Cover, Edition 224, FEB 14 - 20, 2010

A different kind of Val

(Strictly for the young)
TOSYN BUCKNOR
YES. If the men in your life have suddenly left on business trips, or emergency lecture retreats, or have headaches, or swollen faces that means they cannot be seen in public, or accidents or dead grandmothers (different from the ones that died last year and the previous year, because they have parents and step-parents), or creditors they are hiding from, or emergency facial surgery, or chicken pox, then yes! It must be the day dedicated to St. Valentine!
I have been the best girlfriend this month. No way was I going to let myself be broken up with before this momentous occasion; the time when one gets gifts because it is mandatory, and one doesn’t care to be honest!
It is almost like your salary -- pay me my money/give me my gift! And since I have spoken at length about the people who like to say Valentine’s Day is commercialised and they feel you should show love everyday (boring, yawn, where is the remote, change the channel), today, I would like to dedicate my article to those lovely people who once again, have forgotten to buy a gift!

(Gengen!)
It’s Sunday, it is Valentine’s Day, and it is the day you are about to become a lonely person, because you forgot to shop. You had all the opportunity in the world oh! From January 1st till today, but life got in the way, and now it’s too late. Or is it?
Think about it; those who have bought their gifts already have the most boring gifts ever -- chocolates, wine, perfume, cake, shirts, shoes, trip to Dubai (chei! Bore me anytime with this one), teddy bears, and so on. But you have a chance to turn your forgetfulness round and make it good!
Here are some cool gift ideas that I bet you never thought of!

Water: Don’t laugh! Water has moved on from the tap water we all drank from when we were still content to run around in our shorts and before we thought boys (or girls) were disgusting, and then when we thought our world would end without them.
In fact, that is the point!
We have moved on. Sadly so!
So, this Valentine’s Day, get your loved one a borehole... or at least some bags of pure water to last them for a long while!

Generators: The reason for this is self-evident. Love is all about caring about the other person, and the perfect love gift should reflect what the other person needs most.
What do we need most in Nigeria? Power! And since PHCN is currently on a break (they must be, we don’t have light), then the best thing to do for your loved one today, is quickly buy a generator. Or two.
For the second backs the first one up. In other words, one generator, and ‘the other NEPA’

OjutiNEPA or Candles: OjutiNEPA are some creative lamps that will make for great ‘thinking outside the box’ gifts. And as for candles? Oh come on! When did we stop being creative? Candles are the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day!
Pick up the roses you see on the road as you go (or steal from other peoples’ bouquets to make yours), and go with a number of candles.
To be on the safe side, splurge on the scented, non-‘cele’ white variety. You will be killing two birds with one stone — creating romantic atmosphere for dinner, and, providing light since PHCN is still on break. (What, you thought they would be back by the time you got to my next line. Where do you live? Ghana?)

Petrol: Hello!
What better way to say ‘I love you’ than to queue for hours for petrol so your beloved does not have to?
Score!

Mosquito Repellants: Since the mosquitoes in Nigeria now carry picnic baskets, complete with cutlery and napkins to feed on us, it is clear that we must also wage war on them. So while the other lovelorn people are buying scented lotions and oils and perfumes, you combine yours- lotion and mosquito repellent.

AS you get to the end of this article, you may find yourself welling up with gratitude as once again, SuperTosyn saves the day!
If you want to say thank you, please send me a gift. But I am old-fashioned and boring; after all, my idea of the perfect night is one spent in front of the television. Keep my gifts simple and boring. But please keep that trip to Dubai; I am not trying to be put on a watch list!

tosinornottosin@yahoo.com




Running your school business (2)
(Biz tool Kits)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
DEPENDING on the type of school you intend establishing, make sure there is value addition to your educational offerings.
You can offer computer education, skills acquisition/technical educational classes, etc, and include facilities like a swimming pool, a basket ball court, a football pitch; or added offerings such as Literary and Debating Society, Writers’ Club, Computer Classes, Art and Craft, Cookery Classes, etc.
These facilities/offerings will set you apart as a top educational services provider in your neighbourhood. They will also determine the class of pupils that’ll attend your school and the fees you’ll be charging.

Pricing for your school
This is determined by what category of students you want to serve. There are schools for low-income, middle-income, middle-upper and high-income families.
The category you fall into will be determined by the following factors: your target market; your location; your educational offerings; the facilities you have; the composition of your staff; fees charged by the competition, etc.
Carry out a market survey regarding the average pricing by the competition. Your pricing depends on the category you are serving.
Nevertheless, whatever category you are, you can lead the pack by adding extra value and incentives to the normal educational offerings of your school business.
Above all, lavish your student population with compassion, love, understanding and support for their growth and development.
When you love and treat children right, they will disturb their parents not to stop them from attending your school as long as they live in the neighbourhood where your school is.
Do you know that at a population of 2,000 students at N50,000 school fees, your income as a school would creep into N300 million. And from the calculations made, it also means that the more school fees you charge, the more your income would be.
Another thing is this; you don’t have to start big. With vision, determination, hard work and excellence, you can build an educational institution that can meet the intellectual needs of our people, while creating a successful business in the process. For space constraints, I wouldn’t be able to go into other details.
But with a good business plan, which my company can provide for you, you would know how to register your school, develop an HR plan, put in place an aggressive and creative marketing plan, design necessary financial statements and other important components to guide your operations and be able to further make money for the business through exploiting different backend opportunities.
There is a need in the education sector today. You can be a part of those who will help in the development of future Nigerian leaders. Education is the bedrock of any society, and a lack of education will make a people inferior and subservient to other nations. Apart from the business angle to it, your input in this sector can turn many rough diamonds into pure, precious and priceless diamonds, giving birth to the nation of our dreams.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd., bridgetolotu@gmail.com

Sonia...Honour to Mother in Italy

FROM ANDREW IRO OKUNGBOWA
SUNDAY January 31 will remain a milestone in the life of Sonia Aimiuwu otherwise known as ‘Aimy’ by her teeming fans and admirers in Italy and across Europe.
For the actress, culture activist and now singer, it was a most befitting day to celebrate a dream come true, which has spanned over 14 years in an industry where one can easily remain in the fringes without making any recognisable impact on, or impression in the eyes and minds of the critical audience.
After years of working up the stage and art circuits of Torino in Italy, and major culture centres of Europe, Sonia’s musical career (and in particular, her devotion to the culture industry as an ‘Afro artiste’ has indeed blossomed.
The last occasion, however, was a musical concert that was staged to formally present her debut album, ‘Mother’ to the public.
From the early hours of the night, the crowd had begun to gather in the otherwise modest and historic Maison Musique (Folk Club) in Rivoli, outskirts of Torino Centrale (centre). And with almost a full capacity audience, the show went underway at about 10pm and for close to two hours, Sonia and her band regaled the audience with songs from her 10-track debut album.
It was an electrifying but creatively exerting performance filled with songs, rich costumes, story narration, drama and dances. It was a true presentation of total African theatre, extolling the cultural heritage of the people of the continent. The Bini-born actress and singer drew heavily from the rich repertoire of her culture, and went aheda to tap from other parts of the continent of Africa — Senegal, Gambia and Ghana and others. She anchored the artistic journey, however, on world musical culture.
The combination of rich vocals, choreography, and heavy rhythmic percussion made the entire presentation easy to listen and followed with the audience, which was made of mainly whites, actively involved in the performance.
At the end of the day, it was a highly satisfied and appreciative audience that rose in ecstasy and ululations to applaud Sonia and her team for an enduring and memorable performance.

