Showing posts with label Edition 215. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edition 215. Show all posts
Monday, 14 December 2009
Don’t live below your means
(Biz tool Kits)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
THERE is this bursar of a private school whose life smacks of financial intelligence. When you see him, you’ll think he is a banker.
He always goes to his office well-dressed in corporate wear which is something different from teachers and bursars in his category. He drives around in a very good car that can pass for posh.
He lives in a good environment and every summer when schools go on vacation, he travels abroad with his family for vacation too.
The question is: how does he maintain this kind of high standard of living without being the son of a very wealthy man or without working for a multinational company?
When he spoke with me, I discovered that he was able to keep this higher standard of living because he was able to expand his means. This is all I have been talking about in my last few articles.
This man, apart from his school employment, also runs an auditing firm on the side. He audits the accounts of companies and small businesses.
His auditing side business does not affect his school work which he is devoted to. So when he closes work at 3pm, he goes to his auditing firm to handle pending jobs and tasks. He has a junior accountant working with him.
Besides this, this man is also a committed investor in the stock market where he holds different portfolio of blue-chip stocks.
All these put together help him to augment his income, provide extra cash to increase his standard of living and to further acquire more income-generating assets for himself.
You can also apply this strategy to your own personal work. You can use your present employment as a means to develop your side business(es) to create more income streams for yourself.
Take for instance, an accountant, apart from the work the person does in an establishment can expand his means by offering accounting services to small businesses that need to straighten their accounts, file their tax returns and also do their auditing.
This doesn’t have to affect the person’s work as he/she can offer these accounting services as a side business, with the help of one or two staff to run around for them. Supposing this accountant has 10 clients that pay him N10,000 every month for managing their accounts, he will be making N100,000 a month as passive income, and in a year will be grossing N1.2 million. If the fees he charges are higher than this amount, what he would be grossing monthly and annually would be higher, too.
A MEDICAL doctor can also expand his/her means by offering medical services to nearby communities that lack these services.
For instance, ASUU just called off its. During the period, employees of state- and federal-owned teaching hospitals would have been affected.
Salaries would be delayed and many medical doctors’ income would have been affected, even temporarily.
But a smart doctor located close to communities where there are no doctors can use his free period when they are not on call to offer medical services to members of such communities. Some community clinics do not have resident doctors there.
This is an opportunity for financially intelligent doctors to expand their means. They can become visiting doctors for such hospitals. They can even consult with clients in such communities if their professional ethics and training allows them to do so. Imagine a community where a medical doctor attends to about 100 patients a month, charging just N1,000 or less.
That doctor will be grossing extra N100,000 a month and N1.2 million a year. They will be making some extra cash and saving lives in turn.
What of a situation where such medical doctors partner with owners of private community clinics and become visiting doctors there.
The quality of the community health of our people would increase, while quacks parading as experts won’t have any more jobs to do. The NMA needs to pay me for this free consulting given to its members.
Now, you don’t have to be a medical doctor or an accountant to expand your means. Space will fail me to identify what you can start doing through your own profession and skills to generate extra income for yourself.
What I am driving at is very simple; your earned income should not limit you. It should not define your standard of living. It should not force you to live below your means.
bridgetolotu@gmail.com
Understanding your real self
(LIFE COACH)
BY AGBOLADE OMOWOLE
HAVE you ever felt that there is more to your life than your present job? Have you ever felt that your heart yearns for something which you are yet to discover? Have you ever thought about being fulfilled in life and business?
You are product of your environment. Every geographical region has a prevalent attitude. Nothing may have a greater influence on your life than your environment. Your environment has in one way or the other, shaped your thinking, your behaviour, your taste, and your overall orientation of life.
Your environment can make or mar you. It is not hard to explain why different people who grew up in different parts of a country have a particular attitude. Your environment determines what you see, what you hear, some of the things you believe and some of your values.
You are being influenced by friends. If you want to know the direction you are headed in life, evaluate the lifestyle of your closest friends. Your friends are an integral aspect of your decision making, and may determine your lifestyle.
Your friends increase or decrease you. A friend, who is not increasing you physically, mentally, academically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually, may be decreasing you. It is important to surround yourself with positive people, if you want to be successful in life.
You are a product of your upbringing. At a very tender age, you have answered some of life’s most important questions like what is right and what is wrong. You have answered most questions between the ages of three and six. The boy you were, you still are. Between the ages of three and six, you had stored all the life lessons you learnt in your mind, and as you grew up, you made decisions based on what you learnt when you were a kid.
Look back. Why do you hold on to some memories and have seemingly discarded others? The truth is that we only remember those events from our early childhood that are consistent with our present view of ourselves, and the world around us. Your past holds a key that you can use to maximize your future.
Your memories tell you about you. Your oldest memories may be the major indicators of why you believe what you believe, and do the things that you do.
Psychologists believe that as we get older, our reactions in the present are reactions to gestalts (Collections of memories which are organised in a certain way). Your early childhood memory is between age seven to eight or when you were younger.
I REMEMBER a story my mother told me of a boy. When he was a kid, he liked walking. He started walking at the age of nine month, and was fond of walking around. There was a time he walked around the street and couldn’t trace his steps back home. Someone found him, and took him to a traditional ruler called baale.
As I grew up, I realized that I still like going up and down. I like doing something positive. I like traveling. Truly, the little boy I once were, is still the person I am today.
What are your oldest memories before the age of eight? Can you remember a birthday gift, taking a risk, or playing with toys? Can you remember being angered without reacting? Can you remember being a negotiator or trying to stop some friends from fighting?
It is easy for us to look outside for a solution to our problems.
Often times, I receive e-mail and phone calls from people who want to be fulfilled in life and understand their real purpose.
The solution to any problem you have right now is within you. Search your heart and you will begin to see the real you.
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
THERE is this bursar of a private school whose life smacks of financial intelligence. When you see him, you’ll think he is a banker.
He always goes to his office well-dressed in corporate wear which is something different from teachers and bursars in his category. He drives around in a very good car that can pass for posh.
He lives in a good environment and every summer when schools go on vacation, he travels abroad with his family for vacation too.
The question is: how does he maintain this kind of high standard of living without being the son of a very wealthy man or without working for a multinational company?
When he spoke with me, I discovered that he was able to keep this higher standard of living because he was able to expand his means. This is all I have been talking about in my last few articles.
This man, apart from his school employment, also runs an auditing firm on the side. He audits the accounts of companies and small businesses.
His auditing side business does not affect his school work which he is devoted to. So when he closes work at 3pm, he goes to his auditing firm to handle pending jobs and tasks. He has a junior accountant working with him.
Besides this, this man is also a committed investor in the stock market where he holds different portfolio of blue-chip stocks.
All these put together help him to augment his income, provide extra cash to increase his standard of living and to further acquire more income-generating assets for himself.
You can also apply this strategy to your own personal work. You can use your present employment as a means to develop your side business(es) to create more income streams for yourself.
Take for instance, an accountant, apart from the work the person does in an establishment can expand his means by offering accounting services to small businesses that need to straighten their accounts, file their tax returns and also do their auditing.
This doesn’t have to affect the person’s work as he/she can offer these accounting services as a side business, with the help of one or two staff to run around for them. Supposing this accountant has 10 clients that pay him N10,000 every month for managing their accounts, he will be making N100,000 a month as passive income, and in a year will be grossing N1.2 million. If the fees he charges are higher than this amount, what he would be grossing monthly and annually would be higher, too.
A MEDICAL doctor can also expand his/her means by offering medical services to nearby communities that lack these services.
For instance, ASUU just called off its. During the period, employees of state- and federal-owned teaching hospitals would have been affected.
Salaries would be delayed and many medical doctors’ income would have been affected, even temporarily.
But a smart doctor located close to communities where there are no doctors can use his free period when they are not on call to offer medical services to members of such communities. Some community clinics do not have resident doctors there.
This is an opportunity for financially intelligent doctors to expand their means. They can become visiting doctors for such hospitals. They can even consult with clients in such communities if their professional ethics and training allows them to do so. Imagine a community where a medical doctor attends to about 100 patients a month, charging just N1,000 or less.
That doctor will be grossing extra N100,000 a month and N1.2 million a year. They will be making some extra cash and saving lives in turn.
What of a situation where such medical doctors partner with owners of private community clinics and become visiting doctors there.
The quality of the community health of our people would increase, while quacks parading as experts won’t have any more jobs to do. The NMA needs to pay me for this free consulting given to its members.
Now, you don’t have to be a medical doctor or an accountant to expand your means. Space will fail me to identify what you can start doing through your own profession and skills to generate extra income for yourself.
What I am driving at is very simple; your earned income should not limit you. It should not define your standard of living. It should not force you to live below your means.
bridgetolotu@gmail.com
Understanding your real self
(LIFE COACH)
BY AGBOLADE OMOWOLE
HAVE you ever felt that there is more to your life than your present job? Have you ever felt that your heart yearns for something which you are yet to discover? Have you ever thought about being fulfilled in life and business?
You are product of your environment. Every geographical region has a prevalent attitude. Nothing may have a greater influence on your life than your environment. Your environment has in one way or the other, shaped your thinking, your behaviour, your taste, and your overall orientation of life.
Your environment can make or mar you. It is not hard to explain why different people who grew up in different parts of a country have a particular attitude. Your environment determines what you see, what you hear, some of the things you believe and some of your values.
You are being influenced by friends. If you want to know the direction you are headed in life, evaluate the lifestyle of your closest friends. Your friends are an integral aspect of your decision making, and may determine your lifestyle.
Your friends increase or decrease you. A friend, who is not increasing you physically, mentally, academically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually, may be decreasing you. It is important to surround yourself with positive people, if you want to be successful in life.
You are a product of your upbringing. At a very tender age, you have answered some of life’s most important questions like what is right and what is wrong. You have answered most questions between the ages of three and six. The boy you were, you still are. Between the ages of three and six, you had stored all the life lessons you learnt in your mind, and as you grew up, you made decisions based on what you learnt when you were a kid.
Look back. Why do you hold on to some memories and have seemingly discarded others? The truth is that we only remember those events from our early childhood that are consistent with our present view of ourselves, and the world around us. Your past holds a key that you can use to maximize your future.
Your memories tell you about you. Your oldest memories may be the major indicators of why you believe what you believe, and do the things that you do.
Psychologists believe that as we get older, our reactions in the present are reactions to gestalts (Collections of memories which are organised in a certain way). Your early childhood memory is between age seven to eight or when you were younger.
