By Prisca Sam-Duru
The screening of the documentary film on "the March on Washington" and “I Have a Dream” Speech by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the US Consulate General in Lagos last week, greatly exposed the importance of non violent revolution all over the world.
Screening of the film titled “The March”, a 1964 documentary by James Blue was part of activities organised to mark the 50th anniversary of the march led by Luther King Jr. whose non violent struggles, resulted in the emancipation of black Americans.
The 40 minutes film describes the events of the 1963 civil rights March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom which has remained till date, one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history. The March, which took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, August 28, 1963 had American footsoldiers of about 250,000 participating in the campaign for civil and economic rights for African Americans. During the march, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood in front of the Lincoln Memorial and delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech advocating for racial harmony. The March is widely credited with helping to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In his opening speech, Financial Management Officer at the U.S. Consulate, Mr. Carl Scotts said “the program was a follow-up to the Consulate’s program on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington.”, adding that it is “expected the documentary to serve as a reminder of the importance of the march and the need to continue to fight for freedom and equality all over the world.”
Addressing participants at the screening, president of Campaign for Democracy, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin stressed the need to employ Martin Luther King Jr’s method of peaceful protest and for individuals to unite in the fight against inequality all over the world.
Odumakin urged “Nigerians not to be divided along religious or ethnic lines but to come under the same umbrella to stand up against discrimination, injustice and corruption in Nigeria.” emphasising that, “We shall not go violent and we will not be provoked to go violent but we shall move together to make Nigeria great again,” she said.
Other guests at the event include the Executive Director of ACTS Generation, an NGO that guards against domestic violence and abuse. Ms. Laila St. Matthew-Daniels, Founder and Executive Director, African Sustainable Small Enterprise Export Development Foundation (ASSEED) Ms. Shade Bembatoum-Young, Ms. Lucy Kanu, Mr. Femi Segun, Mr. Busola Holloway and Mr. Rotimi Von.
Showing posts with label The Arts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Arts. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 September 2013
In search of a beautiful Nigeria
By SAM ANOKAM
It is in every word and description the Nigerian story. At a time in the history of the nation when after 52 years of independence, various ethnic groups are working and scheming assiduously to control the political space especially ahead of the 2015 elections, the menace of terrorist groups, kidnapping, corruption as well as the growing religious and sectarian divide in the nation, the dance drama, Nigeria The Beautiful, aptly comes alive.
As part of the programme celebrating the Osun Osogbo Festival, renowned poet and intellectual, Odia Ofeimum, had packaged the dance drama at a well attended event at the government House, Osogbo. The occasion had in attendance, the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his cabinet, foreign dignitaries, Nollywood stars, musicians, comedians, art enthusiast, and tourists.
Despite a bit of hiccups in terms of sound and delivery, the play which is the story of Nigeria from Lord Frederick Lugard, the first colonial Governor-General to President Goodluck Jonathan, addresses the beauty in the diversities and cultural differences that many consider the national albatross aside the challenges, difficulties and vision of the founding fathers of the country.
With vigour and enthusiasm, the cast, in the 120 minute dance drama displayed unbridled passion in sending the message of unity in spite of the myriad of the challenges facing the country.
One must acknowledge the effort of Paul Alumona who played the role of Lord Lugard. He brought his experience into the play as he not only played the role of Lugard but other characters effortlessly as well.
Despite a little bit of stage wait on the part of Babatunde Adeniyi which was on account of his forgetting his lines, he was able to interpret his character convincingly.
Austine Onuoha who is a singer and a model did not disappoint the gathering as he also made good use of the stage to deliver his part.
The importance of the sequence of each scene must be commended as Lekan Adedeji, Ibitoye Olukolu, Abiodun Ganiyu with their band almost perfectly coordinated the timely dance drama which the rest of the cast followed religiously.
Odia’s all season director, Felix Okolo showed the gathering why he remains a force to reckon with as far as stage directing is concerned in Nigeria .
In all, it was a wonderful master piece that will always be relevant in the history of this country.
The number one citizen of the state could not agree less with the theme of the drama and he has this to say: “Indeed Nigeria is beautiful and the title is quite apt. How I wish we can agree to the title of the play. I wish and pray that Nigeria indeed in no distant future, be the beautiful country of our dream and our expectation. I thank the cast and commend the director, and others involved in the production. It’s a wonderful show by my own assessment. To our visitors from far and near, this is the best way known to us to entertain you.”
In Ofeimun’s view, the sassy play which is loaded with paradox but truism is a deliberate reversal of received opinion.
He says: “True as the story reveals, the discordance once acknowledged and unpacked can be streamlined and given qualitative thresh. It is a matter of total conviction: believing that this is an eminently saveable country which gets happier the less we seek to reduce it to the mono-cultural dead end of one nation, one religion, one idealogy, one song, one goal. Which is to point not towards an unviable polity but a promised land of vibrancy and unflappable creativity in search of transformers, unafraid of dreams and dreamers.
It is in every word and description the Nigerian story. At a time in the history of the nation when after 52 years of independence, various ethnic groups are working and scheming assiduously to control the political space especially ahead of the 2015 elections, the menace of terrorist groups, kidnapping, corruption as well as the growing religious and sectarian divide in the nation, the dance drama, Nigeria The Beautiful, aptly comes alive.
As part of the programme celebrating the Osun Osogbo Festival, renowned poet and intellectual, Odia Ofeimum, had packaged the dance drama at a well attended event at the government House, Osogbo. The occasion had in attendance, the governor of the state, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his cabinet, foreign dignitaries, Nollywood stars, musicians, comedians, art enthusiast, and tourists.
Despite a bit of hiccups in terms of sound and delivery, the play which is the story of Nigeria from Lord Frederick Lugard, the first colonial Governor-General to President Goodluck Jonathan, addresses the beauty in the diversities and cultural differences that many consider the national albatross aside the challenges, difficulties and vision of the founding fathers of the country.
With vigour and enthusiasm, the cast, in the 120 minute dance drama displayed unbridled passion in sending the message of unity in spite of the myriad of the challenges facing the country.
One must acknowledge the effort of Paul Alumona who played the role of Lord Lugard. He brought his experience into the play as he not only played the role of Lugard but other characters effortlessly as well.