With her new album, Sonia has announced her presence on the world music stage as an artiste to keep an eye on. This fact was expressed by a legion of her fans and admirers with the Artistic Director of Maison Musique (Folk Club) Davide Valfra and her booking agent, Luisa Parrelli, rating Sonia’s new work world class.
For Davide who had known Sonia for several years, ‘’I think this album is a very good mix of the root she has in Africa — her cultural heritage and musical culture, the rhythm and instruments of Africa and mixed with funk and more of pop, which is easy for European audience to appreciate.’’
Parrelli, who on first contact with Sonia years back, said she noticed that “she was very tied to the root, very opened to the future, pop-rock, to the sound of the Western world; so I think she is a great combination of the heritage of the African and the modern music,’’ and decided to work with her. She described Sonia’s new venture as very “nice, captivating and easy-listening (easy to listen to)”.
According to her, ‘’everybody can enjoy the show of Sonia even without knowing her music. This is very difficult in the world of music because in the world of music you have to know it to get inside the groove but in her case no because it is very strong, open and nice with a lot of rhythm.’’
Rating her as a ‘great artiste’, Parrelli says Sonia can go the distance: “Potentially, she can get anywhere because her product is a business wise product that can easily go in radio or on the TV. It depends on how we can go with the promotion but at the moment the business is bad.’’
However, the booking agent believes that with the right combination of network, it would be easy to “spread the word and captivate a large audience. She can really go anywhere in Europe and the US and wherever, she is an international product; she can’t stay local.’’
Davide pledged the the commitment of her organisation, Vertiage Music, to make the dream of the artiste possible. “My role is to try to book her in many shows as possible. So, I am trying to do this with the festivals, the clubs and with promoters but it is not the easiest moment to sell a show but we will try. This is what we do.”
Of the 10 tracks (Africa, Ise Iya, Mama Africa, Dia Leme, Ase, Bobele Yo, Iye, Fraternal Feeling, Distance and Mbegel), seven of the songs are written by Sonia while one ‘Mbegel’ was co-written by her and another songwriter; and ‘Africa’ and ‘Ise Iya’ written by another songwriter.
Five of the songs have been made into video clips – Ise Iya (eulogies motherhood – filmed in Nigeria and Europe, Mama Africa (English and Yoruba), Africa, Mother and Fraternal feeling (both are combination of studio work and live performances).
The video clip was produced by Paolo Rapalino, an Italian producer who had worked with Sonia for some years on many of projects in Europe.
Prior to the formal presentation on Sunday, Ise Iya had notched two awards in Europe – ‘Vaisusa Film Festival 2009 in nella sezione ciak con gusto and Riace Film Festival 2009 nella sezione and about four nominations at the Lampedusa Film Festival 2009; Visionaria 2009 Siena; Mestre Film Festival 2009; and Rivi (Premio Italino Video clip Indipendente).
It was an obviously an elated and fulfilled Sonia after the energy sapping performance who sat down for an engaging and racy conversation with this reporter on on her new work and career issues.

Coming home... ‘I Am Scared’

Says Sonia of her work, “I am a songwriter and I know that it is not so easy to make your work have so telling an impact on the audience. They are used to certain songs and taste but appreciating what I have done I think is very good for my career. You don’t just go on stage to sing but you have to give the people a message, a value and cultural feel to hold on to. They understand me so well, my expressions, my movements and sensations. It is strange though but it is nice as well because they feel the energy, soul and spirit of my music.”
On how she intends to break into the local Nigerian market, Sonia who is currently in the country for two months to promote the work, says she is was going home February 6, to “launch her work, go on concert tour round the country and then sit” with her Nigerian promoter to strategise on how best to launch her musical career in her fatherland, where she is not too known, having been away in the past two decades.
However, not knowing how she would be received back home, she says scares her. “I am not too confident — to be frank with you. I am quite scared because I have had some horrible experiences before but I can’t stay back here because of that.
“I just want see how it works out. The Nigerians here (Italy) see my music and they encourage and challenge me to go out there. So I am going out there to feel and taste the market. It is my motherland and fatherland but I am a stranger there.’’
Even as she rues her not-too-surefooted reception in motherland, her appeal to the critical mass of Nigerian musical industry is to be given the opportunity to present her work and see how it goes from there. ‘’I am not saying appreciate my music but at least listen to my work and then decide whether to appreciate it or not.’’

Onifade’s Araism… five outings, still counting

BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLE
You sure will be fascinated by the technique and style of rendition of a piece of work of members of this group of artists, but don’t ask, if the araism is a style, movement, club or association?
From five ‘disciples’, which made the group’s debut exhibition in 2006, the number of artists working in Araism has increased to 14, including the proponent, Mufu Onifade.
At their last outing titled Araism Movement 5 held at Mydrim Gallery, Ikoyi, Lagos; Oludotun Popoola, Esther Emmanuel, Abiola Mautin Akande, George Egunjobi, Jonathan Ikpoza, Stephen Oni, Abolore Awojobi, Adeleye Taiwo, Jimoh Babatunde, Kesa Babatunde and Bolarinwa Olowolabayaki had their works on display.
Onifade, who also exhibited at that outing recalls, how he “invented” Araism between 1989 and 1996 because he did not want to be counted among Art graduates that “fizzle out” of the mainstream practice soon after school. And what he describes as “constant experimentation” finally led him to Araism.
For an art that derives its name from an ambiguous Yoruba word ara (which could mean wonder, thunder, body, relation), the culture and ideology of the people appear strongly in the concept. Basically, Araism is a painstaking application of repetitive design over an entire surface of the canvas.
Onifade’s Sango’s Harem, acrylic on canvas, for example, revisits, Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning; capturing the tragic physical demise of the deity.
Matted against oceanic colour are Sango’s three favourite wives: Oba, Oya and Osun. For those, who still hold on to traditional beliefs, these characters are regarded as deities of rivers, and benevolent goddesses in Yoruba land
Popoola’s Ajo Laye (The Return) dwells on the Yoruba philosophy that the world is like a market square; a temporary abode. “The true home abounds in the realm beyond,” the artist retorts.
In Oluwambe’s Bogiri ‘O Lanu (Cracks to Harbour) -- the crack in a wall is a refuge for the lizard-- is also linked to the Yoruba thought that disunity starts with badly managed misunderstanding, no matter how small.