I REMEMBER a story my mother told me of a boy. When he was a kid, he liked walking. He started walking at the age of nine month, and was fond of walking around. There was a time he walked around the street and couldn’t trace his steps back home. Someone found him, and took him to a traditional ruler called baale.
As I grew up, I realized that I still like going up and down. I like doing something positive. I like traveling. Truly, the little boy I once were, is still the person I am today.
What are your oldest memories before the age of eight? Can you remember a birthday gift, taking a risk, or playing with toys? Can you remember being angered without reacting? Can you remember being a negotiator or trying to stop some friends from fighting?
It is easy for us to look outside for a solution to our problems.
Often times, I receive e-mail and phone calls from people who want to be fulfilled in life and understand their real purpose.
The solution to any problem you have right now is within you. Search your heart and you will begin to see the real you.
Off The Cold
By Kikelola OyebolaOnce again, the harmattan is here. And as is usual, it has come with its accompanying problems. Much as it is welcome by many people, on account of the soothing coolness and the general breezy feeling in the air, it can be quite a ‘trying’ period if not well-handled especially after the coldness has fully descended.
If one is well-equipped with the necessary things, however, the season can be turned into a more enjoyable one. With proper dressing and the right exercises, it is actually possible to have a swell time during this harmattan.
One of the problems that are likely to be encountered now is getting up from bed early in the morning because this is the time the cold peaks. The best way to tackle this is to get up and rise briskly from the bed as soon as one is awake. To lie still on the bed poses a ‘danger‘ as the tendency is to snuggle down again on the bed and go back to sleep.
Taking a warm bath should follow although it is advised that a cold bath is to be preferred as this ensures that the cold is ‘conquered’ for the day if one is able to muster the courage for it. Not everyone is able to do this, however, so a warm bath should be opted for if cold water is found unbearable.
Warm clothing that is suitable for the weather, which are equally capable of keeping the cold away should be worn.
Of no less importance are appropriate exercises, which have the capacity to shake off the harmattan cold and keep the body warm all day long. These include warm-ups, aerobics and other ‘warming’ exercises such as jogging, brisk walking round the neighbourhood, rope skipping, etc.
Note that it is better if individuals go for convenient exercises suitable for their needs and circumstances. So, a person who is unable to jog or walk briskly round the neighbourhood due to lack of space for instance, has a good option in undertaking aerobics in his/her home. Skipping the rope is another good option. In addition, there are many other warm-up exercises that can be done under one’s roof without having to step out at all.
People with staircases in their homes stand to benefit from them. They can climb the staircases thereby keeping the bones warm and perky at this period.
Apart from the above-mentioned exercises, there are also cycling, biking and other relevant sports that can be undertaken. While some of these can be done in the morning at the start of the day, others are suitable for later in the day or in the evenings.
Whichever is your option, just be on the move to shake off the harmattan cold and keep warm.
As we approach the end
(PANORAMA)
BY REBECCA AKINMOLAYAN
WELL, I would like to apologise for the absence of this column for sometime now… well, as I said… This year began with great elation, especially in the black community over the inauguration of PBO, a man with African descent as the president of America.
Then came the reports of economic recession, the death of the rare gem Michael Jackson, our own hero Gani Fawehinmi, the Boko Haram crisis including our personal brouhaha.
It appears as if these events happened yesterday and now, alongside with the earth, we are gradually revolving to the end of the ninth year in the 21st century.
December is here again; schools are rounding off; workers are going on their yearly vacation; shops are ready for their season’s sales, companies and organizations are planning towards their end of year party; families are preparing for the celebration and a host of other are planning to travel or move to a new location.
This season brings along with it; stress, anxiety and their close counterpart, depression.
Once these creep into one, it robs them of the joy of this once-in-a-year event.
In fact, satisfaction in this season revolves around money and we all know what finances can do to health and relationships.
There are a few DIY tips that will guarantee supreme enjoyment and prevent the month 0of December from dismember-ing you.
Plan: This is not an ordinary period so do not the tide of sales and rushing sweep you off your feet. Plan ahead till the end of the season. Have a budget. Put the extra expenses (traveling, entertaining guests, decorating then house e.t.c) in consideration. 0therwise the debts or budget deficit you will face in the first few months of next year can make you lose your peace of mind.
Cut your coat; Cut your coat according to what you have, not what you want. What you know is not accomplishable, don’t lose sleep over it. I remember drafting a budget of over N40,000 for something very important but all I could gather home and abroad was not up to a quarter of it. Wetin man go do? Nobody will have my head over it. Life goes on. Worrying over it in addition to the tension in the air will make matters worse.
Make up
Mend broken relationships. Who are those you have not spoken to for months? Call them up and wish them season’s greetings.
Have some ‘me’ time
With the stress of the holidays, take time off for yourself. Attend to your body; exercise, rest, sleep. Don’t ration them, otherwise you will pay for them later.
Finally, wrap it up with gratitude. There are a lot of things to be grateful for. One is the fact that you are able to read this piece!
Can I be the first to wish you Merry Xmas and New Year in advance?
rubystar2004@yahoo.com
And so I went for an awards show!
(Strictly for the young)
BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
LET’S get real and honest; this was not the first awards ceremony I had attended! Between the Future Awards and HipHop World Awards, I had pretty much attended a few, and between the Grammies, Emmies and others, seen even more than been!
And I had written a few articles and commentaries about awards in general, asking such wise questions like how short a dress can you get away with at an awards ceremony if you are not performing or nominated?
See?
So what was so new about this one?
IT was not that I had been nominated although that kind of made it really cool! You know when you go for an event where you have been invited but hey, if you didn’t show up, no one would have shed a tear? Well, when you are a nominee, you tend to feel like you are needed...wanted...or at least, not going to be bounced!
So there I was at the Best of Nollywood Awards. I had made myself promise myself to be calm, cool, and elegant. Then I saw Fabian Lojede who plays (played) Bola Abayomi in Jacob’s Cross. Then I screamed and ran across the red carpet to get an autograph. (Nearly got a restraining order instead). And then I realised not even a dress was going to make less stars-truck!
The Best of Nollywood Awards held on Sunday in Ikeja, and contrary to Seun Oloketuyi’s fears that people would be too busy on that Sunday to show up (what will all the other events on the day), it was well-attended and star studded... Nollywood style!
From the stars of Yollywood (the Yoruba movie industry), to the stars of the small screen, to those who have more fans than movies, (in Nigeria, it is sometimes neck and neck), and those who have critical and twitter acclaim (shout out Omoni Oboli!)
Crazy (sorry, read as ‘special’) Denrele was on the red carpet interviewing Yinka Quadri, Mercy Johnson, Funke Akindele, Kehinde Bankole, Gbenga Adeyinka (the 1st, whose cousin Femi Adeyinka has two fabulous singles out at the moment), Freeze and more!
Uti and Gbenro Ajibade (who plays Soji on Tinsel) get a special mention for looking truly dapper!
Congratulations to all the big winners on the night including Akindele for Best Indigenous Actress, Ramsey Nouah for Best English Actor, Kehinde Bankole for Revelation of the Year (female), Mercy Johnson (Supporting Actress of the Year) and Denrele Edun (Television Presenter of the Year).
Speaking of winners! My family keeps getting bigger! My (cough) brother Kevin Pam just won Big Brother Africa Revolution, or as we now call it, the Kevolution!
Okay fine! He is not my brother, but you know what, the way we all felt that night when his name was mentioned was like we were family!
And when I say ‘we’, I mean on twitter, facebook, at viewing centres, and even events!!!
About time a Nigerian won Big Brother Africa, and an interesting personality indeed!
tosinornottosin@yahoo.com
BY REBECCA AKINMOLAYAN
WELL, I would like to apologise for the absence of this column for sometime now… well, as I said… This year began with great elation, especially in the black community over the inauguration of PBO, a man with African descent as the president of America.
Then came the reports of economic recession, the death of the rare gem Michael Jackson, our own hero Gani Fawehinmi, the Boko Haram crisis including our personal brouhaha.
It appears as if these events happened yesterday and now, alongside with the earth, we are gradually revolving to the end of the ninth year in the 21st century.
December is here again; schools are rounding off; workers are going on their yearly vacation; shops are ready for their season’s sales, companies and organizations are planning towards their end of year party; families are preparing for the celebration and a host of other are planning to travel or move to a new location.
This season brings along with it; stress, anxiety and their close counterpart, depression.
Once these creep into one, it robs them of the joy of this once-in-a-year event.
In fact, satisfaction in this season revolves around money and we all know what finances can do to health and relationships.
There are a few DIY tips that will guarantee supreme enjoyment and prevent the month 0of December from dismember-ing you.
Plan: This is not an ordinary period so do not the tide of sales and rushing sweep you off your feet. Plan ahead till the end of the season. Have a budget. Put the extra expenses (traveling, entertaining guests, decorating then house e.t.c) in consideration. 0therwise the debts or budget deficit you will face in the first few months of next year can make you lose your peace of mind.
Cut your coat; Cut your coat according to what you have, not what you want. What you know is not accomplishable, don’t lose sleep over it. I remember drafting a budget of over N40,000 for something very important but all I could gather home and abroad was not up to a quarter of it. Wetin man go do? Nobody will have my head over it. Life goes on. Worrying over it in addition to the tension in the air will make matters worse.
Make up
Mend broken relationships. Who are those you have not spoken to for months? Call them up and wish them season’s greetings.
Have some ‘me’ time
With the stress of the holidays, take time off for yourself. Attend to your body; exercise, rest, sleep. Don’t ration them, otherwise you will pay for them later.
Finally, wrap it up with gratitude. There are a lot of things to be grateful for. One is the fact that you are able to read this piece!
Can I be the first to wish you Merry Xmas and New Year in advance?
rubystar2004@yahoo.com
And so I went for an awards show!
(Strictly for the young)
BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
LET’S get real and honest; this was not the first awards ceremony I had attended! Between the Future Awards and HipHop World Awards, I had pretty much attended a few, and between the Grammies, Emmies and others, seen even more than been!
And I had written a few articles and commentaries about awards in general, asking such wise questions like how short a dress can you get away with at an awards ceremony if you are not performing or nominated?
See?
So what was so new about this one?
IT was not that I had been nominated although that kind of made it really cool! You know when you go for an event where you have been invited but hey, if you didn’t show up, no one would have shed a tear? Well, when you are a nominee, you tend to feel like you are needed...wanted...or at least, not going to be bounced!