Despite a little bit of stage wait on the part of Babatunde Adeniyi which was on account of his forgetting his lines, he was able to interpret his character convincingly.
Austine Onuoha who is a singer and a model did not disappoint the gathering as he also made good use of the stage to deliver his part.
The importance of the sequence of each scene must be commended as Lekan Adedeji, Ibitoye Olukolu, Abiodun Ganiyu with their band almost perfectly coordinated the timely dance drama which the rest of the cast followed religiously.
Odia’s all season director, Felix Okolo showed the gathering why he remains a force to reckon with as far as stage directing is concerned in Nigeria .
In all, it was a wonderful master piece that will always be relevant in the history of this country.
The number one citizen of the state could not agree less with the theme of the drama and he has this to say: “Indeed Nigeria is beautiful and the title is quite apt. How I wish we can agree to the title of the play. I wish and pray that Nigeria indeed in no distant future, be the beautiful country of our dream and our expectation. I thank the cast and commend the director, and others involved in the production. It’s a wonderful show by my own assessment. To our visitors from far and near, this is the best way known to us to entertain you.”
In Ofeimun’s view, the sassy play which is loaded with paradox but truism is a deliberate reversal of received opinion.
He says: “True as the story reveals, the discordance once acknowledged and unpacked can be streamlined and given qualitative thresh. It is a matter of total conviction: believing that this is an eminently saveable country which gets happier the less we seek to reduce it to the mono-cultural dead end of one nation, one religion, one idealogy, one song, one goal. Which is to point not towards an unviable polity but a promised land of vibrancy and unflappable creativity in search of transformers, unafraid of dreams and dreamers.
Colours on parade at culture institute's convocation
By Prisca Sam-Duru
When “The Bombers” stormed the stage with a most exhilarating performance, the entire audience comprising the honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; representatives of Centre for Black Art and Africa Civilisation (CBAAC), National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), National Theatre, Ministry of Education, Professors from different universities across the federation, etc, knew the afternoon was that of super entertainment.
The occasion was the maiden convocation of the National Institute for Cultural Affairs (NICO) Training School where the Director of Bauchi State Arts/Culture and 216 students were awarded the Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration. The event also doubled as the 20th anniversary of the institute which took place last week at the Cinema Hall, National Theatre, Lagos.
Starting from the drummers who opened the floor, with melodious sounds, the exotic dancers whose dance steps and stunning choreography, took the audience on a trip round the three major tribes of the nation and beyond, as well as their colourful costume, the performance was simply an art for cultural integration.
An excited Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Ben Nwankwo praised the performers for integrating all the tribes of Nigeria in their cultural dance adding that the entire event was an advancement in the culture sector.
Nwankwo who proposed that every Local Government Area should have a cultural officer who should oversea cultural monuments and general affairs relating to the nation’s culture, advised the graduates to be good ambassadors of Nigeria. He also stated that “NICO should design a curriculum with content that must be Nigeria culture, submit it to the Minister of Culture and canvas it at the Senate Committee and then, make it compulsory at the Culture Institute.”
The Honourable Minister, Edem Duke while commending the executive Secretary of the Institute, Dr Barclays Anyakoroma and every NICO staff for putting together the colourful event, declared that NICO will not be merged with any other parastatal.
Duke also noted that henceforth, all training programmes for officers in the ministry must be directed to NICO for execution.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Aminu Makailu expressed joy that the graduates have been adequately prepared to support Nigeria’s drive toward cultural re-orientation, soft diplomacy and good governance.
When “The Bombers” stormed the stage with a most exhilarating performance, the entire audience comprising the honourable Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke; representatives of Centre for Black Art and Africa Civilisation (CBAAC), National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), National Theatre, Ministry of Education, Professors from different universities across the federation, etc, knew the afternoon was that of super entertainment.
The occasion was the maiden convocation of the National Institute for Cultural Affairs (NICO) Training School where the Director of Bauchi State Arts/Culture and 216 students were awarded the Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma in Cultural Administration. The event also doubled as the 20th anniversary of the institute which took place last week at the Cinema Hall, National Theatre, Lagos.
Starting from the drummers who opened the floor, with melodious sounds, the exotic dancers whose dance steps and stunning choreography, took the audience on a trip round the three major tribes of the nation and beyond, as well as their colourful costume, the performance was simply an art for cultural integration.
An excited Chairman, House Committee on Culture and Tourism, Ben Nwankwo praised the performers for integrating all the tribes of Nigeria in their cultural dance adding that the entire event was an advancement in the culture sector.
Nwankwo who proposed that every Local Government Area should have a cultural officer who should oversea cultural monuments and general affairs relating to the nation’s culture, advised the graduates to be good ambassadors of Nigeria. He also stated that “NICO should design a curriculum with content that must be Nigeria culture, submit it to the Minister of Culture and canvas it at the Senate Committee and then, make it compulsory at the Culture Institute.”
The Honourable Minister, Edem Duke while commending the executive Secretary of the Institute, Dr Barclays Anyakoroma and every NICO staff for putting together the colourful event, declared that NICO will not be merged with any other parastatal.
Duke also noted that henceforth, all training programmes for officers in the ministry must be directed to NICO for execution.
In his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Aminu Makailu expressed joy that the graduates have been adequately prepared to support Nigeria’s drive toward cultural re-orientation, soft diplomacy and good governance.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
‘Art foundation, panacea for its development’
By Japhet Alakam
Art has been described as a goldmine as well as the best alternative to oil as far as revenue generation , job creation etc, are concerned in Nigeria. In fact, Art has made Nigeria a significant country in the world culture map as a major contributor to the development of world civilisation. But despite these laudable goals, the sector is still faced with many problems which need to be addressed by the various actors in the industry. And for art to overcome some of these challenges, there is the urgent need for the establishment of a foundation for the arts by the federal government run by a Board of Trustees with professional integrity and ethics where all the various sectors of the arts have a clearly defined fund to draw from.
This was the submission of Professor Jacob Jari of faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria while delivering a lecture at the third Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) lecture series titled “The Price of Art and Its Implication on Art Practice in Nigeria”.
