A scene from the film

After five years of painstaking work, involving shooting and post-production, Tribe, the highly anticipated film directed by multiple-award winning filmmaker, Ifeanyichukwu Onyeabo, is ready for the cinemas.

Coming on the stable of IGOSTEVE Pictures, the film is set to come to cinemas in Africa and the Diaspora within the month of April. Obviously one of the most audacious film projects in Nollywood, Tribe, which commenced recording in 2010 in Ghana, employed the services of actors and crew members from eight African countries and Jamaica after a 3-nation tour for auditions. The classic African story was set in Africa about five centuries ago.

The movie employs the basic tenets of African culture, attitude and temperaments to achieve what the African film industry has been yearning for.

According to a statement by the producers, the film highlighted values and vices that make the African continent an effervescent hub of activities, especially in the years of yore.

“From greed, to betrayal, bravery, love, Tribe is a film that has a good dosage of such emotions in a manner cinema lovers would be glued to their seats. After all the years put into the work, nobody would expect anything less than a classic from us.

“We went out of our way to get the characters that will interpret the roles, the way we wanted. That took us to three African countries of Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. After the casting, we also embarked on another mission of training the cast to fit into the roles. The film has very impressive martial arts skills on display as was typical of the African society then, so we brought in experts in this field to train majority of the actors,” the statement said.

Although the film is reputed to have consumed millions of Naira, the producers are keeping mum on the financial implications, preferring to humbly call it ‘a story that deserves no resources to be spared.’

The action-packed film had on parade actors, including Peter Bunor (Nigeria), Fred Amugi (Ghana), Peachman Akputa (Nigeria), Amanda Ebeye (Nigeria), Kofi Djabi (Jamaica), Ekow Blankson (Ghana), Kafui Danku-Charles-Dean (Liberia) and Williemena Pinky Appleton (Liberia) alongside over 200 others who traversed the luscious locations where the film was shot.

Available snippets of the film indicate that fans would find the dialogues, sound, lighting, plot, action and acting interesting.

According to Onyeabo, known for many blockbuster films in the industry, “Tribe is an African story that cannot be pigeon-holed to any African country. Tribe, as a film evolved its own language, which is spoken and understood by the characters. They established a culture that is unique to them, while being acceptable in most African communities.”

The story of Tribe in Nollywood has had an interesting albeit controversial slant since it started in 2010. For instance, it led to the remand of the producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabo, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following disagreements with his partners. But he was subsequently absolved of any wrongdoing by a law court, which also asked that an unreserved apology be tendered to him (Onyeabo) for being illegally remanded. It is, however, interesting that five years after, he and his partner have put their differences behind them and are currently collaborating to showcase the film to the world. The film is set to journey to festivals in Cannes, Durban and Berlin.

Realising the many things God has done for him, how He has protected and provided for him in the past and is still protecting him, Solomon Ikechukwu Keneze popularly known as Moniyke in the entertainment industry, decides to honour God, the source of his inspiration with a new single titled OMG (Oh My God).

Featuring musical genius like Jethro Chinweotito Abara (J smith) the songs can be played anywhere and in any occasion including, parties and churches. Aside from lifting the spirit of the listener, the songs, which cannot be totally classified as a gospel music expresses the wonders of God in a way that would make you dance.

Released towards the end of 2014, Moniyke says, “many people that have listened to the CD have attested to the fact that it is a kind of music one would dance to, anywhere, anytime, any day. We believe it’s a perfect song for all seasons considering all the happenings in the world.”

Upon graduation from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where he studied physics and electronics (production tech), one would have expected the young Keneze to pick up a salaried job or go into small scale trading common among his people, but the indigene of Uga in Aguata local government council of Anambra State, followed his passion and ventured into music.

How did your parents react to your decision? “They felt hurt, never wanted to hear me say it, but all that has changed. Seeing my creativity and audience following, they have come to believe, it is my calling and are giving me all the encouragement I need to move ahead,” he reveals.

Has there been anytime you feel like changing your decision of going into music? “No, not at all. In fact, I am just beginning to unveil the best in me. I have no cause to change my decision because music is in me; it is my passion and I have no regrets whatsoever,” he avows.

Not just singing, Moniyke, who made his first hit in market in 2012 with the smash single Were Obim (Take My Heart) is out to carve a niche for himself with his kind music, which is a fusion of diverse genres.

He says, “my music genre is good music. I play good; my brand of music is good music because it’s a fusion of rhythm ‘n’ blues, soul, jazz, high-life, soft, rock, reggae and others that appeal to music lovers.”

Apart from music the Were Obim crooner is the chief executive officer of Hybreed Music and Entertainment Company, a record outfit with the state-of-the-art studio located at Ikeja‬, Lagos.

Commenting on his company he notes, “it focuses on discovering, nurturing and packaging new talents from the grassroots and showcasing them to the world through music. We also package shows and events aside from in depth multimedia and artiste marketing.”

Sharing his philosophy of life, the music producer says, “it is only when you look beyond the present into the future that you make the best of decisions.”

With the responses Moniyke is getting from OMG, he is working on the musical video of his latest album.

Dada, the best graduating student in Unilag

In life, there is no permanent record, records exist to be broken! In other to achieve great success, we must develop an infinite capacity to always ignore what others think cannot be done. The most famous artist of the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo, once said; “The greatest tragedy of life is not that we set high aim and miss it, but that we set low aim and reach it”. In an era where mediocrity has become a trade mark among youths, one young chap decided to put his human limitations to the test; he has succeeded in showing us life’s grandest truth: we don’t know what we are capable of until we try. Over the 50 years of existence of the University of Lagos, many records have been set and broken but one that has never been heard of before is the attainment of the peak obtainable CGPA of 5.0! The great philosopher, Seneca said, ‘’it is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.’’ The human mind is limitless and we must strongly believe in our capacity to challenge the status quo. Being undaunted in your pursuit automatically guarantees its accomplishment.

Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Impossibilities exist only in the dictionary of fools”. In 1954, there were medical articles that wrote about the human body not being able to run a mile in four minutes. They said that, physically, the body was not able to withstand that much pressure. Banister became the first person to run a mile under 4 minutes. Sport and medical experts said it was impossible but someone dared to challenge impossibility. Roger Bannister, an oxford medical student proved his professors wrong by ending the athletic world’s quest of the 4-minute mile track record with a monumental effort in which he was timed at 3:59:4.

He had beaten the former world record of 4:01:4 established in 1945 at Malmo, Sweden by the great runner Gunder Haegg. It all started after his failure at the 1952 Olympics, Bannister spent two months deciding whether to give up running or not. Roger Banister was aware of the existing record and he went ahead setting goals that eventually broke it. Despite the psychological and medical mystique surrounding the four-minute barrier, barrister dedicated himself to being the first to cross into the three-minute zone. He set himself on a new goal: to be the first man to run a mile in less than four minutes. On 2 May, 1953, he made an attempt on the British record at Oxford. Paced by Chris Chataway, Bannister ran 4:03.6, shattering Wooderson’s 1945 standard.