In a group show such as this, it appears that Araism is less appreciated compared to when it is seen among other works of diverse styles, techniques or forms. This is noticed every time the work of an Araism acolyte is featured among other works.
However, Araism, Onifade argues, could also add aesthetic values in the art of other cultures. A member, Jonathan Ikpota, who is a non-Yoruba, for example, Onifade notes, “is using it to promote his Edo-Delta culture.”
Despite the increasing number of members, Onifade stresses that Araism did not borrow from similar movements such as Onaism or Ulism in Nigeria as “I was not aware of any Nigerianism” apart from those already known in history art.
Without his disciples, Onifade has taken the concept beyond the shores of the country as one of the exhibiting artists in shows such as Dance of the Mask, U.K., 2004, and Art Expo Las Vegas, U.S., 2008. One of his earlier experiences abroad was a group show of 16 artists selected from seven countries -- Ghana, UK, USA, Trinidad, Cuba, Brazil and Nigeria --that took part in an exhibition titled 16 Pieces to commemorate Black History Month in London.

Osofisan honours Nkrumah in Accra

COME mid April, Femi Osofisan’s Nkrumah Ni, Africa Ni will be staged in Ghana as part of events marking the 40th anniversary of the death of the pan Africanist and first president of Ghana, Osagyefo Kwame Nkrumah.
Already, rehearsals have started for the play to be directed by the playwright, Osofisan. It will be performed on campus and at the National Theatre of Ghana. The play had its world premiere in 1994 at the same venue.

Rose … The Kiss Of Love

BY EKWY P. UZOANYA
THOSE with passion for gardening will find the garden relevant in expressing emotion of love associated with this popular day, Valentine. And for the gardener that has rose flower in abundance, this is the time to make some quick cash from sales of this beautiful flower.
Flowers have become a staple of Valentine’s Day and with proper planning right from the outset of designing an entire garden that incorporates this fragrant plant, a handcrafted flower arrangement that will brighten the day and serve as gift to a spouse, parent, grandparent or friend can be worked out from it.
Rose is the most outstanding flower that is given on Valentine’s Day or by lovers in general. It is one of the oldest flowers and is regarded as the flower of love and affection since ancient times. This beautiful and regal flower speaks of many eternal love stories. Known for its sensuous scent and fragile petals, rose comes in different colours such as red, purple, pink, white, yellow, orange, peach, deep burgundy, green, black and blue with each colour signifying the colours of a relationship.
For instance, red roses symbolize beauty and strong feeling of love; lilac roses – love at first sight; peach pink rose – gratitude, sympathy, gentleness and friendship; and red and white rose mixed in a bouquet – truth and love, union and harmony or true love.

Growing roses should not be a challenge. It is a matter of growing those that suit the growing conditions applicable to the location of the garden and it is a straight way to having a spectacular rose garden. Also, just like any other form of gardening, the more gardening care and information known for the particular plant, the more successful the venture will be.
Therefore, learning the basics of caring for roses and the rose bushes will pave way for a garden that stands out in the neighbourhood.
Roses can be used in the garden for various purposes ranging from hedges to climbers and ground covers. They also look good in containers. For its overall effect, it is necessary to ensure that their flower or foliage colours work together to bring harmony to the garden.

Roses received during this period can be made to spice up a space and to make it last longer with proper care and handling.
Here are some tips and instructions.
• Cut the stems on a slant instead of making it a straight cut.
•Cut off any leaves that are below the water line.
• A spoonful of sugar added to the water will keep flowers longer as well.
• Top up your vase everyday with water and do not have them near the fire, sunlight or other sources of heat such as television or other electronic equipment that generates heat.
•Remove drying flowers and foliage as they appear.

Glam on the green Future

BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL
HELD on February 7 at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, and the 2010 The Futures Award was an opportunity to see the latest fashion trends.
At the event, celebrities, fashionistas, models, presenters, fashion designers, journalists and many others strut the green carpet in their glamorous outfits, accessories and jewellery.
2010 trends that appeared on the green carpet include the one-shoulder, Empire, Ruffles, High slit, LBD, layered and V-neck.

One shoulder dress
The one-shoulder gown was the hottest on the green. Actress and model, Stephanie Okereke, one of the nominees for Young Person of the Year, was one of the best-dressed celebrities at the event. The lady stood out in her breathtaking one-shoulder dress with rose flowers design. Her make-up and hair do really complemented her outfit.
2010 Future Award Style Entrepreneur of the Year, Linda Ikeji, was also very fantastic. The ex-model, publisher and blogger swept the green carpet in her trapped one-shoulder and a trendy cropped hair do to go.
Beat FM presenter, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, was also caught in a lovely red one-shoulder dress.

Little Black Dress
This classic piece of outfit is the epitome of timeless fashion, which every self-respecting fashionista should have. The little black dress has even moved on to represent an ideal of a perfectly simple, yet sexy object.
The TV presenter and host of Moment with Mo, Mo Abudu, looked trendy in her Afro hair do and ruffled LBD with gorgeous peep toe.
The rapper, Mocheda, stepped the green carpet in her lovely metallic LBD.

High slit
This 2010 trend is definitely for the confident woman. The designer, model and presenter, Isio Wanogho, co-host of Glo mobile sponsored entertainment programme, G-Bam, was stunning in her deep V-neck high slit dress. Her yellow dress was well embellished with green sequins.

Empire
Empire draws its inspiration from ancient Greek art. This piece of clothing, which is becoming a must-have, was fine on Orode Jade Uduaghan, the lady behind Pink Peal Foundation. She was dazzling in her white embellished empire dress.
Former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Munachi Abii, also wore a fabulous red, green and blue combination empire dress. If that was not enough, later on the stage with Neato C, Abii swaggered in a sexy micro metallic military dress. This chic is hotter than fire.

Short dresses and fitted dress
One of Nigerian’s best rap artistes, Sasha, showed off her lovely legs in short dress. She posed for the camera in her trendy green dress, bow hair clip and snazzy shoe to go.
Sensational singer, Omawunmi, whose New Year resolution seems to be a vow to cover more, wore a dress that was neither skimpy nor long. The pretty damsel stepped the green carpet in a v-neck peacock dress and a matching blue shoe to complement.
Tewa Onasanya, publisher of Exquisite Magazine, was also very sweet in her fitted leave pattern long dress.
Ex-Most Beautiful Girl, Omowunmi Akinifesi, is very famous for her statement making outfits. She was glamorous in her simple, classy and gorgeous white outfit.
Jumpsuit
This 2010 fashion tend accentuate one’s body type. Black sleek jumpsuit help make you look taller and slimmer. No wonder, few ladies wore breath-taking black jumpsuits, coming in different length and styles at the event.