[caption id="attachment_411690" align="alignnone" width="412"]
*L-R, Prof. Jacob Jari, guest lecturer, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, OYASAF founder and Jessica Williams, OYASAF scholar at the event[/caption]
Prof Jari who has seen it all in art, having taught art in the secondary, tertiary schools and have practiced it for years during the lecture held at the OYASAF conference centre, Maryland, Lagos enumerated some of the challenges facing art in Nigeria. The problems include: the neglect of art teaching in primary, secondary and universities in the country, not encouraging the art teachers, government’s failure to provide an enabling environment, art for money sake etc.noting that there has not been any significant transitions in more than 50 years of modern art practice.
Speaking on money exchange for art work, Jari said that his experiences have made him understand that in art business reputation counts, but asked whether it should really count? According to him “why not collectors accept a person’s work on the aesthetic value of it and not on the history of the artists. If art is to be developed should it be so.” He added.
He made reference to incidences where works of art were bought because of the signature of the artist and opined that such attitude is affecting the development of young artist in the country. He also noted that this situation and the economy of the country has forced many artists to produce art just for the market sake thereby retarding their creativity and development of the industry.
In all, he stated that the problems which led to the absence of any obvious change in the works of modern Nigerian artists is encouraged primarily by the price of art which is not founded on any logical basis. And to overcome this issue, “patrons of art and artists with a sincere desire to develop art should set up art foundations which should provide funds to assist creative artists with new ideas which might not be, from the superficial point of view, commercially viable but which sharpen the artists’ desire for freedom of expression, a condition which gives birth to different feats of gainful development.”
After listening to the well detailed lecture, the audience was left with no option than to agree with the fact that the process is not well taught and that the stakeholders have not built institutions that promote art and until they do that the challenges will continue. They also observed that collectors taste determine how money will exchange hands in art but that the artist must be able to place a value for the work by painting good works.
The lecture which was organised by Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) as part of its efforts towards the promotion of art was attended by art patrons , scholars, teachers, writers, artists and others.
Art has been described as a goldmine as well as the best alternative to oil as far as revenue generation , job creation etc, are concerned in Nigeria. In fact, Art has made Nigeria a significant country in the world culture map as a major contributor to the development of world civilisation. But despite these laudable goals, the sector is still faced with many problems which need to be addressed by the various actors in the industry. And for art to overcome some of these challenges, there is the urgent need for the establishment of a foundation for the arts by the federal government run by a Board of Trustees with professional integrity and ethics where all the various sectors of the arts have a clearly defined fund to draw from.
This was the submission of Professor Jacob Jari of faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria while delivering a lecture at the third Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) lecture series titled “The Price of Art and Its Implication on Art Practice in Nigeria”.
[caption id="attachment_411690" align="alignnone" width="412"]
*L-R, Prof. Jacob Jari, guest lecturer, Prince Yemisi Shyllon, OYASAF founder and Jessica Williams, OYASAF scholar at the event[/caption]Prof Jari who has seen it all in art, having taught art in the secondary, tertiary schools and have practiced it for years during the lecture held at the OYASAF conference centre, Maryland, Lagos enumerated some of the challenges facing art in Nigeria. The problems include: the neglect of art teaching in primary, secondary and universities in the country, not encouraging the art teachers, government’s failure to provide an enabling environment, art for money sake etc.noting that there has not been any significant transitions in more than 50 years of modern art practice.
Speaking on money exchange for art work, Jari said that his experiences have made him understand that in art business reputation counts, but asked whether it should really count? According to him “why not collectors accept a person’s work on the aesthetic value of it and not on the history of the artists. If art is to be developed should it be so.” He added.
He made reference to incidences where works of art were bought because of the signature of the artist and opined that such attitude is affecting the development of young artist in the country. He also noted that this situation and the economy of the country has forced many artists to produce art just for the market sake thereby retarding their creativity and development of the industry.
In all, he stated that the problems which led to the absence of any obvious change in the works of modern Nigerian artists is encouraged primarily by the price of art which is not founded on any logical basis. And to overcome this issue, “patrons of art and artists with a sincere desire to develop art should set up art foundations which should provide funds to assist creative artists with new ideas which might not be, from the superficial point of view, commercially viable but which sharpen the artists’ desire for freedom of expression, a condition which gives birth to different feats of gainful development.”
After listening to the well detailed lecture, the audience was left with no option than to agree with the fact that the process is not well taught and that the stakeholders have not built institutions that promote art and until they do that the challenges will continue. They also observed that collectors taste determine how money will exchange hands in art but that the artist must be able to place a value for the work by painting good works.
The lecture which was organised by Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) as part of its efforts towards the promotion of art was attended by art patrons , scholars, teachers, writers, artists and others.
Exposé on dirty sides of Campus life
By Prisca Sam-Duru
Caught In The Storms is a non-fiction authored by a budding writer, Amaka Ezenwankwo, an Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) graduate of Mass Communication, who though expresses herself in key genres of Literature, flaunts a bias for prose and poetry.
With the use of non fictitious places, locations, schools, etc, Caught In The Storms provides deep moral lessons for teenagers. It also warns parents/Guardians, of the danger of not properly monitoring their children and wards while on campus.
In leu of this, the author opines that irrespective of students’ religious background or level of discipline, it is imperative to act positively whenever parents spot any behavioural changes in their children/wards while in the higher institutions.
With twenty chapters and 173 pages, the author embarks on a detailed expository mission with her goal, being to address issues relating to truancy, immorality, illicit love affairs with married men commonly known among female undergraduates as Aristos. Their choice to live a life of immorality the author states, is all in a bid to live life of opulence so as to be addressed as happening babes.
The reader finds this narrative un-put-down-able as Amaka paints a vivid picture of how tertiary Institutions succeed in transforming saints to sinners except of course, a situation whereby a student passes through the institution without allowing it pass through him or her.
The story begins as we see Sandra, the first daughter of Mr and Mrs Smith Nwafor, from a very humble and sound Christian background, being tossed up and down with disappointments from post JAMB examinations even after scoring high in the UME. This delays and in fact, prevents her from gaining admission into any of the Nigerian Universities. She however decides to try the Polytechnic and is admitted into the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra state, to study Mass Communication.
