Abayomi Ajao (left) Ayeni Adekunle and 2Baba at the Campari home in Italy.

Nigeria’s pop singer Innocent Idibia, otherwise known as 2Baba, is currently being hosted at the Campari house situated on the outskirts of Milan, on the invitation of the respected Italian Organisation. The singer and his team kept the news on the low, refusing to let the cat out of the bag, though word leaked that they were spotted arriving in Milan.

2baba is a brand ambassador for Campari, the first African act to be so decorated in over 200 years. He now joins a global elite list of celebrities who have been invited to the home of Campari, where he toured the Campari museum, brewed his own Campari cocktails and had lavish lunch at the summer home of the company’s founder Gaspare Campari.

Two generations of Camparis lived at the sprawling property, which housed the first ever Campari bar. The massive Campari global headquarters, housing corporate offices, a multi-purpose venue, first-class museum, and an academy now envelop the property.

The visit, Idibia said, is a continuation of his amazing relationship with Europe where he won his first-ever international award at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Portugal 11 years ago.While in Milan, he has participated in a workshop at the Campari academy, visited Italian landmarks, and taken a tour of relevant facilities and work with select experts to create his own special Campari cocktail.

His friend and manager of many years, Efe Omorogbe, accompany him. Also on the trip is Campari Head of Marketing Abayomi Ajao and public relations expert, Ayeni Adekunle from Campari’s PR agency BHM. The team is expected back in Lagos by the weekend.

IMF Building

SEEING LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES IN TIMES OF GLOBAL RECESSION
“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any
good thing.” - Psalm 34:10
“There is no security on this earth, there is only opportunity” - General Douglas Mac Arthur

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) inspired a whole nation with one of his awe-inspiring quotes, “My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.’’. In this time of unprecedented economic downturn, Nigeria is in dire need of people that will see and seize opportunities that are apparently elusive to the common citizens. The purpose of every difficult time is to place a demand on our creativity; the greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity.

Sometimes, difficulties are just opportunities in disguise, we just need to use them as stepping-stones to find success. In the midst of gloomy economic projections and uncertainties, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that a combination of plunging oil revenues and weakened investor confidence will push the economy deeper into the abysmal sea of recession. IMF predicted that the Nigerian economy is expected to contract by 1.8 percent by the end of this year.

Interestingly, Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) believes that avalanche of opportunities abound in this trying times and that it will take a discerning economic eye to see these opportunities. PwC organized a programme recently in Lagos for business leaders and executives with the theme: “Preserving Value in Challenging Times”, to help organizations maximize economic buffers and seize opportunities in the unlikeliest of places, normally overlooked even by the so-called economic gladiators and investors.

The new face of Africa is in the hands of entrepreneurs and the enhancement of Africa’s economies will ultimately come through entrepreneurship. In moving Nigeria away from the present economic quagmire and fiscal depression, we need people that will evolve a new Nigeria through novel ideas and entrepreneurial spirit. It is starkly obvious that we are living in an era where the only thing that rules is an idea. The new phase of Nigeria is in the hands of entrepreneurs, we need more people that can create value, people that are power-houses of revolutionary ideas, people that will create products that will appeal to global ‘consumers’. We need to redesign a nation to reward people that are solving problems. So many people are in politics, not because they want to proffer solutions to the system, but because it has been designed to reward them.

The oil fortune will continue to dwindle until we wake up and stop blaming the government for the fall of the Naira; it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the Naira rises again. It is high time we started looking for indigenous alternatives to things we have been importing from other countries. Imagine the giant of Africa importing toothpicks! We have become great consumers in a world that favours entrepreneurship. The crisis we have presently is global and we must design an intelligent way of responding to it instead of castigating the government and their stringent restrictions. We brought ourselves to where we are today by our undisciplined and insatiable appetite for foreign goods and services to the detriment of our local contents. Let us all take full responsibility for the dwindling foreign reserves in the national treasury; we need to redesign the economy to offer global products that can sell internationally.

I am aware that our nation is going through tough times and I want to proffer solutions in my own way using the Japanese economy as a good example. The eminent taste for foreign materials has overly depleted our sense of value and has relegated our local industries to the background. The revolution in the Japanese economy was initiated by strong patriotism of the citizens to their local goods and their belief in the superiority of their local content. We need a form of social reformation that will produce Nigerians that will be patriotic to our local content and goods.

This includes: A strong believe in their indigenous brands, a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen), diversification of the Japanese economy, stability in Japanese politics and patterns of policymaking, using technology and innovation as a tool for industrialisation, corporate ownership of the Japanese economy, Japanese trade policy (protection of the domestic market combined with aggressive export drives) and finally, the lifestyles, attitudes and expectations of the Japanese people that eventually released them from the economic hold of western imperialism.

A key objective in any economy is to create an industry that produces technologically sophisticated products with high income elasticity and this was actually the ‘joker’ that jump-started the Japanese economy, coupled with strong and patriotic loyalty to their indigenous products , as well as innovative products that were exported worldwide.

Kaizen is often translated in the west as on-going, continuous improvement of processes in manufacturing, engineering and business management. The competitive success of Japan in the world’s market place is greatly as a result of their implementation of the kaizen concept in their corporations. In contrast to the usual emphasis on revolutionary, innovative change on an occasional basis, kaizen looks for uninterrupted, on-going incremental change. In kaizen, there is always room for improvement and continuously trying to become better.

