In the last edition, I wrote extensively about the deteriorating effect of bleaching, not only on the skin, but also on the way we perceive ourselves and others. I have received a lot of comments on the last piece and decided to publish it in this edition. One of my readers that sent in his comment opened my eyes to the way bleaching can cause some psychological imbalance in the lives of the victim’s offspring, as some of the chemicals can be absorbed by the foetus during pregnancy to cause irredeemable growth abnormalities, hormone deficiency, and damaging ailments like autism etc. That is to say that the breast milk from a nursing mother that is bleaching is a form of ‘death sentence’ to her innocent child! Please, enjoy the comments:

“I will not be surprised to see a lot of comments coming in for the above post because therein lies the truth and we are conscious of it, but we fail to acknowledge it. I strongly believe in my ‘naturality’ and appearance. I don’t need to impress anyone, because what I see in the mirror is my reflection not anybody else’s. My advice is this: be proud of your natural skin colour, be on a good diet and take loads of fruits to retain that awesome colour you have got.”-Oluwatosin Akinola(400 level Student of the Department of Chemistry, FUTA, AKURE. 08161654699)

“I’ve never seen an article so detailed attacking this important social issue…these adverse effects of bleaching is enough to make any wise youth choose natural over artificial. More importantly, it is high time we all built and developed ourselves from within…our self-worth.” Gbemisola Olaosebikan (Educator at Chrisland Schools, Lagos. 08060778013)

“Bleaching is only a form of reflection of lack of confidence. One of many, we need to believe in ourselves and what we are”-Samuel Umoru (Edo State, 08032115979)

“This is a captivating piece. Those who bleach must learn to accept their skin colours and be proud of being black. ‘BLACK IS BEAUTY’ is not about the colour but the content the person carries. False appearance or wearing of mask keeps one in perpetual bondage. I sum this up with a stanza from Chara Nyashia Sanjo’s poem (Beautiful To Be Black): “It’s beautiful to be black, it is the colour of strength and pride. I will say it out loud. I don’t have to hide”-J.Oyasotie. (Edo State, 08055201450).

“Wow! This is a wonderful piece. I am imploring Nigerians to desist from this ‘heinous’ crime against their skin…Be comfortable in your skin!”-Adeola Adeniran (Medicine & Surgery, University of Ibadan. 0810466942)

“This is a piece that every family should keep as a reference material. Everyone that is bleaching needs to read it in order to learn wisdom. Whosoever is not bleaching will as well learn to advise anyone going into it. The style and skill adopted in this write-up are unique, penetrating and classical. Keep up the good job please.”-Tolu Adepoju (Dean of Students’ Affairs at EAC, Ibadan. 07034497400)

“Well, from my own point of view, I felt bleaching your body isn’t good. So many people bleach their skin colour mostly because their skin is black and they believe having a black skin isn’t good. But actually, having a black skin is one of the best gifts you can ever receive from God. Stop paying others to damage your skin! Even, Guinness Africa launched their newest ad with the made of black tag to celebrate Africa’s uniqueness: “Black is not a colour. Black is an attitude. It’s a mindset, it’s a way of life.” #MadeOfBlack#.- Olujimi Folakemi ( Lagos State ,07066176378)

“The chemicals present in bleaching creams are very harmful to the body; most of them penetrate into the skin to cause irreversible damage to the skin tissue. This piece is an eye-opener to the real reason behind this self-destructive act.”-Oghenekome Oghenekeno (Warri, Delta State. 08147754965)

“What a world! I think those indulging in this shameful action need proper orientation because I don’t think I need to spend a whole month’s salary on cream all in the name of trying to look attractive or beautiful. God bless you sir for raising this crucial topic.”-Damilola David (Ronk New Age, Ibadan. 08098501641)

“Mercury is being touted as one of the major underlying cause of Autism/Asperger Syndrome. Bleaching creams are not just life-threatening; they can affect the user’s offspring whether male or female.”-Johnson F. Moses (Ajah, Lagos. 08031388273)

“Gbenga, please continue to educate our ignorant black people. It is appalling how brainwashing has turned us to be modern slaves. You made my day”-Akpobome Egi (Woodbury, Minnesota, USA. Currently visiting Warri, Nigeria. 08130855015)
“The piece is mind-blowing as well as mind-changing. It unveils the bitter truths about the indiscriminate use of cosmetic products that does not only bleach the skin but victims’ lives.”-Olabiyi Oluwasola (Portharcourt, Rivers State.08185366995 )
“But Godliness with contentment is a great gain (1 Timothy 6 Vs 6). I assume that anybody that is not content with his or her skin’s natural skin colour cannot be contented with anything in life. All that God created are beautiful as I am dark and beautiful. Mr Gbenga, I am one of the ardent readers of your column and you’ve always been a great source of inspiration to me. Thank you sir.” -Funke Oladebo (CEO of Passion Designers, Ibadan. 08102552564)

“An exceptional piece that gives a reflection of the problems associated with bleaching, deeper than human sense has ever envisaged. It drives home the point on the need to value our identity in connection with our skin colour. I therefore appeal to every youth out there to embrace their skin colour, their identity and be very proud about it. I am proud to be one of “…. the African queens that have vehemently refused to join the mad and demented race of skin bleaching….”. It begins with you! -Ogunmodede Oluwatamilore (Ogun State. 07056546333)

“This dangerous act of bleaching is tunnelling deep down to the psyche of our ladies. We are not good enough, we are not beautiful enough, so we now bleach and wear other women’s hair and now we are beautiful. SO, so sad! We are telling the Almighty that he was not good enough in his creation of my sisters. We are made in his image and likeness. But we want or desire to be someone else! ” As a medical doctor, I must add that the health effects of the chemicals in the cosmetics are very troublesome. Anything you put on your skin goes in through the skin into your body. Once in, the blood will help it circulate to other organs. Many of the chemicals are toxins and are linked to hormonal problems, abnormal menses, fertility problems, ovarian problems, mood disturbances, bowel problems, fibroids, and cancer; examples are parabens and phthalates. Many of these chemicals are being found in blood, even of new- born babies. How did they get there? The cumulative effect with daily use in small quantities. Let us stop destroying our Immune systems ……we are destroying God’s Perfection!
Dr Patrick Ijewere (Internal Medicine Consultant at Johns Hopkins University and Radio Host of Wellness Half-hour on Inspiration 92.3fm, Lagos,)

There are various questions that have been raised that I would want to use the third edition to address:

Is there any occasion where skin lightening is medically recommended? Is there any hope for a bleached skin to heal naturally? Is there a way we can detoxify our body of all the damaging metals and chemicals that have been assimilated during the act of bleaching?

How can we protect the right of an unborn child from being damaged irreversibly because of the mother’s irresponsible act of bleaching?

How can the government, dermatologists, medical practitioners and other stakeholders help in the regulation of this dastardly act?

I will be talking on these and much more in the third and last edition of this crucial topic. I will also be publishing more of the comments that could not be accommodated here in the next publication. Until then, stay natural. #teamNatural#

Members of the Association of Company Secretaries and Legal Advisers in the manufacturing sector (ACSLA, Lagos chapter) took off time from their tight schedules, two weeks ago, host one of theirs, Abiola Laseinde, who has just been elected the chairperson of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN), Lagos chapter.

Held at the Protea Hotel, Alausa, Ikeja, the event drew members from key manufacturing companies in the country.

Speaking at the gathering, the new chairperson, said: “I have drafted programmes to carry out my four-point agenda, which are: visibility, relevance, collaboration and projecting ICSAN and the Lagos chapter.

