Showing posts with label Edition 225. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Edition 225. Show all posts
Saturday, 20 February 2010
For Soaga... Recognition comes from ‘old boys’
ON January 23, the old students association of Baptist Boys’ High School, Abeokuta, presented Ayinde Soaga with its Old Boy’s Association’s Merit Award for 2009. Ayinde attended the school between 1973 and 1978. He was admitted at Oke- Egunya and graduated at Oke-Saje. He joined the Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, OGBC, in August 1978, shortly after completing the School certificate.
Then Secretary of the Old Boys’ Association, Chief Ayotunde Ayopo encouraged the very young Ayinde to start attending the old boy’s association meetings from 1979, when it was then a forum for really old boys. In 1979, Ayinde Soaga was only 18 years old.
Ayinde was promptly elected as Publicity Secretary of the BBHS OBA Abeokuta branch, a post he held until he proceeded on the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC in Uyo, then Cross River State in 1985, after bagging Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication from the Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta.
After serving the nation in Uyo, he returned to Abeokuta, and began freelancing in both NTA 10 Lagos and NTA Abeokuta, in the period of Structural Adjustment Programme SAP. The then General Manager of NTA Abeokuta, Dr. Biodun Sotumbi persuaded him to take up full employment with the station as a reporter in 1987.
On his return to Abeokuta in 1986, the OBA Abeokuta branch presented him for election as National Publicity Secretary, a position he held for two terms. He was later presented as National Social Secretary, a position he also discharged for two terms.
Ayinde has served the OBA meritoriously, particularly in publicizing its activities in both the print and electronic media, taking advantage of friends in the media and other old boys’, particularly the late Tunji Oseni and the late Yinka Craig. Indeed, Ayinde partnered with the late Messers Tunji Oseni and Yinka Craig, as Masters of Ceremony at the famous BBHS OBA N10 million Development Fund Launch at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island Lagos, in 1989.The memorable event brought together BBHS greats like late Chief MKO Abiola, General Olusegun Obasanjo, Prince Bola Ajibola, and former OBA Presidents including Chief Joseph Olatunji Osibamowo and Chief Folorunso Oke.
On his transfer to NTA Network News Headquarters, Lagos in 1995, Ayinde was promptly elected Publicity Secretary of the OBA Lagos Branch, a position he held until his transfer to NTA News Headquarters Abuja in 1999.
He soon linked up with old boys in Abuja attending the then bi-monthly meetings. He also served the Abuja Branch as Publicity Secretary until he was elected Vice President of the Branch in 2006. He was chairman of the committee which facilitated the over N6m refurbishment of the old Assembly Hall at Okesaje into a beautiful edifice, in a record period of less than one month.
An alumnus of both the FRCN Training School, Ikoyi Lagos and the NTA TV College Jos, Ayinde has worked as reporter on many desks including Business, Politics, particularly National Assembly coverage and Foreign Affairs and as Newscaster and Anchor/Presenter of many programmes. He has served as Head of Political and Foreign Affairs Desks at NTA News Headquarters, before his deployment as Manager News and Current Affairs at NTA Channel 5 Abuja. He also teaches at the TV College, Jos, which is now a degree awarding institution. He is currently in the Training and Capacity Building Directorate at the NTA Headquarters, Abuja.
Ayinde has travelled the world reporting for NTA. A member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Nigerian Guild of Editors, Ayinde is a fellow of the Korean Press Foundation and the International Visitor Programme of the US State Department.
The photographer’s life through another lens
BY DANIEL ANAZIA
IT was the singer-song writer, Regina Spektor, who said the real price artists pay for success is the glare it subjects their subsequent works to. Recently, Uche Okpa-Iroha’s works were subjected to such public scrutiny after his success at the African Biennale of Photography Encounters held in Bamako, Mali, where he won the Seydou Keita Grand Prize for Best Photographic Creation.
The venue, La’ Saison Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos, was filled to the brims. While some sat, a sizeable number stood and watched the works displayed on screen, including those that won him awards in the past.
In attendance were seasoned artists, photographers, painters and writers such as the Artistic Director of Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Bisi Silva; Amaize Ojeikere; Duke Asidere; Chris Nwobu; Uche James-Iroha and members of IB09 Travel Photographers and the Black Box Photography Collective.
There was a discussion on Okpa-Iroha and his art, the origin and usefulness of photography in contemporary art in Nigeria, on which Silva said, “photography has been in existence for a long time. It has been a tool since the colonial era and was used to document the people, their culture and of course, the resources, which the colonialists were out to cart away.”
