For comfortable shelter, Abiola sold shoes and sundries

''I had always wanted to do my own business,” she begins her story. I started on my own initially with the money I had saved from my NYSC; I actually was making and selling shoes, straight from school. By the time I was going to camp, I was carrying shoes to sell that I had made myself and those were one of the proudest moments of my life, because I sold shoes in camp that I made myself. I use to go to Tejuosho market and supply people what I made myself. I was happy that somebody could even copy my style when I see them in the market. Eventually, my parents felt you can’t have a child who is a shoemaker when many of her peers were bankers, they wanted something more sophisticated and somehow they mademe stop''

By Tope Templer Olaiya
Listening to Abiola Afolayan narrate her story and sitting down to watch a soap opera, both provoke the same sensation of excitement, intrigues and suspense. For the moment the narration lasted, you are forced to stay glued to your seat and hear all of it reel out in interwoven lock of adventures. Yet, the dazzling hardworker insists she is not there yet.
“It is not a success story because I am still struggling and trying to create my own path,” she submits.
From being hurled off to the University of Ibadan by her parents, to read against her wish, a course she had no interest in, to coming out of the premier university and finding love in making and selling shoes, which she spent her entire National Youth Service exercise about, to hanging her Ajuwaya khaki and fantasizing on wild dreams before she was again, against her wish, dumped into the corporate world of banking, where she spent only 14 months before taking the daring and daunting step of jumping out of her comfort zone to be herself, live her life and become a young budding entrepreneur. It is indeed, a sweet tale that has had its fair share of bitter turns.

Now, Abiola eats, thinks, and dreams Beryl Shelter Limited, a real estate consultant firm of her own creation. In all her journeys through life, Abiola has carried along her individual trademark — the longing to be different.
“I have always wanted to be different, it is easier when you are different, when everybody is wearing black and you decide to wear white, even if it is cheap white, you will still look different, because when you are different, you stand out.
“I had always wanted to do my own business,” she begins her story. I started on my own initially with the money I had saved from my NYSC; I actually was making and selling shoes, straight from school. By the time I was going to camp, I was carrying shoes to sell that I had made myself and those were one of the proudest moments of my life, because I sold shoes in camp that I made myself. I used to go to Tejuosho market and supply people what I made myself. I was happy that somebody could even copy my style when I see them in the market. Eventually, my parents felt you can’t have a child who is a shoemaker when many of her peers were bankers, they wanted something more sophisticated and somehow they made me stop.
“When I stopped, for a long time I didn’t know what to do, it was like being jolted out of a dream. I now drifted into many things before finally moving into banking. I knew I was entering the bank to get money to start off something. I said to myself, I was going to work for six months and then do what I want to do. So, I entered real estate, after staying in the bank for a year and two months. When I registered my company, the joy of being by myself could not be compared to anything else that I had.”
“But weren’t you scared of the unknown?” Abiola paused, took a deep breath and with a knowing smile said: “I am an adventurous person, I get joy from trying things out, more joy sometimes than even the end of it. The fact that I did it makes me more excited than even the money part of it. So, when somebody tells me this is not company policy, I say to myself, ‘it is either I do my own thing and create my own policy the way I like it’. I try my ideas because that is what makes me happy. I make my mistakes but there is fun in making it, at least I tried and I learned.”

A lot of youths can’t go into their own businesses because they are scared of failing, but not so with Abiola, who was able to master her fears. “You fail to be successful, you need experience because it is from those past and painful experience that defines who you are going to be. Yes, by that time, I was growing older and the fear had started crippling me, it was not that I wasn’t sure I could do it anymore. But I wasn’t as strong as when I was young and just came out of school. Young people always think they know everything, so when you meet them at that point, they feel like conquering the world. I could remember then I needed people to encourage me but they were all saying it’s going to be rough out there. I wasn’t as young anymore and the fire wasn’t as hot, so, there was a bit of self-doubt but what steeled my resolve was that in my life I have seen it rough before. When I started selling shoes, I was always at Ojuelegba Barracks police station because all the Ibo boys I supplied shoes to would not pay me money, so I knew a bit of that.
“Also, by the time I started, because I didn’t know anything about real estate, I had to work with someone. Though I had registered my own company, I was learning about the profession with someone, and I wasn’t a staff. The reason why I didn’t allow him to pay me was because I wanted my freedom and; to do my own thing. So I can’t imagine collecting someone’s salary and then doing my own thing, it is not possible. I came under him and brought in transaction. That was the arrangement: bring in transaction and share it on a particular ratio. You know how real estate is.
“I started first month, no money, second month it was the same thing. I was going everywhere and spending the little money I had saved in the bank. When I run out of fuel, I would go and beg a friend. There was a time I went to a friend to beg for money, she said, ‘what’s wrong with you? Is it that bad? Go back to the bank.’ I told her God forbid. I knew it wasn’t going to be for a long time, I could see people who had told me you don’t suffer for a long time if you are on your own. I knew it was not going be for long, I will only be in this cloud for a while. It was more beautiful to know I was doing my own thing.
“By the time, it was the 7th month, still no money and meanwhile then, I was dry, all the steam had gone down. I remembered I went with the guy I was working with to meet a client at Mobil, I later found out after meeting with him that he was not ready to buy, he was only playing me all the while. By the time I came out, I broke down and started crying because I said to myself, I have been in this business now for eight months and nothing! That was the first time I said: was it a wise decision leaving the bank?
“To cut the story short, my trainer looked at me and said, ‘what is wrong with you, this is not an easy business, you will make something but it is not easy. It took me 13 months to make my first transaction and you have just spent only seven months’.
“This was the person I looked up to, so when he said it, it was like somebody giving you Panadol and I got energy from it. I always share this because when you have young people come into the market for the first time, you need to let them know that property is not like selling biro of N10. It is a big decision and heavy transaction, nobody will just drop N10 million to buy a property because your face is fine or your suit is the finest. People buy because they are ready for the decision, and sometimes it takes a long time. For God to compensate me, the following month, I made a cool money and the third month after, I was in my own location.”