World War II greatly devastated the Japanese economy and after the war, Japan resolved to the practice of kaizen to help in the rebuilding of Japanese industries. Kaizen became a daily process, the purpose of which goes beyond simple productivity improvement. It humanizes the workplace, and eliminates overly hard work when done correctly. It also teaches people how to perform experiments on their work using scientific method and how to perform to learn to spot and eliminate waste in business processes.

I am so much fascinated by the way some visionary state governors have been turning local initiatives into global opportunities. Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state is redesigning Anambra State with the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA), an economic blueprint and road map that captures the four cardinal pillars of his government, namely: agriculture, industrialization, trade and commerce, oil and gas. In order of priority, the governor has made agriculture number one simply because of the vast latent opportunities that abound in the agricultural sector.

Finally, I would like to advise Nigerians to be part of the solution because, if you are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem and if we have to be part of the solution, we have to identify and engage the problems because an undefined problem has an infinite number of solutions.

When the only thing one can see is the problem, then one cannot see the solution. We need to renew our minds and approaches because problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them. The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious. Next week, I will be merging together the 14th and 15th sustainable development goals, which are LIFE BELOW WATER AND LIFE ON LAND. Until then, act locally but think globally.

Simi Adejumo

Simi Adejumo is a highly committed, tenacious and resilient self-starter, who is able to quickly understand a client’s needs and organise a company’s resources to satisfy their requirements. She holds a first class BA (Hons) in Broadcasting, Journalism and Communications from Glyndwr University and currently works as a presenter and producer at CoolTV in Lagos, Nigeria. She plays the character Ify Ochello in the TV series The Governor. She is the first child and a third year law student.

As a presenter and producer of her own entertainment show at Calon FM, she updates her audience with current affairs regarding young adults. On a personal level she is open to challenging situations, which test her abilities.

During her time at HiTV, Simi was given the responsibility of developing new ideas for shows including ‘Star Stories’, which involved carrying out background research and scriptwriting for presenters. She also interviewed Nigerian celebrities both in the studio and at a red carpet event.

In the series, budding actor, Samuel Robinson plays the character of Tofu Ochello, the second and only son of deputy governor, Angela Ochello, played by Caroline Chikezie, who with no governorship ambitions finds herself suddenly entangled in a web of political intrigue after the untimely death of the governor.

Samuel, who has mastered the art of flawless role interpretation, has been acting for two years and has worked on projects such as Desperate Housewives Africa, Tinsel, Shula, 8 Bars and A Clef among others.

“Since I was little I have loved to imitate the characters I watched on TV and I thought I was damn good at it too. I did my first stage production in church at the age of seven and the feedback was amazing. That was when I started thinking… I might actually be good at this. But the major encouragement I received to act was when the director at my audition for Desperate Housewives Africa pulled me aside during my audition and told me that if I wanted to pursue a career in acting, I should go for it.”

For him, acting in Nollywood is not as easy as one may think. “It takes a lot of hard work and commitment to make a name. But it is very profitable in the long run. I enjoy working in Nollywood and I don’t intend on stopping soon,” he said.

The TV series is a riveting tale of the politics of Savannah State. Angela with the help of her trusted chief of staff, she learns how to maneuver through the rough and shark-infested waters of politics whilst balancing the demands of her matrimonial home.

Set in Savannah, a coastal state in Western Africa established in 1964 and extremely rich in iron ore and known for its widely spaced grassland with temperate weather conditions and unique tourist attractions,

The state has a population of 15 million people majority of who are fishermen and farmers. The rich cultural diversity and political awareness of the people makes it one of the most politically active states in the country.

Dr. Obi speaking at the event.

Equity Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has flagged-off the 2016 free holiday classes for public and private secondary schools in Ideato North and Ideato South local council of Imo State. The ceremony, which was held at St. Micheal’s Primary School, Ozuakoli-Urualla, attracted top government functionaries, civil servants, politicians, women groups, teachers, students and lovers of education.

In his keynote address, the founder/financier of Equity Foundation and Principal Secretary to Imo State Governor, Dr. Paschal Chigozie Obi, stated that his passion for education informed his decision to finance this yearly academic activity, in line with Governor Rochas Okorocha’s free education policy in the state.

Dr. Obi assured of his commitment to the sustenance of the programme, as well as his resolve to increase the number of candidates that gets their WAEC and JAMB exams funded by the foundation at the end of the exercise.

He further made public his resolve to touch as many lives as possible, who wish to hit the limelight through education, describing human capacity building as key to sustainable development.
Speaking at the event, the Imo State Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, Getrude Ego Oduka, commended Dr. Obi and his Equity Foundation for creating a platform that is helping Ideato students, assuring that her ministry would support the initiative.

Meanwhile, the state’s Universal Basic Education Board made donation of some textbooks in support of the free holiday class initiative of Equity Foundation that funded over 50 students for external exams last year.

UNILAG

In furtherance of the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) the commitment to continuously engage and welcome young talents, drive and sustain a culture of excellence in its workforce, company organised another Campus Career Expo at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), on July 21.

With theme as, Careers With NBC And Life Success After Graduation, the event, which held at the Afe Babalola Auditorium, witnessed a large turnout of students from all the faculties of the school.

The participating students interacted with top NBC management staff, learned about the company as well as its brands.

Commending the company for bringing the programme to the school, Dean, Student Affairs, Mr. Tunde Babawale noted that after the students would have fulfilled the necessary academic requirements for their degrees, the company would be a great place to start and grow a fulfilling career.”

Campus Career Expo aims to engage young talents in different tertiary institutions across the country and offer them great opportunities to build their careers. As a sign of confidence in the country’s educational system, NBC Limited has continued to make strategic investments in improving the standard of basic education, while positioning itself as an employer of choice.