So there I was at the Best of Nollywood Awards. I had made myself promise myself to be calm, cool, and elegant. Then I saw Fabian Lojede who plays (played) Bola Abayomi in Jacob’s Cross. Then I screamed and ran across the red carpet to get an autograph. (Nearly got a restraining order instead). And then I realised not even a dress was going to make less stars-truck!
The Best of Nollywood Awards held on Sunday in Ikeja, and contrary to Seun Oloketuyi’s fears that people would be too busy on that Sunday to show up (what will all the other events on the day), it was well-attended and star studded... Nollywood style!
From the stars of Yollywood (the Yoruba movie industry), to the stars of the small screen, to those who have more fans than movies, (in Nigeria, it is sometimes neck and neck), and those who have critical and twitter acclaim (shout out Omoni Oboli!)
Crazy (sorry, read as ‘special’) Denrele was on the red carpet interviewing Yinka Quadri, Mercy Johnson, Funke Akindele, Kehinde Bankole, Gbenga Adeyinka (the 1st, whose cousin Femi Adeyinka has two fabulous singles out at the moment), Freeze and more!
Uti and Gbenro Ajibade (who plays Soji on Tinsel) get a special mention for looking truly dapper!
Congratulations to all the big winners on the night including Akindele for Best Indigenous Actress, Ramsey Nouah for Best English Actor, Kehinde Bankole for Revelation of the Year (female), Mercy Johnson (Supporting Actress of the Year) and Denrele Edun (Television Presenter of the Year).
Speaking of winners! My family keeps getting bigger! My (cough) brother Kevin Pam just won Big Brother Africa Revolution, or as we now call it, the Kevolution!
Okay fine! He is not my brother, but you know what, the way we all felt that night when his name was mentioned was like we were family!
And when I say ‘we’, I mean on twitter, facebook, at viewing centres, and even events!!!
About time a Nigerian won Big Brother Africa, and an interesting personality indeed!
tosinornottosin@yahoo.com
Season’s salad
BY FABIAN ODUMTHE Yuletide season of intense eating and drinking is setting in and so there will be much of salad-consuming events.
Much as it represents a good means of boosting the nutrient level of the body, it is easily a source of health concern when poorly stored, after the preparation with the cream, for significant length of time.
It remains one of the best ways to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals.
Although salad leaves are very low in calories and are more than 90 per cent water, they still provides the essential and important nutrients like vitamin C, beta-carotene, calcium, iron and folic acid.
Lettuce, a major ingredient of making salad, not only gives you a healthy dose of antioxidants but also increases the satiety value of the food thus preventing the eater from indulging in unhealthy eating habits.
It forms an important ingredient of weight reducing diet, if taken in the raw form. Although an indulgent heavy eater, who is not mindful of adding more flesh can even prepare a tempting lettuce salad with fatty salad–dressings.
IN buying the lettuce, pick the ones that are fresh and crisp. Avoid the limp and yellow ones as they are of no value.
The golden rule for lettuce is: the darker the leaf, the higher its nutritional value. It would be nutritionally expedient to consume the lettuce as soon as possible.
You can combine various leaves of contrasting colors, textures and flavors for mouth–watering salad preparation. Instead of cutting, tear the leaves, and pour the dressing as and when you are hungry and ready to eat.
The lettuce leaves can be mixed with other fresh produce, meats and cheeses in salads and prepare a healthy, low calorie dish and quadruple its benefits.
Remember that eating a large bowl of fresh leaves in your diet on daily basis helps in calming the nervousness plus offering you a sound restful sleep too.
Salad leaves, which are deeply pigmented, helps in preventing degenerative diseases.
Raw spinach is an excellent source of beta-carotene, folic acid and vitamin C.
Salad Dressing And Food Safety
Food poisoning can be avoided if certain basics about food perishability are known. Salad dressing requires cream or mayonnaise but they are acidic in nature due to the presence of vinegar or lemon juice. These act as preservative.
Food which can be so dressed include potatoes, sandwiches, eggs and chicken. These are low in acid and prone to infection by bacteria (leading to food poisoning). These foods should be taken out of the refrigerator moments before they are consumed and kept in insulated cooler laced with ice cubes or blocks.
With lemon and vinegar dressing in salad dressing, spoilage is not as quick in contrast to low acid foods that spoil more easily.
On a general note, it is better to serve yourself with the cream just before eating or leave it out entirely.
By Tope Templer Olaiya and Florence UtorLast Sunday was Kevin Chuwang Pam’s time in the sun. At exactly 7pm, with Nigerians and fans from across the continent glued to their TV screen in bated breath, Kevin, who hails from Jos, the Plateau State capital, walked triumphantly out of the Big Brother House to the deafening shouts that heralded his re-entry into the world he left behind 91 days earlier. He had just been named winner of MNet’s Big Brother Revolution.
The 27-year-old entertainer and graduate of English Language from the University of Jos, was chosen by the continent after outlasting 24 other housemates and winning 45 per cent of the total votes cast across the whole of Africa to claim the $200,000 prize. Featuring three knockout performances by United States rap superstar, Bow Wow, a special dance routine from the evicted housemates and a chance to relive the magic of the last 91 days as the housemates loved, sparred and entertained in equal measure, the finale was an unforgettable occasion that climaxed with the crowning of Africa’s newest reality TV star.
After evicting Nigerian Nkenna, Malawian Mzamo and Namibian Edward, Angola’s Emma and Kevin were the final two housemates left in the House. It was however, a tense wait before Big Brother host, Ikponwomsa Osakioduwa, a gangling Nigerian TV personality popularly known as IK announced the name heard round the continent – Kevin!
After Emma left the house, Kevin, the last man standing, had a few moments to let the news sink in. Before joining IK on stage to share his joy with Africa, he hugged the ground and exited in a blaze of blinding fireworks.
Swaggering elatedly on stage in his trademark gait and wrapped in Nigeria’s flag, “I feel like Obama!” was Kevin’s first word to the outside world. Shedding tears and waving the Nigerian flag, he added that Africa had chosen him as the winner because he was born for TV. “I was made for this,” he said.
After a few minutes of ecstatic celebration, Kevin sank to his knees as MNet Africa Managing Director, Biola Alabi, brought out his $200,000 cheque and wrote his name on it, making concrete the fact that he is truly returning home with the whooping prize money. Joined on stage by his family, the visibly moved Nigerian danced and celebrated his success.
The Jos boy was the most popular housemate in the most countries, claiming 11 country votes from Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe and the Rest of Africa) against two for Emma (Angola and South Africa), and one apiece for Edward (Namibia) and Mzamo (Malawi), while Nkenna couldn’t claim a victory in any of the participating countries.
The show had kicked off with IK abseiling into the garden before hip-hop group, Fresh performed in front of a packed studio audience. The 20 evicted housemates then joined him on stage in a stunning parade of colour as they waved their national flags. After a review of the first 30 days in the house, the evicted housemates performed a special dance paying homage to Michael Jackson – as they did so successfully during their “Thriller” task.
Bow Wow then performed his first track of the evening, nearly tearing the roof off the studio! Then it was time to reduce the Big Five to the Big Four. IK took viewers into the house before naming Nkenna as the first housemate to be evicted during the finale. The Nigerian said her goodbyes quickly before joining IK on stage and talked about her time in the house. Nkenna left the house with $2,997 in her money pot, claiming 5th spot in the Revolution.
In a knockout blow, IK then took viewers straight back into the house to immediately evict another housemate. After a tense pause, he announced the next name – Mzamo. The Malawian waved off the attention of her fellow finalists, telling them she would see them “just now” outside the house. Joining IK on stage, she told Africa that she hoped the continent had kept them in the game for so long because she is a genuine person.
Asked about her fight with Itai which saw her smash a pane of glass, she said she had grown frustrated when he wouldn’t listen to her and lashed out because she had gone past the point of crying. With that, she left and met her family on the edge of the stage, taking home $1,383 in her money pot. Bow Wow then took to the stage again, before IK headed into the house to surprise remaining housemates Edward, Emma and Kevin.
After departing the house, IK had more business to conclude – the eviction of the 23rd housemate. After accepting the verified envelope from the Alexander Forbes representative, he announced that Edward would be the next housemate to leave the Revolution.
Joining IK on stage, Edward talked about how much fun it was to be part of the unique Twin Twist. He declared that he had no regrets about any of his ‘save and replace’ decisions as Head of House. “No regrets whatsoever,” he said. “The show wasn’t about the money for me – it was about having fun.” Edward departed the stage – and the game – with $2,757 in his money pot.
The big moment had then arrived. Accepting the envelope from the auditor for the final time, IK turned to camera and announced to the waiting pair – and the continent – that Kevin was the winner of Big Brother Revolution.
“I told you, I told you!” said Emma, hugging the overwhelmed Nigerian. After sharing his joy, she left the house and joined IK on stage. Once outside, she told IK that she had told Kevin during the afternoon that he was going to take the money home. She left the stage with $2,998 in her money pot and joined her family.
After Kevin joined IK on stage and received his cheque, they pulled the plug on the Revolution together – leaving the house in darkness as Kevin, the man with the swagger celebrated his success with the continent.
His good relationship and sterling leadership qualities have earned him a place in the hearts of fellow housemates and viewers across Africa.
Gospel of beauty with Ajidagba
Art and Design are Siamese twins and even the Lagos State government now tows the path of deliberate design to reinvent the aesthetics of Nigeria’s ‘Center of Excellence’.Design is quickly becoming palatable across board as laws demanding local content inspire the birth of a new body of artists, feeding a market that has nowhere to look but inward.
This new trend brings back a drizzle of Nigerian designers who are trained abroad but are hungry to bring their talents home. One such designer is Ayodeji Ajidagba otherwise known as the Design Extrovert.
As the year ends, Ayodeji emerges from the cocoon of his studio to present the best of his creations to anxious design enthusiasts in Lagos. His preoccupation is designing interior spaces and the details within them.
Ayodeji studied Psychology at the University of Jos before relocating to New York in 1997. It was in New York that he began collecting ideas that formed his genius expression of fashion and interior accessories. He honed his passion further by enrolling for Design at the Centennial College Toronto and then the prestigious Etobicoke College of Art where he studied Interior Design.
Today Ayodeji is one of the leading talents of interior designs in Toronto. From floor planning and interior detailing of colours, lights, textures to product designs, Ayodeji lives for his Art. His work is fresh every season, constantly challenging convention, pushing boundaries to create matter in spaces where void once existed.