Runway to Face of Africa

BY DAMILOLA ADEKOYA
For coming tops among 10 pretty African ladies that contested for the M-Net Face Of Africa held last week in Lagos, 22-year old Lukando Nalungwe of Zambia has joined an exclusive group of past winners, scooping $50 000 from the organisers. The lady also got a modeling contract from O Model Africa and skincare products for 12 months from Iman Cosmetics.
The two-hour show, which was screened live from Lagos to 47 countries across Africa, held the global fashion community spellbound. This edition presented a new vision for the contest, with its traditional runway show.
Among the 26 designers showcased were the Nigerian contingent that included Zizi Cardow, Frank Osodi, Odio Mimonet, Fati Asibelua, Folake Folarin-Coker, Ituen Basi, Adebayo Jones, Lanre Da Silva-Ajayi, Lisa Folawiyo and Yemi Osunkoya.
Joining them were their counterparts from across the continent, which are John Kaveke (Kenya), David Tlale (South Africa), Anna Getaneh (Ethiopia), Kofi Ansah (Ghana) and Anisa Mpungwe (Tanzania). Others are Gloria WavaMunno (Uganda), Chakirra Claasen (Namibia), Cathy Kathunzi (Malawi), Koketso Chiepe (Botswana), Liz Ogumbo (Kenya), Taibo Bacar (Mozambique) and Angela Mulenga (Zambia).
Zizi Cardow clothed Nigeria’s Marvis, who wore a red short mono-strapped gown with flairs made of aso oke and taphetta material. Frank Osodi clothed the Zimbabwe’s Tholakele, who wore a grey gown, while Tanzania’s Lillian came out with a stringed badge colour gown designed by Odio Mimonet.
Angola’s Esperan looked smashing in her short off white tube gown made by MOMO, while Tiffany Amber showed her creativity with South African’s thembi.
Looking astonishing in her red ankara material, knitted by Ituen Bassey, Nigeria’s second representative, Blessing, hit the runway, followed by Zimbabwe’s Rosanna, who wowed the audience with an Adebayo Jones’ outfit. Lanre Da-Silver Ajayi finished work on Kenya’s Diana with a long Caribbean multi-coloured gown. Lisa Folawiyo created a black balloon with layers metal gown for Ernanina from Mozambique, while Yemi Osunkoya clothed Zambia’s Lukundo, who appeared in a blue Ankara gown.
However, in living up to its tradition of merging African design with the western style, the show fused the style of Christian Lacroix, Versace and Emmanuel Ungaro while jewelery designer Chris Aire brought his signature style to the fashion accessories.

Embrace entrepreneurship, Students urged

By Tope Templer Olaiya
Students in tertiary institutions across the country have been enjoined to explore every possible avenue that will make them self-reliant through development of a sound and virile entrepreneurship skill capable of sustaining them upon graduation.
This was the view of the Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Education, Dr. Elijah Olu Adewale, at the opening ceremony of the 5th Students Trade Fair at the University of Lagos Sports Complex last week.
Adewale, while extolling the virtues behind the initiatives of the organisers, Strands Communications Limited, said, if given the leadership opportunity, Nigerian youths could and would indeed successfully harness abundant resources of the nation to achieve socio-economic and political sovereignty.
“I am particularly delighted because of the inspiring efforts of the organisers of this event, who, I reliably gathered, are a group of students under the aegis of Strands Communications Limited.”
Adewale who was represented at the ceremony by the Director, Monitoring and Investigation, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Suleiman Ajayi, said in the wake of increased productivity in the country’s agricultural sector, opportunities in the industrial sector are to satisfy its food needs and thus valuable foreign exchange formerly used to import food could be used for investment to provide an industrial base for the diversification of the economy.
He said a young and growing population witnessing increased urbanisation and industrialisation as obtained in Lagos State are factors, which will bring about increased demand for products of the food and agro-allied sub-sector.
Earlier in his welcome address, Managing Director of the outfit, Alafia Gbadebo, said the flagship event of the company is held in Lagos every second week of February, to coincide with St. Valentine’s Day and has traditionally provided a reliable and cost-effective platform for domestic and national companies to launch new brands, trade, seek joint-ventures and test marketing. The fair ended yesterday, February 13.




Kefee, Jahdiel, Alfa Sule, others set for Shout Jam Tour 2010
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
COME Tuesday, April 20, Shout Jam Tour, an itinerant gospel and inspirational music tour, will begin with the first concert scheduled to hold at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Shout Jam Tour was created to promote gospel music and musicians especially upcoming artistes, provide quality entertainment for the students of tertiary institutions across the nation, advocate against occultism, moral decadence and other social vices, and provide experiential engagement opportunities for youth brands.
The platform was launched in 2009 as Shout Tour Jam with RoofTop MCs and featured shows in the University of Ibadan, Redeemers’ University and Yaba College of Technology with RoofTop Mcs and Nikki Laoye, Laff’up, Shake Dem Up and Segun Dangote performing.
Consequent upon the success of the 2009 edition, Davidhosue Multimedia Limited, the promoter sof the tour, have unveiled plans for the 2010 edition.
According to the project’s spokesperson, Adenugba Oluwanishola, this edition will feature musical performances by a repertoire of artistes including Kefee of the Branama fame; Jahdiel; Tomiwa, third runner up 2009 MTN Project Fame West Africa; Praiz Adejo, who was second runner up; Simisola; Freeborn, Doyin Okiki, drama skits by Alfa Sule and dance repertoire by Shake Dem Up with a pre-concert trade show that features all the brands sponsoring the tour. The event would also incorporate performances by local artistes on each campus that the tour train would stop.
The tour will also feature shows in BOWEN University, Iwo, Osun State on Wednesday, April 31 after which the train moves to Redeemers’ University, Mowe, Ogun State on Thursday, April 29 for the third show in the series.
On May 6, it will be the turn of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State to host Kefee and the rest of the tour squad whilst the tour would wrap on June 3 with a heart pumping concert at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.
The tour affords youth target brand a rare privilege to connect and share experiences with their targetted public on Nigerian campuses. Some brands that sponsored the 2009 edition included Tara Orekelewa, Cadbury Butter Mints, Facuade Luxury Clothiers, Cheerie Noodles, X2D, Swan Soft Drinks and Mr Biggs Restaurant.
There will be meet, greet, photographic and album signing sessions. Fans gets to have a first-hand experience of Kefee’s music as well as enjoy her new album, A piece of me, which include such hits as Kokoroko, Pure water, karoyovwe, Body guard, African Woman. Kefee came to limelight in 2005 when she debutted with Branama 1, which was produced by Alec Godwin. Jahdiel will also be on hand to thrill the audience with her magical voice.


Corps Members Donate Drums To NYSC
By ‘Fisayo Soyombo
CORPS members in Lagos State, under the aegis of National Youth Service Corps’ Community Development Service (CDS) have donated drums worth N126, 000 to the state Chapter of the scheme.
The donation was made last week, during a dance and drama ceremony at the NYSC Secretariat, in Surulere, Lagos.
Speaking during the ceremony, Adejimi Adekunle, CDS President of outgoing Batch A members, said he was happy that his Batch had successfully done something to improve service conditions of new corps members. “The outgoing Batch A and the present Batch B have combined resources to present this gift to the NYSC Secretariat and to fellow corps members. It is our small way of wishing them well in service life,” he said.
Speaking also, Henry Francis, President of the Drama Group (DG), said it was always his dream to see Lagos State win the yearly Director-General Dance and Musical Competition. “We always rent drums and other necessary instruments of preparation, whenever the competition is to hold. It is my belief that, since drums are now readily available, corps members can prepare adequately and they will sing the victory song soon.”
Mrs.Winifred Ebiera, CD Coordinator, while expressing delight at the presentation, said the corps members were truly living up to billing.
Receiving the gifts, alongside other NYSC officials, Mrs. Belinda Faniyi, Assistant Director, Common Services, Lagos State Secretariat, said she was happy that the CDS initiative of the scheme was yielding desired results.
“Community Development Service is a platform for corps members to make selfless contributions to the community they find themselves in. And by presenting these drums, the Dance and Cultural CD Group has contributed to the development of this community. So, we’re very happy that the whole CDS arrangement is not a waste of time,” said Faniyi.