Bonkwe

From singing in his church choir, Bonkwe developed interest in music and has been in it since then. Along the line, he resolved to make it professional and with the assistance of LA. Kashmire, the C.E.O of Kashmire Records, the stage is set for the young talent to explore the industry.

With his first single, NA You I Go Marry, Bonkwe has set the tone for his debut album, which is expected to drop soon. Though currently working secretly on a follow-up single with an A-list Artist in Nigeria and South Africa, his record label is yet to announce the release date for the new hit.

An Afro Pop singer, he gets inspirations from his everyday life and believes his music is a reflection of his life.

Though a graduate of Insurance from the Imo State University, Bonkwe is focusing on his music career for now, not minding the challenges.

The Social Express

The World Economic Forum (WEF), in its March 2016 report titled, ‘New Vision for Education: Fostering Social and Emotional Learning through Technology,’ noted that in order to thrive in the 21st century, students need more than traditional academic learning.

According to the report, they must be adept at collaboration, communication and problem solving, which are some of the skills developed through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), coupled with mastery of traditional skills, social and emotional proficiency will equip the students to succeed in the swiftly evolving digital economy.

As part of its strategic objective of equipping the 21st century African child with the skills required to be successful in school and life, The Language Express, Inc., developers of the award-winning programme, ‘The Social Express’, has partnered with Prognari, an Africa-focused education value-add organisation that seeks to develop social, emotional intelligence capabilities and life skills in children and young adults.

Speaking about the partnership, chief executive officer of The Language Express, Inc, Marc Zimmerman said: “We are excited to bring The Social Express to the African market. Through user testimonials, we have seen positive results in over 70 countries. Prognari will bring the knowledge, reach and expertise that we wanted in a strategic partner for Africa.”

According to the Corporate Communications Director at Prognari, Emmanuel Udoro, “Our overriding vision at Prognari, has always been to proactively equip African children and young adults for life in the 21st century and beyond through experiential and targeted learning.

“Our partnership with The Language Express, Inc. moves us closer to achieving our objective and will see us taking The Social Express to the length and breadth of the African continent. The Social Express® is a digital and innovative learning program that aligns with the trend shifts in our digital world,” he said.

The Social Express which is accessed via the internet on mobile devices (currently available only on iPads) and desktop platforms, runs a series of interactive web episodes (webisodes) and mobile apps that can be used by the learner independently, or with a teacher in a group.

In addition to equipping children with SEL abilities, Prognari is working with The Language Express to reduce the incidence of bullying in schools through the Cool School programme

Udoro, explained that the Cool School programme is an interactive and animated anti-bullying programme designed for elementary school learners, and that the six week curriculum has been designed to teach young students about bullying through interactive videos and offline activities.

“The program also addresses bystander behavior and how it can contribute to and increase bullying within the school environment. To see a preview of The Social Express® programme and the Cool School programme, open http://prognari.com/products/the-social-express, and http://prognari.com/products/cool-school, ” he stated.

Agharese Emopkae, a.k.a, Arese

For sure, it’s no longer news that Agharese Emopkae aka Arese has emerged winner of the first ever Airtel The Voice Nigeria. However, the level of resilience exhibited by the Theatre Arts graduate before and after the show, which has earned her fame and fortune, is a huge lesson for every young Nigeria; always give it a second shot.

For 14 times, Arese auditioned with a production company where she first started her career, but was rejected over and over again. But she was never deterred from pursuing her dream, as she went back to the drawing board, fine-tuned and retuned again and again.

“Each time, I tried not to feel any hurt and learnt a lot. I was just growing until finally, I came around and they saw that I had improved through a lot of hard work. So, everything is about learning and improving yourself,” she said.

The colourful and highly captivating finale saw eight contestants vie for the grand prize, which eventually went to 28-years-old Arese, whose outstanding performance convinced the judges and thrilled the audience. She was rewarded with the grand prize of a recording contract with Universal, an SUV and an all-expense paid trip for two to Abu Dhabi courtesy Etihad Airways.

Beyond the prize, competing in The Voice Nigeria, for Arese, was just another learning experience, as she continues to grow in her career.

“I have gone to many auditions although, The Voice was the first music talent hunt that I have ever auditioned for. Thank God I got this far. Of course, it was tough and we went through so much. We all fought to stay on the show. Every contestant worked really hard and yes, people only see what they see on TV, but a lot of hard work went into this; it was quite tough,” she said.

Speaking on her coach Waje and her influences during the show, she said, “there are so many things I learnt from her, but the biggest one is self-confidence and being a strong woman; she made me real stronger.”

As for a possible collaboration with Waje, she said, “Waje is a huge deal; she is a leading vocalist, so I would love do one with her, but I think that would be in the future. Let us see what the future will bring,” she enthused.

With the competition over now, Arese is determined to make the best out of the opportunity provided by the show to fully launch her solo career.

“I’m going to keep working hard in music and on stage; I’m just going to keep working hard. Nigerians should expect something big from me because I am going straight into the studio to start recording,” she said.

Ali Baba

Remy Martin announced the launch of its global campaign that recognizes and celebrates individual’s multi-talents late last year and since then; the brand has selected and celebrated different individuals that embody the brand message.

Arese Ugwu, Japheth Omojuwa and Ali Baba were last week unveiled as the new set of influencers for the campaign. The campaign tagline, One Life/Live Them, which assumes its grammatical error, identifies that today’s consumers are not defined by one talent or skill, but are multi-faceted and should be applauded for their many passions.