What a happy ending to a soul-stirring story! The journey of faith, belief and courage, which started seven years ago, is now the success story of Beryl Shelter Limited. After wading through the initial staggering stage and she found her rhythm in real estate, Abiola is setting her eyes on the bigger picture, quietly re-engineering real estate and bringing sophistication into the business, just what GTB did to banking. She is launching this with a Beryl Shelter project.
“The project is about rewarding patronage, for people who patronize us, we will give them free Lufthansa international return ticket to a select destination. The project is to say to our customers: “thank you for using us’. If you come to us to rent an apartment or buy an apartment or anything that has to do with property — land, house, building or you want to sell your property. The fact that you have contacted us and engaged our services, at the end of the transaction, we would give you a Lufthansa return ticket to almost any of the over 40 Lufthansa destinations across the world, and it is for every transaction. It is not a lottery or a lucky dip; it is automatic for every transaction. It is a flooded market and I want to let people know that I actually do care about my customers, making someone happy for doing business with you. We are not just saying it, we are showing it, that we care.”

… And the grove goes on for doctor entertainer

BY CHUKS NWANNE
HE was on phone when I arrived at the restaurant on the Lagos Island, where we had scheduled to meet. However, Ayo Osunrinade managed to signal me into the bar, with the telephone conversation still on.
From close observation, the lengthy phone call that rainy afternoon has something to do with It’s Friday Night, an evening of live entertainment, which debuts on June 26, at the newly opened Landmark Village. We actually got feelers about the up-coming show, so, we made effort to unveil the brains behind the gig; hands keep pointing at the UK based Osunrinade.
“What we are about to do is entirely different from the usual concerts you see in Nigeria,” he says, calling for his laptop, which one of his men brought within seconds.
He inserted a CD containing the radio jingle for the show, which he played twice, with the voice of a UK based comedian, Eddie Kadi on the background. Creative concept, if you ask me.
“The jingle is already on some of the radio stations in Lagos and others more to come. This is something we are passionate about and we are putting in our best.”
From the way Osunrinade speaks about the show and his Urban Entertainment, I nearly concluded he comes from the arts background. Guess Ayo’s profession? He’s a trained medical doctor! In fact, he practiced for years in the UK with a stint in Nigeria, before embracing his passion –– entertainment.

FOR many, studying medicine is a thing of pride, but the Osunrinade’s case seems different; his was out to prove a point.
“I did it because I thought it was a challenge for me at that time; nobody pushed me to do it. In fact, I remember my father never wanted me to do it.”
Why?
“Well, he didn’t think I had the temperament… and all that. Eventually, it looked like it turned out right that I didn’t have the temperament to sit down, listening to people’s problem continuously. All the same, I went ahead to do it.”
Clearing all his papers at the A’levels in the UK wasn’t enough to convince Ayo’s father of his son’s ambition.
“During my A’level abroad, they said I wasn’t cut out to be a medical doctor; they didn’t think I was going to pass my exams. But I smashed it. Yet, my father suggested I consider doing something else; he didn’t believe I could put my head down to study, but my mother wanted me to do it; it was her dream.”
Just one week in the medical class, the reality donned on him.
“I realised that this was not going to be me for too long. However, I was able to finish it.”
He continues: “I did it to prove myself to myself; everything that I’ve done in life was always to prove something to myself. I probably should be sitting down somewhere now to become a professor, but I’ve never done anything to conform that.”