From Boston, Show Stopper arrives

STORIES BY CHUKS NWANNE
He launched into the country’s entertainment industry in 2006 when he released his debut album, I Don Taya; the work successfully registered his name on the long list of Nigerian returnee artistes, who have come to indentify with the industry at home.
Three years after, Duncan O. Onyemuwa Jnr, is back with a follow up to his first effort. Entitled Show Stopper, Duncan Daniel, as he’s fondly called in the industry, is optimistic that the 18-track album would easily find its way into music charts in the country.
A fusion of different music genres like Pop, Rock and R&B, the album, which will be officially released today, has tracks such as Show Stopper (the title), Stolen Identity, Like This, Medicine Man, I’ve Found You, My Head O, Come and Go, I Wanna Know, Falling and Decide. Others include Complicated, Take it Off, I don’t Care, Telling Me Lies, Live Again, To the Top and It’s Over.
To ensure the new work has bits of Nigerian flavour, Duncan, a graduate of the Berkeley College of Music, Boston, USA, who started writing music and playing piano from the age of 11, collaborated with some notable home-based artistes such as rap stars MI and Mode 9, Mark Gee, Johnson & Griot, Felyne and others. However, all songs were written and mixed by the multi-instrumentalist himself.
HINTING on the new work, which is expected to hit music shelves around the country from tomorrow, Duncan says, “I decided to release the work on Valentine’s Day as my little way of showing love to my compatriots. The album is so much fun; it will surely make you sing, cry and dance with attitude. As the name goes, the album is truly a ‘Show Stopper.”
On his choice of Nigerian artistes featured in some of the tracks, Duncan informs, “aside the fact that some of them are people I’ve known for some time now, I also wanted to show love and respect to my roots by including some prominent Nigerian artistes in the work; I could have worked with foreign acts, but promoting my culture is very important to me.”

SONGWRITER and music producer, Duncan has performed in Boston, Lagos, London, Atlanta and others, where he thrilled with his blend of pop, rock and R&B. He had in the past, worked with notable record labels and production outfits such as Tuck Tyght Records, Rolladice Records, Grafton Records and others.
“What makes you an artiste is the ability to not only sing, but at least handle one or two musical instrument. For me, playing music is not accidental; I had to study it formally in school,” says the acoustics guitar specialist.




HOME FRONT

Keffe fetes less privileged, artistes on her Day
Aqua 27, Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently awash with top Nigerian artistes, family members, friends and fans of Keffe Obareki, as the Branama Queen marked her Birthday on February 5, 2010.
The party, which saw the Delta State native perform her latest single, Sapele Water live on stage, attracted notable artistes such as Tuface Idibia, Sammy Okposo, Yaw, Koffi, Alariwo, Princess, Tony Tetuila, Onos, Azeezat, DJ Humility, MC Abbey, Ramsey Noah, Davina…the list was soo long.
According to the celebrant, the birthday bash, which lasted into the early hours of the following day, was organized as a means of saying “thank you to all my friends and fans that have been a pillar of support during my trying times. I wanted to appreciate all my friends in the media for your support, may God reward all of you,” she said.
Meanwhile, as a way of giving back to the society, Keffe had earlier visited Living Fountain Orphanage, Lagos, where she entertained the kids with her songs, as well as donate materials for the upkeeps of the less privilege children in the home.
“This is a time to show love; there’s no better time than on my Birthday.”

Nigezie in Colour Of Love gig
As part of activities to mark this year’s St Valentine’s Day, music TV channel, Nigezie is partnering MTN Nigeria for a special party tagged Colour Of Love. Billed to hold today, starting from 6pm, the show will hold at Let’s Go Bowling, The Palms Shopping Complex, Lekki, Lagos.
To make the event worth the while, organisers have contracted some notable Nigerian artistes, who are expected to thrill the gathering. The list includes 4kasibe crooner DJ Zeez, Durella, Dagrin, M.I, G-Exploits, Inyanya, Ruggedman, YQ, Mike, GT Tha Guitarman and MTN Project Fame All-Stars.
Meanwhile, some lucky guests stand the chance of winning BlackBerry phones and other gift items, courtesy of MTN. To be part of the gig, guests were expected to email their names and phone numbers to love@nigezie.tv, for official invitation cards.

H-MAN returns with Love Nwantinti
He appeared earlier in the industry with the track Ndoli Ndoli, but went low months later. After weeks of working on his beats in the studio, pop sensation H-Man, is back with a new single, Love Nwantinti.
Already, the video of the new track shot and directed by Clarence Peters, is enjoying airplay in some TV station across the country.
According to the singer, “I was off the scene in order to repackage; change my sound and looks, and come out with a fresh and more soothing sound and image that suits my craft,” he said.
Though he has relocated from his Lagos base to Abuja, H-Man is not worried about making in-road with his new work. With the backing of his new management company, Blarque Brotha Entertainment, H-Man is confident of taking his music to a greater height this time.


Valentine Diamond Ball2
Nollywood stars, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and Zack Orji, alongside their spouses, will be special guests at a Valentine’s Day show for couples tagged Diamond Ball 2. The event, which is organised by Black Butterfly Events Company, will hold at theWelcome Center & Hotels, Int’l Airport Road, Lagos.
According to Glory Adeyemi, a member of the organizing committee, “the event is a social networking platform for couples. And also an initiative for providing support, creating awareness and mobilising action for health and social causes relating to women in particular and children.”
Aside the usual music, dance and comedy, this year’s edition will also feature a special celebrity couple appearances with a raffle draw that would see some guests smile home with prizes such as return tickets from Dana Air, relaxer kits from Venus, hair extensions from X-pression, a weekend stay over at Travel House, beauty products from House of Tara, love chairs from Modern Home Makers and lots more.
Tola Olamiju, a consultant for the event, informed that proceeds generated from the events would be used to help raise fund

Lufodo Academy... Olu, Joke Jacobs bring dreams to public space

The world economy is currently focussing greater attention on the creative industries as vital contributors to national economies. The Performing Arts, especially cinema, are indeed enjoying time in the sun.
This probably is a good template for the dreams of the famous theatre couple, Olu and Joke Jacobs who all these years have been concerned about the need to fully professsionalise the enterprise of theatrical activities.
Last week Wednesday, at its office at 3B Isiola Oyekan Street, Victoria Island, the LUFODO Academy of Performing Arts (LAPA) was formally presented to the public. The core objective of of the institute, according to the director, Joke Jacobs (known in the art sector as Joke Silva) is to train and increase quality of talents available for radio, stage, TV and film production. The dream, she said, is to produce artistes of international quality and ratings.
Chairman of the institute, Olu Jacobs said LAPA is a institution designed to respond to the critical problems that have impeded development of the film industry in the country. Particularly at a time when the international cinema circuit seems interested in what is going on in Nigeria, the Nollywood veteran actor said, “Since the government has refused to recognise the contribution of the Nigerian creative industries, film sector in particular; and the higher institutions are not reacting to the progress either, this institute has taken it as a challenge to raise the standard of the performing arts in respect to film, TV and radio in Nigeria”.
At the presentation graced by Mr Femi Odugbemi (Ms Tobi , a member of the board as well as members of the faculty and students of the institute, two pioneer graduates gave a hint of the quality of products of the Academy in a drama skit titled, The Northerners.
— REMI ADEGBITE

Who is afraid of Uche?