She noted that the medium, over the years, evolved into an art form, but pointed out that Nigeria has a lot to do to carve a niche for itself in the genre.
She said that among other genres, narrative photography is yet to be explored by Nigerian photographers. “The potential is there but is yet to be utilised,” she said.
According to the curator, photography and video art are veritable tools for contemporary art in Nigeria. “ Nigeria has the best environment for photography and could compete favourably in the world,” she noted.
While commending Okpa-Iroha, who also won the Fondation Blachère Prize for Emerging Artist at the Bamako Encounters, Silva said, “it is good, but he is yet to arrive; he still has a long way to go. With his exhibited drive and passion, he is bound to get there.”
Having won at the Bamako Encounters, Uche will proceed on a residency programme in France soon.
THOUGH born in Enugu, South-east of Nigeria, the 1997 graduate of Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, became interested in photography in 2004, while under-studying his cousin, Uche James-Iroha, who is an established photo-artist.
His cousin, in company of Amaize and other photographers of Depth of Field (DOF), visited London where he was residing then. He saw their works, got inspired by them and the following day, he went out to get a camera.
He started by photographing ‘moving waters’ including the River Thames.
Back in Nigeria, he continued taking pictures of rivers but was not satisfied doing that, he took up street photography. His break came during an event at the Goethe Institut, Lagos.
“Much like what I experienced with photographing the Thames, I felt this doesn’t make sense to me. Suddenly, I began to take pleasure in street photographing. And this has helped me to appreciate my society and enabled me to create works that are more narrative,” he stated.
SOME of his works that were displayed at the Lagos event include Intrusion — snapped from a cousin’s living room. “The people were not aware, it was like using binoculars to spy on people’s lives,” he explained. “I am still working on the Molue Series and the Unknown Soldiers they are done in silhouette in order to disguise the men engaged in back breaking work.”
He also disclosed how his Me came into existence. He had to wash an aluminum kettle thoroughly so it could reflect very well. “I am the subject here and I had to read the lights well enough to get this shot.”
As for Ghana Vs Guinea, which shows football fans waving their hands, Okpa-Iroha revealed that he captured the image from his television set.
Of the shots he had taken so far, the artist confessed a fondness for Bright, depicting a boy holding a ball.
“I went for a three weeks workshop in Ajegunle, Lagos and this young man named Bright followed me around asking that I took his photograph. I obliged him.” The photograph was used by Farafina Magazine as a cover in one of its editions.
Most of his works, he disclosed are done in series. One of such is Under Bridge Life, which won him the Keita Prize. The judges felt it adequately fitted in with the theme of the festival, Borders.
He stated, “you find people living under the bridge in Lagos while the exotic fast cars move over them. There is this invincible line between the super rich and the super poor in Nigeria, yet these people living under the bridge, just like the rich, are working hard and dreaming of owning a home. Don’t be surprised that there’s a school under the bridge too.”
Soyinka in the splendour of an India palace
BY Ayodele ArigbabuAT the Jaipur Literary Festival held this past January 21 to 25, Wole Soyinka wowed the crowd with his voice, earning a remarkable headline in a national daily: ‘Soyinka casts a spell over Jaipur!’ The Nobel laureate was practically mobbed by young Indian literary enthusiasts who desperately wanted his autograph.
However, the design sleuth, warped mind and all, was more interested in Soyinka’s place of abode for the period.
Beyond envious headlines and wild mobs asking for his autograph, what does it feel like being a Nobel laureate?
What sort of hotel is worthy of his status when being hosted by the self-styled biggest literary event on earth.
ENTER the Rambagh Palace Hotel. The cheapest room at the Rambagh Palace Hotel in Jaipur, the capital of the North Indian state of Rajasthan costs N79,500 (26,500 rupees) while the most expensive suite is about N600,000 (195,000 rupees) per night.
Yes it is, quite literally, in every sense, a princely place to stay at.
A former home of the Maharaja (king) of Jaipur, converted to a palace from a guest house and hunting lodge to his taste in 1925, the edifice stands as a worthy example of successful adaptive re-use and impressive conservation of a historical monument, a trend which has caught on in Jaipur and other parts of India.
The architects Amit and Shalini Gehlot were commissioned by the Royal Family in 1999 to renovate the palace, which had already been converted into a luxury hotel in 1957 before being taken over by the Taj group in 1972.
The architects were given the project on condition that they approached the project with deep reverence for the cultural and historical relevance of the site, as if they didn’t have their work cut out for them already, having to introduce elevators, air-conditioning, hotel reception and other perks that would be expected of a modern luxury hotel.