The One Life/Live Them campaign encourages consumers to explore and celebrate all their talents. It is a call to live richer, larger lives, to expand the horizon and seize all the wonderful opportunities that life can offer, beyond the one-dimensional paths that former generations could have embraced.

Japheth Omojuwa is a public speaker, political expert and ideologist, participating in various economic, civil society and media development panels within and outside Nigeria. Ali Baba, dubbed the “Grandfather of Nigerian Stand-up Comedy” is a popular comedian and motivational speaker.

The campaign urged Nigerians to watch out in the coming months for new diverse and multitalented influencers.

Ken Saro-Wiwa

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and REPLENISH THE EARTH” - Genesis 1:28
“It is not an investment if it is destroying the planet” - Vandana Silva

Martin Luther King Jr. once said: “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” The duty of preserving the environment must be a corporate responsibility; it must never be delegated! We must take both individual and corporate responsibilities for the preservation of our environment. There has been an appalling dearth in the number of patriotic citizens that are passionate about the environment over the past few years. We are living in an era where we practice destructive and unsustainable industrialization; industrialization without human face.

Humorously, I will emphatically say that modern technology owes ecology an apology. We have exploited the earth and environment disdainfully without the thought of the aftermath on future generations and our greed has irreversibly destroyed our creeds. Mahatma Gandhi captured it succinctly when he said, “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” We are living in a country where the people that are supposed to be the custodian of our resources are providing the conducive environment for blatant impunity by multilaterals and multinational companies. These companies are profiting from our inability to set and enforce sustainable policies that will safeguard the environment.

In January 1993, Saro-Wiwa gathered 300,000 Ogoni to march peacefully to demand a share in oil revenues and some form of political autonomy. Ken Saro-Wiwa led a peaceful movement for the environmental and human rights of Nigeria’s Ogoni people whose oil-rich land has been exploited by multinational oil companies. The Ogoni Bill of Rights calling for a measure of Ogoni political control of economic resources and the right to protect the Ogoni environment and ecology from further degradation was initiated and projected; the movement was declared as a non-violent protest against the depletion and deterioration of the Ogoni land.

It was a sordid end when Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders of the Ogoni people’s rights movement, MOSOP, were hanged in Port Harcourt prison on November 10, 1995, in the face of international outrage for a selfless cause that was meant to restore the hopes and aspiration of the Ogoni people. Their trial was said to be fraudulent and the only crime he and his colleagues had committed was to demand sound environmental practices and to ask for compensation for the devastation of Ogoni territories.

“By our actions we have denigrated our Country and jeopardized the future of our children.”-Ken Saro Wiwa
The memory of Saro-Wiwa lives on while that of his persecutors had sunk into fading oblivion. Moments before his execution, he defied fear with one of his resounding quotes, “I am a man of ideas in and out of prison….my ideas will live.” Ken Saro-Wiwa’s life has provided a rich legacy of great inspiration for human rights and environmental activists around the world.

I would like to use this platform to appeal to the Niger Delta Avengers, Reformed Niger Delta Avengers and all emerging aggrieved Niger Delta militants to stop blowing up pipelines and oil installation in the country as it is economic sabotage against our nation. The militant approach in the Niger Delta region is gradually making them to lose the attention, sympathy and support of the global community. We cannot address injustice through violence; Saro-Wiwa used his pen, his voice and his trial to state his case more forcefully to a global audience. Fighting for the environment by destroying it is an indictment on our purpose and intentions; there are more sane ways of fighting for the cause of the Niger Delta without using guns and explosives.

The discovery of oil in Oloibiri, eastern Nigeria in 1956, has ironically become the doom of the region. The proceeds from the Nigerian oil have actually been used in ‘lubricating’ classical corruption and impunity in the present Nigeria. The exploration of oil was done with massive impunity to the extent that the region was environmentally degraded without the thought of the consequences on future generations. I was so much fascinated knowing that the federal government has designed a form of environmental remediation in the Niger Delta starting with the Ogoni clean-up project. We must align with global standards when it comes to the issue of oil exploration.

Scientific findings have vividly shown that the rate of environmental degradation puts life on earth at risk. A new research has found that humans are “eating away at our own life support systems” at a rate unseen in the past 10,000 years by degrading land and freshwater systems, emitting greenhouse gases and releasing vast amounts of agricultural chemicals into the environment.

Environmental agencies like NIMASA, IEMA, NES, must all rise up to defend the environment. The honourable Minister of Environment, Mrs Amina Mohammed, has reiterated severally the commitment of the federal government to the Ogoni clean-up exercise and also assured the full implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) recommendations.

“Any nation which can do to the weak and disadvantaged what the Nigerian nation has done to the Ogoni, loses a claim to independence and to freedom from outside influence.”-Ken Saro-Wiwa

The kind of environment that we crave can only materialise on the wings of our renewed attitude. The greatest liability in life is a bad attitude and this has been obvious from the way we consume and the way we dispose wastes. Edmund Burke said, “Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”

Though we may be a tiny part of a wider problem, but our resolution to keep the environment clean will always count. As patriotic citizens, let us take the days declared by various states in Nigeria for environmental sanitation seriously. Let us be committed and patriotic to rules and regulations that borders on the environment. Let us stop emptying our waste bins in undesignated locations and stop littering the environment with impunity.