“This race made me realized that the four-minute mile was not out of reach”, said Bannister. The historic event took place on 6 May 1954 at Iffley road track in Oxford. It was watched by about 3,000 spectators, the weather at Iffley road was not ideal for record-breaking- a 15mph crosswind with gusts of up to 25mph meant that Bannister nearly called off the attempt. Bannister taught the world a great lesson, that there is no permanent record, records exist only to be broken. In 1975, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II. In 2012, Bannister carried the Olympics flame at the site of his memorable feat, in the stadium now named after him. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president of the United States of America underlined the power of human determination when he said, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; rewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on!” has solved and always will solve the problems of human race”.

“Always bear in mind that our resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing”-Abraham Lincoln

Philip Elmer-DeWitt once said, “Some people make headlines while others make history”, but for Ayodele Dada, he made both at the same time. Ayodele Daniel Dada is the 29-year-old native of Ekiti State and graduate of Psychology who graduated with a 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) from the University of Lagos, the first in the history of the University and perhaps Nigeria’s history. The stunning story of the Nigerian whiz kid is both inspirational and unprecedented in the tale of academic prowess in a nation where academic standards have suffered great devaluation. His exceptional and unique performance is a testimony to the fact that an average Nigerian youth is full of possibilities. The 2014/2015 convocation event of UNILAG formally kicked off on 28th February with a convocation lecture by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonaya Onu. It was an electrifying moment on March 1, 2016 at the 48th convocation of the great institution; 178 students graduated with first class division across all the departments but in the midst of these great minds stood ‘the special one’, a young man that stood out even among his outstanding peers. Just like the biblical Daniel, Ayodele Daniel Dada was indeed ten times better than his colleagues with the spirit of excellence. The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, was mouth full of praise when he conclusively said that the candidate showed exceptional academic prowess.

The road to getting admission into tertiary institution for Ayodele was paved with great hindrance as his JAMB/UTME result was seized in 2011 for unfounded reasons. He was devastated but then resorted to taking the Diploma Option (foundation programme) and eventually got admitted into UNILAG. He sold computer accessories and engaged in paid tutoring in order to make ends meet. In the face of overwhelming challenges, people ultimately fall into two categories: people that break down and people that break record. In his valedictory speech , the UNILAG whiz kid encouraged youths on making a healthy use of the Social media and also discovering themselves so as not to spend a ‘larger chunk’ of their lives following the multitude. He extolled the virtue of hard work, dedication, perseverance and determination.

“Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right”-Henry Ford

In an unusual twist that is worthy of emulation, the House of Representatives suspended its rules to permit the entry of Ayodele Dada into the hallowed chambers for the purpose of holding a commendation session in his honour. An act that is a rare privilege in country where we celebrate political ‘thugs’ and moral outlaws more than people with great intellectual values. In a letter titled, “NEW ACADEMIC RECORD BY AYODELE DANIEL DADA”, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila made a call to appreciate the young graduate for his outstanding feet and accomplishment. The concluding part of the letter reads: “To this end, I wish for you to join me as we suspend the House rules to invite Mr. Ayodele Dada to the floor of the House on Tuesday 22nd March to honour the young man and his remarkable achievement. His story is compelling and inspirational to the youth and he represents and mirrors the hope of our tomorrow”.

It was an emotional laden occasion for Ayodele as he struggled to keep a ‘straight face’ when the whole House stood to honour him for his record-breaking feet. Ayodele could not hold back his deep sense of gratitude when he relayed his experience with journalists, he said, “I was just standing there, feeling it was a dream and wishing it didn’t end. Given my humble background, I never envisioned receiving a standing ovation from people I watched on TV. I am completely appreciative”. I am using this platform to applaud the Honourable members, most especially, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, for their laudable initiative in deeming it fit to celebrate excellence among youths. It is a culture that has long been lost in the Nigerian environment. In the same vein that the Speaker of the House, Honourable Yakubu Dogara reached out to Mr. Ayodele Dada, I am advising the Nigerian youths to beware of the three vices that hinder success: Money, Women and Alcohol.

For ladies who love to bring out their girly side, skirt is no doubt the way to go. From maxi to mini, knee length and midi skirts, you can never go wrong especially with right size and length.

With Nigeria being in the front-burner on the fashion terrain, fashion designers have no other option than to be creative in order to meet the high demands of fashion savvy women. They are seen churning out beautiful designs with African prints.

The good thing about skirts is that they come in diverse sizes, colours, lengths and prints which makes it possible for any fashionista to choose her style and the one that will fit properly.

These stylish skirts can be worn with different shirts or tops. To get that glam look in your skirts, go for the ones that look best on your body shape and make you comfortable.

Also, ensure your skirt length is appropriate for your age and the occasion. Coordinate the skirt length with the style of top to make you look well put together. Play around with colours by mixing and matching.

“I count not myself to have arrived: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” —Philippians 3:13
“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” —Albert Einstein

The great philosopher, Aristotle, once said, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Nigeria is a country of excellent minds, a country full of youths with great talents and unique potentials. In the previous edition of YOUTHS WITH PURPOSE, I wrote about the young man, Ayodele Dada, who broke the 5.0 CGPA record in Nigeria. Even so, we have Nigerian youths in the diaspora that are standing out and breaking world records. Many of them are blazing trails in foreign lands. In a time when Nigerian youths are labelled as fraudsters and scammers, there are many Nigerians that are setting global records; such is the story of Victor Olalusi, who broke the world record of attaining the 5.0 CGPA mark in faraway Russia. Ordinary people look for where they fit in; great people look for where they stand out. His record breaking feet has put the Nigerian youths on the global scale, he has proved to the whole world that Nigerians are competitive with their colleagues all around the world in terms of intellectual ability.

Nigeria is full of youths with winners’ spirit. They are both home and abroad breaking and setting records, showing the whole world that Nigeria is made of more. We are living in a world where the definition of winning has been polluted. God’s plan is for you to win every day of your life, but before then your definition of winning has to change. Winning is not being better than others, you don’t need to wait for other people to lose before you win; winning is being the best of yourself. You don’t need to excel others to win, winning is excellence of self. In the winners mind, failure is never an option. You don’t need to wait for others to lose to win; you don’t become a winner at other people’s expense, rather at your own expense, be the best version of yourself, and be a winner!

On 29 May 1953, Edmund Hilary became the first man to reach the summit of Mount Everest (29,035 feet/ 8,850 metres), the highest mountain in the world. It was acclaimed unconquerable because of the extremely harsh conditions along its rugged paths, for years and decades, it was the terror of climbers. Many mountain climbers considered the mountain all but unconquerable. A journey of perpetual cold and air so thin that the human brain and lungs do not function properly. Numerous Everest expeditions had failed, and dozens of experienced mountaineers had been killed, several attempts to climb it was terminated; the mountain that was meant to be conquered became a conqueror. But one man was undaunted in his pursuit; he refused to give up after several fruitless attempts. Though Edmund suffered great loss in his attempt in 1952, but he never gave up, he lost one of his members in the attempt; but he indeed return and conquered Mount Everest. He was reported once standing at the foot of Mountain Everest and speaking out audibly to his ‘stony foe’, “Mount Everest, you have defeated me. But I will return and I will defeat you. Because you can’t get any bigger and I can”. This was the culmination of 12 serious attempts since 1921, including nine British expeditions. Hilary described his exploits in his famous book High Adventure (1995) and explained the importance of the virtue of tenacity.