BY SHAIBU HUSSEINI
She picked the call, and after establishing that the caller, who hid his number, was a friend of the house, yelled, ‘What’s up.’ That sort of set the ground for the loads of questions that the caller had for her on a recent ‘abortion mess’ that had been humming around her. A magazine had gone to town the previous week with the ‘tale’ of how the beloved screen actress ‘aborted a six month pregnancy for ex-super eagles star, Uche Okechukwu’. To illustrate the story, the magazine found and used a picture that showed that the actress, scriptwriter and producer might have lost weight following the alleged act. ‘There is no truth in the story,’ Jombo -- who has just finished work on Nollywood Hustler, her most pronounced effort as a producer, charged. ‘I don’t know where they got the story from and I don’t know who is doing this but they are definitely going to hear from me because I am not going to take this lying low.’ The Abriba, Abia State-born actress, hinted that she might be heading to court soon to ‘fish out those behind the attempt to smear her image and character



What’s all this tale about your getting pregnant and aborting it because a chap you were allegedly married to didn’t want the pregnancy?
Well, I don’t think they mentioned marriage, it was said that I was dating him and he didn’t want the pregnancy; so, according to them I aborted the pregnancy.

But what is the relationship between you and the chap that was mentioned?
I have never met him or anybody with that name before... I have never had any relationship with anyone by that name.

To be pregnant, then abort means you were out of the scene for some time. Was there a time you disappeared or did not work that fuelled this tale?
No. I was always around. I mean, I have never stayed away from set over a month or out of Nigeria for two weeks in the last three or four years. I don’t know what brought this kind of tale. I mean to make matters worse; they used pictures of years ago just so as to deceive people that I have lost weight. The only time I lost some weight was because of work. We were shooting a movie where I played a cancer patient and I needed to lose some weight. But that was work and it has nothing to do with me. I have been very busy, extremely too busy to be off the scene for even two weeks. It’s either I am on set, or producing or performing my role as a Glo ambassador.

So, when you read the report yourself, what was your initial reaction?
I just said to myself, enough is enough. I can’t just keep quiet. To be silent will mean that it is true and it’s just lies. So, this is the final battle. Enough is certainly going to be enough. And come to think of it, I am very free with the press, having worked in, and with the media at various times. They all have my numbers and there is no time that there is a request from them that I don’t respond. If they heard anything like that, I expected them to ask me as some other people have always done. Not sell lies to the public! But honestly, enough is enough. I must get to the root of this matter. We shall expose all those trying to run themselves down and not Uche.

What is your next line of action?
I am taking them to court for this, because I don’t understand what anyone hoped to gain by that kind of story. But I guess the fellow should be prepared because anyone, who writes that kind of story and think I would sit and watch, is a joker. For Christ’s sake, I didn’t drop from tree. I am human. I have a family; I have people in my life that can also get hurt from that story. I am heading to court. I have a name and reputation to protect. No amount of begging can solve this. Someone will have to pay for this to serve as a deterrent to others.

So, is marriage for you, anywhere near?
Maybe that way, the talebearers will leave your back?
The question first is why are they on my back in the first place? This is my life. It’s not theirs and I personally know marriage is what people should do when they are ready and well prepared for it, else you will jump in and out. It’s not a step you take because people won’t get off your back. I think they should just leave me alone so I can concentrate on my work and career. I want to work and learn more. I use this opportunity to thank all my fans most of whom called in to express shock at the tale in the paper. I assure them that we must get to the root of this.

Nollywood Hustlers is your second attempt at producing, is Uche returning to productions because it is no longer profitable being an actress alone?
I don’t think I am in productions because I want to earn more money than I earn as an actress. It has nothing to do with earnings as you are suggesting. It’s just the need to do something you have been craving for. I mean as a writer, my dream is to be able to realise my works as a producer and not necessarily write for others to produce. That was my motivation for shooting Nollywood Hustlers. Emem Isong, Desmond Elliot just finished a joint production. It’s called Holding Hope. Being an actress when it comes to productions is a blessing. I have been here long enough to want to try other things, I mean write or produce the kind of movie I love watching, It has everything to do with growth as a production person.




Around and about Nollywood...

Jungle Ride gets premiere date at Galleria
JUNGLE Ride, Lilian Amah-Aluko and Ajua Dickson’s new movie on love, luck and the increasing rate of unemployment in the country will be screened to a quality crowd at a special premiere, which holds at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday February 28. A cocktail will precede the premiere, which the organisers say is strictly by invitation. Written by Segun Michaels and directed by Kingsley Omoefe, Amah, a notable actress and writer, hinted that the movie would begin its cinema runs, immediately. She expressed optimism that the movie, which stars well-rated Nollywood actors such as Bimbo Manuel, Femi Brainard, Ngozi Nwosu, Chidi Ukwu, Omoni Oboli, Emma Ayalogu and Joseph Benjamin would make a huge impact on the society, especially on the youths. Amah, a first and second degree graduate of English from the University of Lagos and current Vice President of the Association of Movie Producers (AMP) said: ‘Young people often have dreams of suitable white collar jobs immediately after leaving school. Some find this extremely important and others don’t. This is the world of jungle ride, the ever desperate search for a piece of your own greenery.’

Gov Sylva mobilises corporate support for AMAA 2010
BAYELSA State Governor, Mr. Timiprye Sylva, has called on Corporate Nigeria to explore the marketing and branding advantage African Movie Academy Awards offer to promote their products and services to Africa and global audience. He made the call during AMAA Sponsors’ Evening, which held recently at the Eko Hotel, Lagos. Sylva used the occasion to invite the business leaders and captains of industrypresent to partner with the state and Nigeria’s culture/entertainment industry to move it to the next level. The governor noted that entertainment industry generally has brought honour and fame to Nigeria through awards and popularity of Nigerian stars at home and abroad. Sylva also charged Nigerians to be more patriotic adding that Corporate Nigeria should do more to promote ventures and projects such as AMAA.“I urge you business leaders to join Bayelsa in making it the biggest media event in Nigeria. We want the burden of funding to be off our neck; and that is why we have invited you to partner with us. “We are also using this time to invite you to visit Bayelsa and see the great work we are doing. Bayelsa is peaceful and a must-visit tourist destination. We have the longest beach in Nigeria and other attractions that will make visitors want to come again. Because of the location of the state, the tendency is for people to pass through without stopping over. The award is a major platform to bring people to Bayelsa. In the same vein, Mr. Nathan Egba, the state’s Director General, Tourism and Publicity Bureau, who is Chairman of Local Organising Committee, said Bayelsan people have identified with the awards and look forward to every April to see their movie stars from Nigeria and other parts of the world. In her presentation, AMAA Chief Executive, Peace Anyiam Osigwe said the award was set up primarily to promote African film and cinema locally and internationally. She noted African films serve as a link for Africans in the Diaspora with Africans at home adding that African films serve as a shared collective experience, a reminder that Africa is a vibrant continent filled with colour, energy and possibilities. “Over 30 African countries are participating in this edition. We are expecting about 2000 foreign guest from within and outside Africa. We have over 5 million television viewers as it is always live on local TV stations, Africa Magic and streamed online via U-Tube. International media BBC, CNN, German ZDF, CNBC, SABC, AFP cover the event every year. It is a big platform for discerning brand s and organizations to leverage on. We are inviting corporate Nigeria to join as we sell Africa and Nigeria to the world in a positive way,” she said.