“By visibility, I mean to drive members, engage them with the aim of making everyone to contribute and also benefit from the association; while by relevance, we are to make sure that corporate governance principles are always expressed in everything we do. We are also looking forward to collaborating and partnering other professional bodies such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and others. Lastly, I hope to project the national body of ICSAN, because if it shines, the Lagos chapter will follow,” she said.

Laseinde disclosed that Lagos chapter of ICSAN is planning its first members’ forum, which would enable the new executive to know the minds of its members and also for the association to clear some grey areas.

“The forum is going to take the form of questions and answers format for everyone to express his/her mind. This is also going to be a mind robbing session that would guide and direct the new executive on, which way to go,” she said.

Highlighting some of the leadership qualifies of the new chairperson, as being dogged, a good mixer, focused and visionary, Yomi Adebanjo noted that she is like a door to two bodies; one side opens to ACSLA and the other to ICSAN.

“Considering this, we feel, she is better placed to bring synergy into both bodies. Her emergence gives us the opportunity to celebrate her,” he said.

The husband, Barr. Laseinde, disclosed that he would give her wife all the support she needs, adding that her appointment is a call to serve her professional association and her fatherland, too.

The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, is known for hosting major entertainment gigs in Lagos. Almost on a weekly basis, this venue hosts different events ranging from musical concerts to comedy shows, runway fashion shows and conferences. But on April 30, 2016, visual art took centre stage with a group exhibition at the Art Twenty One tagged Breaking News.

Located within the hotel, at Art Twenty One, a brand new 600sqm space and platform dedicated to contemporary art in Lagos, is intended to contribute to and to solidify the growing art scene in Lagos, as well as position this great city as a major force in the international art world.

The exhibition, which runs till June 22, brought together art patrons and enthusiast, who came to see Jakob S, Boeskov, Teco Benson, Obinna Makata, Native Maqari, Abraham Oghobase, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe, Chibuike Uzoma and Uzorka explore the politics and mechanisms of the mass media through their works. From painting to drawing, photography, video and installation, Breaking News questions how information is disseminated, fact is constructed and how social and political life are filtered through the lens of the culture industry.

From works on display, it’s obvious that these artists are critical about divergent social and political issues in Nigeria. Using different media, the artists explore how Nigeria is defined in the local and global news media, and how cultural myths are articulated and perpetuated. In an act subversion, they cut, crop, and shred the vernacular news archive, a literal and symbolic act of destruction.

Rather than succumb to commercial pressures of the media industry, they created a visual language to portray new perspectives and alternative narrative. But whether critiquing current events or its distribution in newspapers, television, and the Internet, the artists form a self-reflexive view of the media, identifying how it forms our personal and collective worldview.

For instance, in the series Basket Full of Blood, Obinna Makata creates abstract paintings that incorporate pieces of used weave basket, covered with drips of red paint. Using metaphor of the basket to represent Nigeria’s potentials, Makata points to the disillusionment in the social-political sphere in the wake of the country’s current political climate.

Traditionally, the basket in the Igbo culture symbolises riches, harvest, bountifulness, protection and hope. As a rich Nation, Nigeria’s “basket” should be theoretically full. Yet, Makata’s series illustrates the government’s inability to tackle issues of terrorism, which continues to plague the security of the country. Rather than symbolise abundance and positive outlook of the future, Makata’s baskets are in the process of drowning in an abyss of blood, awaiting salvation.

In The Illicit Proliferation of Large and Small Arms, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe probes poor leadership and the state of insecurity in the country. Featuring brightly coloured figures in neon and fluorescent hues, he creates elements forms with heavy emotional charge. Uwagboe’s characters are in the midst of struggle, from militants with guns creating a state of panic to policemen drinking local liquors and attacking innocent civilians.

In his collaboration with musician Keziah Jones for the graphic novel, Captain Rugged, Native Magari tells the story of a superhero aiding the disenfranchised in the urban metropolis of Lagos. Its protagonist, an ex-military soldier turned superhero living in Makoko, fights against political and social corruption in Nigeria and the harshness of the daily grind.

Consequently on the run from local police, government leaders and news reporters, Captain Rugged lurks in the shadows between rescuing area boys and local beggars. As a superhero, living in one of Nigeria’s notoriously photographed areas, the captain circumvents the clinched depiction of poverty that pervades western media outlets. Inspired by a desire to see their home city and country represented in the graphic novel form, Maqari and Jones form an alternative narrative that blends facts with fiction t imagine realities.

On his part, Chibuike Uzoma creates collages by cutting scraps of newspapers and printed matter overlaid with hand-drawn sketches and texts in his Desire series. The torn newspaper pages reference current events including political reports, elections, economic woes and society columns, as well as official court documents and public notices. The tearing of the newspaper pages suggests a natural decay, as if they were originally created by years of neglect.

Uzoma inscribes the phrase “call me”, “love me,” and “please” in repetitions atop the fragmented pages, along with images of faces of creatures. In its manic reiteration of the same phrases, his works plea for personal connectivity in the alienated age of technology. Speaking to the psychological yearning of desire to belong to someone or something, Uzoma blends together cultural and personal narratives that reflect a sense of desperation in the face of mass media industries.

Uche Uzorka’s Engagement of Empathy is a literal and conceptual deconstruction of Nigerian political analysis and commentary. Using academic books and tourist travel guides, he forcefully shreds the pages of his source materials and paints over the text, rendering the indecipherable. These books were written by foreign “experts,” who observe and critique the Nigerian experience from afar; with a pessimistic and fearful outlook on the country.

His canvasses specifically reference a book by author Karl Maier entitled This House Has Fallen: Nigeria in Crisis, which attempts to dissect Nigeria’s political and ethno-religious difficulties. Uzorka negates their factual analysis by treating it as a work of fiction, in opposition to the artist’s daily realities. Organising these scraps onto canvass and compartmentalized jars, he attempts to create a systemic order amid their commentary of “chaos.”

In Dr. Cruel and the Afro-Icelandic Liberation Front, Icelandic artist Jacob Boescov collaborated with Nollywood director Teco Benson in the short action film, which follows the head of a terrorist organization, who kidnaps an oil executive for ransom, while preaching a message of non-violence. Inspired by the fast-paced action films in Nollywood cinema, the film, the only video featured in Breaking News, begins with a press conference featuring the sinister character Dr. Cruel, which quickly escalates to an elaborate escape and police shootout.

Told in the international language of violence and action, the film borrows from the Nollywood slapstick and melodramatic traditions. Shot on location in rented domestic spaces using common, consumer technologies, Boeskov and Benson highlight the democratization of cinema that speaks

In a chat with curator of the exhibition Joseph Gergel, he said, “the artistes here are looking at events in Nigeria, with focus on how the media create fact, how information gets disseminated and how it really affects the way we understand ourselves in the world around us.”

On choice of the seven exhibitors, the American, who has been working in Nigeria for four years explained, “we are always thinking of issues that relate with the society; we knew we wanted to do the theme of Breaking News. So, we approached artistes that we knew that had worked on that thematic ground. Some of the artistes already had works, but some we commissioned to do new works for the exhibition. From photography to painting, video, installation, drawing… it’s interesting to see one theme interpreted in so many ways,” Gergel enthused.

Gospel music singer Aity Denis has released new video for Amigo, a song written in Spanish, English and Igbo. Shot by Honesty Music Productions in Lagos, Nigeria, the platform behind video for Sinach’s I Know Who I am and others, the video has been on massive rotation on the airwaves.