A great transformation takes place in the life of Sandra as soon as she meets some friends; Tina, Linda and Oge. These characters are typical representatives of female undergraduates who prostitute on campus. After she is wowed by the opulence of these friends, Sandra enrolls and finds herself an Aristo in the person of a business mogul, Brown Johnson. Mr Johnson leaves no stone unturned in taking Sandra to the heights of vain enjoyment, to the detriment of her faith in God, humility and worse of all, her studies.
Having tasted the sweetness of vanity, Sandra finds it difficult to do away with Johnson even as she finds a young man, Mike who is ready to take her to the altar. She goes diabolical, casting spells on the men so as to keep both. Her downfall begins with Mrs Brown finally aware of her husband’s romance with young Sandra which she tackles with fervent prayers. At this juncture, one can only guess what Sandra’s lot will be. She truly gets caught in the very storm she created out of lust for materialism. As for her friends, their end is better read than experienced except Oge, who repents from prostitution and abortions and finally settles down with husband and son.
Caught in The Storm, is a modest effort by Amaka and she should be commended for joining other authors who are fronting the campaign for national rebirth and reorientation of the youths so that they would resist every form of enticement from opulence and luxury, in order to protect their future. The book is therefore recommended to all.
Caught In The Storms is a non-fiction authored by a budding writer, Amaka Ezenwankwo, an Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) graduate of Mass Communication, who though expresses herself in key genres of Literature, flaunts a bias for prose and poetry.
With the use of non fictitious places, locations, schools, etc, Caught In The Storms provides deep moral lessons for teenagers. It also warns parents/Guardians, of the danger of not properly monitoring their children and wards while on campus.
In leu of this, the author opines that irrespective of students’ religious background or level of discipline, it is imperative to act positively whenever parents spot any behavioural changes in their children/wards while in the higher institutions.
With twenty chapters and 173 pages, the author embarks on a detailed expository mission with her goal, being to address issues relating to truancy, immorality, illicit love affairs with married men commonly known among female undergraduates as Aristos. Their choice to live a life of immorality the author states, is all in a bid to live life of opulence so as to be addressed as happening babes.
The reader finds this narrative un-put-down-able as Amaka paints a vivid picture of how tertiary Institutions succeed in transforming saints to sinners except of course, a situation whereby a student passes through the institution without allowing it pass through him or her.
The story begins as we see Sandra, the first daughter of Mr and Mrs Smith Nwafor, from a very humble and sound Christian background, being tossed up and down with disappointments from post JAMB examinations even after scoring high in the UME. This delays and in fact, prevents her from gaining admission into any of the Nigerian Universities. She however decides to try the Polytechnic and is admitted into the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra state, to study Mass Communication.
A great transformation takes place in the life of Sandra as soon as she meets some friends; Tina, Linda and Oge. These characters are typical representatives of female undergraduates who prostitute on campus. After she is wowed by the opulence of these friends, Sandra enrolls and finds herself an Aristo in the person of a business mogul, Brown Johnson. Mr Johnson leaves no stone unturned in taking Sandra to the heights of vain enjoyment, to the detriment of her faith in God, humility and worse of all, her studies.
Having tasted the sweetness of vanity, Sandra finds it difficult to do away with Johnson even as she finds a young man, Mike who is ready to take her to the altar. She goes diabolical, casting spells on the men so as to keep both. Her downfall begins with Mrs Brown finally aware of her husband’s romance with young Sandra which she tackles with fervent prayers. At this juncture, one can only guess what Sandra’s lot will be. She truly gets caught in the very storm she created out of lust for materialism. As for her friends, their end is better read than experienced except Oge, who repents from prostitution and abortions and finally settles down with husband and son.
Caught in The Storm, is a modest effort by Amaka and she should be commended for joining other authors who are fronting the campaign for national rebirth and reorientation of the youths so that they would resist every form of enticement from opulence and luxury, in order to protect their future. The book is therefore recommended to all.
Candle of Purpose concert for slain Taiwo Adebayo
By Prisca Sam-Duru
The Paroche Foundation last week at the Muson Centre, Lagos, held a colourful and elaborate concert in memory of the 26year old graduate of Political Science from Babcock University, who was killed in Lagos on the 19th August, 2012 by a drunken driver.
Organised by Tsoule events, the concert tagged, “Candle Of Purpose” featured notable Nigerian musicians currently making waves in the music industry which include Davido and Buchi.
The Paroche Foundation named after Taiwo’s nickname (Paroche) which was formally inaugurated on the anniversary day he was killed, was to carry on with the legacy he left behind from which he got his nickname.
The Muson Hall was creatively and flamboyantly decorated with corresponding colours and lighting coupled with all kinds of musical instrument contributing to the venue’s adornment. The number of youths who were on ground to lend a helping hand in giving the hall as well as the concert itself, a perfect touch was in excess. And through their scintillating performances, the artistes in no less a way, wowed the hundreds of Lagosians who gathered to further the course of their departed son, friend and good spirited Nigerian thereby bringing back memories of the lad who was simply described as “Reach Out”
Taiwo’s mother, Mrs Titilola Adebayo who said that both the concert and establishment of the Foundation were meant to add meaning to life, disclosed that Taiwo was a twin, born on the 6th of June, 1986 who was always willing to give a helping hand to people irrespective of the person’s origin.
Also speaking prior to commencement of the show, one of the trustees of the foundation, Pastor Reuben Onwubiko, Africa Marketing Director of Glaxo Smithkline, disclosed that the Foundation will as part of its mission, create awareness on causes and symptoms of drug and alcohol addiction as well as rehabilitate young people who have been ravaged by drug and alcohol addiction.
The Paroche Foundation last week at the Muson Centre, Lagos, held a colourful and elaborate concert in memory of the 26year old graduate of Political Science from Babcock University, who was killed in Lagos on the 19th August, 2012 by a drunken driver.
Organised by Tsoule events, the concert tagged, “Candle Of Purpose” featured notable Nigerian musicians currently making waves in the music industry which include Davido and Buchi.
The Paroche Foundation named after Taiwo’s nickname (Paroche) which was formally inaugurated on the anniversary day he was killed, was to carry on with the legacy he left behind from which he got his nickname.