The expedition to conquer Mount Everest was set off in March of 1953 with approximately four hundred people. The trip up the mountain was extremely difficult and when they neared the summit, only four men were able to continue. Two men out of the four were just 300 feet close to the peak when they turned back! Hilary and Tenzing Norgay made the final attempt to make it to the summit. On May 29, 1953, Hilary and Norgay reached the summit of Mount Everest. At the age of 33, Hilary had conquered Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth! On his return from the mountain peak and in an amazing twist that stunned journalist, when Hilary was asked how he succeeded in conquering the mountain, he said, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves”. The same year, Hilary was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and became Sir Edmund Hilary. In 1992 Hilary appeared on the updated New Zealand $5 note, thus making him the only New Zealander to appear on a bank note during his or her lifetime, in defiance of the established convention for banknotes of using only depictions of deceased individuals, and current head of state. Hilary was named by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the 20th century.

There is great hope of seeing Nigeria being in the forefront of excellence with the present crop of youths that are emerging with exceptional and unique abilities. An exceptional corp member will be passing out this year from the NYSC scheme in Rivers State; he was acclaimed to have scored 5.0 CGPA in a Russian Medical University in Moscow. Victor Olalusi graduated as a medical doctor in 2013 with a record breaking score of 5.0 Cumulative Grade Points Average in Russian National Research Medical University. The University rated him the best graduating student in the whole Russian Federation; he became the first person ever to record such feat in Russia and arguably the first ever in the world! The Guinness book of record will in no time be readjusted to accommodate the record breaking feat of the 28-year-old Nigerian. Olalusi has over the years known to consistently break and set records. He was the best graduating student at Aquinas College, Akure, Ondo State, where he obtained distinctions in all the subjects he offered in the 2004 West Africa School Certificate Examination.

In the same year, he enrolled in a pre-degree programme of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Akure, where he emerged as the best pre-degree student with a score of 80%. He continued his record-breaking streak in 2006 by scoring 321 points out of the 400 points in the Universities Matriculation Examination to emerge the best Science student in Nigeria. He eventually got a full scholarship from Cowbell (a milk brand) and the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) to study Medicine and Surgery in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in 2006 as he was able to score 326 points out of 400 points in the University’s Post-UME examination thereby emerging again as the highest scorer in the Obafemi Awolowo University Post-UME examination in 2006. He was actually set on breaking another record in OAU but was shortly awarded a scholarship to study medicine at the Russian National Research Medical University.

In 2015, it was a long awaited response from the Federal government when Olalusi was eventually honoured for his record-breaking feat in Russia by the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja. Olalusi inspired the youth to always demand the best from life and to always be an image builder for Nigeria wherever they go, as he described how he took his time in Russia to redefine and reposition the image of Nigeria in the mind of his colleagues because all they ever heard about Nigeria had always been about corruption, bombing, killing scam and all other social vices.

I am a firm believer in the youth and I am encouraging the Nigerian youths to imbibe the spirit of excellence in their endeavours. To the teeming youths, are you used to settling for less? Don’t ever settle for less in anything- your academics, career, and relationships. Maureen Dowd said,

“The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settled for”. Always strive for excellence, break your own records not others. Excellence is to keep beating your own standards every day. Our business in life is not to get ahead of others, but to get ahead of ourselves, to break our own records, to outstrip our yesterday by our today. Don’t ever be involved in any negotiation that makes you settle for less. Discern the reason why you were born and be willing to pay the price to be it. My sincere question to the youth is this: what great thing would you attempt if you knew you could not fail? That is exactly what you should attempt! You are full of possibilities; go and break that record.

Titilope Sonuga is a civil engineer and an award winning poet, writer and performer, whose words have graced stages and pages across Nigeria and internationally. She was the first poet to be invited to perform at a Nigerian presidential inauguration, performing a stirring piece, We Are Ready, at the May 2015 inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Titilope adds acting to her accomplishments playing Eki in the Ndani TV hit television series Gidi Up, which airs across Africa. Her poetry afforded her a meeting with the late poet, Maya Angelou, and Titilope has taught many adult and youth poetry workshops across Canada and Nigeria. She has served on the boards for the Edmonton Poetry Festival, Spoken Word Canada, and Lagos International Poetry Festival. She spoke with GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR on her project.

Who is Titilope Sonuga and what does she do?
I’m a poet, writer, engineer and an actor. I was born and raised in Nigeria, but moved to Canada as a teenager. I’m the last of four girls; I like to think that a lifetime of trying to get my voice heard made me a storyteller.

You have selected quite an interesting career path for yourself, from engineering to the creative arts. Is there a reason for this?
I could not have predicted the journey I have been on. I do not think it was something I could have actively selected, but I am certainly glad it has unfolded this way. My father was also an engineer, and I was raised to believe that there was nothing I could not do, if I would only apply myself. Academic excellence, particularly in the sciences, was a big deal in my household; so, no one was surprised when I chose a career in engineering. It was what was considered a ‘serious’ and acceptable career, and even though I always had a love for the arts, it had not even occurred to me that I could also make a life out it. Having the backing of a growing career in engineering allowed me the freedom to explore my writing and performance without any added pressure, I was able to do it simply because I loved it, and that period of carefree exploration led me here.

Where do you get your inspiration? Do you have any mentor in or outside the industry?
Everyday survival stories inspire me. People who transcend the obstacles they have faced and shine and women making way for other women. Every time I see a woman or girl becoming something that she was told she could never be, I get very excited. I’m constantly learning from people’s stories and experiences.

You were announced Intel Ambassador about a year ago. Tell us a little about this
I am currently the Intel She Will Connect Ambassador for Nigeria. Intel and its partners, in response to the staggering Internet gender gap around the world, developed the She Will Connect Programme, particularly, in sub-Saharan Africa, where the gap is the greatest. The programme works with NGOs, government agencies and other local business partners, and has begun with the initial pilots in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. The goal is to reach 5 million young women in Africa by 2020. Lending my voice to the initiative was a no brainer, because of my passion for women and girls and my desire to contribute to initiatives that uplift them. It is unacceptable to me that millions of women and girls are simply being left behind and left out of the many opportunities that exist online, so contributing my story and my art to promoting the program was an easy choice.