“Welcome to May, your month of favour and grace. Enjoy my new release, Amigo, an exciting new video that will bless your soul and move your feet. It is a beautiful blend of Spanish, English and Igbo,” the mother of twins announced on her Facebook page.

In a career spanning almost two decades, Aity Denis has written over 2000 songs and could be described as a multilingual singer, worship leader and prolific songwriter. With a Masters degree in Mass Communication and a degree in French, Aity has performed on big stages across the globe ministering alongside gospel music stars like Ron Konnely, Alvin Slaughter and Hope Davies, and others.

The Bigger Friday Show is one of a number of revamped entertainment shows on MTV Base as content increasingly centers on viewers.

Emma Nyra is the victim of the celebrity prank and Basketmouth returned as Captain ‘Waste Man’ on this episode, after featuring as MC iLLest rapper on the second episode, which saw Lola Rae get pranked hilariously.

The debut episode featured Cynthia Morgan who failed a match question and Davido, who was the victim of a prank.

The Bigger Friday Show is part of MTV Base’s effort to target young urban African viewers and deepen audience participation and interaction.

Popularly known by his stage name Adekunle Gold, Adekunle Kosoko is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and graphic designer. Currently signed on YBNL Records, he describes his genre of music as urban highlife. His 2014 single Sade received massive airplays on various Nigerian radio stations.

His follow-up single titled Orente, also received positive reviews from music critics and listeners. In 2015, he was nominated in the Most Promising Act of the Year category at the 2015 City People Entertainment Awards and was also nominated in the Best Alternative Song category at The Headies 2015 for Sade.

Following the success of Asiko Laiye and Orekelewa visuals, Nigeria’s R&B singer Darey Art Alade has released the video for Pray For Me, the latest video off his fifth studio album Naked, featuring South African Grammy Award winners Soweto Gospel Choir.

Directed by Mex, the video, which was shot on site in Abeokuta, Lagos and Johannesburg features guest appearances from Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva. The video follows an exchange between a young man and his estranged father after he leaves his family to chase his big city dream, but soon finds that progress in the city isn’t as it seems and it’s a slow and stressful affair.

Speaking about the video, Darey said, “The story behind the song was inspired by the experience of P Square, and I was very excited to get the opportunity to bring in the acting talent of Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva in the video. It’s a really deep and resonant story for many people, and their appearance in the video brings the story to life and gives it a whole new level of depth.”

Pray For Me tells a powerful, positive story of victory against all odds. Oscar Heman-Ackah produced the track.

The campaign acknowledges that Nigerians are not defined by one talent or skill but are multi faceted and should be applauded for their many passions and so aims to encourage consumers to explore and celebrate all their talents. The campaign is a call to live richer, larger lives, to expand our horizons and seize the wonderful opportunities life ahs to offer, beyond the usual paths embraced by everyone.

Born and raised in London, Zainab Balogun is an actress, model and television presenter. Armed with a Law degree from the University of Kent, she is a professional model and has featured in several films and presently co-hosts and produces The Spot on EbonyLife TV. Balogun is also the founder of Think Social Ltd, a social media solutions agency.

Shody (Olakunle Oshodi-Glover) is a content creator and radio scriptwriter as well as a radio producer and voice over artiste. Running his production outfit called KSG Productions as well as being the assistant head of production at the Megalectrics Group, he brings years of experience to the campaign.

Folarin “Falz The Bahdguy” Falana is a returning influencer and is a complete embodiment of what the campaign stands for. Trained as a lawyer but having his hands in several pies in the entertainment industry, Falz continually shows us that it is possible to follow your dreams and profit from it as well, whilst encouraging others to live their lives to the fullest.

Watch out for some other individuals that Remy Martin recognizes and admires over the coming months.

Ahead of this year’s African Movie Academy Awards (AMMA), organisers have revealed that the nominees in the 28 categories of the yearly pan-African reward system for motion picture practitioners will hold in Lagos tomorrow.

In a statement released by the chairman of the 2015 AMAA Jury, Mr. Shaibu Husseini, the nominees will be unveiled at a strictly media event at the Protea Hotel, Isaac John, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, a departure from the usual practice of announcing the nominees at a Gala Night ceremony usually outside Nigeria.

“In the last 8 years, the nominees have been announced at events outside Nigeria and the last year being at JW Marriot Hotel, Los Angeles, United States. We are having both the nominees’ event and the main awards in Nigeria this year. We look forward to a very grand awards in Port Harcourt, Rivers State in June,’’ said the AMAA 2015 Jury Head.

According to the statistics released by Mr. Husseini, filmmakers within Africa and the Diaspora submitted feature films, documentaries, animations and short films for the award, which is in its 12th editions.

“Only 25 feature films will make it into nomination stage, however they may not all be nominated. But the 25 made it to the final stages of AMAA selection out of the over 280 feature films received this year from over 25 African countries including Nigeria, Cape Verde, Gambia, Morrocco, Uganda, Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Cameroun, Mali, Ethiopia, Niger, Kenya, Algeria and Egypt. Also 15 short films (Africa and diaspora) made it to the final stages but unfortunately only 8 of the African documentary films will make it to nomination and 3 Diaspora short films,” he said.

The Board of Jurors of AMAA, which has filmmakers, critics and Film Festival curators from Nigeria, Germany, United States, Zimbabwe, Jamaica and Burkina Faso, will decide on which film and individual talents that will make the nominations and also eventual winners.

The award has a very thorough and four stages of pre-screening process before the College of Screeners who makes the final works that will go to the Board of Jurors.

“We are very happy about the quality of works that came into the competition this year and it gladdens our heart that every year the objectives of the awards are being achieved with film makers in Africa and beyond upping their game,” added Mr. Husseini.

You recently won Best Director at the AMVCA 2016, how has the journey been so far?
The journey has been amazing; I’m truly grateful. I joined the industry after Drama School in 1997 and to still remain in the industry and be given an opportunity to contribute, is a true blessing. The journey isn’t over yet, mine is an ever-growing quest. In 1995, I made a decision at drama school to become a filmmaker. I taught myself about filmmaking by shooting shorts at drama school using my classmates, reading everything I could find about films and watching as many films as I could. After graduation, I got cast in a TV series and I used the money from that television series to fund my first professional short film called The Kiss Of Milk; it eventually became my calling card when I moved to Johannesburg. That short film got me an opportunity to make two short films, The Nightwalkers and The Caretaker (which was made as part of a program that was looking for new directors).

With three short films under my belt, I teamed up with a group of friends for my first feature film God Is African, which was shot in 2001. Since that time, I have directed a lot of episodic television, two more shorts, two documentaries, produced six feature films and directed three more feature films. Where there moments of doubt? Most definitely, the challenge is to not let the doubt cripple the creative process. I have been truly blessed to still be making films. When I think back to that young man on campus dreaming of telling stories, I thank God.

As a director, what’s your idea of filmmaking?
I heard an old filmmaker once say, ‘film making is a marathon.’ He was right; that statement defines everything around what a director goes through in bringing the vision to life. If you can imagine what goes into the preparation for a marathon (the stamina, the patience, the exhaustion), then you can imagine what the filmmaking team has to do in order to take something that started in someone’s creative mind, written on paper, get funds (which takes years), do casting, shot, edited, marketed and presented to viewers. You have to be ready to commit five years or more of your life to a project, that’s the extra mile.

What informed your decision to shoot Tell Me Something Sweet?
As a student, I watched Love Jones and was really inspired by that film and wanted to make a film like that. I also like love songs, so, Tell Me Something Sweet was born out of those inspirations.