I would like to encourage the populace to imbibe the three R’s of waste management: Reduce-Reuse-Recycle! We must not leave the fate of the environment in the hands of the government alone, it is our individual negligence that took us to this level and we must all make concerted efforts to replenish the earth, for this is a commandment from the Most High Himself! Robert Swan said, “The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

“In Nigeria, the only wrongdoers are those who do no wrong”- Ken Saro-Wiwa
In his legendary play, Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare said, “Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once”. I dedicate this piece to all the environmental fighters and activists that lost their lives in the process of fighting for a better tomorrow. I specially dedicate this to the blissful memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the fallen heroes of the Ogoni land, you demonstrated in death that injustice can kill the body but not the voice!

Next week, I will be writing on the 11th goal of the United Nations: Sustainable cities and Communities. Until then, act locally but think globally.

*To learn more on how you can get involved in these global goals, you can go to www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment.

When the new pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, was pegged at N145 per litre early this year after from N87 per litre after yet another protracted scarcity, Nigerians were left dismayed, coming on the heels of reduced purchasing and spending power, as well as crashing value of the naira.

Filling stations quickly adjusted their pumps to reflect the new price and the product, which was hitherto very scarce, became readily available at virtually all stations, big and small, major or independent marketers.

But as the economy situation bites harder and people device means to cut costs, petrol has become a luxury that many people are trying to do without, especially as electricity supply has improved in some areas across the country.

A visit to many filling stations revealled that most of them are selling between N135 and N143 per litre in a bid to attract customers and jack up sales.

Wheel Oil station located at Iyana-Itire on the Oshodi-Apapa expressway has reduced the pump price by N3, a move that has not really done much.

According to an attendant who didn’t want his name in print: “Sales has been quite poor, to tell you the truth. I know how much we used to sell before, but these days it is terrible.

“It seems people are no longer driving their cars as much as before and have reduced the way they put on their generators.”

It was the same tale at Shark station in the same axis. The station’s manager, who gave his name as Samson, confirmed that sales had been poor, adding: “People are no longer buying as before and this is because of the situation of the country. Is it someone that has not eaten well that would remember to buy petrol for generator?

“I can categorically tell you that the situation was far better when the product was being sold at N87. Then, we used to sell over 5,000 litres daily, but now we struggle to sell 2,000 litres in a day. What does that tell you?

“I am even hearing some rumours that they want to increase the price again. They shouldn’t even try that, unless they want this country to burn. A lot of people have turned their vehicles to kabu-kabu just in a bid to make ends meet.

“The ones that did not turn theirs to kabu-kabu have packed them at home and are jumping danfo and okada.

“We are selling at N143 presently, as we cannot afford to give much in profit margin because of the high cost of running business here.

“We even had to let go of some of our attendants when we couldn’t keep up anymore.

“We are begging government to look into this situation and bring down the price, so that things can go back to normal,” he lamented.

Sherfex filling station at Ilasa area of Lagos was selling at N142, a move the station’s manager, Akinola Yusuf, said was to attract more buyers and make things easier for Nigerians.

He admitted that sales could be better and even himself doesn’t put on his own generator at home again until 8 p.m. and promptly switches it off at 11 p.m., all in a bid to save cost.

“The present economic situation is preventing people from buying more. People hardly fill up their tanks again; they just buy a little.

“But I believe it would still get better with time. If landing costs reduce, we would definitely reduce the price even more,” he said.

But it was different at some stations, as most major marketers on Lawanson and Ojuelegba roads still sold at N145.

At some filling stations in the Ijegun/Ikotun axis, sales have dropped substantially.

An attendant at the Wale-Ola station in Abaranje, who did not want his name in print, confirmed that they sell at N142 per litre, but added that nothing much has changed, in terms of patronage.

Some customers at the filling stations complained of ‘doctored’ pumps to maximise profit at the expense of Nigerians.

A scene from the movie

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), which has an outstanding reputation for showing the best films from around the world, announced yesterday its selection of the captivating movie, 93 Days, for this year’s screening.

The highly anticipated premiere of 93 Days will take place at the TIFF on Friday, September 9th, 2016 at 9.30PM at the Isabel Bader Theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 93 Days has been labelled as one of the most important movies to come out of Nigeria. The true-life movie details the Ebola epidemic in Nigeria, which had the entire nation at a standstill.

The movie gives a true account of how Nigeria was faced with the first case of the Ebola Virus and the victory the country achieved when the disease was eradicated after 93 Days.

“93 Days is a masterfully crafted incredible story of bravery and sacrifice and is definitely a must see,” said Mrs. Bolanle Austen Peters, Producer, 93 Days. “It showcases the best of Nigeria, it’s powerful, gripping and an emotive piece. I am proud“.

The suspense filled thriller directed by award-winning movie director, Mr. Steve Gukas, features the best of international and African movie acts such as TIFF rising star, Somkele Iyamah Idhalama, Danny Glover, Tim Reid, Alastair Mackenzie, Bimbo Akintola, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Bimbo Manuel, Charles Okafor, Tina Mba, Gideon Okeke, Paul Adams, Francis Onwochei amongst others.

93 Days is a powerful movie that details defeat, triumph, heroism and a country’s determination to protect its people. With the expertise of talented producers, cast and crew, Nigeria tells its own story through film. The film was produced by Steve Gukas, Pemon Rami, Bolanle Austen-Peters and Dotun Olakunri.

Abbey DLD Group of Colleges

Charles Johnson, Africa, Director of Sales, Abbey DLD Group of Colleges, has called on Nigerian parents who crave to give their children an unrivalled opportunity to gain entry into universities in the United Kingdom, including Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College London to first send them to Abbey DLD Group of Colleges, where they will be equipped with the requirements of various schools in the UK.