The Muson Hall was creatively and flamboyantly decorated with corresponding colours and lighting coupled with all kinds of musical instrument contributing to the venue’s adornment. The number of youths who were on ground to lend a helping hand in giving the hall as well as the concert itself, a perfect touch was in excess. And through their scintillating performances, the artistes in no less a way, wowed the hundreds of Lagosians who gathered to further the course of their departed son, friend and good spirited Nigerian thereby bringing back memories of the lad who was simply described as “Reach Out”
Taiwo’s mother, Mrs Titilola Adebayo who said that both the concert and establishment of the Foundation were meant to add meaning to life, disclosed that Taiwo was a twin, born on the 6th of June, 1986 who was always willing to give a helping hand to people irrespective of the person’s origin.
Also speaking prior to commencement of the show, one of the trustees of the foundation, Pastor Reuben Onwubiko, Africa Marketing Director of Glaxo Smithkline, disclosed that the Foundation will as part of its mission, create awareness on causes and symptoms of drug and alcohol addiction as well as rehabilitate young people who have been ravaged by drug and alcohol addiction.
Bank auctions works for the needy
By Japhet Alakam
As part of its corporate social responsibility, Sterling Bank Nigeria PLC last Sunday, auctioned not less than 43 artworks by young talented artists from age 5 to 15 to raise fund for the less privilege in the society. The auction which was done under the supervision of renowned artist and founder of Niger Delta Cultural Centre, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya took place at the bank’s head office in Lagos. The auctioned works were selected from a painting competition organized earlier this year for the children of the bank’s staff, with a theme: “Creating a beautiful world”.
According to the organisers, the money raised from the auction would be donated to a non-governmental organization, Lots Charity Foundation that caters for physiological, social, educational, psychological, medical and emotional needs for vulnerable street children in Dustbin Estate in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ajegunle, Lagos State.
The Group Marketing Manager of Sterling Bank, Mr. Segun Anako said the essence of the auction is to give life and health and create a beautiful world for the less privilege among us.
The Regional Business Executive of the bank, Mr. Tunde Adeola said in some climes, the children’s artworks would easily have been hung up in a boardroom – forgotten and soon to be discarded, noting that what a disservice this would have been.
“We didn’t want this to happen; hence we decided to transfer these paintings to fans and lovers of art who have the expertise to appreciate the talents expressed in these paintings. The seed of idea behind today’s exhibition and auction was sown. To give some flesh and human touch, we thought to give these stars of the future an early opportunity to make a difference by contributing to the larger society through the proceeds of their talent and skills”.
Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya praised the efforts of Sterling Bank for putting up such a competition for children.
“What they are doing is very good; in other countries, geniuses are identified when they are still young and what they have done is one of the ways of catching the genius young. Once you notice the young ones are putting energy into such development they must be encouraged. By the time they become grown up, they will become masters and people who can be trusted in the art”, he said.
Onobrakpeya urged parents to encourage their wards to draw, to go out and see exhibitions, participate in art competition and enroll them in art workshops because, ‘some of us never had an opportunity like this’. He noted that it would inspire them to take art as a profession.
The children whose paintings were auctioned included Oduwa Osheku, Eshu Osheku, Oyin Osgbola, Afolabi Lifting,, Inioluwa Adebayo, Seyi Adeniyi, Princess Okebugwu, Chizuruoke Amukan, Egwuenu Quincy, Tamisin Balogun, Cajawua Ikechukwu, Ester Aina, Imade Noel, Onyebuchi Francis, abdurahman Ibrahim and Afolabi Laughter.
Others were Oyebuchi Florence, Johnson Rachel, Olalekan Adekambi, Adeite Oluwadamilila, Oluwafolahan Toki-Pillips, Oluwafolajimi Toki-Pillips, Azuru Whitney, Khairia Muhammed,Princess Nworah, David Edoho, Deborah Edoho, Smuel Edoho, Ibukunoluwa Fashogbon, Chidiebere Offiah,Chinonso Mark, Ugochi Nnachi, Olasubomi Olaleru, Kehinde Olatunji, Taiwo Olatunji, Chiamaka Onyemaechi, Unoma Aghadinumo, Sheu Arowowon, Samuel Agboola, Elizabeth Agboola, Olalade Alabi, Oladipupo Aino and Chimamanda Okechukwu-Melifonwu
As part of its corporate social responsibility, Sterling Bank Nigeria PLC last Sunday, auctioned not less than 43 artworks by young talented artists from age 5 to 15 to raise fund for the less privilege in the society. The auction which was done under the supervision of renowned artist and founder of Niger Delta Cultural Centre, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya took place at the bank’s head office in Lagos. The auctioned works were selected from a painting competition organized earlier this year for the children of the bank’s staff, with a theme: “Creating a beautiful world”.
According to the organisers, the money raised from the auction would be donated to a non-governmental organization, Lots Charity Foundation that caters for physiological, social, educational, psychological, medical and emotional needs for vulnerable street children in Dustbin Estate in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ajegunle, Lagos State.
The Group Marketing Manager of Sterling Bank, Mr. Segun Anako said the essence of the auction is to give life and health and create a beautiful world for the less privilege among us.
The Regional Business Executive of the bank, Mr. Tunde Adeola said in some climes, the children’s artworks would easily have been hung up in a boardroom – forgotten and soon to be discarded, noting that what a disservice this would have been.
“We didn’t want this to happen; hence we decided to transfer these paintings to fans and lovers of art who have the expertise to appreciate the talents expressed in these paintings. The seed of idea behind today’s exhibition and auction was sown. To give some flesh and human touch, we thought to give these stars of the future an early opportunity to make a difference by contributing to the larger society through the proceeds of their talent and skills”.
Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya praised the efforts of Sterling Bank for putting up such a competition for children.
“What they are doing is very good; in other countries, geniuses are identified when they are still young and what they have done is one of the ways of catching the genius young. Once you notice the young ones are putting energy into such development they must be encouraged. By the time they become grown up, they will become masters and people who can be trusted in the art”, he said.
Onobrakpeya urged parents to encourage their wards to draw, to go out and see exhibitions, participate in art competition and enroll them in art workshops because, ‘some of us never had an opportunity like this’. He noted that it would inspire them to take art as a profession.