How much did it cost you to produce the movie?
Every film has a cost and the challenge is to be able to recoup and make your investors happy. The film was funded by a team of crowd funders, The National Film and Video Foundation, The Gauteng Film Commission, Mvest Media, Ladies And Gentlemen, Pana TV and the South African Department of Trade And Industry.

What were your experiences on location, any specific challenges?
Every film has its challenges, but in our case, there were two moments when we weren’t sure if we were going to get the film made. To have overcome that is amazing. I mentioned the crowd funders above, there was a moment in prepping the film where the two major funders dropped out and it really seemed like the film wasn’t going to be made. Fortunately, this is a team effort and along with the team, we were able to recalibrate our process and we held a crowd funding evening to raise the additional funds. That crowd funders got us close to our goal and on that evening, we met Mathew of Mvest Media, who had been invited by a friend; his company ended up investing in the film. To have overcome that and not be crippled by the challenge was incredible.

What informed your decision to move to South African the first instance?
My father got a job at the University Of the Western Cape and we moved to South Africa in 1992; I was 17 years old at the time and in high school.

Having worked both at home and in South Africa, can you compare both film industries?
I think both industries are exciting and both have a lot to learn from each other. However, it’s great to see more collaboration between the two countries. Like you have issues of piracy in Nigeria, so it is in South Africa; it’s a big challenge. Piracy is a problem worldwide and I try to get people to understand that it’s theft. I support all initiatives to end piracy.

How do you juggle working in Nigeria and South Africa?
It’s all story dependent. The team approaches each story and we have been fortunate to be able to tell stories in both countries.

What are you currently working on?
I’m in postproduction on two films, which will be made public very soon. Just watch this space.

Muanya

Debutant Gospel artiste, Muanya Okey-Agu, finds delight in her understanding of the Word (of God) as she talks of her album, My Refuge, her foray into the world of music. Making the point that the major difference between Gospel and hip-hop is the message, she argues that the beauty of gospel music is that any genre of music can carry the message.

Muanya likes to stress the point that, “I play Gospel because basically, I’m born again. When I accepted Christ, I discovered that I have this talent for singing, and I have embraced with all my strength to propagate the gospel.”

Being a born again Christian, the propelling force behind her music hasn’t stopped her from appreciating other strands of music, “as long as it aims at spreading the Word. Actually, the beauty and theme of gospel can be found in other genres of music. For example, we can have hip-hop gospel and an artiste can render the message of the gospel through Rhythm and Blues, Reggae or Raga.

“In any form, the gospel music talks about the Word of God and praises Him. It is the basically the use of music to preach the gospel that is what is distinctively called Gospel Music. The end point is that one wants someone else to know Christ through music.”

It’s not often that you find Gospel artistes being famous or wealthy. Nonplussed, she retorts, “I’m not in music to be rich or famous. I don’t think that’s the primary motive of any gospel singer. Fame itself is not a bad thing, but it is left for the artiste to know the driving force behind his or her music and to realize that gospel music is built on a mission. And that mission is getting to the unreached with the Word of God through music. And the choice of the platform - reggae, hymns, hip-hop, highlife, R&B - is a choice of the artiste.

“When the singer gets to make the Word famous among the unreached and wins souls, then fame comes from God as a reward. But that doesn’t come first.”

Coming from a family where Dad and Mum have the gift of the voice and the siblings were in the choir and home models, it was easy to sing.

“The older siblings, some in missionary schools in Jos, Plateau State made home a theatre,” she reminiscences.

At seven, she found herself in the main choir in the church; a logical destination.

“My sisters and I were into music strongly in the Church and we formed our group then, The Nwankwo Sisters. But as we grew older and with challenges of schooling, job, and marriage, we broke up but individually we remained faithful to the choir.

“At a point, I had a music band where I discovered I could rap and dance. In the church, my group rapped and danced. But a deep yearning kept tugging at my soul to do something extra, besides singing in the choir.

“I kept singing over the years. In Enugu, the zeal flagged following distractions and growing up, until I became born again. Maybe if I hadn’t become born again, I would have been singing with a different mindset, with fame and money on my mind.

“In the church, the Rock Family Church, I rose to be the Music Director and in 13 years as director, I attended some music trainings and these trainings have helped me focus and properly channel my energy into music, not just singing. Incidentally, these trainings complimented the early ones I had at home. And that is why I can confidently tell talented singers aiming to do an album and step out of thw choir, to just keep working and learning.  Talent is not enough really and success doesn’t come easily.”

Isn’t Gospel music boring? Some people feel that there is a high chance of gospel sounding tedious and boring as the songs are church songs and you seem to carry the church around after Sunday service; then you feel compelled to always sing to show you are a Christian. Shaking her head vigorously in total disagreement and looking alarmed, she blurted: “Can you really be tired of praising God?”

She noted: “Music is a component of the sermon, praise and worship. The music you play in your car or home carries the Word, like God keeping you company. It’s not about just singing and seeing the music as sermonizing; it’s all about God. He likes to be worshiped with songs, just like the Psalmist told us. We should never be tired of singing and praising Him.

“Then, again you hear people talking of gospel as lacking the entertaining quality of music because presumptively it should be sung in the church or for those who are ‘church people,’ but this is wrong. We know from the Bible that God enjoyed being praised with well-orchestrated songs. Choral groups and other artistes can come together to stage shows that will both be spiritually uplifting as it can be entertaining as a musical concert. I anticipate that when even non-church going people find calypso or raga or reggae or hip-hop in gospel music, then they will find reason to praise God.”

For a while, it looked as if the album will never leave the studio. It’s been a long wait, eight years, for her debut, an album that finally accorded her a sense of fulfillment and achievement.

“Drifting in and out of the studio, caring for three children and a doting husband… it looked like I was never ever going to finish. The sense of anticipation was the biggest challenge I had to cope with. Friends and family encouraged me to do it. For them this would be the climax of those choir practices musical escapades. I kept on it feeling encouraged by the desires of others to see me succeed.

“God strengthened me and that is one reason I titled the album My Refuge. Growing up in a family where parents sing and my five siblings were in the choir, there was this mental challenge to do something else, to leave a milestone, and if I hadn’t done this album, which is an eight tracker, a medley of genres - raga, pop, rap, highlife, calypso with songs rendered in English, Hausa and Igbo, maybe there will be this emptiness or lack of fulfillment inside me.

“I’m an advocate of variety because I believe that artistes should give as many people as possible reasons to identify with their music and message. No genre is the sole conveyor of the Word, but if it’s not gospel, then it’s not gospel. This album is my own response to the injunction, ‘go into the world and be fishers of men,” she said.

Maureen

A graduate of English from the University of Port Harcourt, Maureen Okpoko is not a stranger in the Nigerian movie industry, otherwise known as Nollywood. Having featured in a number of movies, TV commercials and music videos, the actress has indeed made her mark. In this interview with FLORENCE UTOR, she spoke on his Nollywood career, her recent Peak Milk job and family.

How did you prepare for Nollywood career?

Nothing really prepared me for Nollywood; I studied English ‎at the University of Port Harcourt, but I also did some courses in Theater Arts. When I finished from school, I picked up a regular 8am to 5pm job for years, but I didn’t get the satisfaction I wanted until I decided to come into Nollywood six years ago; a passion I had nursed all along. I featured in the movie Champions of our time and The Part of Darkness by global effect‎ then I stopped acting. But I came back again in 2010/2011 and since then, I have not looked back.