The designers’ bold medley of aluminum, wood, leather and crystals are characteristic elements in his designs of lamps, t-shirts and Art installations.
Ayodeji exhibited his latest collectionDecember 5-6 at the Artistic License Gallery on Sandiland Arcade 230 Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island Lagos.
Ahead of his Lagos debut, he gave Ebun Olatoye an exclusive on his journey as a designer and what makes for a good design.
How early in life did you identify your interest in design?
Straight after secondary school. I used to take things apart and put them together. I remember trying to fix a wobbly wooden stool and doing it successful. It wasn’t a great design, but it stood. I also loved clothes. I would look at things, a bottle, a glass and think, how could this look better. I’ve thought, why should a bottle look cylindrical only, what are the other options. I’ve just always wanted to make things look nice.
What inspired you to pick up interior design?
It’s my love for products and solutions. When you look at the interior of a house you have paintings, colours, The details of an interior space interest me. So studying interior design was a natural progression.
Did you have a clear idea what you wanted to do when you set out with interior design?
I studied psychology at UniJos. But when I went to North America the creative part of me got unleashed because I encountered so many things that inspired me daily. I knew I wanted to be in the design business. If I want to categorize myself I would say I design products i.e fashion products and interior accessories. Look at Roberto Cavallier who is known for designing. Let’s use Armani, he does clothes, furniture and he does hotels as well.
What mission do you have when you are creating your pieces?
First of all when I start designing, a lamp, for instance, I have no preconception before I start, I start tabula rasa. Most times, I work from my head through my hands. It’s almost like I am just being guided by something that transcends me. In my head I see colours, shapes, patterns. I remember I had as stool back in Canada in our living room, and I bought it from a regular store and I took it home and I didn’t even know why I bought it. It took me a while to realize that I bought it so I could redesign it. I changed the colour and gave the legs woven leather. On the sides of the stools, I put swarosky crystals and completely changed the colour. It was a horrible natural wood and I changed it to a mocha colour. By the time looked like a $10, 000 stool. But what I want from a finished product is personal satisfaction and fulfilled.
What canvas, or subject works best for you?
I don’t prefer one specific canvas; I’m a multi media designer. I work with leather, fabric, ceramics. The first real design that I started was leather bags just after I graduated from the University of Jos. I started by making one for my Mom and everyone kept asking for them. I made more for her friends, they paid and it just exploded. People would come to our house in Lagos from Abuja and Kano back in 1994. My problem is that I get bored with one medium easily. I am constantly thinking of the next canvas to use for my work. I could be talking to you and I’m thinking of a design or I want to do this fantastic painting and the colours are jumping at me in my head.
If you were given a choice between a formal education in your chosen field of design and an apprenticeship, which would you choose?
You can’t beat real life experience of actually working with a material or medium. Formal education refines you. But if you have a natural talent, whether or not you go to school, it will always be there. Formal education enhances that natural talent. You build on what you have learnt in the real world and it gives you some credibility as well. Why would I pick one when I don’t have to. Don’t forget I studied interior design as well as design.
Which of the two skill acquisition methods have you gained from the more?
I have learnt more from hands on more. A hands on experience has definitely added more value to me as a designer.
What most inspires, your space or the works of others?
Probably other people. I’m an avid reader of design magazines; I attend and participate in design shows and festivals in New York, London and Montreal. I participated in the Montreal Design show- SIDIM in 2005. I showcased interior accessories — pillows, leather lamps, single leather chairs made of buffalo hide. We were very well received. We were in the category of new and emerging designers. We didn’t win but we were short listed for the award.
How do you as a designer draw a line between inspiration from works of other designers and the violation of copyrights?
Everybody feeds off everybody. No one is an island. Even in school you feed off others. A writer is someone who reads a lot. As a designer you cannot be inspired by your own ideas. You have to go out there and experience things and recreate your own take on what has been done. Or someone’s work might trigger a new creation of your own. Innovate don’t imitate that’s my watch phrase but when people start copying you, you know you’re on to a good thing.
What is a good design? I believe that a good design must be beautiful to look at; it must be functional, and it must be different from anything else. I like individuality.
What is your favorite space/building in London, Lagos and Toronto?
In Lagos, it’s my studio in Ikeja, because there I get away from everyone. I can think, I can create. In London I like the train in canary wharf and the beams and bolts of the industrial look. It’s very modern, very imposing and hard. I like the Tate Modern Museum. In Toronto I like the art gallery of Ontario. Its fantastic and was remodeled recently. There’s a place called the Yonge-Dundas square that I absolutely love. It’s an open space recently remodeled where artists come to perform. It’s very funky, very open.
Which space in Nigeria would you like to contribute your design to and how would you reinvent such a space?
In Nigeria, the Murtala Muhammed airport. First off, I would expand the arrival area where passengers meet immigration. It should be expanded and needs better lighting. It’s not at all befitting of Nigeria. It’s the international airport and the first point of call in Nigeria. I would add some nice lights and some installations. Right now it feels cold and unwelcoming. It’s not wide, not friendly. It’s unpleasant. I would change the colour scheme, make it happy, and give it the energy that Nigeria is known for.
Which design landmarks do you think of in Nigeria?
I think the National Arts Theatre is a fantastic piece of art. The design is fantastic but it’s grossly overlooked.
Do you agree that design is moving from being global to being local?
There is a saying: act local, think global. Your products, design, style and materials should be sourced locally but always have an eye to providing for the world. Designs from Mali are on the catwalks. Karim Rashid is from Iran and his work is world class. He brings his Middle Eastern background into products and today he designs for big firms across the world. His influences were shaped by his childhood and the people around him. He did a chair once, a normal plastic chair designed in such a way that it was almost ethnic. But the material was ethnic yet modern with an eye for the international market. Well designed products will always find an international market, whether made in Lagos, Paris or Senegal. I believe in acting local and thinking global.
If you could live in any city in the world, which would it be, and why?
I like so many cities, it’s hard to choose, but my favorites are: New York for its energy and inspiration; Montreal, for its European and North American blend of charm; and Milan for its Fashion and chic. Even the dogs in Milan are trendy.
If you could spend one day with any one designer in the world, who would it be?
Karim Rashid. He is fantastic and remarkably talented. In the design world, he is a living legend and has won countless awards. He has also designed for varied clients such as Audi, Bernini, Alessi etc. the list goes on and on. To spend a day with him to exchange ideas and pick his brain would be absolutely brilliant.
Is Deji Ajidagba here to stay or are you going to be going back to Toronto?
I am in the process of moving back, but you know it takes time, it’s not a one day affair.
Gozi... Pechakucha...From Japan with a large heart
BY OYINDAMOLA LAWALLAGOS is in for a great treat this season. And Ngozi Josephine Ochonogor is steaming to provide a Yuletide of a lifetime.
Already, she has concluded plans for three big shows — an art forum (Pechakucha), fashion exhibition and a philanthropic workshop for orphans tagged, “Live! U.Mi-1”. All events will hold from December 18 t0 27, with each day featuring different shows.
Through the shows, Ngozi, popularly called Gozi, aims to bridge the gap between Nigeria and Japan.
Born in Lagos on March 8, 1974, Gozi left Nigeria for England at the age of 19 to study Software Engineering at the Imperial College, London.
However, in 1998, she enrolled at the Central School of Fashion, where she studied Ladies’ Wear, a decison, which has helped her career growth.
On her involvement in fashion, she says: “I am a fashion designer based in Tokyo with my brand U.Mi-1; I promote Nigeria in Tokyo. I work with different artistes and the synergy between us is used to create art. Basically, when I moved to Japan, I saw that the spirit between the people in Japan and Nigeria were quite similar. I had to abandon my London brand to start a new one.
“I have been doing that for over two and the half years, I have been on radio, I been to Tokyo fashion week. Basically everything I do, I use it to connect Nigeria and I think it is about time to come and do the same over here. With my brand, I have Live! U.Mi-1, it is actually the philanthropic arm of my brand.”
And on her show, which holds on Sunday, December 27, she says, “I have particiated in the London Fashion Week, same as Paris Fashion Week. I have also taken part in the Tokyo Fashion Week. I collaborated with a lot of Japanese artists. I have actually collaborated with Puma and Erickson Beamon to mention a few. I just think it is about time I brought my work home and so, basically, what I am planning to do is to showcase what I have in Lagos for everybody to see my talent. It is not going to be your usual catwalk show as you will see pieces of Tokyo come out; you are going to see pieces of different cultures. I am one of the new generations of people who travel and recreate our culture, like being married to different culture. I have lived in London and Tokyo; I have travelled to about 30 countries in the world and every time, I pick good stuff from that, so, you are going to see all that come out in my exhibition”.
Gozi recently joined the list of talented international artists to be interviewed on J-Wave’s Modaista show, and played her top funkiest tunes from Nigeria. The interview brought Nigerian culture and music to millions of Japanese fans.
According to her, “I promote the Nigeria spirit in every way I can. Recently, I was on the biggest Japanese radio station, Modaista. Basically, when top artists from America come to Japan, they must be interviewed on Modaista. I met one of the producers and he loved the concept of my brand, he said fashion design is not really going on radio, but you need to come and talk about Nigeria, tell us about the country. So, I went their and played my five favourite Nigerian artistes: Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Tony Allen, 9ice, D’banj and J. Martins (Good or Bad). I talked about Nollywood as well, and a lot of people are now interested in the phenomenon. It’s been on the air plane. A friend of mine, who lives in France came to Tokyo and was amazed, and he asked, “Is Nollywood really big? Is it for real?” I think that we have so many talents out there and we just need to package them. It is all about packaging and selling them out. But as things progress, we all need to progress with it and do something. I hope with my little input things could actually changed.”
Speaking on her cultural exchange programme, Gozi says, “What I do is that, I organise workshop with orphan and I teach Japanese orphans about Nigeria and I come to Nigeria to teach Nigerian orphans about Japan; so the whole thing is about unifying Japan and Nigeria.”
The event, which is encouraging dialogue through art, gives children a stimulating experience that can spur them to become creative in future.
The first workshop My imaginary Lagos was run in collaboration with architect Megumi Matsabara, and it had 15 children of Nonohana No le Children’s Home participating. A corresponding workshop held at Little Saints Orphanage, Lagos, where Gozi introduced 20 kids to Japan. The documentary videos were screened at a show in Tokyo.