Why do you think it is important young girls and women learn how to use technology? What is the pay off?
Through technology, the world is transforming at neck breaking speed. The online space is exploding with opportunity and innovative ideas that move humanity forward. Being online and knowing how to use the technology around us has shifted from being an option to a necessity, it is simply the way the world converses. I might be biased in saying that women are the birthplace of innovation, but I believe this to be true, and it has been this way even before the dawn of technology. Imagine the transformative effect of equipping them with a tool that can send their ideas and thoughts across the globe. When you empower the people who are the backbone of communities across the world, the effect is instantly multiplied into the lives of the people they care for and on to everything that they touch. The pay offs are exponential when you tell a girl that she can do anything in a world that is constantly saying that she cannot.

What impact has the initiative had on young girls and women?
So far, 30,000 women and girls have been trained through the programme, but over and beyond the numbers, it is beginning to cause a shift in cultural norms and the rigid mindset that women and girls cannot excel in the STEM fields or any field they choose. What has been particularly encouraging is watching the sense of accomplishment and the growth in confidence that spreads into other areas of these women’s lives and anticipating the ripple effect of that in the lives of all the people they come in contact with.

What challenges do you think young girls and women face when it comes to using technology?
There are several challenges at play all at once. One is the mindset and the general culture around what women and girls can or cannot do or be across the world, particularly here in Africa. That it is still a success story when a woman excels in any field but particularly in the STEM fields, means that it is not yet normal to us, it is not yet so much a part of who we are that it is an everyday occurrence. Technology feels like a luxury when we are still having conversations about the basic human rights of women and girls. When girls are raised to believe that certain things are forever out of their reach, it is a challenge to change their minds once this idea is cemented.

There is also the issue of familiarity and the financial barriers to access. In order to become comfortable using and experimenting with technology, you have to practice and that requires consistent access to the tools you need. If you have never seen a computer in your life, how would you know that you could actually be a computer engineer?

There have been concerns regarding the digital security and technology, and in fact, this is why most people shy away from technology. What is Intel doing to address this?
This is definitely a valid concern particularly with new users. With all the opportunities online, there are also some very serious risks that people can be exposed to. The My Digital Journey Platform (MDJ Platform) was developed as part of the She Will Connect programme’s dedication to innovating along side the needs of its trainees. It is an interactive platform that uses a community of women to teach digital literacy skills and the concepts of digital citizenship and online safety. Through a series of tasks and challenges set to real life scenarios new users are able to prepare for the online space. Of course it is difficult to mitigate every single risk, but it is a strong start.

How can one get access to this platform and what are the benefits?
The platform can be accessed at africa.shewillconnect.intel.com. The beauty is that it does not have to be taught in a classroom or training centre. It puts learning in the hands of the user.

Have you faced any challenges being a woman in the industry?
Whether it is in engineering or in the arts, there are challenges in every arena. It is comforting to know that many came before me and many will come after, so I am not alone. I have tried to keep my mind on the pursuit of excellence and to continue to “face my work” no matter what. Of course, some days are easier than others.

When Titilope is not busy being She Will Connect ambassador, a poet or an actress, where is she, and what will we find her doing?
I love to travel, so I would probably be on my way to the airport or daydreaming about my next trip. When I’m home, I’m curled up with a book or eating, which is another great talent of mine.

What advice do you have for young girls and women out there?
Take up space. Make noise. On the other side of your fear is everything you want to do and someone else needs to see you do it so that they can have the courage to chase their dreams too.

Okey Bakassi                                                                                                                                                   Jennifer Eliogu

As the countdown to the maiden edition of Daylight Annual Leadership Awards (DALA) 2016 commences, organisers have unveiled the super star hosts for the event.

The high-octane awards ceremony, which holds on Sunday, May 22, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, has A-list entertainers, Okey Bakassi and Jennifer Eliogu as the comperes.

The duo, who are equally first class thespians in Nollywood, are expected to bring their combined wealth of experiences to bear on the historic event.

According to a statement issued by the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Daylight.ng, Mr. Azuh Amatus, who is also the chairman and founder of the awards scheme, Okey Bakassi and Jennifer Eliogu were painstakingly picked as hosts based on their pedigrees as accomplished comperes and entertainers.

“The duo has anchored many high profile events within and outside the country. They are thorough professionals and we are pleased and proud to work with them as DALA 2016 anchorpersons.

“Bakassi is an actor, comedian and compere, while Eliogu is an actress, musician and compere. They are multi-talented entertainers with global fans base respectively,” stated Azuh.

While confirming his readiness to co-host DALA 2016, Bakassi, a graduate of Agricultural Engineering from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, said he feels honoured to be chosen by organisers to co-anchor the awards ceremony.

Also speaking, elated Eliogu, who recently returned from South Africa, where she was invited to perform a special birthday song for Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, promised to make the awards ceremony sweet and memorable with her sonorous voice and enchanting smiles.

“I can’t wait to mount the stage and thrill guests. I also have a surprise for DALA awardees and guests on that day. I want to specially thank the organisers for having me on board as co-host of this great event,” pretty Eliogu added amid smiles.

Chinasa Amechi

It was a star-studded affair last weekend as Eko Hotel and Suites hosted the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2015. Invited guests pulled out all the stops to look good on the red carpet and many did not disappoint. Endless exotic evening gowns competed with tuxedos and traditional attires.

Funmi Fagbore

The event, which was tagged “The Torch bearers”, was held to present honorary awards to

Adaeze Ekwueme

outstanding citizens and leaders that made impacts in the past year 2015. Governors Adams Oshiomole, Ibrahim Dakwambo, Kashim Shettima and Ibikunle Amosun of Edo, Gombe, Ogun and Borno States respectively, took home the awards for Governor of the Year. Other awardees included former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, Senator David Dafinone, Onikepo Akande, Jim Ovia and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Barr. Bisi Idaomi

President Muhammadu Buhari and former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan were named joint Personality of the Year.It was a vibrant occasion as guests where thrilled to classic oldies by the Sharp Band as well as musical performances from Harrysong, KC, Sinmi while the comedy interlude was by Koffi. Comedienne Helen Paul and Yomi Awokpe were the MCs for the night and both did justice to their role. The event began with singer Olumide singing the

Nigerian national anthem.

Attended by politicians and eminent personalities as well as Nollywood heavyweights, it was an unforgettable night that wouldn’t be forgotten in a hurry.

Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (left), Lynn Whitfield, Jimmy Jean-Louis and South African actress/producer Terry Pheto at AMAA Nominations party in Beverly Hills, USA, last year.

The prestigious pan-African reward system for the motion picture practitioners, African Movie Academy Award (AMAA) has found a new home in the garden city, Port Harcourt, capital of Rivers State, following a very successful nine consecutive editions in Bayelsa State, one in Abuja, Lagos and Port Elizabeth, South Africa respectively.

River State Governor, Nyesom Wike, led state, which is the headquarters of the Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria signed the hosting right with the management of AMAA, making Rivers State the second sub-national government in Nigeria to tap into the huge potentials of AMAA for destination branding.

In a statement jointly signed by the State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Tonye Briggs Oniyide on behalf of Governor Wike and the founder of the awards organization, Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, hosting the award this year will be the beginning of a partnership that will add immense value to the people of the state and the host city in particular, as the state government is determined to position Port Harcourt as a destination of choice in Nigeria and West Africa.