How has it been so far in terms of getting jobs?

It’s been great, I get like four to five jobs in a month. In fact, sometimes, I have to do a refund to some producers‎ when the jobs are clashing because, you can be delayed in a production. Right now, I have been delayed for three days on this set; I just left a production house where I acted an Igbo and English movie. I have also featured in the Flavour’s musical video for the song titled Golibe‎ where I played the Queen, with uncle Pete Edochie as the King.‎ The Song was‎ nominated for Kora award.

How did you secure the Peak Milk deal?

It just happened; somebody submitted my pictures for the job and I was contacted for ‎the casting. When we got there, I met some white‎ guys and one of them asked me what I did for a leaving, that was all. I think I fitted the type of mother figure they were looking for.

There’s this rumour that your career success led to the separation with your husband?

Not at all, I started acting when I ‎was still with him; he blessed my first script that I brought home. But when a man keeps listening to gossip, it will break his home. When people outside see that there is a measure of peace in your home, they are bound to scatter it; that was what I realised after the whole thing happen. People I thought were my friends were ‎actually the ones behind the whole storm, but I know better now.

Any hope of reconciliation with your husband, considering kids?

No, I’m coping. With the nature of my Job, I don’t want to be at the beck and call of any man. Right now, marriage ‎is the last thing on my mind; we have been separated since 2010. When my late‎ father was alive, he didn’t come one day to say what his reasons were, so, I’m not interested anymore. It has been six years now and I have moved on big time. I work hard for my money; I don’t sit down waiting for anybody to‎ give me things. I’ve had that firm resolve right from when I was a child; I had everything I needed, though I do not want to say I’m a silver spoon child. We were very‎ comfortable; even at that, I worked hard to be responsible for myself. I have three lovely children (a boy and two girls). I Love them, they are my treasure‎ and they love me that is all that matters to me.

A contestant at the God's Children Got Talent (GCGT) Reality Competition 4th Season Quarter-Final.

After weeks of tight competition among contestants during the regional and quarterfinals, God’s Children Great Talent (GCGT) has entered the Grand Finale. The competition, which saw over 2,000 entrants, who participated for free, has over the past couple of months pruned down to 10 finalists.

A social development project of the RCCG Apapa family, the show distinguished itself this year by opening up its doors to a wide range of non – RCCG contestants across Nigeria. The gospel talent hunt is focused on discovering, grooming and producing young talents and stars in various fields of artistic expressions across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America.

This year’s grand finale will be taking place on the May 30, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The competition will be presided over by leading performing and non-performing artistes, who will join the audience to vote for the winner, who will go home with N5million star prize.

Sarah Boulous, Founder of the Society for performing Acts of Nigeria (SPAN), Uti Nwachukwu, Dayo Benjamin-Laniyun, Wale Oni, Youth Maverick,  Zuriel Oduwole, Jeremiah Gyang and many others are the Grand finale Judges, while Cobhams Asuquo will be the guest artiste for the evening.

One of the highlights of this year’s event is the release of a single by the GCGT Season 5 Brand Ambassador Ms. Praise Olorunsuyi, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos, who won in the singing category in 2015.

Speaking on the project, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, Head of Apapa Family, explained that the vision of the initiative is to engage children/teens in a positive way, using their talents to glorify God in his words.

“God’s Children’s Great Talent was born out of a desire to identify and nurture the diverse talents available in children. We are delighted a multinational brand such as Cadbury Bournvita, The Address Homes limited, Airtel, The Riverbank School, Alexander Forbes, Businessday and many other media partners are sponsors of the 2016 edition.”

This year’s competition, which is produced in Nigeria by OHTV, is airs on DSTV’s Africa Magic, Dove Television and Wazobia TV. Viewers will be able to follow the journey of the contestants from audition to the grand finale, where the winner will walk away with an NGN5million prize, including a production contract, talent development packages and other attractive prizes.

Lagos City Chorale performing in Germany.

Lagos City Chorale (LCC), Nigeria’s multi-international award winning Choir, has again endeared itself and Nigeria to international audience in the just concluded Musica Sacra International Festival in Marktoberdorf, Germany.

The choir was specially invited by the Confederation of the German Choral Associations to present Nigeria/African sacred music in the 13th Musica Sacra International Festival, which ends today. The only African choir on parade, the invitation came in recognition of City Chorale’s past records and significant contribution to the growing world of Choral music that preaches peace and unity of all peoples of the world.

It was indeed another great experience for LCC and another avenue to uplift Nigeria, showcase her culture and positive abilities to the world. The choir, which left Nigeria on May 11on Lufthansa, through Frankfurt and arrived Munich, from where they travelled by bus to Marktoberdorf in Bavaria, south of Germany, got a warm welcome from the Musica Sacra International team led by one of the Artistic Directors, Professor Jurgen Budday.

Lagos City Chorale recorded its first performance on Friday, May 13, to a sizable audience in Sparkasse (Bank), in the Marktplatz (Market place), in the city centre. From there they moved to a cinema hall to inspire the minds of a group of high school students through Nigerian sacred choral music prior to which they were educated on the need for tolerance of different cultures and religions.

The official opening ceremony of the festival took place the same evening at the Bayerische Musikakademie (Music Academy), Marktoberdorf. The importance attached to the festival was manifest by high profile personalities in attendance. Aside Lagos City Chorale, other choirs on parade are Nordic Voices (Norway), Shantala Subramanyan and ensemble Bhakti (India), Gyosan-Ryu Tendai Shomyo (Japan) and Mariam Akhondy and Banu (Iran).

On Saturday, May 14, the Lagos City Chorale was programmed to present Nigerian/African Choral Music in two concerts. An open air concert at the Marktplatz and later at 8:00 pm a formal concert at Saint Martin’s Catholic Church, Marktoberdorf. Continuing the festival on Monday 16 May, called the Whit Monday and also a German holiday, LCC presented Nigerian Sacred Music at the Ecuminical service held at Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church), Caufbeuren. The combined service of Lutheran and Catholic Church was full beyond capacity with the congregation standing on the staircase and outside the church.

The finale of Musica Sacra International Marktoberdorf was held at Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Holy Trinity Church) Caufbeuren on Tuesday, 17 May with all ensembles from different countries taking turn on the stage to do a ten-minute presentation of sacred music from their culture. The Lagos City Chorale’s performance was spectacular and greeted with a long loud ovation. The concert ended with all choirs singing We Shall Overcome, an adaptation from Martin Luther King (Jnr) speech.

The aim of this festival is to foster peace and unity among diverse cultures and religions of the world through their respective sacred music that preaches peace and unity.

Yemi Alade

Finally, BET Africa, part of Viacom’s African multimedia entertainment portfolio, has announced the nominations for the 2016 BET Awards taking place at Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, California, on Sunday 26 June, and premiering across Africa on BET (DStv channel 129) on Tuesday, June 28, at 7pm.

Recognising the growing international appeal of African contemporary artists, eight African artistes have been honoured in the BET Awards. Leading the charge for South African music are hip hop giants AKA and Cassper Nyovest and dance/house legend Black Coffee, while Nigeria is represented by Wizkid (winner of the award in 2012) and Afro-pop diva, Yemi Alade.  East African sensation Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Ghana’s dancehall/R&B queen Mzvee and Cote D’Ivoire’s Coupé Decalé star Serge Beynaud round out the nominees for Africa.