This year, Matsubara is facilitating another workshop, this time inLagos, where she will meet the children from the Little Saints Orphanage and with the sound artiste Emeka Ogboh.
“ Megumi worked with me in my first event in Tokyo and this is the second one with her and would be done in Nigeria. She is actually coming to meet the kids with her camera. The whole point is to give kids a spark to be creative. I am also working with Ogboh,” she says.
“People always give money and clothes to orphanages without thinking of the future of the kids, so, I decided I will give them something that will take them through life, which is creativity; it would inspire them to think and fend for themselves when they become adults. That is what I do with Live! U.Mi-1,” she adds.
Each edition is made up of two corresponding workshops, one in Lagos and one in Tokyo. “What we are going to be teaching the children is all about theatre, we are going to teach them the Japanese Theatre. It’s going to be quite artistic and abstract. What we want to do is to teach Megumi, as well, how story telling is done here. We are going to teach Japanese too about Nigeria theatre and story telling. It is always about two volumes, we do one here and then take the replica to show the children in Japan.”
What does she hope to achieve with this?
“I hope to give the children a creative spark. For me, I think it is something quite beautiful because these are kids, who would not have had opportunity to experience art in this kind of way. Usually, when Megumi does creative education, it is because some rich parents have heard about her, because she is an established artist and architect; they have heard about her and they told the kids, you must go for this. She has really huge exhibition in well-renowned gallery, so when she met me, she was excited that she was actually happy to meet real people and real kids, who cannot afford to do this. I am happy that she is coming down to Lagos. The Japanese government is supporting her.”
...And Lagos tastes pechachuka
Her other event, Pechakucha, started in Tokyo. “It’s actually a forum for creative people to meet, to network and to talk.”
Done in 250 cities in the world, Gozi is bringing a piece of that to Lagos. It has a given format such as each artist coming with 20 images with each image running for 20 seconds. Basically, an artist has seven minutes to inspire the crowd. “I did the first Pechakucha, three months after I arrived Tokyo, where I met Mark, who encouraged me to present my work. After my presentation, I was asked to handle Lagos event. I think it is really important for Lagos right now because, as Fashola is physically reconstructing the city, we need to reconstruct our minds.”
The event, which is set to be an informal visual presentation about each presenter’s passion, gives the audience a chance to speak to those presenters who have inspired them. However, Pechakucha Night Vol 1 is the first time in Lagos and Nigeria, where contemporary art in all spheres unite.
It will showcase works of renowned artists both old and new, ranging from architects such as Papa Omotayo, James George, and Jite Brume to artists Richardson Ovbiebo and Megumi Matsubara while on fashion it will feature Gozi Ochonogor and Biki John, and film producer Zeb Ejiro.
Others are graphic designer, Ibukun Oyetunji; photographers, Tunde Kuboye and Abraham Oghobase; and Ogboh
“What I hope to do with pechakucha, is to carbonize all these people together, so art can become part of our fabric; when people come to Lagos they will say yes this is an artistic city, so creative. We are such creative people, but everybody is doing his or her own thing, what I want to do, is to create a forum where people can actually come and meet people. I am having 12 professional artists, both the old and new generation. I have got Ejiro, Kuboye, Ovbiebo and Papa Omotayo and others. What I want to do is to show that art doesn’t have to be about paint and sculpture, like we are all used to. There is an architecture, graphic designer, sound artist and fashion designer, among others. It is a kind of bringing Lagos to what the rest of the cities in the world are actually doing and have been doing for a long time. I believe human beings are similar in one way or the other and that if we can actually understand ourselves, there will be actually peace and progress. I believe Nigerians with all our problems and differences are beautiful people, who can actually do something positive. We are very creative, though that creativity died in the 70s. In those days James Brown will come to Nigeria to hear Fela play or listen to Tony Allen. Now everybody thinks about oil, we need to change that; there is more to life than just oil. Everybody knows that art and riches are alive, otherwise we are just going to be working day and night for nothing. So, I believe that with this, we can make kudos steps to better ourselves,” Gozi says.
Speaking on special guest appearances, she says, “that is still under wrap, I actually invited the Governor, because I believe that as he is restructuring Lagos physically, it is very important for him to be in touch with the people who will change things tomorrow. I feel that our generation is going to do it, it will take time but you have to start changing the mindset of people now. He can come down and be part of it and show that he is really out to restructure Lagos, he can’t just restructure just the building because if the people are corroded they will corrode the city, so it has to go hand in hand. ”
Hosting the night would be Tamilore Kuboye with Remi Solarin as co-host. The event, which will be held from 6pm to 11pm on Friday, December 18, at the Terra Kulture Gallery, Lagos, promises to be a fantastic night.
Dressaholic
AN invitation to a special Christmas or New Year’s Eve party can strike fear in the hearts of most fashion-conscious women. However, finding the perfect outfit should not cause a grown womanheartache.When choosing attire for a party try to pick something you will feel comfortable in, something that will get you compliments for your taste in colour, style or fabric.
CHARLES OKOLO, who was at the last Nigeria Fashion Week, captures some designs that could make good Yuletide outing.
But watchout to avoid these big mistakes that women make:
• Trying to impress with the latest style even if the style is not meant for someone their age/body shape/personality — they often succeed only in looking foolish or as if they are desperately clinging to their youth.
• Overkill — wearing all of your jewelry at once or wearing your lowest-cut dress with your nosebleed-high heels.
• Dressing too sexy to be appropriate for the occasion — office holiday parties are not the place to try out that plunging neckline or up-to-here skirt.
• Making no effort at all — wearing picnic casual to a black and white New Year’s Eve ball.
London, Johannesburg, Benin,Ife... The Future Awards Season 5 springs forth
There is no excuse for bad behaviour,” said Affiong Williams of the Nigerian Youth Network in Johannesburg, “Yes, things might have been bad for Nigerians that migrated here, but what is wrong is wrong and we must condemn it and begin to project positive values wherever we go.” Ms. Williams was passionately contributing to the discussion by young Nigerians living, schooling and working in South Africa, who were part of The Future Awards Johannesburg Town Hall meeting on the 28th of November.The international arm of the awards' town hall meetings had the aim of interacting with and inspiring young Nigerians living in countries with substantial Nigerian populations. Not only do the events have inspiring conversations and try to get widespread nominations for the awards, they also seek to spread the message for this year's campaign themed “Representing Nigeria”.
The Jo'burg event held at the Dio Bacco in Norwood and had in attendance, the MD of Lowe Lintas in Nigeria, Big Brother host IK Osakioduwa (who is a two time winner of the awards) and was held in conjunction with SA company Naijaborn.com.
The Future Awards, in conjunction with HITV, which is sponsoring all the town hall meetings, also stormed the United Kingdom. The London Town Hall Meeting held at the University of East London, and was held with support from Oloja.com, MakeImpact led by former nominee Dayo Isreal, Godwin Odusanwo of the Nigerian Students Association and Joseph Britus of the International Students Association.
Held on Wednesday, the 18th of November, it was an evening of brilliant discussions, music and comedy, and had in attendance the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, who is an alumni of the school, amongst others.
The Future Awards team also visited other organisations and events whilst in the UK, especially in London and Manchester, including the 1st Nigeria-Ghana Networking Summit in the UK, where they made presentations, and then they honoured invitations to speak with congregations at the World Evangelism Bible Church, RCCG Victory house; RCCG Freedom of Christ Church, RCCG Freedom House and YADA ministries. They were also hosted by the wife to the Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner to the UK, Mrs. Rose Nwanna.
“It was a fantastic time,” according to Adebola Williams, Operations Director for the awards, who was in the UK. “Usually most of what we hear about young people in the UK is, fairly or unfairly, negative; so to get such a fantastic reception, such passion, such engagement and such positivity, was such a blessing. It was also great to encounter huge name recognition for The Future Awards and its parent body, The Future Project. Change really is coming!”
The Future Awards also visited Osun State, where it had a town hall meeting at the Obafemi Awolowo University. It held at the Health Sciences Lecture Theatre. Speaking at that event were the Marketing Director for the awards, Emilia Asim-Ita and one of its Resource Group members, Kemi Lala Akindoju. The event also discovered Ile-Ife music talents, one of whom will be joining other talents identified in other states to feature on a Nigeria@50 commemorative CD called “I represent Nigeria”.
The town hall meetings for The Future Awards Season 5 officially wrapped up on Sunday, the 29th of November, with the Benin Town Hall meeting, which held in conjunction with the Benin-based Christian Fellowship International. The major speaker was The Future Awards Business Owner of the Year Winner, Mosunmola Umoru.
At the end of the day, The Future Awards visited every single state that it promised - going to ten states of Nigeria (Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Enugu, Osun, Abuja and Lagos) and three countries, and met and interacted practically and successfully with thousands of young Nigerians.