AFTER practicing as a psychiatrics in the UK for years, Osunrinade thought of diversifying his career.
“I went to Business School in the UK after which I came back to Nigeria to do something in healthcare; this time, on the business side of it. At that time, Nigeria was beckoning, so, I had to come back home to do some stuffs; yet, I felt all of that was boring.”
Meanwhile, even as a medical practitioner, he had promoted a lot of shows in the UK; he was deeply involved in entertainment.
“At a point, I was managing a Nigerian artiste, Abbey, who was based in the UK; I got him up to the UK chart. I also have a cousin, Tunde, who is the lead singer for Lighthouse Family; I was always with them, touring around. All the while, I’ve always been doing things in entertainment.”
Tired of shuttling between Nigeria and the UK, Osunrinade resolved to set up Urban TV in the UK, with the aim of promoting the black continent.
“There was BEN TV, which was particularly focused on the Nigerian market, but I wanted a TV that will focus for the black market; a more mature market. We put it together and got on to Sky TV; nobody believed us.”

HOWEVER, the medical practitioner was forced to sell off the station as the economic meltdown hit UK.
“We sold it to BET TV last year when recession set in. Toyin Subair of HiTV originally planned to buy into the channels, but something happened and I had to sell it to a network I never intended to sell to.”
What do you have against BET?
“Toyin is my good friend; we’ve known each other from secondary school; he was my preferred bidder for the channel. We were having a kind of competition with BET at that time; some of the films we bought, they could not buy it for the UK market because I had already bought them for Urban TV. But in all, it was a good experience.”
Right now, Ayo and his team are working round the clock to ensure the success of the first edition of It’s Friday Night, which he insists is entirely different.
“I spoke to another friend of mine, Ade Aderogba, who had a lot of experience in entertainment as well on the financial side; he used to be the financial director of the biggest classical music promoter in the UK. I also brought in two investors into the business. So, we decided to do something in Nigeria through Urban Entertainment. I’ve done a lot of stuffs in entertainment outside the country, but this is the first time we are doing something that will make people know what Urban Media is all about.”
The show will feature comedians Gordons and Eddie Kadi from the UK, close up magician, Kasrani, D’ Spremes, DJ Heavy D from London and a US based Afro jazz instrumentalist, Adeniji (Heavywind).
“Adeniji used to be here; he has a huge followership. He used to play at B Jays, here in Lagos, so, we’ve decided to bring him back to spice the whole show. We have also decided that in every show, we must feature new locally based talent. For us, that’s a way to give back to the society. Any artiste we feel will do well; we will put him on the bill. In fact, we plan to give young talents the platform to showcase their talents; soon, we will unveil the plan to Nigerians.”
On the choice of the artistes, especially the Congolese-born-UK-based Kadi, who seems not to know much about Nigeria, Osunrinade hints, “the guy is absolutely hilarious; he’s been here once, but in the UK, he’s well known and runs shows in BBC. Good comedian studies the environment he’s going before performing, so, why does people believe that it has to be the same group of comedians? We know Eddy is good and he’s going to show himself here.”

FOR Osunrinade, this is time to change the concept of showbiz in Nigeria.
“Everybody does a comedy night or a music show, so, it’s not as if it’s the first time. But there’s too much talent in the world for it to be the same set of people performing at show; I don’t know why sponsors do not think there are other talents available. They are interested in sponsoring an artiste that will sing the same song today, tomorrow and over the years, yet, there’s multitude of talents all over the world. So, we decided to focus on those over 35 for the variety night. It’s not going to be about music; there will be comedy, magic, acrobatic … you will have something new to see.”
However, it seems the show is for the upper class?
“First of all, you have to understand that the audience I cater for is the audience I understand, which is my age group. But as we grow bigger, we are going to get the young people, who will work with us, who will tell us what appeals to their age group. I don’t want to pretend that I know everything; that will be the greatest mistake. So, we are going for an audience we understand for now. Nigerians are very exposed; if you do a good show and you promote it very well, they will come. The job is for us to know the right people to bring,” he says.
In his opinion, the country’s entertainment industry has come of age.
“There used to be an intellectual snobbery about entertainment; sometimes, you still see it. People keep asking why I’m doing entertainment. To be honest with you, if I had wanted to do oil and gas or telecomm, I probably would have been better at it than many. I chose to do this and that’s what I’m doing because I don’t have interest in oil.”
Have you ever been confronted with that?
Yes, all the time –– Nigerians say stuffs like that. For me, there’s no big deal in oil and gas or telecom; everybody can do that; go to Abuja and beg… stuffs like that. I’ve done difficult things; I don’t think there’s anything difficult in setting up an oil and gas business.”