N250m for production up for grabs at BOBTV 2010
BOBTV, Nigeria’s leading film and television programmes market, has concluded plans with three multi-media platforms to reinvigorate the film and television programmes industry with the injection of N250million. Two of the multi-media companies collaborating with the company will release their event briefs and host the pitching and commissioning for the projects at BOBTV 2010. The third company will release its own brief at BOBTV and hold its pitching and commissioning at a later date. Projects to be pitched for include films, television soap operas and series, television magazine programmes, documentaries and other audio-visual content, both in English and local languages. According to the Festival Director, Amaka Igwe, “these are the types of collaborations I have been advocating for a long time. We need this at the moment, probably more than at any other time. We all know what the situation is in the industry now, so, I am really excited that this is happening.” All interested content producers, marketers and individuals should contact the organisers for more information.
BOBTV provides a platform for acquisition and exchange of programmes and movies across Africa and valuable alliances for Television Stations and industry professionals. BOBTV also presents a practical arena for new ideas and concepts in television and programmes development and for experiencing the theatrical, communications, business and policy realities of the Nigerian and African audiovisual content industries. This edition is scheduled to hold from March 16 to 18 at the Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja.

Trumpeter, Lee Morgan’s last word

BY BENSON IDONIJE
LAST interviews in the careers of great artists are so crucial and phenomenal that they are usually treated with reverence; and preserved for posterity. The reason is that these interviews help to probe and express the minds of these artists in terms of what they represented at these last points of their lives. But in its uniqueness, renowned trumpeter Lee Morgan’s last interview served this purpose and more. It went beyond the ordinary thought process, touching on issues of injustice and discrimination in the system.
Coming in 1972 when black consciousness was sweeping across America, with violent protests from activist movements and individuals opposed to racial discrimination and injustice, the interview was hailed by adherents of black music. Even the Association for the Advancement of Creative Music, which used black music of the African type as a vehicle for driving the new jazz, embraced the interview because it was seen as a blueprint and a viable document for fighting their cause.
Lee Morgan’s views were highly respected because he had become a musician of great substance — on top of his career at the time. He was the new horn in town as opposed to such existing elders as Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. Lee Morgan’s trumpet was warm and vibrant as the new extension of the Fats Navaro-Clifford Brown dynasty.
Another dimension, which makes this interview remarkabe, is the fact hat it was originally conducted for publication by Downbeat magazine in its Music 72 yearly. But Morgan’s tragic death a short time after, gave what were quite possibly his last statements to an interview. So, instead of printing the usual tributes, Downbeat magazine thought it appropriate to let Lee Morgan speak for himself once more, using the interview as a special significance.

Interviewing Lee Morgan proved easy —not simply because he was loquacious, but because he knew his mind so well he would speak it without any hesitation, and do so with great insight and passion. He spoke of many aspects of music, but always in relation to one essential subject: the dilemma of jazz in America.
To Morgan, this dilemma was two-fold, or rather two-faced: lack of respect, and a lack of proportion between black American art and the general American culture.
Regarding the first lack, Morgan condemned indifference toward the music, reinforced by media tokenism, specifically the over-exploitation of Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong as representative jazz personalities. “Duke Ellington on the Today Show with the Today house band — that is not Duke Ellington; to have Duke Ellington without Cat Anderson, Harry Carney, all the people’ you associate with Duke, his band — that is Duke Ellington. And the same thing applies to Louis, Louis is gone now, and I think one of the main reasons why Louis died, I saw him on his last engagement in New York, and he had to lay down between shows. The man had just had a heart attack; he shouldn’t have been playing.
“This is the tragedy of the black artist: just to live halfway comfortably he must keep on working! That’s not to say they don’t have any money -- I’m talking about in perspective to their talent. These people should have shrines dedicated to them, just like they have shrines in Europe to Beethoven and Bach: Louis Armstrong especially ;and Duke Ellington as well.”
About the second lack, Morgan noted the irony that jazz is revered internationally, and in fact is broadcast everywhere by the U .S. Information Agency, but is dismissed at home. “It’s black creative music, but something that’s not only black — it’s American black! That’s very important. I was reading about B.B. King. I think last year was the first time a black college ever invited him— because he played blues and blues was like the music of the devil! And over in Europe, you hear blues all day long – it’s a high art form!”
With better recognition, Morgan believed black artists might hope for a better economic perspective. In sports, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays each earned $125,000, because they were the best regardless of black or white, But in music, such racial equality does not seem evident: Herb Alpert became a multi-millionaire in a short time with “a nice little pop group”, while great black genius has been comparatively unrewarded, even after decades of creating.
“I’m not trying to damn Herb Alpert, because it’s beautiful. I’d just like to see an equal proportion... I don’t resent nobody for what they get, as far as they are equal. Frank Sinatra is worth millions; Frank Sinatra is a hell of a singer, that I won’t deny. But at the same time, Betty Carter is starving to death -- here’s someone who’s been on the scene since the late 1940s -- because she refused to compromise, because she always wanted to sing jazz. Look at Billie Holiday and Judy Garland: they both had the same hang-ups, but one of them was singing Over The Rainbow and the other was singing Strange Fruit.
In another view of this lack of recognition, Morgan equates jazz with symphonic music in America, both in respect and in finance, “Leonard Bernstein plays an elite music; everybody doesn’t have the temperament or the ear or the talent for listening to symphonic music or opera. And I would like to feel this way, I’ve never been drug about jazz not being heard all day long banging in your ears like you hear pop music, I would like to feel that jazz is an elite music! Most people who like jazz are the intellectual type people in college, because it’s a very sophisticated music. So if you’re doing something that only appeals to a minority, then the lovers of this music have to support it.
“The symphonic orchestras have sponsors, people who give them endowments, and I think it should be the same way with jazz — because this is a national treasure! This is the only national art form that’s here, and they do everything they can to dismiss it and put it aside. It’s really a shame the way our country treats its artists. I’ve had people ask me: ‘If you feel that way, why don’t you go to Europe’ And I always tell them, ‘first of all, I like Europe, like to see it as a visitor —but this is my home! This is my culture!”