“We're grateful to God,” Mr. Williams said. “And immensely grateful to our partners like HiTV who made this possible. We can't wait to release the Nominees List of the brightest and best young Nigerians in the past year - because that is what it is all about, inspiring and supporting young Nigerians; and that makes all this hard work worth
...The Nominees
Actor of the Year
Omoni Oboli
Gideon Okeke
Mercy Johnson
Kemi Lala Akindoju
Tonto Dikeh
Ali Nuhu
Mercy Aigbe
Nonso Diobi
Best Use of Advocacy
Tunde David (YGC Africa)
Stephen Oguntoyinbo (Talk Village International)
Onodi Daniel Chinedu (Nigerian Youth Association, Benin Republic)
Ndubude Matthew Ekene (Nigeria Youth Fight Against Malaria)
Emmanuel Odiase (Smokefree Foundation)
Chuks Etuka (Will to Survive)
Isoke Aikpitanyi (Casa de Isoke)
Light Up Nigeria
Best Use of Science
• Oteri Ogoghorie (0.1 Seconds Automatic Changeover)
• Akintunde Babatunde (Novel tidal-flow constructed wetland system for wastewater treatment)
• Ify Aniebo (Research in malaria)
• Bade Adesemowo (Power Back Alarm)
• Tosin Ogunrinde (Invention in robotics)
• Okelola Mayokun (Research in climate change)
• Godspower Oboide (Magnetic safety bumpers)
• Kamal Olaleye (Power inverter innovation)
Best Use of Technology
• Bode Pedro (Veda Technologies)
• Ike Orizu (mytruspot.com)
• Olufemi Akande (iWorks)
• Temi Kolawole (Antigravity)
• Uche Eze (bellanaija.com)
• Saheed Adejuwon (DigiWorks)
• GobbleAbba Studios
• Jay Aloysius-Chukwuemeka (Bluelabs LLC)
Businesss Owner of the Year
• Oghenekaro Agono (Tremor Perfect)
• Erefe Fynecountry (Deheney Services)
• Debola Lewis (Yvent Couture)
• Ayo Arigbagbu (Dada Books)
• Hassan Rilwan (Focal Point Publishing)
• Henry Oraika (Motomedia)
• Uyi Omokaro (DM2)
• Sylvester Olusola Adade (Pearl Creations)
Creative Artist of the Year
• Olanrewaju Oluwafemi
• Onyeka Nwelue
• Andrew Esiebo
• Jumoke Verissimo
• Babadeji Ogunnubi
• Adekunle Samuel Owolabi
• Yakaa Celestine
• Richardson Oviebo
Excellence in Public Service
• Dr. Iofarfa Tor-ayin (Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi)
• Emmanuel Etim (UNFPA)
• Jerry Uchechukwu Eze (UNFPA)
• Dr. Idoko Abraham Braimah (General Hospital, Lagos)
• Fatima Zara Modibbo (Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria)
• Dr. Adedayo Osholowu (Lagos University Teaching University)
• Ngozi Iheukwumere (University Teaching Hospital, Ilorin)
• Oluwatoyin Jegede (Engineering Department, University of Lagos)
Journalist of the Year
•Toyosi Ogunseye (The Punch)
• Ruona Agbroko (NEXT)
• Rachel Ogbu (Newswatch)
• Chinedu Iroche (NEXT)
• Segun Adeoye (TELL)
• Amina Alhassan (Daily Trust)
• Afolabi Adekoya (Citypeople)
• Funke Adetutu (BusinessDay)
Magazine of the Year
• Ace
• Soundcity Blast
• The Applause
• Revealed
• Genexx
• Acada
• Dynamix
• Tripz
Model of the Year
• Aminat Ayinde
• Ibukun Jegede
• Olubunmi Ademokoya
•Tayo Ishola
• Warebi Martha
• Isi Atagamen
• Bisi Sowemimo
•Owobowale Ogunlaja
Musician of the Year
• Dare Art-Alade
• Wande Coal
• Banky W
• MI
• Omawunmi
• Rooftop MCs
• Kel
• Psquare
Music Producer of the Year
• Jesse Jagz
• DJ Clem
• JMartins
• K Solo
• Tee Y Mix
• Dokta Frabz
• Terry G
•Dekunzy
On-Air Personality of the Year (Radio)
• Tosyn Bucknor (Top Radio)
• Matse Uwatse (Wazobia FM)
• Toolz (Beat FM)
• Amake and Charles (Hot FM)
• Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi (Beat FM)
• Gbemileke Oyinsan (Inspiration FM)
• Bernie Ark (Cool FM Abuja)
• Chuks Roberts (Cosmo FM Enugu)
On-Air Personality of the Year (TV)
• Yvonne Ekwere (Silverbird TV)
• Cynthia Okpala (MTV Base)
• Adaure Achumba (Silverbird TV)
• Denrele Edun (Soundcity)
• Gloria Ebong (Channels TV)
• Veronica Onuchi (HiSoccer)
• Deji Falope (Street Dance)
• Andre Blaze (Nigezie)
Professional of the Year
• Franklin Ozekhome (Insight Communications)
• Abdularahman Aliyu (Abuja Investments Company Limited)
• Simi Dosekun (Kachifo Limited)
• Ifeanyi Ajuluchukwu (Access Bank)
• Dipo Okuribido (Banwo & Ighodalo)
•Fopefoluwa Adebayo (Goldman Sachs)
• Aneto Okonkwo (Management Consultant)
•Ifunnaya Maduka (Dean of Students, Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls)
Screen Producer of the Year
Dragon Fly Productions
Clarence Peters (Capital Productions)
Tola Odunsi (Storm Productions)
Imoh Umoren (Ultima Studios)
Chuka Ejorh (NeverMachine South Africa)
Yinka Obebe (Nigezie)
Gbenga Salu (Renders & Illusion)
Kenneth Gyang (“Finding Aisha”)
Sportsperson of the Year
• Osaze Odemwingie (Football)
• Vivian Chukwuemeka (Shotput)
• Mikel Obi (Football)
• Ikechukwu Uche (Football)
• Fatima Abinu (Lawn Tennis)
• Obafemi Martins (Football)
• Janet Dung (Athletics)
• Aruna Quadri (Table Tennis)
Style Entrepreneur of the Year
• Muyiwa Osindero (Clothesense)
• Uche Nnaji (Ouch!)
• Tobi Vincent (Alvince)
• Linda Ikeji (Blackdove Comms)
• Ugonna Umeruo (House of Nwaocha)
• Adetola Olateju (Xquizit)
• Biobelemoye Omoniyegha (Labelle’s Touch)
• Funke Ogunde (Phunk Afrique)
Team of the Year
•Africa Youth for Change
• Knighthouse Productions
• Light Up Nigeria
• Yellow Dog Productions
• Salsa Federation in Nigeria
• The Umusu Wives
• Gbagyichild Entertainment
• Glitz Youths
Young Person of the Year
• Ik Osakioduwa (On Air Personality)
• Toyosi Akerele (Youth Advocate)
• Tolu Ogunlesi (Journalist)
• Asa (Bukola Elemide) (Singer/Performer)
• Ify Aniebo (Scientist)
• Qudus Onikeku (Dance professional)
• Stephanie Okereke (Actor/Movie Producer)
• Cobhams Asuquo (Music Producer)
All nominees are Nigerian citizens aged 18-31. For the next two weeks, any complaint about any of the nominees can be sent to nominations@thefuturenigeria.com. After that, no other complaints will be entertained. The two-month judging process begins immediately. Voting, which is 50% of the first stage of the judging process, begins immediately. Voting ends December 31 2009. More information on the nominees and the judging process (including the Central Working Committee report) is on
Students’ inventions get international accolade
By TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
The Nigeria Association of Inventors (NAI) has selected two inventions by two students of Benson Idahosa University, Benin, for display at the Nigerian stand during the forthcoming Seoul International fair, Asia’s annual invention fair. The students, David Ogbeide Momodu of the department of Information and Computer Science; and Ifeoluwapo Ajiboye, department of Physics, invented an automated foot swap system; a device used for sucking all dirt from the sole of foot wears immediately it is stepped upon.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gideon Omuta, who made the announcement while addressing the press on the 5th convocation ceremony of the university, said in September, Momodu invented the Multifunction Manicure and Pedicure System that combines hand and feet care and barbing functions in addition to his multipurpose spraying machine, multipurpose cap opening machine and hair braiding machine, which was adjudged best invention from a developing country in the summit held in Indonesia, India and Kuwait in 2007.
Omuta, urged Federal Government to allow private universities access to Education Trust Fund (ETF) and other funds established for tertiary institution.
The VC also announced that the institution would confer degrees on 498 graduands, out of whom 13 would be awarded first class; 133, second class upper division; 244, for second class lower division; 94, third class and one pass.
He said the university would confer a honourary doctorate degree of Business Administration on the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, for her contributions to the growth of the economy.
18-year old emerges Miss University
POWEDE Lawerence, a 200-Level student of Nursing and Miss Niger Delta University (NDU), has beaten 49 other university queens to emerge the 2009 Miss University/United Nations Nigeria (MUN) in a colourful parade of beauty and brains.
Organised by Visions Innovations and Concepts Ltd in partnership with the Bayelsa State government; the third in the series held at the Glory Land Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Chisom Egwuatu, Miss Anambra State University (ANSU), emerged first runner up, while Adama Onyanta, a 300-Level Biochemistry student and Miss University of Jos (Miss UNIJOS), picked the second runner up position.
Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Mrs. Sylva as the Grand Patron of Miss University/United Nation Nigeria Foundation. The African Coordinator of the United Nations pageant, Ms. Syndee Keitte, conferred the award on her.
The Bayelsa first lady urged all the contestants to help spread the message of her cancer awareness project aimed at saving the lives of women.
Shortly after being crowned by the outgoing queen, Miss Aminat Jenny Ayuba of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, the new MUN 2009 burst into tears of joy.
Among the panel of judges that decided the winner were the publisher, Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu; Executive Vice-President of Conoil Nigeria, Oma Eyewuoma, an engineer; Executive Vice-President MUN Organisation, Miss Tolulope Ademulegun; Miss USA 2007, Mrs. Stephanie Hunt; Mrs. Ginika Tor; Mrs. Mary Manzo; Executive Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Ms. Julie Donli; Barr. Megan Bozimo; and Mr. John Agha.
The queen will represent Nigeria next year at the Miss United Nations International pageant in the United States and the Miss University Africa pageant in South Africa.
UI not admitting us, say Pre-Degree students
By Kayode Bello
AFTER paying N8,500 as application fee and registering with over N100,000 as tuition and accommodation fees, pre-degree science students, numbering over 600, are claiming that the authorities of the University of Ibadan (UI) have made no provision for them to be admitted into courses of their choice.
The students, who had completed their programme at the Alafia Institute Complex, Mokola, Ibadan, said their fate is hanging in the balance as the admission list released recently by the management included only candidates, who wrote the Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and the Post-UME test.
Quoting a statement by the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (DLC), the students said after completing the pre-degree programme, they would be admitted into the institution for the courses of their choice.
The protesting student added that it would amount to deception and wickedness from the management if another admission list is not released for pre-degree students.
This is the first pre-degree programme conducted by the university, under the auspices of the Distance Learning Centre.
In a phone chat with Life Campus, however, director of the centre, Prof. Francis Egbokhare emphasised that the students should monitor the university’s website for information about admission for pre-degree science programme.
Already, the affected students are losing hope of being enrolled, as the admission exercises are winding up in the institution.
NGO boost female undergraduates scholarships
Greater opportunity awaits female Nigerian undergraduates as Ajesola Solarin Majekodunmi Foundation (ASMAF) is set to award scholarships to 12 indigent brilliant female undergraduates every year in professional courses, which include Accountancy, Architecture, Engineering, Law and Medicine.
Geared towards increasing female representation in the professional and leadership cadre in Nigeria, the foundation also expressed its determination to use the project to bridge the gap between the male-female gender.