The children whose paintings were auctioned included Oduwa Osheku, Eshu Osheku, Oyin Osgbola, Afolabi Lifting,, Inioluwa Adebayo, Seyi Adeniyi, Princess Okebugwu, Chizuruoke Amukan, Egwuenu Quincy, Tamisin Balogun, Cajawua Ikechukwu, Ester Aina, Imade Noel, Onyebuchi Francis, abdurahman Ibrahim and Afolabi Laughter.
Others were Oyebuchi Florence, Johnson Rachel, Olalekan Adekambi, Adeite Oluwadamilila, Oluwafolahan Toki-Pillips, Oluwafolajimi Toki-Pillips, Azuru Whitney, Khairia Muhammed,Princess Nworah, David Edoho, Deborah Edoho, Smuel Edoho, Ibukunoluwa Fashogbon, Chidiebere Offiah,Chinonso Mark, Ugochi Nnachi, Olasubomi Olaleru, Kehinde Olatunji, Taiwo Olatunji, Chiamaka Onyemaechi, Unoma Aghadinumo, Sheu Arowowon, Samuel Agboola, Elizabeth Agboola, Olalade Alabi, Oladipupo Aino and Chimamanda Okechukwu-Melifonwu
The profs and their proteges on Ibadan mountains
By OKOFU UBAKA.
One issue towered above others in the just concluded conference on oral literature in Nigeria organized by Nigerian Oral Literature Association (NORA). “No fieldwork no oral literature”, this was Prof. G.G. Darah’s ‘Oriki’ all through the duration of the conference.
Darah’s description of the writers’ festival as a dance of the forest was not uncommon. Trainee researchers had the rare privilege of watching the literary sways of the generals that took turns to do what professors were known for. The echoing and chaotic clattering of the forest was too fierce for any Akaraogun. Yet, the literary trainees survived the intellectual rumblings of the generals.
From the presentations of Profs Darah, Wanjala, Ogwude, Nkem Okoh, Chinyere, Adekoya, Adebola Dasylva to Dr. Otiono, Dr. Awhefeada and Dr. Linda Onwuka, none of it left the audience in doubt as to the appropriateness of the theme of Documentation and Safeguarding of Nigerian Oral Literatures and Traditions.
Expectedly, taking a flight to the very summit of the Iroko to feast with literary generals and their PhD lieutenants demand plenty of fluffs. Perhaps, the reason these trainees were able to make it to the Iroko top was their abilities to have attained impeccable feats in their various university colonies. Literary staying unyielding on top of the Iroko was another kettle of fish.
True to the strength of their minds, all of the trainees survived the literary warfare of the ‘seven mountains’ of Ibadan. Particularly outstanding in their presentations were Alex Roy-Omoni, Peter Omoko, Eyituoyo Maltida Ovie-Jack, Ojaruega Enajite Eseoghene, Ejovi, Agadi, Okunwaye Uche, Toremi Stella, Peter Omoko, Moses Darah and Okofu Ubaka. In his presentation, Okofu Ubaka attempted to illuminate on how creative stories could be woven around myth and historical events.
At NOLA 2013 Conference, the issue Okofu Ubaka provoked with his paper entitled, ANALYSIS: MYTH AND HISTORY IN THE DRAMA AND THEATRE OF FRED AGBEYEGBE was that, whether Fred Agbeyegbe is accepted or not as one of the new voices (third generation writers) in the Nigerian dramatic scene, the fact that he recorded success in adapting and altering historical events of the Itsekiri people in his creative essence could not be argued.
Agboyegbe uses his plays to interrogate the leadership structure of the Itsekiri people and by extension the Nigerian nation. To the playwright, a writer enjoys the poetic license to modify myth so as to legitimatized certain tradition of his people. To this end, Agbeyegbe uses his man-woman riddle play (The King Must Dance Naked) to concretize the forbiddance of a woman coming close to the kingship stool of the Itsekiri kingdom.
One of the low points of the 2nd edition of NOLA, 2013 was the clash between the event at Ibadan and Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa Lecture which was held the same period NOLA conference was in session (August 7th to 9th). Most of the guests expected to grace the Ibadan event were at Akure, the capital of Fagunwa’s ‘Okelangbodo’.
One of such guests that was caught stiff by Agbako in between Ibadan and Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Iru Mole was Prof. Karin Ajinke Barber, a professor of oral poetry at OAU, Ife. Karin is British, yet speaks Yoruba more fluently than many owners of the language. Like Karin Ajinke Barber, Tanure Ojaide’s absence was felt at the event. However, it was not the Daniel Fagunwa’s Akaraogun that held Ojaide prisoner in his hunter’s goatskin bag, but the US Embassy which needed the services of Tanure to clean up credential issues of certain Nigerians on scholarship visit to America.
Conversely, the unveiling of NOLA’s journal which was a compilation of papers presented in the Warri’s median edition of NOLA, and edited by Prof. Segun Adekoya, was one of the highpoints of the Ibadan event. Darah affirmed that the association will survive on the oxygen of a lone edition of its journal annually. Stressing the importance of an annual journal, Darah revealed that the American Folklore Society (AFS) was 125 years old and had not for once failed or relented in her effort in maintaining a consistent tradition of churning out a minimum of 4 issues annually even at the most precarious times of both the first and second world wars.
To steer the affairs of the association for another eight months, a 20-member executive was put in place to ensure a smooth conference at Yenagoa in 2014. The body is made up of Darah (DELSU), Olusegun Adekoya (OUA), Nkem Okoh(UNIPORT), Micahel Nobofa (NDU), Sophia Ogwude (UNIABUJA), Chinyeren Nwahunanya (ASU,Uturu), Ademola Dasylva (UI), Obodike Oha (UI), Okey Okwechime (UNIBEN), Mark Osama Ighile (RUN, Mowe), Sunny Awhefeada (Delsu), Nereus Yerima Tadi (GSU, Gombe), Leticia Maever Nyitse (BSU, Makurdi), Asabe Kabir Yusuf (UDU, Sokoto), Felicia Ohwovoriole (UNILAG), Enajite Ojaruega (Delsu), Alfred Mulade (WDU), Peter Omoko (DESCOPEM), Okofu Ubaka (Alema College, Abigborodo), Evelyn Osagie (The Nation Newspapers, Lagos), Chris Wanjala (Univ. of Nairobi, Kenya), Taban Lo Liyong (Univ of Juba, South Sudan ) and Nduka Otiono (Carleton, Canada).
