photographs to do what other culture artists, writers like Kelechi Amadi and King Sarawewa have done through writing and literature. 'They are telling us now that they have much beautiful things in Delta.'

Tam expressed his thoughts on the creativity and the enthusiasm they possess, as 'they represent the new generation of artists, who believe in good shots. That is why they want Nigerians to realize there is really beauty in the ND, using images to project it.'
The leader of the team, Timipre, explained that it was the maiden edition with the theme, Circus of Encounter. 'This theme centres on all the things you stumble into as you come into the Niger Delta but more on the beauty of the people, which we have seen, as against the ugly side that the visitors have encountered.'
He went further to say that the N/Deltans were known to be lazy people but said he still wondered what the word 'lazy' means. 'Nobody wants to know how we survive and been able to conquer the environment within these periods.'

Okpama Beach
 

The group opened to journalists some of the beautiful places in the region including Brass in Bayelsa, Osbo Lake in Yenagoa, Bonny Island, the beaches and the Escravous the beautiful things in Agbaroto, where they still have the natural habitats even though the only thing the people know is to go there and take the oil. 'You will be amazed at the things you see there.'

The Brand Consultant and Marketing Communicator also one of the photography artists, Perez, tells of his primary work and how he got interested in the group. 'I do marketing designation and tourism marketing as well. The first time I saw Timipre's work I thought it was done by a white man until I traced him to Bayelsa.'
He mourned the thoughts in the mind of the people about the ND region. 'One thing about people today is that once they hear of Niger Delta, the first thing that comes to their mind is kidnapping; if I walk into the region, wearing a good shirt and a pair of trousers, I'll be pick up. But you will be surprised that it is not so.'
According to him, the first day he visited Bonny when he heard of the light house although he went for another reason. 'I was shocked at the sight of the place then I asked myself if it was the same Bonny I always hear of, because what I saw was an irony. Bonny is a community messed up with poverty, no electricity, no water and nothing! Yet beside that community is a fence, which demarcates it from the oil tanks.'
In his words, he concluded that you see poverty and wealth lay side by side but separated with a small wall. You'll be surprised that a huge number of tourists are still queuing to go to Kabu and other trouble places in the region. Then I ask, what is different about ours?

Israel, through his works of photography, tells his day to day life and the way he sees the region. 'I see photography as a way of life and I use it to tell my story, the way I see the world around me daily and what goes on in the region, using my camera to tell it positively.



Israel Ophori
 

They wished to encourage and keep the Niger Deltans aware of the happenings; that all hope is not lost and that they should begin to think differently, because there is more beauty in the region than they see. 'There is still good I n the land.'
Tam acknowledged that the artists came to Lagos, 'the centre of Art' to be publicised.

The Circus of Encounter exhibition will hold from 23rd March to 6th April this year from 5pm to 6pm at the Quintessence Gallery in Falomo Shopping Centre, Falomo, Ikoyi-Lagos.

The Curator of the event, Mr. Moses Ohiomokhare, tells what Photo-graphy is about. 'It is the art, science and practice of creating durable images and it is a creative career that is gaining prominence in the art industry today.'

Timpre Willis Amah, a lecturer in the Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa, uses photography as an artistic tool to express his perception and emotion. He also uses it to fulfill his creative vision. He enjoys watching and catching the changing activities of nature and putting it into documents.

Isreal Ophori is a freelance art photo-journalist and videographer, who enjoys visual documentation of everyday living. He has participated in several exhibitions and his experience spans 10 years. He studied photography in Yaba college of Technology. His artistic documentation is quite exciting and will fascinate art lovers and critics.

Tuoyo Omagba is another talented photographer whose works are a great feast for art lovers. He enjoys artistic documentation and photography of everyday life. He has captured various exciting moments in the Niger Delta after his stint with Guardian Newspaper as a freelance photographer. He has had some exhibitions in Lagos and Abuja. He engages his viewers and gives them food for thought. The gallery is delighted to have him around.

Perez Tigidam is a professionally trained photographer, who cut his teeth with the ace photographer - Kelechi Amadi Obi. A great advocate of urban innovation and this you find in his various urban promotion projects. Perez is a graduate of University of Port-Harcourt and also trained at the prestigious Orange Academy school of Brand Innovation. Your interpretation of his works depends on the prism from which you look at them.

Ebiware Dotimi Okiy started photography after his first degree in Economics from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. He was also trained by Don Barber, a renowned photographer in Lagos. Ebiware has passion for documentary photography and has participated in several exhibitions including the 10th Biennial of African Contemporary Art in Dakar, Senegal. He hopes that his works will help to redirect the approach of the society to the rights of the people.

'But these five artists have touched issues that will generate discussions on the Niger-Delta. The positive side of this area comes to the public view and the gallery is happy to make this its first exhibition this year. This spectacular showing, we hope, will remain in our minds.'