DO you often tell people you have medical background?
“No, no, I don’t introduce myself as a doctor; I always think it prejudices people. Even in my complimentary card, I didn’t put it; It’s only when you ask me about my background that I tell you I come from a medical field, and a lot of people get shocked.”
From all indications, Osunrinade’s involvement in entertainment is purely for satisfaction.
“I do things based on how satisfied I’m. I don’t think I will be able to enjoy just making money; I’ve got to like what I do. I’m certainly not where I want to be in terms of cash, but I am not suffering. I want more, yes, but not at the expense of my own joy; that just won’t happen.”
He also commented on the re-branding project of the country.
“I think Nigeria in a lot of ways, has started the re-branding process without knowing it. Recently, there was a list of immigrants into the UK, and Nigerians were not in the top eight. I’ve lived in the UK for a better part of my life, for the first time, you don’t find a lot of Nigerians running to UK; that for me is re-branding. For a lot of US to be coming back to Nigeria to do something is enough re-branding. Re-branding Nigeria is about what the Nollywood and musicians are doing outside the country; everybody loves Nollywood. I think re-branding is about the government doing what is right. If the number of people traveling abroad for healthcare reduces, that means the health sector in Nigeria is working; that’s re-branding.
He cited Lagos as a case study.
“Re-branding is about what is happening in Lagos. I used to think Lagos was a jungle, but when I came in, I noticed the transformation of the city in two year. It’s so amazing that I’ve been here for about six weeks; you drive around without your car falling into potholes. For me, this is enough re-branding.” He continues: “If the first black president of the US is planning to visit Africa for the first time, and he didn’t visit Nigeria the most populous black nation in African, then there’s a problem.”

The Dancer as the Dream itself

Live your life; not your mother’s, father’s, siblings or the society, but your own. This is the only opportunity you have got to live it. Don’t get consumed in social constructs, but truly follow your heart.

BY CHUKS NWANNE
SHE’s not the type you easily get hold on. She is always on the move. When she is not busy with her students —dancer artistes — at D’Jamz Base in FESTAC Town, Lagos, the Izon lady will be engaged in one or two productions, mostly outside Lagos.
When we couldn’t meet one-on-one for this interview, we resorted to an online chat. However, this is one dancer I’ve been keeping in view from a close distant.
Preere Yibowei’s (popularly known as Preeye) introduction gives an insight to her personality.
“I like to first call myself a performer because it’s all about the performance. I’m very artistic right from my appearance to what I do, where I do and even how I do it. I’m also very spiritual; I sincerely believe that whatever happens in the physical is a manifestation of the spiritual.”

Done with her secondary education at the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Lagos, Preeye headed for the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Ibadan, with special focus in dance. From there, she joined Epic Dance Production, a traditional dance troupe.
“At that time, the only experience I had in dance was at birthday parties, strictly disco; not even Hip-Hop,” she says.
However, schooling in Ibadan greatly influenced Preeye’s knowledge of traditional dance steps, but it was the Artistic Director of Gong Beat Arts, Isioma Williams, who iced the cake. “He introduced me to the troupe. So, when I relocated to Lagos, I joined them”.
Though most of her dance training was with GongBeat, the dancer was privileged to have worked with the National Troupe of Nigeria as well as participate in French Cultural Centre exchange programmes.
“I took advantage of the opportunity and became well grounded in traditional dances. French Cultural Center used to invite renounced choreographers from different parts of the world and we also we were part of the Workshops in Ghana, Mali, Togo etc.”

WHEN Ijodee Dance Company held an all-female contemporary dance workshop, Preeye was among the first to embrace the ideas. She’s always open to challenges.
“Of course, I jumped at it,” she says. “That’s a style most female dancers were finding difficult to embrace. I admire Ijodee for that ambitious spirit and determination to put Nigeria on the contemporary dance platform.”
Talk of dance festivals, Preeye has seen enough of it.
“For three years, I participated in the Dance Meets Dance, a festival organised by the French Cultural Centre. I was also part of Trufesta, Fada, Dance in Bamako and Nite of the Salsareos in Ghana.”
At a point, she was a dance consultant to the famous Gwape, the Niger State Cultural Troupe and for three years running, Preeye has been part of the Prestigious Bayside Band at the Calabar Christmas Carnival, led by the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke.
She was later invited as a judge for the Maltina Dance All. Her role at the Creative Academy, a reality TV show hosted by Onari Duke, earned her the job.
“It was the late Steve Rhodes, who recommended me to Creative Academy organisers as a dance instructor. From there, I got the Maltina job.”
How was it sitting as a judge in the competition?
“It was worth the while; I love working with green horns,” she enthuses. “However, I loved the opportunity the show gave me to show that dance is a profession; that was the first time we (dance artistes) had the opportunity to show Nigerians what dance is really all about.”