One issue towered above others in the just concluded conference on oral literature in Nigeria organized by Nigerian Oral Literature Association (NORA). “No fieldwork no oral literature”, this was Prof. G.G. Darah’s ‘Oriki’ all through the duration of the conference.
Darah’s description of the writers’ festival as a dance of the forest was not uncommon. Trainee researchers had the rare privilege of watching the literary sways of the generals that took turns to do what professors were known for. The echoing and chaotic clattering of the forest was too fierce for any Akaraogun. Yet, the literary trainees survived the intellectual rumblings of the generals.
From the presentations of Profs Darah, Wanjala, Ogwude, Nkem Okoh, Chinyere, Adekoya, Adebola Dasylva to Dr. Otiono, Dr. Awhefeada and Dr. Linda Onwuka, none of it left the audience in doubt as to the appropriateness of the theme of Documentation and Safeguarding of Nigerian Oral Literatures and Traditions.
Expectedly, taking a flight to the very summit of the Iroko to feast with literary generals and their PhD lieutenants demand plenty of fluffs. Perhaps, the reason these trainees were able to make it to the Iroko top was their abilities to have attained impeccable feats in their various university colonies. Literary staying unyielding on top of the Iroko was another kettle of fish.
True to the strength of their minds, all of the trainees survived the literary warfare of the ‘seven mountains’ of Ibadan. Particularly outstanding in their presentations were Alex Roy-Omoni, Peter Omoko, Eyituoyo Maltida Ovie-Jack, Ojaruega Enajite Eseoghene, Ejovi, Agadi, Okunwaye Uche, Toremi Stella, Peter Omoko, Moses Darah and Okofu Ubaka. In his presentation, Okofu Ubaka attempted to illuminate on how creative stories could be woven around myth and historical events.
At NOLA 2013 Conference, the issue Okofu Ubaka provoked with his paper entitled, ANALYSIS: MYTH AND HISTORY IN THE DRAMA AND THEATRE OF FRED AGBEYEGBE was that, whether Fred Agbeyegbe is accepted or not as one of the new voices (third generation writers) in the Nigerian dramatic scene, the fact that he recorded success in adapting and altering historical events of the Itsekiri people in his creative essence could not be argued.
Agboyegbe uses his plays to interrogate the leadership structure of the Itsekiri people and by extension the Nigerian nation. To the playwright, a writer enjoys the poetic license to modify myth so as to legitimatized certain tradition of his people. To this end, Agbeyegbe uses his man-woman riddle play (The King Must Dance Naked) to concretize the forbiddance of a woman coming close to the kingship stool of the Itsekiri kingdom.
One of the low points of the 2nd edition of NOLA, 2013 was the clash between the event at Ibadan and Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa Lecture which was held the same period NOLA conference was in session (August 7th to 9th). Most of the guests expected to grace the Ibadan event were at Akure, the capital of Fagunwa’s ‘Okelangbodo’.
One of such guests that was caught stiff by Agbako in between Ibadan and Ogboju Ode Ninu Igbo Iru Mole was Prof. Karin Ajinke Barber, a professor of oral poetry at OAU, Ife. Karin is British, yet speaks Yoruba more fluently than many owners of the language. Like Karin Ajinke Barber, Tanure Ojaide’s absence was felt at the event. However, it was not the Daniel Fagunwa’s Akaraogun that held Ojaide prisoner in his hunter’s goatskin bag, but the US Embassy which needed the services of Tanure to clean up credential issues of certain Nigerians on scholarship visit to America.
Conversely, the unveiling of NOLA’s journal which was a compilation of papers presented in the Warri’s median edition of NOLA, and edited by Prof. Segun Adekoya, was one of the highpoints of the Ibadan event. Darah affirmed that the association will survive on the oxygen of a lone edition of its journal annually. Stressing the importance of an annual journal, Darah revealed that the American Folklore Society (AFS) was 125 years old and had not for once failed or relented in her effort in maintaining a consistent tradition of churning out a minimum of 4 issues annually even at the most precarious times of both the first and second world wars.
To steer the affairs of the association for another eight months, a 20-member executive was put in place to ensure a smooth conference at Yenagoa in 2014. The body is made up of Darah (DELSU), Olusegun Adekoya (OUA), Nkem Okoh(UNIPORT), Micahel Nobofa (NDU), Sophia Ogwude (UNIABUJA), Chinyeren Nwahunanya (ASU,Uturu), Ademola Dasylva (UI), Obodike Oha (UI), Okey Okwechime (UNIBEN), Mark Osama Ighile (RUN, Mowe), Sunny Awhefeada (Delsu), Nereus Yerima Tadi (GSU, Gombe), Leticia Maever Nyitse (BSU, Makurdi), Asabe Kabir Yusuf (UDU, Sokoto), Felicia Ohwovoriole (UNILAG), Enajite Ojaruega (Delsu), Alfred Mulade (WDU), Peter Omoko (DESCOPEM), Okofu Ubaka (Alema College, Abigborodo), Evelyn Osagie (The Nation Newspapers, Lagos), Chris Wanjala (Univ. of Nairobi, Kenya), Taban Lo Liyong (Univ of Juba, South Sudan ) and Nduka Otiono (Carleton, Canada).
NDDC’s Giant Mill and the Rice Race
She looked at the monstrous machine with sadness written all over her face. She quickly snapped out of shock and put on her thinking cap. Before her was what one could rightly describe as a sleeping giant, a massive rice mill capable of producing 180 tonnes of rice daily, lying fallow at Elele Alimini in Rivers State.
For Dr. Christy Atako, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, something must be done urgently. In very few words, she made it clear, there and then that the sleeping giant must be roused from its deep slumber.
The rice mill built by the NDDC had remained comatose since it was completed in 2010 for some inexplicable reasons. At a time when attention is focused on agriculture, the new NDDC boss could not accept allowing such a huge investment to continue to waste.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that farmers benefit from the rice mill so as to guarantee massive cultivation and production of rice in the Niger Delta. Farming used to be the major occupation of our people and here we are with a facility that can process about 3,600 bags of 50 kilogramme of rice. We are determined to re-activate the mill,” she said.