Drake leads the list of entertainers nominated at this year’s awards with an impressive nine nominations including Best Male Hip Hop Artist, Video of Year and Best Collaboration for his hit Where Ya At with fellow hip hop artist Future. Beyoncé and Rihanna follow with five nods each with Beyoncé scoring nominations in Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Video of the Year, and Best Collaboration for Feeling Myself with Nicki Minaj.

Rihanna is in the running for awards including Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Video of the Year and Best Collaboration for Work featuring Drake. Other nominees include newcomer Bryson Tiller who is up for four awards including Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, while Chris Brown is also nominated in four categories including Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and Video Director of the Year. Future could also walk away with four awards, including one for “Best Male Hip Hop Artist.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment… Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty…. which is of great worth in God’s sight.” — 1 Peter 3:3-4(NIV)

“The greatest secret of a successful appearance is ‘be yourself’” -— Edith Sitwell

Coco Chanel, a French fashion designer and one of the most fascinating fashion models that made a lasting impression and left a rich ecstatic legacy in the fashion world, once said, “Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself”. We must believe strongly that by being ourselves, we are putting something wonderful in the world that was not there before, and the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.

The search for self-worth is not a skin phenomenon, a healthy self-esteem begins by finding what is indestructible inside, and then letting it be. The level of bleaching among artists, celebrities, label ambassadors and politicians is pitiably appalling to the extent that some have bleached away their identity and are no different from a variegated leaf. Unfortunately, the elite and respected people in the society who are supposed to speak against this degrading and self-inflictive act are gradually bleaching themselves into oblivion.

Many have bleached their skin beyond its elastic limit and are now at the mercy of ‘environmental punishers’ like the UVA, UVB-rays of the sun etc. In the face of climate change and environmental uncertainties, people that are bleaching their skin are on the edge of becoming endangered species. It is poignant to also know that some lousy organizations encourage their staffs to bleach in order to lure customers; some of them are even given bleaching ‘allowances’. I have used the last two editions to strongly speak against the social, health and psychological implications of bleaching. Africans have been psychologically battered and manipulated to believe that their black skin is inferior and I believe strongly that the level of ignorance that is ravaging the black heritage and culture needs to be urgently addressed before the victim’s doomsday.

We should stop buying into the myth that a lighter skin means a better life. It is a blatant lie; your mind and not your skin should be the object of enlightenment. It is appalling to see in Nigeria how people are addictively desirous to bleach their skin to look like the white man but will never go any length to upgrade their spoken English! When I see people paying for bleaching creams, I pitiably get angry because they are paying for their ignorance. The damaging effects of bleaching goes beyond the skin, this act had been found to cause psychiatric disorders, asthma, nagging acne, liver damage, Osteoporosis, neurological and kidney damage. No wonder why we have an alarming statistics of Nigerians with varying degrees of kidney problem.

Skin bleaching and lightening has reached an alarming proportion and it is high time we rose collectively to speak against this kind of self-inflicted genocide and brainwashing. Many countries have taken a bold step in the war against this dastard act. In 2007, the Jamaican government had to run a campaign called ‘Don’t Kill The Skin’ to highlight the dangers of skin bleaching when it became very obvious that the abusive act was becoming commonplace.

South Africa banned products containing more than 2% hydroquinone, mercury and steroids, before then, South Africa was becoming a bleaching hub in Africa and Yeoville in Johannesburg was becoming a centre of skin lightening rendezvous. Ivory Coast took a bold step to ban bleaching creams in 2015 against intimidating oppositions, the government took the bold step to safeguard the lives of the citizens. Though, the American FDA has ascertained the damaging effect of bleaching on the skin, they have not been able to take a bold step due to stiff opposition and resistance from cosmetic ‘principalities’.

The European Union banned the use of non-recommended bleaching creams back in 2001 but the monitoring and implementation have become a tug of war between government and the syndicates. The Nigerian government and relevant stakeholders must also intervene by creating awareness of the consequences of skin bleaching. Nigeria has been a dumping ground for bleaching creams for long. We also need veterans in the health sector to speak out against this blatant impunity.

The deadly effect of bleaching transcends the ignorant mother to seal a tragic fate for an innocent victim-the unborn child. It has been ascertained that bleaching exposes the developing foetus to ominous dangers. A bleaching mother is the tragedy of an unborn child; we must educate mothers on the need to safeguard their children from their own irresponsible lifestyles. Several studies had been done to ascertain the short and long term effects of bleaching mothers vis-à-vis the medical implications on their offspring, two of the articles that I personally scrutinized also identified birth defects/problems with offspring health as health risks associated with skin bleaching. More specifically, Mahé et al. (2005) presented initial evidence of renal dysfunction and cataracts in new-borns related to the mother’s use of skin bleaching products. This was further evidenced by a study which found that pregnant skin bleachers’ had smaller placenta and children born at low birth weights, low cortisol levels, and higher rates of birth defects associated with mercury exposure (Mahé et al., 2007).

We should not be ignorant of the creams we use. We should check out for the chemical composition of these creams before applying them on our skin. We need to avoid as much as possible, those creams with high levels of hydroquinone, mecury, kojic acid, arbutin, retinoic acid, lactic acid, corticosteroids, niacinamide and even an abuse of vitamin A among others. It is also appalling to know that more sophisticated methods for bleaching are now in vogue. Special injections that bleach from within are now the prevalent method among elite victims, each of the injection lasts for six months. Bleaching capsules are also evolving to meet the rising demands in the bleaching ‘industry’.

I would also like to underline at this juncture that some lightening creams are sometimes recommended by dermatologists for some skin diseases (e.g. eczema, psoriasis etc.). In fact, depigmentation, a medical treatment that lightens or fades skin, is sometimes used in the treatment of vitiligo, a condition that causes pale patches on the skin, but these are meant to be taken strictly under the supervision of a skin specialist.

I believe strongly that there is still hope for a bleached skin because the human skin has a fantastic way of healing itself regardless of the dangers done to it. Since, it is the most abused of all the five senses, it has been divinely ‘programmed’ by God to heal itself. Honey, almond oil and cocoa-butter are the three major natural ingredients that can help the skin heal naturally. Though, an immediate miracle is not guaranteed, but it will ultimately return your skin back to its natural state. Detoxification is another way to eradicate a victim’s body of the accumulative effect of heavy metals and substances as a result of prolonged bleaching. Natural remedies include the use of turmeric, green tea, oats, lentils, lemons, dandelions, fruits and vegetables; they are a great source of ingredients for boosting liver function and eliminating toxins from your body.

The Honourable Minister of Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, should initiate a stakeholder meeting to look into and address the great damage to our health and psychology, with its attendant toll on our national and cultural heritage. Until we re-educate ourselves about the inherent beauty of the African skin, we will remain alienated from ourselves. We are crying out to the government, pharmaceutical/cosmetic industry and international medical fraternity to help us in the campaign against this defacing and destructive evil.

Finally, to the Nigerian youths, stop bleaching away your intrinsic beauty, celebrate your natural skin. Your melanin is a gift and not a curse. When you bleach, you are insulting your Creator, bleaching is a shame! You will never influence the world by trying to be like it; let us stop bleaching our skin in order to fit into some imperialist beauty standards. Don’t EVER bleach your skin for someone’s acceptance because whosoever you bleach your skin to keep, you will eventually lose. The easiest way to stop bleaching is not to start it at all.

Joy Umoren

It was a bright and beautiful day that fateful Monday morning in July 2014. I woke up and was ready to begin the day’s activities as usual, but got saluted by a great shock. Like an unwelcome visitor, a strange disease had crept into the nation, an epidemic that was said to have consumed lives in hundreds and thousands in nearby countries.