Morgan was committed to several means of awakening recognition toward jazz: as a member of a group of musicians negotiating to buy the Lighthouse Club in California, and as a member of the short-lived Jazz & People’s Movement protesting media ignorance and indifference to jazz artists — Morgan was among the first to interrupt the taping of the talk shows in 1970-71.
“Morgan was amazed by many responses to the JPM protest: that the networks considered a few black musicians in the studio bands sufficient recognition; that talk show hosts didn’t know even established artists like the MJQ or Thelonious Monk; that the programmers tried any and all ploys to avoid commitment; and most shocking of all, that so many considered the JPM actions as only a personal hype,
“We’re saying that if each show (Carson, Griffin, Cavett, Frost) committed itself to use two artists a month’, that would he eight different artists each month. And we’re not talking about Thelonious Monk sitting down at the piano with Doc Severinsen’s bass player- if you have Thelonious Monk, have Theionious Monk’s band! And then after he plays, sit down and talk to him!…
“We tried to arrange conferences; none of them would talk to us. So we went in and took over the (Griffin) show. The next day they had the chairman of the board down there to see us! But it’s unfortunate: as soon as you stop, if you don’t do it again, they go right back... The only reason Griffin came out to, see us was because we kept on blowing whistles, Rahsaan and myself. He immediately tried to divide and conquer — he offered of have our two groups on!
“I told him I couldn’t care less if he ever had me on in fact, I would insist on not going on, at least not first, because right away, people have gotten so pessimistic that not only the public, but musicians as well thought we were just out there thinking about ourselves, I don’t care if you never show me! Put Dizzy on, Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner, Blue Mitchell, Herbie Hancock-put somebody on!
“And right away he came up with that regular thing: Louis Armstrong and Duke El1ington, And then he told me about James Brown, and right away we told him, ‘look, we’re talking about jazz!’ They insult the public, some of the stuff they put on. They spoon feed the public bullshit, and they’ve given them so much I’ve found myself humming tunes that I hate?

Whether the efforts of Morgan and others, will ever succeed, whether the music will be finally respected and granted proper due within American culture, is certainly still a question unanswered. But at least, Lee Morgan knew the power of the music, even if unrecognised — and in that knowledge was a strength.
“If it wasn’t for music, this country would have blown up a long time ago; in fact, the whole world. Music is the only thing that spans across all ethnic groups and all languages. Music is the only thing that awakens the dead’ man and charms the savage beast. Without, it this would be a hell of a world!”

The Peter Pan Factor

BY WOLE OGUNTOKUN
IN many ways, I believe I bear a resemblance to the Walt Disney character, Peter Pan, based on the play, The boy who wouldn’t grow up written by J.M. Barrie.
Peter Pan lived in Never Land with his friend, Tinker Bell, could fly where he wanted, time did not exist for him and he battled pirates all day long.
Many men lived this life of adventure as children. Their tragedy is that adulthood comes and they no longer are able to find “Never Land”.
I heard Kevin Costner on television say once, ‘when a man loses the child in him, he loses everything’.
An old secondary school mate came into my offices one day and saw a play-station console, but couldn’t believe it was for me. I did not disabuse his mind.
I suppose there are some of us who believe that because adulthood brings added responsibilities, we should live our lives like people who never found pleasure in looking at the clean sand at the ocean’s edge.
For me, the world must always remain a place of beauty, a place where joys are strong and as simple as you can make them.
I have not forgotten how to laugh even though I pay bills now and sometimes stare with hostility in confrontations with the tax men of this state government.
I told my friend, Adeola the Pharmacist, a few months ago, how I felt about being Peter Pan. It is a unique place to be. The Whisperer still reads comic books, loves to play Wii and Play Station and plays actual football every Friday night in Ikoyi.
By the way, if as a woman, you have ever said the reason you love a man is because he makes you laugh, you have a bit of Tinker Bell in you.
I do no talk of childish men in this article but of men who have not lost the child in them. I stare in wonder at little children when I see them; the incoherent babble they make that has so much meaning to their own ears, the spontaneous laughter that comes at seeing a bubble rise in the air, sheer happiness at life itself.
You see two eight year-old boys walking along a road in deep conversation, one’s arm around the other’s shoulder. What is the conversation about? The stock exchange? A missing politician? No, they talk about life itself and its greatest pleasures — things such as loyalty, truth, honesty, genuine friendship.
Children do not stab each other in the back; if they are your friends, they do not make snide remarks when you leave the room. They genuinely and totally believe in you, believe in love and in the world’s goodness.
There are no attempts to second-guess you, no bid to intercept a move or some act of perfidy they might suspect. A child tells it like it is. “Adults” should too, and not hide treachery behind “diplomacy”.
There are women who say the trouble with some men is that they refuse to grow up. If growing up means I forget how to laugh and become full of guile, I’ll leave “adulthood” to you.

WHERE did the inspiration for a Peter Pan article come from? The Whisperer is a playwright as well and produces plays weekly on Victoria Island.
That itself is an indication of a Peter Pan state of mind. However, I write today because of a female (when have I not?). I lost contact with this one a long time ago but had written about her many times in the past.
I liked to describe her as still waters, a female with such a calming effect on me, it appeared almost unnatural. However, she seemed to disappear off the face of the earth, vanishing completely without the faintest trace.
I looked for her with ancient tools (word of mouth) and space-age tools (the internet) but not even google could show me where she was.
One day out of the blue, she sent mail to me. You must remember that nations had been built and destroyed in the time we had not seen each other, but that day, I put on my laptop and there she was asking how I’d been.
We got talking (she was married and appeared quite happy in her situation) and we agreed that we’d meet for a coffee the next time I stopped by the country she now lived in.
A couple of weeks ago, I went in pursuit of theatre lighting equipment to the United Kingdom and gave her a call to say I was around. We then fixed a day we would both be free to meet.
That day, though Manchester United and Arsenal were playing a football match, I knew nothing could stop me walking by ‘the still waters’ and at least taking a glass of orange juice in some pub to catch up on old times.

WHAT struck this Peter Pan when I met her was that she was no longer the 22-year old woman I remembered. She was a grown woman and mother and even as we sat over drinks, I could not quite fathom it.
In retrospect and with “adult eyes”, you might ask, “What did you expect?” Would she have stayed the same forever? She had stayed the same actually, only she looked, well, older than a 22-year old. I suppose somewhere deep in all our minds is the deep-rooted belief that we have not changed since we were twenty-one or twenty-two and therein lies the danger of being a Peter Pan.
Though one must not lose the essence of youth, which is the greatest elixir, you may ever find, we must always remember to synchronise the passage of time with our situation.
We must remember that our true natures might stay the same but our physicality changes. My friend that I met with again was still a very-good looking woman but she wasn’t Tinker Bell who never grew up, age-wise.
The people we love, sooner or later, will have grey hair, add a few pounds to their body weight, and be less active than you once remembered them to be.
This is the truth about life but you can have the last laugh when as Peter Pan or Tinker Bell, you hold dear the memories you once shared, and you continue to love as time goes by.

laspapi@yahoo.com