At a media briefing in Lagos, Johnson and Muazu Jalaluddeen, Students Admissions Manager for college, highlighted the importance of the two-year pre-varsity programmes offered by the college, saying they enable students to gain admission in some UK’s top universities. The officers called on parents to use the opportunity provided by the school send their children to top schools in the UK.

Most Nigerian students have Ordinary Level (O’Level) results, which is not the same as the required A Levels needed to gain admission into UK universities, but in the college the student are equipped to write the A’Level and other examines.

Jalaluddeen disclosed that entry into the college could be from 14 years of age to study GCSEs or from16 years of age for A Levels.

AFSS Alumni

There was fun and nostalgic feelings, as former students of Airforce Secondary School, Makurdi, mingled and to planned a way to give back to their school.

According to the president of the old students association, Mrs. Justina Abdul Lateef, “it is beautiful seeing each other again after a very long time. At the time we left secondary school, there was no GSM; so, it was difficult communicating and I am glad that most of us who are passionate made to this meeting.

She, however, disclosed that their Alma Mata has given a list of needs, which the association would work on.

“In the long run, we want to set up a foundation that will see people graduate from tertiary institutions and also set them up with jobs.

Award of excellence was also presented to the school’s pioneer principal, Mr. Abimbola Adesina. According to Lateef, “Mr. Adesina is the best principal in the world and so, deserves more than an award. When I called him few weeks ago, I told him my name and he immediately said, ‘yes, I know you, you were in the second set. He has such a photographic memory and was a disciplinarian,” she added.

Some cast members for Just Not Married

Actor, Judith Audu is excited for the nomination of her maiden feature production, Just Not Married, as one of the eight movies from Nigeria that will be screened to global audiences at the world-acclaimed Toronto International Film Festival holding in Toronto, Canada between September 8 and 18, 2016.

Aside Audu’s Just Not Married, other movies that made the list for the festival are 76 (directed by Izu Ojukwu), 93 Days (Steve Gukas), The Wedding Party (Kemi Adetiba), The Arbitration (Niyi Akinmolayan), Taxi Driver (Daniel T. Oriahi), Okafor’s Law (Omoni Oboli) and Green White Green (directed by Abbah T. Makama

While commending other filmmakers whose productions have been selected for the festival, Audu, who is producer of Just Not Married, thanked God, the cast and crew as well as fans for the huge success that the film. She expressed the believe that it is the beginning of greater heights for Nollywood

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has congratulated nine Lagos-based film directors whose latest films will be screened at the festival this year, which is focusing on Lagos State in its City to City, being the first African city to be so honoured.

According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the Toronto International Film Festival will be celebrating the talents and creativity that abound in Lagos with the unprecedented selection of eight new films by Lagos-based filmmakers in the City to City segment and one other film for Industry Special Screening.

In addition, two outstanding actor/filmmakers, Kunle Afolayan and Genevieve Nnaji were selected to ‘In Conversation With’ (ICW), which will have the two celebrities discuss their works on the world stage.

“The Lagos State government is happy to confirm the selection of eight Lagos-made feature films at the Toronto International Film Festival coming up in September as well as Mr. Kunle Afolayan’s The CEO, which will enjoy a Special Industry Screening on the 12th of September. We are happy that as the birthplace of Nollywood and the state that is regarded as one of the world’s most productive film locations in the world, Lagos State will be the centre of attraction in Toronto, Canada this year.”

A scene from the movie

A historical movie on Lagos State, Eko: Iwure Olofin (The Blessing of Olofin), will premiere today, as part of activities to mark the celebration of Lagos @ 50

Inspired by the controversy surrounding the early narratives of Lagos, the star-studded movie subtitled in English, French and German captures the life and times of Olofin, the founder of Lagos.

It is the first of a trilogy comprising ––“Eko: The Reign Of The Obas” (on the life and times of all Lagos Obas); and Eko: Governments In Power.”

Forty-nine weeks later, the calabash resurfaced and moved on. Leaving part of their entourage behind to affirm that Olofin was at the settlement, the place was name Isheri Olofin (to bear witness that Olofin was here). They followed the calabash to Iddo, where it finally sank.

The Bini travelling between Bini and Dahomey joined Olofin and his people in their new settlement. After many years of peaceful coexistence, Aina Agan, (Bukky Wright) –– a wealthy and powerful woman –– had a clash with Olofin and his children. Accused of witchcraft and her assets about to be confiscated, the woman ran to Oba of Bini who sent a delegation on a fact-finding mission.

Raybayqer

After months of working behind the scene, MMMY Music, a new Lagos-based record label, has formally unveiled its new artistes, who will be dropping their albums on the platform. The ceremony, which was held at the FourPoints By Sheraton Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, witnessed the unveiling of Raybayqer, Baddaman Derrek (D) and Kellyfresh as the first set of artistes on the label.

Aside for their unveiling, the evening was an opportunity for guests and music lovers to watch the artistes perform live on stage, to the admiration of their friends and family members, who were on ground to lend support.

A Lagos based R&B singer, Raybayqer hails from Oyo State and started her musical career at the age of 10. On the other hand, Badaman Derrek is an Afrobeat and dancehall singer from Owerri, who began his musical career during his days in higher institution, while Kellyfresh, who hails from Imo State, is a versatile Germany-base contemporary rapper and singer.

While assuring that MMMY Music will deliver world-class music that transcends boundaries, bridging the gap worldwide, he said, “we will occupy a sizable space in all kind of music gadgets/appliances in every household, club and the almighty street. One of our Label’s mottos is Win the hearts of your people locally, and then take Africa to the world.”