“We are repositioning Rivers State as a state ready for business to Nigerians and the rest of the world and our partnership with AMAA will become a veritable platform to attract tourists, global and Nigeria icons in business and the entertainment industry. We want to showcase Rivers State as a peaceful place where socio-economic activities thrive, and also, the hospitality of our people.

“There is a huge economy around entertainment and show business in Port Harcourt. While our state is known for her hydrocarbon resources His Excellency, Governor Wike’s administration through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism initiatives like AMAA wants the world to know and take advantage of the business opportunities that abound in the state,” Briggs said.

The commissioner also added that the state will soon unveil a calendar of entertainment and tourist activities that will create jobs for the youths of the state.

Speaking on the new partnership with the state, the awards’ founder, Ms. Anyiam-Osigwe said it marks the beginning of a new phase in the journey of the continental awards that started 12 years ago. “We are very happy with this development. We value this partnership and we promise that it will be a rewarding one for the government and people of this great state.”

This year’s awards will now take place on Saturday June 11, while the nomination night where nominees into the 28 categories will be announced will hold on Wednesday May 11. The previous nomination nights had taken place in Accra, Nairobi, Johannesburg, Banjul, Lilongwe, Ouagadougou and Los Angeles.

As part of the pre-AMAA activities, the state will host a sponsorship night in conjunction with the Africa Film Academy (AFC) to mobilize corporate sponsors for the awards while the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has been signed on as the major broadcast partner for the awards night with a Live Telecast to over 100 million people across the globe.  Other media partners include Africa Magic, OHTV UK, SABC South Africa and ONTV

Co-founder of MOTI, Joseph Etim, face of MOTI, Jessy Baboshia Jonah, MOTI’s King, Amazing Francis, MOTI’s Queen, Tracy Solomon and Emmanuel Etim(co-founder of MOTI)

­­­­­­­­The new Queen and King of the just concluded Models On The Island (MOTI) have said they would work to impact on the society.Speaking at a press conference held recently, the new MOTI Queen, Tracy Solomon, said she would be focusing on malaria control, creating more awareness on the harmful effect of the disease on children and pregnant women.

“I am embarking on my pet project very soon, as a way of giving back to the society. It would be on malaria because it kills people every day, especially children. I would be organising seminars to enlighten people on the causes, effects and treatments of the disease. We shall be taking the crusade to schools, markets, rural communities among others,” she noted.

Solomon admitted that it was hard to get the crown, as she competed with 80 ladies who were equally gifted. She added that they were given many tasks with little time.

The Cross River State-native, said she has always experienced sexual harassment even before becoming a queen.“Once you are a model, men will definitely come after you. You must be yourself at all times. I have never slept with a judge or an organiser to get a crown.”

According to a co-founder of MOTI, Joseph Etim, they have concluded plans to initiate a campaign tagged: ‘Models Are Not Prostitutes.’ He said they were worried about the position of models in Nigeria.

“Twin Image Concept is running a campaign tagged ‘Models Are Not Prostitute’ and over 5, 000 models will be involved. We want all the winners in our camping exercises to come together to push this particular project. Though modeling agencies make it look like the profession is meant for ladies of the evening, we want to enlighten parents and the public that there is dignity and reward in the profession. It is a profession one can earn a living from, but most agencies ask for sex before they give out jobs. It is wrong to sell your body to get a modeling job,” he stressed.

Etim explained that MOTI camping exercise would empower models on acting, television commercials, photography, modeling and other aspects of entertainment.

“We had the first edition last year. This year we camped 80 models at the Tarkwa Bay Beach in Lagos and the grand finale was held on Easter Monday. We have our King, Queen and the Face of Ghana. This edition was opened to contestants within and outside Nigeria.”

The Face of MOTI, Jessy Baboshia Jonah, described her experience in the camp as challenging as they had to wake up as early as 6am for activities.
“I am a Nigerian, but I live in Ghana. We have many ladies interested in modeling in Ghana, but they don’t have the confidence for it. All they need is someone to help them to develop themselves and this is exactly what I would do after this edition.”

MD, Katunga Media Limited, Betty Abang; author and executive producer, Loud Whispers, Joseph Edgar; Executive Producer, Olisa Adibu; lead thespian, Alibaba; director, Loud Whispers, William Benson; and producer, Mofoluwake Edgar.

Foremost Nigerian comedian, Ali Baba would be among the boundless talent that would feature in a new stage play, Loud Whispers, billed to hold on Sunday, May 1, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.

Adapted from a book with similar title and written by Joseph Edgar, a banker cum theatre enthusiast, organiser promises fun filled time for theatre lovers.

Ali Baba and a 20-man cast, which includes Patrick Diabuah, Paul Alomona, Tony Okuyeme, Tony Offiong, and Joy Ogbekene, will be performing a series of monologues through a mixture of dance and song. Ali Baba, in a genre crossing role, will address current issues, throw light jabs at political and social actors, give advice and pass commentaries, while entertaining and holding the crowd spell-bound in the typical fashion that he is known for.

The MD of Katunga Media, organisers of the play, Betty Abang, chatting with newsmen, said: “Edgar’s book has elicited so much laughter and attention through its acerbic, but comical banter on very topical issues. The play takes a lighthearted look at otherwise critical issues in Nigeria with a bid to relieve tension and build positive discourse on their resolutions. The event, which coincides with Workers’ Day also aims to present workers with an enjoyable entertainment alternative for unwinding.”

Produced by popular broadcaster, Olisa Adibua, Shina Peller of Quilox and Mofoluwake Edgar, the play is adapted and directed by William Benson.
Benson has successfully directed many critically acclaimed plays, including The Sisters, Trials Of Oba Ovonramwen, The Meeting, Yoruba Romance, Private Lies, among others.

“It promises to be an exciting outing as theatre lovers would have the unique opportunity of watching Ali Baba in a genre crossing role delivering tongue in cheek quotes and massively entertaining the crowd in ways we have come to regard and respect him for,” Benson said.
The play is proudly brought to theatre lovers by Katunga Media, a leading African marketing communications agency.

The 2016 Choir Day of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo Ni O) held at the Youth Church Auditorium, a fortnight ago, was spirit lifting and entertaining.

Meant to celebrate the Church Choir’s Day, the event whose theme was, ‘New Glory’ has become a yearly concert that members and non-members of the church look forward to.

The concert generously thrilled guests with doses of religious music, plays and dance, which are consonant with the theme. It also saw different groups come to showcase their talents.

From hip-hop to Afrobeat, classical and highlife music, there was a song to keep the different generation present in the audience excited. Mostly, the presentations were usually a mix of Yoruba and English languages songs, thereby carrying everyone along.

One other unique feature of the presentations was the choreography that gave non-verbal interpretation to the songs. The costumes used in the different presentations either by the lead artistic, the backup singers and the dancers did not only align with the message of the presentation, but also further enhance performances.