To match action with words, the acting MD promptly set in motion a process that would lead to the reactivation of the rice mill in the shortest possible time. She initiated a tripartite meeting between the NDDC, Rivers State government and the contracting firm that worked on the rice project.
At the meeting held on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Atako explained that it was important to forge a partnership which would ensure that the Elele rice mill was put into effective use as soon as possible.
She said: “I feel very worried by what I saw when I inspected the mill. We have an urgent task to fix the problems so that our people can take advantage of the mill to boost rice production in our region. We used to rely on agriculture before oil took centre-stage. We have to return to what had sustained us in the past and President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda places a lot of emphasis on agriculture.”
The NDDC boss noted that the body had earlier undertaken an exploratory trip to Spain to enlist the services of technical partners that would run the mill. “We need to reap the benefits of that trip. We need to agree to work together to make the rice project successful,” Atako stated.
A representative of the Rivers government in, the partnership talks and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Emmanuel Hart commended the efforts of the NDDC in the field of agriculture, noting that his ministry recently took delivery of 20 new tractors from the commission.
The Permanent Secretary said that the partnership had started before the current negotiations as the state government had made available 5,000 hectares of land at Emuohua Local Government Area for the cultivation of rice that would feed the Elele mill.
Briefing the meeting on what went wrong with the rice project, Chief Felix Idiga, the chief executive of Jafaac Investment, the company that installed the rice mill, lamented that the facility was not yet in use, three years after it was completed and test-run. He blamed bureaucracy as one of the factors responsible for the delay in commissioning the project.
“The plan then was to plant rice in the nine Niger Delta states to provide the stock for the mill. It is sad that this dream is yet to come to fruition. The Elele rice mill is one of the biggest in West Africa. When we did the test-run, we milled over 2,500 bags of rice,” he said.
It was a sad story all the way from the point of view of the contractor. But the NDDC was not prepared to continue crying over spilt milk. It was time to move on and find a solution to the problem. The NDDC’s Director of Agric and Fisheries, Dr. Godspower Amadi, agreed that valuable time had been lost all the while that the mill remained idle but assured that things would change very soon. According to him,”we started commercial rice farming as far back as 2007 with nine pilot farms in the region.”
The contributions of the NDDC to the production of rice in the country is important to raise the level of production and return her to a position where she could once again supply raw materials to local industries and still have enough for export.
Trust the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, to drive the process. He certainly knows his onions and has been unrelenting in the quest to bring Nigeria back to the glorious days of food sufficiency through local production. Thus, it was a proud minister who stood before editors in Asaba, Delta State on August 23, to talk about food production in the country.
In a paper entitled: ”Agriculture: The Value Chain Roadmap,” which he delivered at the 9th All Nigerian Editors Conference with the theme: Nigeria Beyond Oil: Role of the Editor,” he said that the ministry had set 2015 as the target date for the country to become self-sufficient in rice production.
For Dr. Christy Atako, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, something must be done urgently. In very few words, she made it clear, there and then that the sleeping giant must be roused from its deep slumber.
The rice mill built by the NDDC had remained comatose since it was completed in 2010 for some inexplicable reasons. At a time when attention is focused on agriculture, the new NDDC boss could not accept allowing such a huge investment to continue to waste.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that farmers benefit from the rice mill so as to guarantee massive cultivation and production of rice in the Niger Delta. Farming used to be the major occupation of our people and here we are with a facility that can process about 3,600 bags of 50 kilogramme of rice. We are determined to re-activate the mill,” she said.
To match action with words, the acting MD promptly set in motion a process that would lead to the reactivation of the rice mill in the shortest possible time. She initiated a tripartite meeting between the NDDC, Rivers State government and the contracting firm that worked on the rice project.
At the meeting held on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Atako explained that it was important to forge a partnership which would ensure that the Elele rice mill was put into effective use as soon as possible.
She said: “I feel very worried by what I saw when I inspected the mill. We have an urgent task to fix the problems so that our people can take advantage of the mill to boost rice production in our region. We used to rely on agriculture before oil took centre-stage. We have to return to what had sustained us in the past and President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda places a lot of emphasis on agriculture.”
The NDDC boss noted that the body had earlier undertaken an exploratory trip to Spain to enlist the services of technical partners that would run the mill. “We need to reap the benefits of that trip. We need to agree to work together to make the rice project successful,” Atako stated.
A representative of the Rivers government in, the partnership talks and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Emmanuel Hart commended the efforts of the NDDC in the field of agriculture, noting that his ministry recently took delivery of 20 new tractors from the commission.
The Permanent Secretary said that the partnership had started before the current negotiations as the state government had made available 5,000 hectares of land at Emuohua Local Government Area for the cultivation of rice that would feed the Elele mill.
Briefing the meeting on what went wrong with the rice project, Chief Felix Idiga, the chief executive of Jafaac Investment, the company that installed the rice mill, lamented that the facility was not yet in use, three years after it was completed and test-run. He blamed bureaucracy as one of the factors responsible for the delay in commissioning the project.
“The plan then was to plant rice in the nine Niger Delta states to provide the stock for the mill. It is sad that this dream is yet to come to fruition. The Elele rice mill is one of the biggest in West Africa. When we did the test-run, we milled over 2,500 bags of rice,” he said.
It was a sad story all the way from the point of view of the contractor. But the NDDC was not prepared to continue crying over spilt milk. It was time to move on and find a solution to the problem. The NDDC’s Director of Agric and Fisheries, Dr. Godspower Amadi, agreed that valuable time had been lost all the while that the mill remained idle but assured that things would change very soon. According to him,”we started commercial rice farming as far back as 2007 with nine pilot farms in the region.”
The contributions of the NDDC to the production of rice in the country is important to raise the level of production and return her to a position where she could once again supply raw materials to local industries and still have enough for export.
Trust the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, to drive the process. He certainly knows his onions and has been unrelenting in the quest to bring Nigeria back to the glorious days of food sufficiency through local production. Thus, it was a proud minister who stood before editors in Asaba, Delta State on August 23, to talk about food production in the country.
In a paper entitled: ”Agriculture: The Value Chain Roadmap,” which he delivered at the 9th All Nigerian Editors Conference with the theme: Nigeria Beyond Oil: Role of the Editor,” he said that the ministry had set 2015 as the target date for the country to become self-sufficient in rice production.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)