Speaking at the official launch of the foundation, held recently at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of ASMAF, Prof. Olusoga Sofola, noted that the foundation would provide resources for young female Nigerians to develop themselves and become competent leaders of the nation.
ASMAF, founded by Prof. Ajesola Majekodunmi, first female undergraduate of the University of Lagos, is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to raising funds for, and awarding scholarships to brilliant, but young indigent females for tertiary education and leadership/life skills development.
Unfolding the vision of ASMAF, Majekodunmi said, “I came from a family of all females, four of us. My inspiration is from my parents, who educated us, despite the fact that education was not for the poor in our own time, especially for the girl child.”
“I have received several scholarships in the course of my study, but today, not many girls are lucky to have parents who can support them. With females making up about 54 per cent of the population, and still in the bottom cadre professionally, I decided that when I turn 70, as a birthday gift to the nation, opportunity would be given to indigent girls to maximize their potentials,” she explained.
Another member of the BoT, Dr. Nadu Denloye, who announced that applications are open to interested candidates, disclosed that the sum of N250,000 would be given to recipients of the award.
CORPER’s DIARY:
Experiencing Borno State
BY NKIRU EZEDINACHI
AFTER sitting for their last papers and submitting their projects, what is often left on the minds of outgoing students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria is the deployment for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
A sample of a graduate’s preferred choice of state for the mandatory one-year service will likely turn up results in the following order: Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Most awaiting corps members from Southern Nigeria would cringe at the suggestion of serving in the north, let alone farther north, like Borno State.
The essence of the scheme established over 35 years ago by General Yakubu Gowon, is aimed at engendering the spirit of oneness, reconciliation and national cohesion among the diverse ethnic groups that make up the country. However, one is yet to fathom what is really scaring Corpers in the north, especially Borno State.
For youth corps members posted to Borno, there are myriads of stories that will even terrify the strong-willed. Stories such as Maiduguri is full of flies; it is as hot as hell fire; everybody is Hausa and Muslim; and the cost of meat and fish are as cheap as water are sure to come up.
Though meat and fish are cheap and are everywhere, the whole tale is really exaggerated out of proportion. What is immutable is the harsh weather condition and sandstorm.
Hausa language is the lingua franca, as in most states in the north. However, for Corps members, the problem is not learning to speak the language, but getting to face the reality of adapting to one year of ba turenchi meaning ‘I don’t understand English’.
Aside language barriers, Corpers also face lot of ordeals in the state ranging from accommodation to rejection at place of primary assignment. It is aggravated with no allowance from their eventual place of work, especially those posted to Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
Interestingly, 95 per cent of Corps dream to be posted to MMC during their orientation, without knowing the challenges they will encounter outside would be mainly accommodation and how to manage the meager Federal allowance of N9, 700, and the State N1, 000. In fact, after deployment, Corps members become wanderers for weeks in daily search of a place of primary assignment after being rejected severally.
Despite all the odds, it is still a place to be. A Corper, Agbo Austin, serving with the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital, Maiduguri says of his experience: “It has been wonderful. Serving in the State has made me to meet people from different parts of the country, who are good and have affected my life positively.”
On the weather, he says a big Whoa! “Not so friendly, but people are still surviving here and I am also surviving. The way of life of the people is so clear, well defined and adaptable to any disciplined persons. Boko Haram crisis was worst experience in the state.”
--nkirubabe@yahoo.com
The Nigeria Association of Inventors (NAI) has selected two inventions by two students of Benson Idahosa University, Benin, for display at the Nigerian stand during the forthcoming Seoul International fair, Asia’s annual invention fair. The students, David Ogbeide Momodu of the department of Information and Computer Science; and Ifeoluwapo Ajiboye, department of Physics, invented an automated foot swap system; a device used for sucking all dirt from the sole of foot wears immediately it is stepped upon.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Gideon Omuta, who made the announcement while addressing the press on the 5th convocation ceremony of the university, said in September, Momodu invented the Multifunction Manicure and Pedicure System that combines hand and feet care and barbing functions in addition to his multipurpose spraying machine, multipurpose cap opening machine and hair braiding machine, which was adjudged best invention from a developing country in the summit held in Indonesia, India and Kuwait in 2007.
Omuta, urged Federal Government to allow private universities access to Education Trust Fund (ETF) and other funds established for tertiary institution.
The VC also announced that the institution would confer degrees on 498 graduands, out of whom 13 would be awarded first class; 133, second class upper division; 244, for second class lower division; 94, third class and one pass.
He said the university would confer a honourary doctorate degree of Business Administration on the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Services, Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui Okauru, for her contributions to the growth of the economy.
18-year old emerges Miss University
POWEDE Lawerence, a 200-Level student of Nursing and Miss Niger Delta University (NDU), has beaten 49 other university queens to emerge the 2009 Miss University/United Nations Nigeria (MUN) in a colourful parade of beauty and brains.
Organised by Visions Innovations and Concepts Ltd in partnership with the Bayelsa State government; the third in the series held at the Glory Land Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Chisom Egwuatu, Miss Anambra State University (ANSU), emerged first runner up, while Adama Onyanta, a 300-Level Biochemistry student and Miss University of Jos (Miss UNIJOS), picked the second runner up position.
Highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of Mrs. Sylva as the Grand Patron of Miss University/United Nation Nigeria Foundation. The African Coordinator of the United Nations pageant, Ms. Syndee Keitte, conferred the award on her.
The Bayelsa first lady urged all the contestants to help spread the message of her cancer awareness project aimed at saving the lives of women.
Shortly after being crowned by the outgoing queen, Miss Aminat Jenny Ayuba of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, the new MUN 2009 burst into tears of joy.
Among the panel of judges that decided the winner were the publisher, Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu; Executive Vice-President of Conoil Nigeria, Oma Eyewuoma, an engineer; Executive Vice-President MUN Organisation, Miss Tolulope Ademulegun; Miss USA 2007, Mrs. Stephanie Hunt; Mrs. Ginika Tor; Mrs. Mary Manzo; Executive Assistant to the Governor of Bayelsa State, Ms. Julie Donli; Barr. Megan Bozimo; and Mr. John Agha.
The queen will represent Nigeria next year at the Miss United Nations International pageant in the United States and the Miss University Africa pageant in South Africa.
UI not admitting us, say Pre-Degree students
By Kayode Bello
AFTER paying N8,500 as application fee and registering with over N100,000 as tuition and accommodation fees, pre-degree science students, numbering over 600, are claiming that the authorities of the University of Ibadan (UI) have made no provision for them to be admitted into courses of their choice.
The students, who had completed their programme at the Alafia Institute Complex, Mokola, Ibadan, said their fate is hanging in the balance as the admission list released recently by the management included only candidates, who wrote the Universities Matriculation Examination (UME) and the Post-UME test.
Quoting a statement by the University of Ibadan Distance Learning Centre (DLC), the students said after completing the pre-degree programme, they would be admitted into the institution for the courses of their choice.
The protesting student added that it would amount to deception and wickedness from the management if another admission list is not released for pre-degree students.
This is the first pre-degree programme conducted by the university, under the auspices of the Distance Learning Centre.
In a phone chat with Life Campus, however, director of the centre, Prof. Francis Egbokhare emphasised that the students should monitor the university’s website for information about admission for pre-degree science programme.
Already, the affected students are losing hope of being enrolled, as the admission exercises are winding up in the institution.
NGO boost female undergraduates scholarships
Greater opportunity awaits female Nigerian undergraduates as Ajesola Solarin Majekodunmi Foundation (ASMAF) is set to award scholarships to 12 indigent brilliant female undergraduates every year in professional courses, which include Accountancy, Architecture, Engineering, Law and Medicine.
Geared towards increasing female representation in the professional and leadership cadre in Nigeria, the foundation also expressed its determination to use the project to bridge the gap between the male-female gender.
Speaking at the official launch of the foundation, held recently at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of ASMAF, Prof. Olusoga Sofola, noted that the foundation would provide resources for young female Nigerians to develop themselves and become competent leaders of the nation.
ASMAF, founded by Prof. Ajesola Majekodunmi, first female undergraduate of the University of Lagos, is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to raising funds for, and awarding scholarships to brilliant, but young indigent females for tertiary education and leadership/life skills development.
Unfolding the vision of ASMAF, Majekodunmi said, “I came from a family of all females, four of us. My inspiration is from my parents, who educated us, despite the fact that education was not for the poor in our own time, especially for the girl child.”
“I have received several scholarships in the course of my study, but today, not many girls are lucky to have parents who can support them. With females making up about 54 per cent of the population, and still in the bottom cadre professionally, I decided that when I turn 70, as a birthday gift to the nation, opportunity would be given to indigent girls to maximize their potentials,” she explained.
Another member of the BoT, Dr. Nadu Denloye, who announced that applications are open to interested candidates, disclosed that the sum of N250,000 would be given to recipients of the award.
CORPER’s DIARY:
Experiencing Borno State
BY NKIRU EZEDINACHI
AFTER sitting for their last papers and submitting their projects, what is often left on the minds of outgoing students of tertiary institutions in Nigeria is the deployment for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
A sample of a graduate’s preferred choice of state for the mandatory one-year service will likely turn up results in the following order: Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Most awaiting corps members from Southern Nigeria would cringe at the suggestion of serving in the north, let alone farther north, like Borno State.
The essence of the scheme established over 35 years ago by General Yakubu Gowon, is aimed at engendering the spirit of oneness, reconciliation and national cohesion among the diverse ethnic groups that make up the country. However, one is yet to fathom what is really scaring Corpers in the north, especially Borno State.
For youth corps members posted to Borno, there are myriads of stories that will even terrify the strong-willed. Stories such as Maiduguri is full of flies; it is as hot as hell fire; everybody is Hausa and Muslim; and the cost of meat and fish are as cheap as water are sure to come up.
Though meat and fish are cheap and are everywhere, the whole tale is really exaggerated out of proportion. What is immutable is the harsh weather condition and sandstorm.
Hausa language is the lingua franca, as in most states in the north. However, for Corps members, the problem is not learning to speak the language, but getting to face the reality of adapting to one year of ba turenchi meaning ‘I don’t understand English’.
Aside language barriers, Corpers also face lot of ordeals in the state ranging from accommodation to rejection at place of primary assignment. It is aggravated with no allowance from their eventual place of work, especially those posted to Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).
Interestingly, 95 per cent of Corps dream to be posted to MMC during their orientation, without knowing the challenges they will encounter outside would be mainly accommodation and how to manage the meager Federal allowance of N9, 700, and the State N1, 000. In fact, after deployment, Corps members become wanderers for weeks in daily search of a place of primary assignment after being rejected severally.