The opening song was His Glory, followed by Mo Sope, Moti Loluwa, Eni Nla Ni Oluwa, Bolojo and others. In one of the performances, Everybody Come And See, an Afrobeat presentation, the lead vocalist mimicked Fela with his dress sense, dance steps and voice. The performance added colours to the event.

There was a drama presentation with the title, King Of Glory. The play tells the faith that awaits a repentant soul.
The choirmaster general, Prophet Niyi Adeyemi in his opening remarks called on the people to be steadfast in the Lord, to experience His Glory.

On what informed the theme of this year’s celebration, Afeyemi, said, “we can see what is happening in the world and we know unless we have the glory of God every other glory is nothing, because anything from the devil does not last long. It is only the God’s glory that can sustain anyone; so we are enjoining the people to seek it.”
Aside upcoming artistes, Lady Evangelist Nike Elegbede, Ayo Balogun and Lanre Teriba were in attendance to make the event grand.

Gospel Miliki act, Dele Agbeyo, also known as Dele Gold in the entertainment industry, is making waves with his new album titled Gbogbo Eekun (Every Knee).

The Agbeyo, Ipoti Ekiti-native, who is also working on his third album, said he never thought of becoming an artiste. “It happened that each time I sleep, all I dream about is music, but in reality I do not sing. So, I became uncomfortable each time I go to church. Five years ago, I took the bull by its horn and produced my first album, Divine Warning.

“I got the title of the albums in my dream,” he continued, “I sing Miliki gospel because it promotes African culture. It also gives hope to Nigerians that the current economic situation in the country will one day be over. Joblessness, violence and incessant killing of innocent Nigerians we currently experiencing will soon be a thing of the past,” he said.

The businessman-turn artiste disclosed that he gets inspiration from the environment, people around him and everyday happenings.

Although he credits his style of music to Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade, Gold disclosed that his major challenge in the industry is distribution. “Most people cannot access my songs and I pray that with time it will get to them and they will be blessed,” he stressed.

Dismissing rumour making the rounds that he will soon leave gospel songs for secular music, he said, “having given so much time and attention to my kind of music, I have not just started music, God has made me comfortable and when you serve him diligently you have no reason to deviate.

“Five years from now, I see myself as an artiste that will change the lives of the hard-hearted. I want to make a positive impact on the society through my gospel music. I have no reason, whatsoever to leave gospel Miliki for secular music.”

The brainchild of Italian fashion brand Kinabuti, Dare2Dream, announced on Tuesday 19th of April, the broadcast of the 16 episodes of the second Season. The project powered by FCMB was set out to train and bring out the best of University talents in fashion and business. The D2D executive producers held the press conference announcing the broadcast on TV and online with a Nescafe press breakfast at Kinabuti Studio. Present at the press conference were Media Partners & Representatives Tatiana Moussalli Nouri(DGMD of Cool/Wazobia TV), Pris Nzimiro-Nwanah (Senior Producer & Director EbonyLifeTV), Rich Tanksley (Head of Pulse.ng),Mrs Azuka of This Day and Kamdora. The Dare2Dream sponsors: Obi Mbanuzuo (COO of Dana Air), Diran Olojo(Head Corporate Communications, FCMB) and Shamsideen Fashola, Head of FCMB Flexx Account. Also present were the Dare2Dream trainers: Maje Ayida (CEO Eden Lifestyle), Bola Fawehinmi (CEO of Few Models Management) and Juliana of Society For The Performing Arts Nigeria (Span). And finally the Dare2Dream Season 2 Finalists Ifeoma, scouted in Uni-Lag and Mary scouted in Uni-Port were also present. The executive producer, Caterina Bortolussi explained to the audience “the main different between Season 1 and 2 is the wider spectrum of talents and skills that were developed from campus to camp. This season is extremely rich with many moving stories from mentors and contestants”. Mr. Diran Olojo of FCMB went on saying that “Dare2Dream is delivering messages that inspire the youth to be disciplined and focused on their lives objectives, whether it is in modeling, banking or any other line of work”.

Mrs Tatiana Moussali of Cool/Wazobia TV added, “In February 2016, we launched a new channel, Wazobia Max that is available on terrestrial TV and reaches out to the largest audience including young people at home. We really hope young people will identify and get motivated by watching Dare2Dream on our channel”.

Mrs Pris Nzimiro-Nwanah of EbonyLife TV explained, “Real TV is becoming more and more present in today’s programming. Dare2Dream content is particularly appealing to the new generation who enjoy watching drama and inspiring real-life stories”.

Miss Bola Fawehinmi, the D2D modeling trainer shared her personal experience as a model and now running her own agency Few Models Management: “Dare2Dream really inspired me. I also learnt a lot from the contestants. “Dare2Dream Season 1’s winner is the most-booked model at the moment. She has the right attitude and she is extremely professional which, for clients, count as much as her look”.

The two Dare2Dream finalists described their experience on camp and shared, “meeting so many inspiring celebrities they would have never had a chance to meet otherwise. Dare2Dream inspired them to make changes and take an active role in their life, in school projects or within their community”.

The 16 episodes of Dare2Dream Season 2 will broadcast from May 2016 on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, EbonyLife TV, Wazobia Max, Wazobia TV, Cool TV and Pulse.ng.

The Founder of Yomi Otubela Foundation (YOF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) committed to assisting, through scholarship award, students of outstanding academic performance in Mathematics throughout Nigeria, Chief Yomi Otubela, has said that the application form for Yomi Otubela Foundation can be obtained and completed on line via yomiotubelafoundation.org as registration opens on April 25 and closes May 20 for the examination which will take place on June 18, 2016.

Speaking concerning the foundation at a recent press conference, Otubela said that the scholarship
was borne out of the desire to encourage outstanding academic performance among youths in Mathematics throughout Nigeria.
“This was borne out of the desire to encourage young and enterprising brains and to inject in them the spirit of a rewarding competition. By this way, the foundation hopes to enhance the spirit of academic growth which hitherto seems to be waning or dropping by leaps and bounds.

He said that it is equally true that the world can only be advanced through science and technology.
“My question therefore is; can science and technology be meaningful without mathematics? Again, if we don’t engage in or give the young ones those things that will motivate them to love Mathematics, will the world not dwindle to the historical “Dark Ages” or I should say, primitivism?”

Otubela said that there is the need to drive young boys and girls in primary and secondary school into the full acceptance of Mathematics.
“Besides, we want to encourage schools to take the teaching of Mathematics beyond what it is at present if we are thinking of rapid technological advancement as it is in countries like China, USA, Taiwan and the former USSR.”

He said that this is possible but its realization depends on the people, the children and the teaching of a subject like Mathematics in a way that will make the children admire and understand it.

Christine Mason Miller once said: “At any given moment in life, you have the power to say: “This is not how the story is going to end”. Life is full of amazing stories of people rising from obscurity to stardom, from a ‘mess’ to become a divine messenger, from breakdown to pioneering a major breakthrough, from a life of scars to becoming stars. When you have the right attitude towards life, your rise to greater height is secured.