However, being a judge at the show at such a young age, did not go down well with some, especially her senior colleagues.
“I rarely had problem with the opinions of the other judges because I believe everybody is entitled to their opinion; after all, we made the right decision of selecting Chukwuma as the winner; he was clearly the best, she says.
“Some of my senior colleagues had issues with me being a judge at a young stage of my career; the public felt I was unnecessarily callous and had not done enough to warrant being a judge; the press didn’t help matters at all. But in all, I kept my cool, doing what I felt was right.”
If there’s one thing Preeye detests in life, that must be competition. However, she had no option than to enter for Let’s Dance, just to prove a point.
“I hate competitions,” she muses. “I entered for Let’s Dance because I felt Nigerians need to know what I had in stock. Due to my role in Doctor’s Quarters, and Wetin Dey, I was more recognised as an actress; meanwhile dance is my first love. So, I seized the opportunity of the wide coverage to make a statement.”
And you emerged third?
“Of course, I was disappointed,”she says. “I felt we (VIBES) had what it took; talent, skills, experience and style. Well, I was disappointed but not devastated because the outcome was solely on the votes; votes that could be influenced by a number of other things than the quality of the dance itself. In truth, I had already reached the conclusion that if we didn’t come first, we would love Ideal, the winning couple to get the prize; in other words, I am happy Ideal won.”

Preeye curently runs a dance class for young people in FESTAC and she also has her eyes on other projects.
“I run series of dance classes; traditional, salsa, fitness programmes etc. It could be better because the FESTAC people are not as exposed to this sort of activity, but we are catching on. I have a lot of projects I’m working on, but for now, I’m focusing on a Dance/Musical Concert to raise funds for the innocent victims of Niger Delta crisis.”
Preeye’s philosophy of life is very simple.
“Live your life; not your mother’s, father’s, siblings or the society’s, but your own. This is the only opportunity you have got to live it. Don’t get consumed in social constructs, but truly follow your heart.”

Wedlock of styles

BY CHIOMA PAMELA NDUKA
CHOOSING a wedding gown could be a fabulous experience, yet very tasking, stressful and overwhelming because the bride is faced with a lot of choices.
For Vivian Zadok of Viva Creations, Jabi, Abuja, the job of deciding, which wedding gown to wear is most time determined by the bride, however, the groom also plays a vital role in taking the whole decision; the money sure comes from him!
She says the major obstacle in selecting bridal gowns in Nigeria is the option provided by the church. She adds, “another major determinant is finance. How rich a couple is or the family will go a long way to reveal the kind of gown the bride will wear on that day.”
Wedding dresses come in different styles such as the off-shoulder, strapless gowns with short sleeve jackets, strapless gowns with long sleeve jackets, turtle neck, high neck, the A-line style, the fish style, round neck bridal gowns amongst others.
Though they mostly come in white, wedding dresses could also come in creamy shades such as eggshell, ecru and ivory.
In the words of Amaka Okafor of Benkol Bridals, “wedding gowns could be flared either by wearing a basket underwear lining or by sewing in lining, net and other materials as underwear into the gowns. The sewn lining makes the gown flared and heavier than the basket lining underwear worn before wearing the gowns.”
Okafor further informs, “the outfit can be produced with combinations of taffeta, shiffon, damask, fur, Satin, beads and even fabrics. Pearls and beads are also sewn into the clothing, so that the bride would look sparkling in the sunlight. Apart from the combinations to be used for wedding gowns, its selection is dependent on the specifications of the customer. For most of our bridals outfits, are imported.”

Etcetera’s day out

BY CHUKS NWANNE
A day after his self titled album, Etcetera, was adjudged Record of The Year at the Hip-Hop World Award held recently at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Etcetera took time to notify his friends and well wishers of his latest achievement.
To the media guys, he sent a special message in appreciation of their support to his music career.
“It’s said that nobody becomes an Etcetera all by himself. Everything I’ve achieved is because of the assistance I got from you guys. I’ll be ever grateful, thanks for your support,” his message read.
However, it’s unusual to receive such message from a typical Nigerian artiste; so, you could understand the reason behind the love shown to the multi instrumentalist at the Black Pearl Club, Victoria Island, Lagos, where he gathered friends to celebrate his latest award.
Tagged Black Tie Gig, the event, which was held in collaboration with his record label, X3M Music led by Steve Babaeko, began with a red carpet reception that saw showbiz stars converge under one roof to watch the Imo State native gig live.
As usual, an event of such calls for formal attire. Trust Lagosians; it was another opportunity to show their latest collections. While some guys turned out in tuxedos, fashionable ladies glowed in cocktail and long dresses. Of course, some failed to conform to the dress code. You asked if they were thrown out? No, no, the gig was actually and appreciation show, so, there was no need for that.
With a cocktail of drinks, spoken word, beautiful poetry and soft music, guests lounged and networked; spending the entire evening networking and exchanging banters while the artiste thrilled.
“I feel so happy that people responded well to my gathering. It was just three hours of networking and banter but the impact it has on me is everlasting, and it is going to linger for a long time,” Etcetera said.
Hosted by singer turned radio presenter, Tosyn Bucknor, present at the event are Kiss event’s Howie T, Ayo Animashaun of Hip-Hop World, talent manager, Joice Ize-Iyamu and others.
The list of artistes includes rapper Kel, H Man, Tosin Martins, GT the Guitar Man, Weird MC, Terry Tha Rapman, OD, Mode9 and German based Bantu. Others are Ebuka Obi- Uchendu of the Big Brother Nigeria, poet Sage Hasson, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and others.
Pascal Ejikeme otherwise called Etcetera, signed on X3M Music, a record label founded by Steve Babaeko. His album, Etcetera, was released in May, 2008 from which further singles like This Is Not A Song, Michelle and Biafra, were released.
Excited Etcetera, who is presently in the studio working on his yet-to-be- titled second album said, “the journey continues; this is just my starting point and I’m so glad that people now appreciate good music.”