The disease leaves its victim in total isolation and gives no room for remedy; a terrible malady that is capable of wiping-out an entire generation in no time. It was called Ebola. Soon the news of its spread was like wild fire, and its name was on every lip.

The mere thought of it sent shivers down the spine of every human. Everything changed in just a twinkle of an eye; our mode of greetings changed, so also our environment, personal hygiene, and even our relationship with others.

For a nation where fratricidal killings, dissonance of bomb blast, kidnapping and violent protest had become prevalent, we could only wish that Ebola hadn’t found its way here. It was indeed not just a tragedy to our region, but a catastrophe that kept everyone running on toes in search of a possible solution.

The quest for redress began, as most people bathed with and drank salt water, all in a bid to fortify themselves. It grew worse by the day and we all wished it was a nightmare, but there it was, staring at us in the face; a reality that we needed to cope with.

It was amazing how we worked together as a team to tackle this scourge, using all available platforms. No one was left out in the struggle; for once we all forgot our ethnic pluralism, religious sentiments, culture, diverse tongues and thought of the way forward.

We fought with one mind to save our nation and the lives of our loved ones. At that point nothing else mattered to us, all we ever yearned for was to live our normal lives again; hug our loved ones, shake hands with each other and play with one another without fear of getting contacted. And we won the battle. Yes, we won the battle, not because we were stronger but because we were united and unbreakable.

Sensitisation campaigns kicked-off in full force with our medical experts taking the lead, the media houses were not left out, our government and their agencies, religious bodies, civil society organisations, groups, families, individuals and even the children were not left out in war of contention. Religious sentiments, tribalism, individual interests, amongst others were all buried. Some patriotic Nigerians lost their lives in the process.

Amid all these, there was a lesson to be learnt with a great awakening in our consciousness…a clarion call to serve. The lesson emphasized the need for us to be united, fight as one, speak one language and protect the common good of our nation.

Here we are again faced with challenges on every side. The cloud is so dark that it’s difficult to see tomorrow. We need to fight once more to bring to reality the Nigeria of our dream. We must come together and ensure that we have a nation where bribery, corruption and other vices will become extinct.

This is no time to be less concerned, because, if it doesn’t get better we will be concerned. We conquered Ebola not because we had all that was required to fight it, but because we had a common interest which was a great sense of national consciousness and unified voice of oneness.

On this note, there is need to be a shift in national consciousness; there is need for an absolute wake-up call before our society can actually make the kind of significant changes that we need to happen. I see light at the end of the Tunnel…Arise O Compatriots…

• Miss Umoren is a graduate of University of Calabar.

An online competition to search for the next big thing in Nigerian comedy has commenced and it is searching for the funniest, most talented and most creative individuals with a passion for comedy. This competition powered by Indomie noodles would reward the winners with cash sums of up to 1.5 million and an opportunity to be shot into instant stardom in the Nigerian comedy scene.

Speaking on the challenge, the Group Public Relations and Events Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc., Mr. Tope Ashiwaju, stated that the length and breadth of the country is laden with tremendous and mind blowing potentials in comedy, which has even attracted international acclaim and attention and they hope to harness and expose it positively.

“Amidst the current choking economic conditions, several Nigerians have learnt not to allow themselves and their great potentials be buried, but have found creative ways to polish and express these innate comic ability, and these are those we seek to elevate beyond the rubbles in the Indomie Belle full Comedy Challenge,” he said.

Speaking on the mode of participation, the Brand Manager, Indomie, Mr. Amber Yadav, said participants are expected to creatively use the word “Belle full” in their videos, show an Indomie product pack in the video, include the word “Bellefull” in the title of the video and then submit the funny video to www.indomiebellefull.wetransfer.com or bellefull@youlikenoother.com

While beckoning on Nigerians to put their creativity to test in the challenge, Amber stated that the comedy challenge is one of the numerous avenues through which the brand is giving back to the society, and therefore urged Nigerians to send in their entries, as participants stand the chance to win several mouthwatering benefits as well as cash prizes.

Dr. Ola Balogun

Worried by the rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria, veteran filmmaker Dr. Ola Balogun has come up with a youth empowerment strategy tagged Nigeria Will Rise Again, with a view to initiating practical actions to arrest the situation at the earliest possible time.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Balogun warned that those who deliberately refuse to sympathise with the plight of the many millions of unemployed young Nigerians, who are roaming the streets today, do so at their own peril.

“It is in the collective self-interest to act to provide practical solutions to the sorry state of affairs before it is too late. I’m happy to state that two patriotic colleagues, namely Barrister Femi Falana (SAN) and Professor Tunde Adeniran (a former Federal Minister of Education) have kindly agreed to collaborate with me in order to flesh out the basic idea that I envisage.”

Balogun, who plans to reach out to other colleagues in the course of time, is confident that a few others will to plan and implement the envisaged youth empowerment initiative with all possible despatch.

He therefore, appealed to all well-meaning Nigerians to come forward to donate whatever amount of money they can afford towards the establishment of a revolving fund that will be directly administered by a committee of youths.

“By the time we are able to convince well-meaning Nigerians from all over the country to donate sums ranging from N1,000 (one thousand naira) to N100,000 (one hundred thousand naira), we should easily be able to help the youths raise between N5 million (five million naira) to N10 million (ten million naira) within a couple of weeks.”

The filmmaker observed that a nation that is so irresponsible as to abandon its young citizens in the wilderness without food, water, shelter and hope for the future, can be said to be in the process of engaging in a self-destructive exercise of collective suicide.

“It would make more sense to assist these young Nigerians to raise interest-free funding that can serve as a tool for them to become self-employed by forming small cooperatives all over the nation. They can manufacture and market textile and leather products, as well as assemble telephones, computers, tablets, cars, bicycles, motor cycles and other things,” he said.

For Balogun, the idea behind this initiative is to discourage young Nigerians from applying en-mass for non-existent civil service and public sector jobs, adding that an issue of this nature is a matter of urgent national interest.

“It is therefore too serious to be left to government alone to solve. Every patriotic Nigerian citizen has a responsibility to make some contribution towards finding solutions to the crisis into which our nation has been plunged by the current unacceptably high level of youth unemployment.

“We cannot afford to sit idly waiting for government to do something, the more so as most civil servants and political leaders are too much prisoners of conventional and unimaginative thinking to find appropriate solutions to this kind of challenge.”

He noted that only those, who have deliberately chosen to be blind, deaf and dumb, would fail to recognise that if nothing concrete is done very soon to salvage the youths of Nigeria from the ugly consequences of massive levels of unemployment.

“If Nigeria is eventually allowed to crash, there will be no hiding place for any category of Nigerians. It is easy to predict that few will escape the impending catastrophe of large-scale urban riots and lawlessness that will ensue,” he cautioned.

India Arie

It’s now confirmed that Grammy Award winner and singer India Arie will headline this year’s edition of live music concert tagged Sax Appeal. Initiated by Nigeria’s renowned saxophonist Mike Aremy, the concert billed for June 26, at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, will also feature performances by Timi Dakolo and Praiz.

“I can confirm to you that India Arie will headline the concert this year; she’s excited coming to Nigeria. For me, it’s also an exciting moment as we continue to fulfill our promise of bringing quality music to Nigeria,” Aremu said in a chat with The Guardian.

Born India Arie Simpson on October 3, 1975, she is an American singer-songwriter, actress, musician and record producer. Arie released her debut album Acoustic Soul on March 27, 2001. The album was met with positive reviews and commercial success and debuted at number ten on the U.S. Billboard 200 and number three on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums.