Despite all the odds, it is still a place to be. A Corper, Agbo Austin, serving with the Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital, Maiduguri says of his experience: “It has been wonderful. Serving in the State has made me to meet people from different parts of the country, who are good and have affected my life positively.”
On the weather, he says a big Whoa! “Not so friendly, but people are still surviving here and I am also surviving. The way of life of the people is so clear, well defined and adaptable to any disciplined persons. Boko Haram crisis was worst experience in the state.”
--nkirubabe@yahoo.com
Arrival unmasks
BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE Princess Tessy Iyase-Odozi’s blends perfectly with her art; she wears her strokes and shades. This reflected much in her debut solo exhibition titled Arrival, which she describes as “a collection of contemporary paintings.” Every art piece on display inside the National Museum Gallery, venue of the show, talks about a particular characteristic of the artist: boldness either in colour, format or concept.
She grouped the exhibition into: mundane, artwork, abstract and spiritual contemplation. Her interpretation of native dance steps in Dancing Queen, Swing Energy, Ugie Dance, Synergy, Ivie, all under what she labels the ‘Heritage’, the sub-group was not just dances in the ordinary sense of it, but the regaling of the dancers as enhanced by richness of costumes; Iyase-Odozi’s identity.
For example, why would anyone be so gorgeously dressed to shop in a crowded market? The answer is simple: it’s an Iyase-Odozi’s world of elegance as spotted in the wide screen format, Shop Right. No coincidence here – royalty and elegance are in the blood – her late father was the Iyase N’ Odo, a high chief in the Benin Kingdom.
However, the artist’s strength, so it appeared is in the abstract and spiritual sections. A passionate advocate of green environment, her largely surreal work blends nature with the terrestrial or celestial as seen, for example, in a sword dissolving into flower and other vegetation in Holy Sword; an angel-like imposing figure – enhanced by rainbow – in Gatekeepers; a heavenly dove, candle-light assemblage illuminating the earth in Mainstream are what she explains as “spiritual essence man must give attention to.” She recalls that her “contemplation” about the spiritual realm started quite a while ago and she would not stop interpreting such on the canvas.
SHE argues that her choice of African elements in the heavenly depiction is deliberately to challenge, “Western allegorical paintings, where virtually all the characters are white, except the occasional knave depicted in blacks.”
The abstraction, Identical – and similar works in that context – stands out from the crowd of exhibits. “Really?” Her response explains her innocence on preference of strength.
Also, Ogbon Ijapa (Tortoise’s antics), which reminds one of the notorious characters of the tortoise in most Yoruba folktales, illustrates the design zeal of the artist.Surprisingly, imperial art was under-played in the show. And with modesty she states that, “it’s a dynamic world, not just about royalty always.”
HAVING had several group outings, perhaps, a solo show was not in her immediate plan until he was told to ‘un-mask yourself’, which was all she needed to unload all she has within her. “I became more skillful, confident and daring.” More importantly, “fulfilled.”
She decides to share part of what inspired her in the book, Discover… The Art in you and be Guided, launched on the opening day of the exhibition.
Some of Iyase-Odozi’s group shows were Naija Women Art Exhibition; Art on the Mainland; Hellenic Images organised by the Greek Embassy in Nigeria.
EVENTS
Collocation in Abuja
Francis Ike, Chike Obeagu, Uche Uzorka, Muyiwa Akinwolere and Bob-Nosa Uwagboe are currently exhibiting in the group show, Collocation, which ends on December 17, 2009 at the Thought Pyramid Art Gallery, F.C.T, Abuja.
Look Out! The great sax of Stanley Turrentine
BY BENSON IDONIJEIT would seem as though the saxophone stopped evolving and reaching out to new styles and dimensions with the death of John Coltrane in 1967. But during the restlessly dynamic days of the instrument, when musicians often rose up to outdo one another, Stanley Turrentine was mentioned along with Hank Mobley, Dexter Gordon, Archie Shepp, Johnny Griffin, Sonny Stitt, Sonny Rolllins, Harold Land — in that bracket — as one of the key players.
Turrentine was particularly remarkable because as a Blue Note favourite, he endorsed numerous sessions with a saxophone sound that was big, huge and powerful in tonal conception and intensity. Besides, while he was highly regarded in soul-jazz circles, he was one of the finest tenor saxophonists in any style in modern times, excelling at up-tempo compositions, jam sessions and interpreting standards, especially ballads, which were totally soaked in the blues.
Stanley Turrentine’s rich, booming tone with the swing influence could be said to be rooted in the Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster idiom in traditional terms. And, spicing it up with Rollins and Gene Ammons at the modern level, his sound became rounded and deeply involved.
Turrentine perhaps became famous for working with the organist, Jimmy Smith on sessions that Blue Note held in high esteem for their quality in terms of the blues appeal. Sessions such as Midnight Special, Back at the chicken shack, Prayer Meeting recorded during his association with Jimmy Smith could not have been successful without his tenor saxophone solos, whose blues influence perfectly matched the chemistry of Jimmy Smith’s organs sound as he wailed and stretched out from chorus to chorus.
However, Turrentine did a lot of recordings on his own which many devotees have failed to take notice of because they regarded him essentially as a soloist and sideman who could not thrive without the association with Jimmy Smith. And one of Turrentine’s great recording sessions, on his own, for Blue Note, is Look Out!
Recorded in the 60s, the rhythm section is one that was a permanent part of Lou Donaldson’s group. This explains the reason for the acute rapport that exists among the individual players —Harace Parlan, piano; George Tucker, bass; Al Harewood drums, Stanley Turrentine himself, tenor saxophone — a quartet setting of strong individuals.
Turrentine had known pianist Horace Parlan since high school although they attended different ones in Pittsburgh. In the ’50s, they did some playing together before Horace left for New York and earned subsequent recognition as a member of the Charles Mingus Jazz Workshop. The story of how Horace took up the piano as a therapeutic device, after a childhood bout with polio, which had left his right hand paralysed, is well known to jazz critics and devotees. Amazing as his accomplishments are in the light of this, the final judgement of musical achievement is in how it sounds.
Horace needs no ‘if’ or ‘although’ to prop up his playing. His blues-rooted style is also economical with a touch and sense of time that ensures continuos swinging.
Bassist George Tucker was one of the rapidly rising young players of the instrument. Strength and sensitivity are a combination that make any rhythm player stand out. George had both qualities.
Drummer Al Harewood was a Brooklyn boy, who had been heard with Jay Jay Johnson and Kai Winding, two frontline trombonists of that period. He was also heard with saxophonist Gigi Gryce. You always are in his presence, but he never intrudes. Like Tucker, he concentrates on swinging and often accomplishes his purpose.
Look out! is a blues by Turrentine, a 12-bar blues structure that gets into the groove from the very beginning and never looks to either side. Stanley Turrentine and Parlan are the beneficiaries of solo opportunities here.
Journey into melody written by British composer, Robert Farnon is an extremely pretty ballad which was quite new at the time. Turrentine became familiar with it as a result of its use as theme song for a radio show called Tonight at 8 on station WWSW in Pittsburgh.
Return Engagement composed by pianist Horace is an up-tempo, but its attractive chord changes are given their full due by Stanley Turrentine. The swing is light but with a firm underpinning.
Little Sheri is dedicated to Turrentine’s daughter of the same name. Written by Turrentine in a minor mood, it finds him sounding funky with an underlying tenderness. Parlan explores the many possibilities of this composition on piano. He examines the tender side with his chordal technique.
Trumpeter Clifford Brown is remembered in Tiny Capers. It was the first time this composition by the late trumpeter was being recorded by another musician. It has a joyous quality, which has been very well captured by Stanley Turrentine on tenor saxophone.
Minor chant, another minor key original by Turrentine rounds out the set. Turrentine also recorded this tune with organist Jimmy Smith for Blue Note, but the interpretations are entirely different. While his treatment of the song with Smith emphasis a blues groove, with the organ dictating the mood and texture of the music, on his own, in a different quartet setting with piano, the story is different. Here, the straight-ahead rhythm section is swinging as much as at the beginning of the set, and bassist Tucker has a plucked solo for good measure.
Stanley Turrentine began his instruction on the instrument at the age of 13 with his father as the teacher. After high school in 1951, he got his first professional job with the blues band of Lowell Fulson. Ray Charles was the featured pianist and vocalist.
On leaving Fulson, Turrentine returned to Pittsburgh and studied for two years with Carl Arter. In 1953, he moved to Cleveland with his brother Tommy and both worked with Tadd Dameron. The following year, Turrentine replaced John Coltrane in Earl Bostic’s band. Tommy joined six weeks later.
Also with the band at different times during this period, were the trumpeter Blue Mitchell, George Turker and G.T Hogan. 1956 found him back in Pittsburgh for a short time; and Bangor, Maine for a summer resort gig by December. He also became a member of the Army Band. After being discharged two years later, Turrentine again returned to Pittsburgh in 1959, joined the drummer, Max Roach and remained with him combo until after an engagement at New York’s Jazz Gallery in May of 1960.
Turentine’s original influences were Don Byas and Ben Webster, two tenor men with a heavy sound. Among the younger giants of that period, he preferred Sonny Rollins who is still blowing the horn at age 79.
Reports from percussionist Lekan Babalola who saw the great saxophonist at a concert recently say that Rollins took a solo for 30 minutes at a strech, looking downwards as he blew, and running fiercely from one chorus to the other.
However, while Turrentine’s playing was modern in line with prevailing trends, the overall robust sound was an older one. The result was an effective fusion of several elements resulting in a full, graceful tenor style that is masculine but not harsh, possessing a warmth that does not consume itself but diffuses evenly throughout all his work.
Turrentine’s association with Shirley Scott, his wife who was a fine organist was both professional and personal, as they played together. They frequently recorded, with the featured leader’s name often depending on the session’s label affiliation. When they divorced and split musically in the early ‘70s, Turrentine became a cross-over star.
Although the jazz aspect of his cross-over music was proportionately lower, Turrentine’s playing, like that of Miles Davis, remained consistently superb. He returned to straight-ahead and soul jazz in the ‘80s, cutting more albums for Fantasy and Elektra, then returning to Blue Note.
The news of Turrentine’s death reached me in CapeTown, South Africa in 2004 when it was announced at the North sea Jazz festival.
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