A winning attitude converts a mess into a message, scars into stars, bitterness into ‘betterness’, frustration into fuel, misery into ministry and adversity into advancement. Charles Dickens was lame, Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree, Plato was a hunchback, Sir Walter Scott was paralyzed, Albert Einstein could not speak until he was four years of age, Franklin Roosevelt was crippled by polio and became the first president to be wheeled into the white-house on a wheel chair!

Where you are coming from is not what defines you but rather where you are going in life. You must endeavour in life to ensure that where you are going in life does not in any way look like where you are coming from. No matter what you are going through in life, you can rise above your background. So many people have risen beyond their ‘shabby’ backgrounds to become people of substance and great impact. God might not will every situation but he does have a will in all situations; God has given you this life because you have what it takes to live it. Our biggest problem in life is self-awareness, the ability to fully realise who we are and what we are truly capable of doing.
“The man who has no inner life is the slave of his surrounding”-Henri Fredrick Amiel

The amazing story of Najat Vallaud-Belkacem is literarily a unique story of grass to grace. Her stunning and meteoric rise from obscurity to stardom in a country that is politically studded with bourgeoisie to the detriment of the proletariat is both amazing and unprecedented in the history of French politics. A woman formed in the crucible of life’s adversity has grown to become a political celebrity and even named “the new face of France” by the international press, who view her as a symbol of a changing and diversifying country.

A recent opinion poll conducted by a French newspaper showed that Najat Vallaud-Belkacem had become the country’s second most popular politician in France. She has meticulously blazed a trail through the heart of French politics. Over the years, she has refused to be limited by her background as the one-time Moroccan immigrant whom the world would have labelled as a fugitive and wanderer in a country designed to politically eliminate people of low class. In a time when immigrants were tagged as vagabonds, a young girl lived her life beyond the verdict of her ‘shabby’ back- ground. Against protracted odds and stifling oppositions, she rose from a poor and humble background to becoming the first French woman ever to be appointed Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Research.

Born to a humble family in Bni Chiker, a village in Morocco’s Rif region, in 1977, Vallaud-Belkacem was the second eldest of seven children. Vallaud-Belkacem’s childhood home was an isolated farmhouse with red earth walls and a thatched roof in the mountainous Rif region of northern Morocco. Her earliest memories are of gathering water from the nearby well with her older sister, Fatiha, now a lawyer living in Paris, and helping their grandfather tend to his flock of goats. Her father, Ahmed, had immigrated to the northern French town of Abbeville before she was born, and when Vallaud-Belkacem was four, he found a job with the French car manufacturer, Renault, as a common laborer and sent for his wife and two daughters to join him.

Settling in a suburb of Amiens, some 80 miles north of Paris, Vallaud-Belkacem felt the full shock of a new culture. She didn’t speak a word of French and remembers being stunned by the vast number of cars- a vehicle she had rarely seen before. The family struggled to have a stable life as they had to discipline themselves to fit properly into a culture that was both strange and disturbing to their background. Najat once described the struggle of getting acclimatised into her new environment when she said: “The fact of leaving one’s country, one’s family, one’s root can be painful, my father had already found his place, but for us, for my mother, it was very difficult to get our bearings”.

The culture of hard work, diligence and resourcefulness was inculcated in them by their Spartan father. Her father set strict rules: Vallaud-Belkacem and her sister were forbidden to flirt with boys or to go out to nightclubs before the age of 18. Not one to rebel aimlessly, she poured all of her energy into her studies, reading constantly and reaching fluency in French by the end of her first year.

Vallaud-Belkacem received French citizenship shortly before enrolling as a law student at the university in Amiens. It was there that she stumbled on a prospectus for the prestigious Institut d’études politiques de Paris (often known as Sciences Po). A teacher discouraged her from applying, saying it was out of her reach, but she took the entrance exam anyway and passed. In order to support herself and lessen the financial burden off her parents, she worked two jobs while earning her Master’s in Public Administration- and met Boris Vallaud, then a fellow graduate student, while studying at the institute’s library. The two married in 2005 and have followed similar paths into government.

She cut her political teeth in Lyon- France’s second largest city. In an unusual twist of fate coupled with her intolerance on the flawed perspective of France’s far right, she decided to navigate the murky waters of French politics by joining the Socialist Party as an adviser to the mayor of Lyon; she later ran for councillor in the region and won. Her election became the object of great opposition in a country where high-class citizens have largely confiscated politics, as politics in France has always been a white man’s business. She was appointed as the Minister of Women’s Affairs in 2012 by the Socialist president, François Hollande, the ministry was reinstated after it was scrapped in the 1980s.

On April 2014, she became a mega minister serving as the Minister of Women’s Right, Minister of City Affairs, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports. In a major cabinet shake-up in 2014 that saw many Ministers being dropped, she was rather promoted and assumed the role of the Minister of Education, a portfolio that is seen as one of the most important and senior government posts in France, given the massive budget allotted by the government and the premium placed by Paris on education. Her pioneering change to the French Curriculum has triggered great outrage from traditional educators that are becoming obsolete in the face of a changing world.

The mother of twins (Louis and Nour), described her ability to blend politics with family as “reconciling the irreconcilable”, it is amazing how she is blending and finding a healthy balance between a high stakes government career and a fulfilling personal life. In her advice to the youths and their involvement in politics, she said, “I have always advised the youths to get involved in politics. The best way to be happy with your future is by playing a part in it. If you’re just a spectator of collective fate, you’re bound to feel frustrated.’’

Edaoto (left) and Dele Ojo

The book of remembrance was on Tuesday opened for the Juju highlife King, Evangelist Dele Ojo, when Evergreen Musical Company limited picked him as one of the artistes to be honoured on May 15, at the Lagos City Hall.

With this coming for the 76-year old evangelist, he becomes the sixth artistes after Victor Olaiya, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Orlando Julius, Chris Ajulo and Crossdale Juba that would be so recognized and celebrated in the company’s ‘the last of the original project.’

The project, according to chairman of the music promoting and distributing company, Femi Esho, was conceptualised to revive, rejuvenate, sustain and promote sounds that are produced and created by Africans for the African continent and the world at large.

He said: “The project provides platform that blends the new generation sounds with the older generations, while reawakening the yearnings for music that focuses on African values and heritage.”

This maiden edition spotlights Dele Ojo, a man rated among the first three best juju musicians in Nigeria. The juju highlife maestro is acknowledged for introducing the bass guitar into the juju music genre. His popular tunes, includes Iya Ni Wura, Terena, Bouncing Burner and others.

Aside this, Evangelist Ojo would also be celebrated for his 55 years on stage.

The event tagged, “Dele Ojo, 55 Years of Juju Highlife Maestro on Stage,” will witness the unveiling of Ojo’s music compilation and exhibition. The event will also see some new generation artistes such as Brymo, Simi, Edaoto and Topsticks perform on stage. One of the creators of African Sound, Chief Ebenezer Obey will equally grace the stage.