Poetics of the head and labour

BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE
WHEN writer, Onyema Offoedu-Okeke took a break from writing and returned to the canvas few months ago, his focus was on addresing depreciation of certain values in the society.
He set out with the art exhibition entitled Boudoir Terracotta, held at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos, in March this year. The collection of works unearthed the link between architecture, woman and shrinking family values.
Few weeks ago, the artist returned to the same venue; this time around, he deployedhis skill to glorify the masses, who in his opinion, are the real force behind wealth of the rich people. He declares that, “this exhibit is not about hanging work to sell, but to honour the idea of trade symbolism. Without this common people, who are always on the street, the rich can’t survive.”
The show entitled, May Day, Bless the Head That Wears the Crown, however, narrowly missed the last Workers’ Day celebration.

Sticking to his drizzling effect, Offoedu-Okeke’s work in this solo show, actually take on the street as seen in such titles as Roadside Trading, Shoe Maker, Boatman, cattle herd, mob energy, Pure Water.
But the activities of the commoners, most times are seen as parasitic; not the actual breeders of wealth, particularly where government’s policy direction tilts towards urban renewal as being done in Lagos State, currently.
The artist agrees: “Often times, it’s the common man that bears the burden of social changes.”
Apparently, the dignity of labour in which this cadre of the society take refuge during hard times is eroded, isn’t it?
But Offoedu-Okeke has a warning for those who might think that life begins and ends in being wealthy. “The common people should realise that you don’t have to be a baron, aristocrat to enjoy life.”
Perhaps the inability of government to effectively get the people to pay tax is the core reason the common man’s contribution to development is not recognised. The elite, Offoedu-Okeke, notes operate tax because they benefit more from it. Event at that, “they often evade tax anyway. When the tax system works, the common man would gladly pays. Just like electricity supply through NEPA used to work, and people were paying regularly.”

THERE is a cultural perspective to the artist’s thought as nearly every work on display had the head load as a significant medium of the subject. From common street scenes such as people carrying loads on their heads as in Cement Bag Head, Shoe Maker, Pure Water, Crate of Soda Pop to curious ones such as TV Head and Generator Head, it does appear that there is no exception in this head load culture.

Sandwiched between the canvas and writing, Offoedu-Okeke has taken a break once again from what he says is a research on artists of Nigeria; about 100 years of Nigerian art. “I thought in between, I could have done one or two shows, but it kept growing. My last exhibition was the study of women space. I chose head now because of the cerebral connection, the burden and intelligence. It’s a cheap labour; no sophistication. We need to use our condition to address ourselves and vice versa. Being masses is like a flood, it can’t be stopped; the trade union has that semblance.

A large format artist, Offoedu-Okeke seems to have found a comfort zone in drizzling technique: the painstaking detail of his work is better appreciated in this format. However, the palette was bolder and aggressive in this display compared with Boudoir Terracotta, which share characteristics with work of another artist, Nyemike Onwuka. Quite a shift, but he argues that, “I have been using this technique long before any other artist started.”

Holder of B.Sc. Architecture from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, 1992, his engagementhe canvas later in 2004 gave him opportunity to contribute some texts to catalogues of several art exhibitions including an essay on Nigeria’s modernism featured in the catalogue of United Kingdom based artist, Yinka Shonibare’s exhibition Double Dutch held at Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
After making a debut solo in 1997 with Spring Forever at the Russian Cultural Centre, Lagos, Offoedu-Okeke had another solo in 2000, titled Idioms of Butterfly Kisses at Mydrim Art Gallery, Lagos Island.
His last solo exhibition Pastel Aficionados, held at the same venue was in 2003.
Other outings of his outside the country were the tour event in 2000, Our World in the Year 2000, held at Mall Galleries, London, England; World Trade Centre, Stockholm, Sweden; United Nations Headquarters, New York, U.S.

Teary eyes for a ghostly Rainmaker

Coming back home will be very incinerating for Majek, I have no doubt about that. Linking back to the source of his inspiration and the conspiracy that admired and nurtured him. So I do not know how he is going to deal with a combination of this reverend and the discipline required to bounce back as one of Africa leading artistes.. So between this reverend and this appreciation of his past, it is left determined to him to prove that he has energy to re-invest himself and chart the way forward to the 21 century”.