She has sold over 3.3 million records in the US and 10 million worldwide. She has won four Grammy Awards from her 21 nominations, including Best R&B Album. In 2002, she got the record of “Most Nominations in One Night Without Winning”, with seven received nominations.

Conceived in 2010, Sax Appeal concert aims at fostering interaction between businessmen, entrepreneurs and organisations in an entertaining atmosphere. This event has also brought together top politicians, entrepreneurs and business executives, including Donald Duke, Aliko Dangote and Babatunde Fashola. Past editions paraded the likes of Kenny G, Judith Sephuma, Kunle Ayo, Yolanda Brown,Hugh Masakela, Marvin Winans, Mary Mary, Timi Dakolo, Cobhams, Waje, Jessy J, Agboola Shadare, Yinka Davies, Tosin Martins, Bez, Cobhams Asuquo, Waje and others.

Mike Aremu has a reputation of being one of the front running world –class saxophone players; currently the most successful Jazz global export from West Africa in particular Nigeria. His music transcends class, age and race, but what sets this distinguished musician apart is his ability to draw from traditional Nigerian sounds to create sounds that represents both creative-passion and his culture.

Growing up in Niger State, his musical interest started from the age of eight where in Church each child was encouraged in playing a musical instrument, from there with some basic lessons and determination by 1995 he decided to make the full transition and concentrate solely on the Saxophone. The following year, he joined House on the Rock’s music team.

Nowadays Mike spends a considerable amount of time travelling and performing at venues across the world. He has played alongside notable international artists like Kenny G, Hugh Masakela, Najee, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Winans, Israel Houton, Mary Mary, Fred Harmond and the likes.

He appeared at the John F Kennedy Centre, Washington DC’s main concert arena. He has also made considerable progress in Europe, in particular the UK where he has performed in some of UK’s principle music venues like The Barbican, Apollo London, Apollo Manchester, The Ocean and others.

Though known for his works in Nollywood, prolific director Andy Chukwu seems to have found new passion; empowering the young. Worried by the rate at which Ebonyi State indigenes engage in street hawking across the nation, the filmmaker is working with the Ebonyi State government for a skill acquisition programme tagged From Street To Skill. In this interview with CHUKS NWANNE, Chukwu spoke on the project and how the state governor plans to take the hawkers off the streets, train and empower them to earn a decent living.

You are known more as a filmmaker, what informed your decision to start From Street To Skill?
A recent research shows that over 60 per cent of hawkers round Nigeria are from Ebonyi State. And if you ask ten hawkers on the highway where they come from, you will discover that, at least 7 would be from Ebonyi and it has caused us a lot of embarrassment. The rate at which Ebonyi youths are involved in street hawking across the country is giving the state governor and well-meaning Ebonyi people sleepless nights. In fact, a colleague once told me, “my friend sit down there, is it because you make movies and people buy it, you think you are too much. You should be selling cotton bud in traffic.’ I was angry because this person saying this has not made one good movie in his life. But if he didn’t see those people on the streets, he wouldn’t have said that to me.

How bad is the situation for an average Ebonyian?
It deals negatively with the image of Eboyians. Aside the danger involved in street hawking, these boys die on a daily basis; one of them fell inside the water running from KAI officials on Third Mainland Bridge. Another one fell from Maryland Bridge, before he could even land, a BRT bus rammed into him; they die like. Recently, I got a call at First Gate, Festac, in respect of an accident; I was told the person is from Ebonyi State. I got there and saw the lifeless body of a boy selling chips. So, it’s a very sad situation.

Before now, did you make effort to reach out to these people, how close are you with them?
Even before we started this project, I’ve been identifying with them as an actor. Usually when I see them and ask them where they come from, they tell me Ebonyi. There is no dialect in Ebonyi that I cannot speak, at least a little. I would just chat them up and they are happy to see their brother who is an actor. Then some of them I could help on my own, I just do that.

What’s the level of involvement of the Ebonyi State government in this initiative?
Sometime in 2007/2008, I made a proposition to the then government, unfortunately, nobody gave it attention, but in November last year, the Deputy Governor sent for me and I went. He said there is a project government wants to do and they want me to coordinate it for them and I agreed. He directed me to see the Secretary to the government; I went there and he started talking about this project. When they said I should come up with something, I quickly remembered Street to Skills and we called it From Street To Skills. Like I said, it is designed to move Ebonyi youths off the streets.

How do you intend to achieve this goal?
We divided the programme into different phases. We have phase one, which is the seminar that is going on now. Ordinarily, the first stage is data collation and registration to have a comprehensive data of Eboyians in Lagos; Lagos right now is like a pilot. When they returned these forms, I discovered that most of them didn’t really know what to do; they didn’t even know what government intends to achieve. So, it became pertinent that an orientation seminar should be organised to educate them on what the government want to do and what is expected of them.

What was their response?
In one of the forms, one of them said he wants to be a pilot; you can imagine somebody becoming a pilot within six months. Another one said he wants to become a soldier and go to ECOMOG, while another said he wants to become a Mechanical Engineer; you can’t even become a roadside mechanic. So, we now brought in this seminar, invited the representative of the Deputy Governor, who is the secretary to the state government, Prof. Bernard Odo, to talk to them; we divided the seminar into three zones. In most cases, they don’t live where people live; there’s a place they call Ilaje, there’s another one I went to they said it’s Ikorodu, but God knows I passed Lagos State. So, you don’t expect them to come; we took the seminar to them. The third stage is the training and skill acquisitions that won’t take longer than six month. After the short term training, it’s empowerment, which is the final stage where the government comes in to empower them to set up their own businesses.

Are you impressed with the turn out so far?
Yes, I didn’t know I was going to have up to 500 people at the end of the day, because they initially didn’t want to register. They said government is trying to tactically put down their names so that they would deport them. Some said the Lagos state government sent us to come and masquerade under the umbrella of Ebonyi, gather them and take them to Lagos State government. I had to go out there with the liaison officer, the ICT guys and every other young men from Ebonyi that I recruited; we all moved into streets. We gathered them and even had to involve Ebonyi State development association, an umbrella body of the Ebonyi communities in Lagos. From there, we started building confidence in them and within two weeks, the turn out became encouraging.

Was there any explanation why your earlier submission in 2007 was not treated by the government?
Well, God works in mysterious ways. For instance, I was in a mechanic workshop one day in Festac and a young man walked up there with a black bandage on his big toe, with blood gushing out. I asked him what happened, he said he hit his toe on a stone. I asked if he has treated it, he said no, that he just tied it; he sells ice water. I said ok, ‘go to that pharmacy, let them treat you.’ He went there and came out and I asked him, ‘if you find any other thing to do, will you leave this hawking? He said, ‘now, now.’ I asked him what he would love to do if he is not selling ice water, he said, ‘panel beating.’ I asked the mechanic if he can train the young man, he said yes, but I will have to pay N35,000, plus a carton of beer, malt and a packet of cabin biscuit. I told him that the beer, malt and biscuit I can buy now, but the N35,000, I will pay later and he was fine with the arrangement. I bought those things but when he discovered that I met that guy there, that I didn’t know him from Adam, he removed N15,000 and asked me to pay only N20,000. The guy learnt that work and he is on his own today. So, somehow, I carried on with my project, until I was eventually invited.

How do you plan to monitor the training process?
I have no doubt in my mind that the governor will adequately empower the participants. Apart from empowering them, he has also made provision for stipends for them in the course of the training. The governor is prepared to carry this project and very ready to see that everything works according to plan.