Already, the label has started releasing the songs of the new artistes. Kellypresh has released his official single titled Anu-Ntanta, produced by Tyrone, mixed and mastered by Indomix. The other two acts, Baddaman Derrek and Raybayqer have also released their first official singles on the label that works with notable music directors such as Paul Gambit and Eddie Madphat for their video shoots.

“For he looked for a CITY which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”- Hebrews 11:10
“What is the use of a house if you don’t have a decent planet to put it on?” - Henry David Thoreau

Mark Twain once said, “Plan for the future, because that is where you are going to spend the rest of your life.” It is very glaring to note that the earth is increasingly getting disorganized by the day; the equilibrium between economic development and environmental resources has been greatly destabilized. The United Nations has ascertained that more than half of the world’s inhabitants live in cities and this migration trend is expected to continue. By 2050 more than two-thirds of the world will be urban dwellers. India alone is expected to double the number of city dwellers by adding 404 million new people to cities over the next 35 years!

In defining the term ‘planning’, Alan Lakein said, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” In order to make our communities and cities to be fit for the future, adequate planning is not negotiable. We must review the design of our cities and communities with the future in perspective.

A city that is unsustainable has been empowered to destroy itself and in comparing modern calamities with ancient, I will quickly like to allude to the destruction of one of the most adorable cities of ancient antiquity. The City of Rome has always been the envy of savage enemies, several attempts had been made to destroy Rome but to no avail. Due to the fun-loving nature of the Roman citizens, the master plan of the city was mundanely tinkered to accommodate the overbearing lifestyles of its citizens. Even the prediction of an impending disaster could not caution the citizens and their leaders to prepare the city for a disaster that was glaringly inevitable.

The Great Fire of Rome was an urban fire that started on the night between July 18 and 19 in the year 64 AD. It caused widespread devastation, before being brought under control after six days. In the end, the fire destroyed over 15,000 buildings, or two-thirds of the city. The Emperor’s mindless tinkering with the original master plan of Rome and the unguarded lifestyles of Rome’s aberrant citizens eventually signalled its doom.

Urie Bronfenbrenner said: “In the planning and designing of new communities, housing projects, and urban renewal, the planners, both private and public, need to give explicit consideration to the kind of world that is being created for the children who will be growing up in these settings.”

The might of a nation is in the sustainability of its cities and communities. We need a stakeholder meeting to redesign Nigeria to be fit for the future. Most cities in the country are unsustainable for the exponential influx that has bedevilled them over the years. We need to map out strategies of how we can bridge urban inequality in the present Nigeria; we need safe and resilient communities. We need to evolve and monitor critical indicators for social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability in order to create vibrant and sustainable cities that can meet the demands and challenges of the 21st century. We must work assiduously towards the implementation of master plans in cities as a means of achieving sustainable human settlements in the country. Growth is inevitable and desirable, but destruction of community character is not. The question is not whether your part of the world is going to change. The question is how.

We should not just abandon the responsibility of evolving sustainable cities and communities to the government alone, we must take individual and corporate responsibility in the campaign of giving our environment a sustainable face-lift. I was so much fascinated by the novel idea of Heineken and their #ShapeYourCity initiative. Shape Your City is a global campaign that inspires us to take small actions to create a transformation in the cities that we live in. This global campaign will give people anywhere in the world the platform to contribute ideas that will help in making their cities more resilient and fascinating. Though Heineken is looking more at the entertainment aspect, but I would encourage government to design a platform that can help citizens contribute their ideas towards reshaping their city.

Planners under the umbrella of Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) have severally reiterated the abuse of master plans. They have vigorously campaigned and advocated for the implementation of master plans in cities and communities as a way of ensuring that planning and development are in tandem with global and best practices. One of the targets of the United Nations global goal of ensuring sustainable cities and communities is to support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.

The United Nations believe strongly that it will be under the auspices of cities where we will succeed or fail in achieving our goals of poverty eradication, equality, climate change reduction, and ensuring healthy lives. It will be the cities that will determine if we will achieve inclusive economic growth or yield to greater inequality. It is in cities where people will seek opportunities for higher education and employment. And, it will be the cities that will determine if we will continue our steadily increasing usage of the world’s resources or if we will realize a more sustainable path.

The interplay of land use and transportation, as well as facilitating liveable communities with transportation choices is sacrosanct to sustainable development. I was in Colombo, Sri Lanka in 2014 for a British conference and was really fascinated by their rail transportation system. The Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has clearly stated that the revamping of the rail transportation system is crucial for successful diversification of the nation’s economy and increased earnings from non-oil investments. The claim by the minister that the country has no functional National Transportation Policy is a great indictment on the transportation sector of the country and should be seriously looked into.

William Hastie said, “Strategic planning for the future is the most hopeful indication of our increasing social intelligence.” I am reaching out to all the Commissioners of Environment and Physical Planning and Urban Development in all states of the federation to rise up to this challenge of building sustainable cities and communities that can accommodate us presently without jeopardizing the opportunities and well-being of future generations. We must plan meticulously today in order to curtail our spontaneous growth in the face of a changing world.

Next week, I will be writing on the 16th goal of the United Nations: Peace, Justice and Strong institutions. Until then, act locally but think globally.

*To learn more on how you can get involved in these global goals, you can go to www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment.

Nwokedi, conductor of the choir.