BY GBENGA SALAU
SHORTLY before mounting the stage that day, he sat in acorner of the hall — calmly, sober, like someone in deep reflection and rumination except for occasional shouting of one love from guests trooping into the venue; and he would respond with a display of one love sign to acknowledge the greeting. He was motionless. At a point, he became hysterical, threatening to hit a girl with one of the bottles of red wine on his table.
He was physically far from his old self. He had lost weight, and the radiance he was known for; and when he talked, his words were incoherent. A reflection of his mental state. He found it difficult to comprehend what some of the fans who greeted him said. A friend sitting by him had to repeat words and explained to him before he could understand and respond.
On stage amazingly, he was in full command of the band, dictating the rhythm. His rendition of No more sorrow, electrified the audienece making many to gig and sing along with him. His sonorous voice was still there, but he soon lost out after that track, not able to sing any of his tracks properly, juggling the lines and mixing the different tracks together.
At a point, he took one of the guitars and played it for about 15 minutes after which he backed out from the stage.
While on stage, he made occasional pronunciations such as Yesufu, which were not easily onderstood.

Majek Fashek was a hero. His songs were gospel truth, telling the truth not with the side of the tongue. Due to this, his songs were accepted and became National Anthem.
He then moved on for greener pastures to the USA. In the USA, he continued to play his music and his fame continued to rise as he performed with renowned names in world music.
While in the US, he organized and participated in many concerts. Thereafter, there were news that his health state has degenerated and deteriorated. Some attributed it to spiritual attack, others said it was drug related, some others maintained it was alcoholism.
Afterward, he came home and efforts were made to rehabilitate him especially by Sunny Okosun but in the process death took Okosun away.
Last week, Majek performed at a friend’s father funeral and our reporter was at the scene.
While playing, he was spurred up by one of the band members through occasional screaming of his name Majek, which the Guardian observed stimulated him to perform.
After he left the stage, The Guardian spoke with some of the guests aon he Majek they knew and the Majek that played that night.


Chief Hayes Anunobi:
“Majek is a talented musician. We thank God for his life, and I believe God will restore him back.”

Mercy Dogo:
“This is my first time of seeing him on stage and he has really done well. I ued to think he was dead. He played nice. The health is really bad. Mere looking at him, you will know he is on drug, I just hope with time he will be okay”.

Nduka Otiono:
“I want to comment based on two levels, first as somebody who has seen him in his right frame of mind and as somebody seeing him now. The last time I saw Majek play was in 1991 at the Children of Africa Show alongside Rita Marley and Manu Dibango. He played so gracefully that rain fell. Looking at him today, I still see some of the attributes of the old Majek in him. He would have been our Jimi Hendrix if not for his health. He is one whose career seems to have shrunk. One, who has a natural talent to command attention, even when he may not have put in his best. That could be told by the electrifying approach and the entire crowd here, which concentrated attention on him especially when he played the solo. Coming back home will do him some good, I have no doubt about that. It will be of help for him to link back to the source of his inspiration that nurtured him and with the required discipline he will bounce back as one of Africa’s leading artistes. So, it is left for him to decide and prove that he has the energy to re-invest and chart the way forward to the 21 century.”

Bola Adun:
“He still has that dexterity though it is better than when he came back from the US the other time. He is better off now, but he still needs to be refined. He is still great and has very good things to deliver to Nigerians. We can assist him to go off drug.”

... Soundbytes from Majek
On Religion and spirituality
Our religion, as prisoners of conscience, is libation; no strings attached. You are dealing with the chemistry of nature. It’s a little dangerous because one could become a drunk; so, some people do not like to do it. But if you can control it and use it directly, it is a stronger way to communicate with God, and by kneeling down like this here in the park, brings God nearer. You can ask “help me Lord, I need to work to have my daily bread. In the mystic world, we say Jesus the Christ — a man that has attained Christ consciousness. So, Rastafari believe that Selassie attained Christ consciousness in his kingly character.
You have to be able to maintain Christ consciousness, that is the difficult part. There are demons; we are dealing with some serious shit right now, some very serious things. And that is why right now it is difficult. Josiah, Selassie I, attained Christ consciousness. Bob Marley, too, attained it whether he liked it or not. It was after he died that many more started to listen to his message. Zachariah, Jeremiah, they were dealing with Christ consciousness. Elijah was the toughest; he went through the chambers of fire. So, I don’t worship idols, but I respect them. But in this age, man has to fulfill the prophecy. That’s what I am talking about.