Speaking on the honour, thespian Tunji Shotimirin, frowned at the kind of songs produced by current Nigerian artistes, saying the songs lack inspiration. According to him, Dele Ojo and other old generation artistes used music to unite the people, uplift souls and make life worth living. He noted that the old generation artistes were successful because they listened and learned from somebody; they are not like today’s artistes that rush into the studio and produce anything they like, which is the reason their songs die within a year.

On her part, Bimbo Esho, said, “juju music is still relevant to our generation. It is a music genre that is good for telling history. Dele Ojo is one of Nigeria’s unsung music legends. We are here today to tell the world that he is still alive and waxing strong with his music,” she said.

Winner of Corporate communications pitch competition (CCPC), Edafe Onoriode (left); Managing Director (MD), Sesema Public Relation (PR), Mrs. Tampiri Irimagha Akemu; and First Runner up, CCPC, Ibukun Oyegbesan during the grand finale and presentation ceremony of the CCPC in Lagos recently.

To provide a platform for bright graduates with communication background to build a career in Public Relations and Digital Communications, Sesema Public Relations in conjunction with the Alima Atta empowerment fund recently launched the Corporate Communications Pitch Competition (CCPC). The maiden contest was concluded recently. And all those who participated were asked to write an essay on how ‘Public relations agencies have transformed brands in Nigeria and the key drivers that have made it possible’. After a look into the entries submitted by over 100 applicants, five contestants were selected. In the second phase of the contest, the five participants selected were given a Public Relations brief to develop a communication plan that will engage consumers on the need to take drinks without preservatives and position Wilson’s Lemonade Drink, the parent company, as the vital alternative in the soft drink sector.

Unlike the first phase, the five candidates were made to present their pitch before a panel of industry experts among whom were, Mrs. Habiba Balogun of Habiba Balogun Consulting, Mrs. Sade Onyia; a management consultant for multinational firms, Mrs. Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu, MD of Sesema PR among others. Each of the candidates was made to explain their pitch after which there were questions from the jury.

After a rigorous process of interrogating the applicants and the content of their pitch, Onoriode Edafe a graduate of the University of Port Harcourt took home the grand prize of N130,000 and a six months internship at Sesema Public Relations, while the first runner-up Ibukunoluwa Oyegbesan from University of Bradford, UK clinched the N70,000 cash prize and three months internship at the firm.

Although the initial plan was to reward the best two candidates with internship and cash reward, due to the convincing pitches of the five candidates, the jury recommended that the top four should enjoy internship while the top two gets cash reward along with the internship.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Sesema PR, Tampiri Irimagha-Akemu said that the competition was initiated to continue the legacy of the founder of the firm, Ms. Alima Atta, a foremost PR Guru who dedicated a greater part of her professional life, grooming new entrants into the PR landscape and giving them a head start in the industry.
“We are happy that Sesema PR has marked another year delivering expert PR services. We will continue to develop programs and youth empowerment initiatives that would ensure that we help young people that are passionate about Public relations. This is in line with our CSR objectives and contribution to the growth of the PR and Communications sector and landscape.

“We are really impressed by the level of creativity and technical capabilities displayed by each of the contestants; they have made us realize we are indeed pursuing a worthy cause; that is why we have decided to extend the internship opportunity to four (4) contestants rather than just the winner”. According to her, the organization toed the line of grooming entrant public relations practitioners because it has over the years noticed the gap between practice and the skills that young graduates bring to the work place.

Habiba Balogun, a member of the jury, after the screening, described the project as a good one, noting that the maiden edition was a fantastic start, as the last five candidates were very impressive, besides displaying very high sense of professionalism in spite being young communication graduates. According to her, she was also impressed with the confidence and presentation skills of the last five applicants evaluated just as their pitch was enriched with appropriate research and complimentary argument.

Edaoto (left) and Dele Ojo

Plans are reaching conclusive stages for the second edition of The MediaHangOut. The hangout is a platform, which brings personalities from different media (TV, Radio, Social media influencers and print) together to network and have fun. The maiden edition held in January amidst pomp and pageantry. It also allows members to explore their passions and spark conversations with like-minded individuals.

Establishing and maintaining networks is crucial in the Integrated Marketing Communications Industry and among media professionals, but owing to occupational demands, opportunities to expand personal networks may be limited.

Ask any senior executive, politician, community leader or successful salesperson, which single skill or habit helped them excel in their career – an overwhelming majority will respond with one simple word: Networking.

Networking, or maximising personal relationships enables individuals to stand out, rise above the noise and remain top of mind. It provides the most productive, most proficient and most enduring tactic to building and sustaining mutually rewarding relationships.

Acknowledging the difficulty of media professionals networking, Urban 10 Media, an emerging Nigerian communications consultancy, began organising The MediaHangOut, an initiative that seeks to promote partnerships, collaboration, training and support for media personalities across various media platforms

Unlike other social platforms, the hangout connects people based on shared interests rather than acquaintanceship. It offers users the unique opportunity to create and discover their favourite things, and share that content with friends and those who are as interested in similar subjects, all in one place.

According to the Director, Events and Partnerships, Urban10 media, Princess Emesomiade Egabor, the objective of The MediaHangOut is to build bridges among media practitioners from different platforms and encourage cohesiveness and professionalism.

“There are a couple of things that are wrong within the Nigerian media industry, including a problem with perception and long standing division within our ranks. We believe a concerted effort has to be made by journalists from the print, electronic and online media to strengthen ties and share opportunities for personal development. By helping one another, we build the industry,” Egabor said.

As part of its activities this year, the outfit would tomorrow host 10 ladies in the media to a day of fun and relaxation, in collaboration with OASIS Medspa, a corrective skin care clinic and luxury day spa, which is dedicated to helping people achieve a flawless complexion and healthier looking skin. It was established in 2014 by Miss Freda Francis, who believes when you have a conversation with your skin it smiles right back at you.

Top on the agenda would be an informal discussion of the challenges, limitations and contributions of female media practitioners in Nigeria. The crowning moment for tomorrow is gala night, where some established and upcoming artistes are billed to perform.

Live theatre lovers will from April 30 to May 2 be thrilled by John Pepper Clark-Bekeredemo’s new play titled, The Hiss.’

The hilarious comedy, which is set in Lagos, features the encounter between a commercial cyclist (Okada man) and his passenger, as they traverse the streets of Lagos. The satirical play lampoons the state of affairs in our society.

First performance holds on May Day weekend, April 30 at the Ayo Bankole Centre, 32, Yesufu Sanusi Street off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos.

While the 2nd and 3rd shows will be on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, May 2 at the Little Theatre, Lagos Country Club, Joel Ogunnaike Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

The play, a collaborative efforts of Live Theatre on Sunday Theatre Production, Lagos Country Club and the Ayo Bankole Centre features two shows, 3pm and 6pm, each day.

For more information visit http://naijaticketshop.com/, livetheatreonsunday on Instagram, www.livetheatreonsunday.info or Facebook/livetheareonsunday