No matter what happens in the on-going Rio Olympics in Brazil, Nigerians have every reason to celebrate, as the country has again received international acclaim and accolades in the choral music Art. Two of the country’s choirs, The Lagos City Chorale (LCC) and Mountain Top Chorale, are back in the country with gold medals from the just concluded World Choir Olympic held in Sochi, Russia.

Earlier in May, Lagos City Chorale had an 11-day tour of Germany at the invitation of the Confederation of German Choral Association. The group was invited to present African/Nigerian sacred music at Musica Sacra International (International Festival of Sacred Music) in Marktoberdorf, Germany, where they gave a total of 11 concerts of exclusively Nigerian Sacred choral music.

For the LCC, going for its third World Choir Olympics in six years was a big challenge, especially with the dwindling economy our country is experiencing at the moment. However, they mustered last minute courage to attend the world’s largest choral festival and won Gold with a tiny contingent of 10 singers, about 10 per cent of the numerical strength of some other choirs in attendance.

Also, one of the choirs from Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, The Mountain Top Chorale, fully sponsored by Dr. D.K. Olukoya, the General Overseer, participated in the global festival and gave an outstanding performance, which also earned them Gold from the champions competition.

The 10-days festival featured 260 choirs from 75 countries, each presenting brand of their country’s choral music. Different types of choir that featured are young children’s choirs, youth choir of equal voices, vocal ensembles, senior choirs, jazz and gospel choirs, male choirs, female choirs, mixed chamber choirs and full mixed choirs. The choirs contested in Mixed Choir, Musica Sacra (Sacred Music) Musica Contemporanea, Music of Spirit and Faith, Gospel, Pop, Folklore, Scenic Folklore and Negro Spiritual categories.

For 10 days, Sochi was the world’s cultural capital and a melting pot for different cultures of the world. Each country proudly displayed her culture embedded in indigenous choral music, traditional musical instruments, costumes and choreography. The Nigerian contingents were not left out, as they delightfully presented Nigerian indigenous choral music with traditional music instruments, adorning different attractive fabrics in National colours.

The opening and closing ceremonies were most colourful and unreservedly attracted felicitations from the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Puttin; the attendance of the Deputy Chair of the Russian Federation, Olga Golodets, who is also the chairman of the organising committee of the 9th World Choir Games, Sochi.

Other top government officials in attendance include the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Medinsky, who is the Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee; the Governor of Krasnodar Region, Veniamin Kondratiev and the Mayor of Sochi, Anatoly Pakhonov. The Interkultur team led by its President Gunter Tistch were on ground to co-ordinate events, while the Russian Choral Society with its Director gave tremendous support for the smooth running of the events.

“Of great significance is the total commitment and support given by all levels of government of the Russian Federation to the choral music art, which may be wrongly perceived as unserious by societies without good understanding of the impact of choral arts in the society,” leader of the LCC Emeka Nwokedi said.

The Olympic facilities used for winter Olympics in 2014 and being upgraded for 2018 FIFA World Cup were readily made available for the World Choir Olympics, thus underscoring the equal importance the Russian Federation has attached to sports and music. The Russian Federation, the Regional Government and the Administration of City of Sochi contributed significantly to the successful hosting of the world’s largest choral festival.

Choral music tradition is the soul of every culture, verbalised and heightened through the art of singing. The recent universal choral movement such as the world choir Olympics creates friendly bridge of communication amongst various cultures. It fosters international cultural co-operation and above all an instrument for peace and unity of the world. Choral music helps the preservation of rich cultural and historical heritage of any society. It brings acculturation to an unimaginable height with borrowing, adaptation and integration of different cultures.

The Lagos City Chorale has in the past six years represented Nigeria and won laurels and accolades at different world’s choral festivals in China, USA, Austria, Latvia, Germany and Russia. At the 2nd European Choir Olympics in Magdeburg, Germany in 2015, the group had a Special Award of Honour for continued contribution to the ideal of international understanding and peace initiative through music – an attribute not just to Lagos City Chorale but to Nigeria as her choir sings in unison and in harmony with other world choirs to bring peace to the world.

Omotoso (left), Bidemi Ladipo and Orah Egwu all of Etisalat at the Priemere in Lagos.

After a successful premiere at the Genesis Deluxe Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos, the producers are set to commence airing for Nigeria’s leading Children Television series, Kids Say the Darndest Things 2. Powered by Cliqlite from Etisalat Nigeria, the TV show goes live today for the viewing pleasures of families.

With the theme, Let Your Little Star Shine Bright, the nationwide airing of the series will be on both terrestrial and satellite TV stations and will provide a gateway into the minds of children, featuring enthralling views on topical issues, rib-cracking imitation of parents’ mannerisms and insights into their future among others.

Among terrestrial and satellite TV Stations on which Kids Say the Darndest Things 2 will be aired include NTA Network (Sat.9 am), STV (Sat. 9.30am) and Africa Magic, Channel 154 (Sun. 4 pm and 5pm on Wednesday). Others are WAPTV (Sat. 9.30 am) OGTV (Sat. 5.30pm), PRTV (Sat. 7.30pm), ABS (Sat. 5.30 pm) and Royal Roots TV (Sat. 9 am & 4 pm on Sunday).

The 2nd season of KSDT will see actor, producer, Disc Jockey and America’s favorite sidekick on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Tony Okungbowa, return as host. Okungbowa starred in, and produced the film, Mother of George, Restless City and the soon to be released, Echo Park, which was an official selection at the Los Angeles Film fest 2014.

The television show, which has enjoyed popularity and rave reviews in various markets like Australia, Singapore, India and Italy, was launched in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2015, with the original format adapted to the Nigerian market.