On Fela
Fela was an ancient ancestral spirit from Africa — Africans have their prophets too. In Africa, we have our own prophets. The African prophets supposed to be an inspiration to direct us to God and not to be deified. Sango was a prophet; Obatala and Ogun among others were all prophets of God from Africa. God is giving you the authority as a man to communicate with Him through these heavenly beings, but you have to do that with reverence.
What Bob Marley was to the world was what Fela was to Africa. Yet, Fela worshipped idols, that was why he was limited. That is why Bob Marley surpassed him. Fela would in the presence of all bring out these images. Bob Marley stressed one God that is why he was a hero of the world. Fela even called his club “shrine”, which was against the rules of God. Idol worshipping smells, if you go to a shrine, it smells. I do not propose it to the people and God does not like it.

www.AfricaSounds.com

A whisperer’s monologue

BY WOLE OGUNTOKUN
I HAD the opportunity to spend time in a conversation with a good-looking young woman a few days ago.
As I looked at her, I thought of the ways men and women undo themselves, caring (and loving?) for the sake of what is on the outside, the beauty, the articulation, the poise, seldom the character or the staying power.
The Whisperer does not say this because he lacks poise or articulation or good looks. Quite the opposite, he might add, as even his detractors must admit.
But still, as humans, we seem pre-programmed only to look skin-deep, never below the surface, where true beauty lies, and sometimes danger.
Danger, because it is only when you go down and under that you are able to tell if the person you are with, will make or mar your future.
It’s just a relationship, the less-sceptical will say. What’s just having a relationship got to do with your future?
Everything, The Whisperer submits. We meet people all the time and they are either adding to us or removing from us.
Look to those who will radiate heat back to you the same way you give off heat, never look to the person who will be a drain, and they are many out there.
So, The Whisperer sat studying the young woman and discovered she was a serious painter as well, and that scored her well in his books.
We meet many people who exist only on their looks like the ex-beauty queen who once told me she expected to be taken care of by men. Her philosophy was simple. ‘I am beautiful so you will pay to have the pleasure of my companionship.’
Extra-ordinary way of thinking. But not this beautiful painter, apparently, and The Whisperer was suitably impressed.

THE Whisperer is at crossroads in his life at the moment, in so many areas. Often, these days, he sits and thinks of love, of beauty that has come and that has gone, of family, of true friends and the lack of that and the true meaning of life.
He understands like Shakespeare wrote that there is a tide in the affairs of men, a tide you must catch and if you lose that wave as it comes surging in, you will forever be trapped in shallow waters.
He is fairly certain that he has caught his tide and he has escaped shallow waters in many areas of his life but still he cannot help but feel pain for those who still flounder.
As I stood to purchase a box of weetabix last night, I looked at the tall gangling young man attending to me, aged maybe a little over twenty.
The sadness seemed to radiate from somewhere deep within this young man and I winced as if struck with a blow. That was how palpable it was. I wanted to show him sunny fields and tell him, ‘the world is yours, use it as you will, learn to laugh and shake of this thing that seems to bow your shoulders’.
His father sat to one side in a distant part of the ‘chemist’, reading some literature under a naked, dimly lit bulb in the semi-darkness while his younger sister sat nearby. She did not appear so sad but I could not take my eyes off the young man.
It is The Whisperer’s curse that he must feel extremes of pain and pleasure, and often, like a radio, he picks signals where others might not. The signals are not always pleasant and often, there is little one can do about the situation.
A while back, The Whisperer had a conversation with another young man who worked for him, good-looking by many standards but lacking in self-confidence.
I opened the pages of a glossy magazine and showed all the beautiful women there, then told him — ‘There isn’t one of these women who is better than you.’ Often, we are the ones who consider ourselves unworthy. Unworthy of attention, of love and of happiness.
They say, the problem is not that we ask for too much, but often, we are ready to settle for too little. We do not think we deserve good things, and there are many people who are not where they should be today because they do not believe they deserve to be there.
We pay lip-service saying we want these things, and make the proper ‘confessions as well, but deep down in our hearts, we really think we are unworthy.
It takes a mind-set; strength of purpose and a continuous declaration to yourself that you deserve the best in life and you intend to get and keep those trappings that constitute the best.
Never forget no one can make you feel inferior without your consent and like Lincoln once said, no one can write on your back unless you bend it.

SO, The Whisperer stands today and remembers the girl he used to know that has become a woman now but in so many ways still retains so many aspects of her childhood that makes her so endearing to him and he calls out to her and says, do not let any man short-change you. Let no one serve you your pounded yam in small portions.
You are a Queen, a true example that some are born great. Remember who you are if others around you forget, and do not settle for less than you deserve.
Let no man think he does you a favour by being with you, you are beautiful inside and out and The Whisperer will always be your friend.
And to all the women who are out there, remember that little girls will become lasses and they in turn will become young ladies confident of themselves.
And they will get older and become mothers and grandmothers as sure as day must turn to night, but the things that will stand the test of time are not the looks, or the clothes or the cut of hair.
The thing that will remain with you is the beauty you have on the inside, the goodness that radiates from you, and the happiness you are able to share. And to all of you too, I say, let no one serve you your pounded yam in small portions.
laspapi@yahoo.com