The palace’s generous acreage of lush lawns came in handy though, providing extensive ready-made gardens for the new hotel.
The local paper DNA.Sunday also reports that the duo had to recreate an Italian carpet for the floors from what the royal family could remember about the original and other items of furniture and other decorative elements had to be recreated from photographs of the originals that survived.
“In fact, the Indian influence in the palace was limited and we had to be honest to its colonial flavour and architecture,” DNA quoted Amit Gehlot as saying in response to the notion that the main challenge they had was in reflecting the Indian heritage of the old building.
“The royals were widely influenced by their travels abroad and this was reflected everywhere – in the architecture, artifacts and furnishings.”
INDIAN architecture’ interestingly is almost as vague a term as ‘Nigerian architecture’, India is made up of such diverse cultures that have in turn been influenced by several foreign influences over the centuries that it is nigh impossible to articulate a particular style that is purely Indian.
However, the Rambagh Palace hotel makes good use of ornamentation and tasteful décor in delivering a super luxury hotel. The ceiling of the main banquet hall is said to have been hand-painted in exquisite detail by Italian prisoners from the Second World War.
The architects had to closely monitor the recreation and renovation of these and many other details. The doors opening out from the reception lounge into the inner courtyards are not mere doors, they are carefully sculpted with the lintels housing them following each turn with amazing precision. And then you have richly liveried attendants at every corner you turn, manning each door and staying within range, bowing in greeting even when you head into the rest room. Splendour redefined.
THE authors of the quirky book of trivia — Superfreakonomics — offer that for no clear reason, Nobel Prize winners tended to live longer than their peers who merely got nominated or were just as good but never got nominated. With his luxurious white mane and rich sonorous voice that bewitched the audience at the Jaipur Literary Festival, little wonder that Wole Soyinka remains such a sprightly septuagenarian despite having spent so many months in solitary confinement during the Nigerian civil war and despite the appalling politics that still draws his ire from his home country, propelling him just recently to lead others on a protest march to the nation’s capital.
If you are housed at places like the Rambagh hotel from time to time, you sure will live to survive all that.
With that deduction in mind as I walked down the steps of the super luxury hotel and waited while they called for my cab, I felt once again, like a Maharajah.
dreamarts.designagency@gmail.com, www.designpages.blogspot.com
Presenting Nigeria’s Young Person of the Year
The first time I heard about Ify Aniebo was when The Future Awards 2010 nominees list appeared, at the end of 2009. She was up for the Best Use of Science category as well as the Young Person of the Year. One thing immediately became clear: in a generation full of entertainers and wannabes, Ify, currently a PhD student at the University of Oxford, is a refreshing icon, underscoring the importance of science to our progress as a nation.She has set an ambitious goal for herself, to find a vaccine for that ageless scourge of sub-Saharan Africa – malaria – which annually kills close to a million persons, mostly children, on the continent.
Ify’s resume is intimidating, belying the fact that she is only 26 years old. She was “the youngest person, the only black person and the only Nigerian in the Wellcome-Oxford-WHO unit in Thailand and in the Malaria Department at the Sanger institute in Cambridge,” and has presented at leading malaria research conferences around the world.
She won the Best Use of Science category, and went on to win the Young Person of Year 2010, taking over from Kokomaster, D’Banj. Now it is my hope that, the same way D’banj has inspired multitudes of young people to take to the music studio, Ify will equally inspire large numbers of young Nigerians to find a future in the research laboratory.
-Tolu Ogunlesi, a writer and now journalist, was also a nominee for the TFA 2010 Best Young Person of the Year
Fashion for a cause!
(Strictly for the young)
BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
SO, in 2008, Swe Bar came alive! It was a little show we called Jeans for Genes! It featured music, and fashion — designers used denim to design some fabulous pieces!
The models were beautifully made up by Labelle’s Touch, and the houses including, Byge, Beampeh and MY Q turned up with interesting designs.
T-shirts were on sale; from ‘These Genes Celeb’ inscribed tees, to patterned ones, it really was these genes day!
Toyin Adesola, author of Still Standing, read excerpts from her book, which chronicles her journey, living with sickle-cell.
Artistes such as Etcetera, Divine Brothers, M.P, M.I, Jesse Jags, Bez and L’il Flow performed, while spoken word and poetry was supplied by Sage and Chiedu Ifeozo, Ebuka and Shade Ladipo hosted the event, which had celebrities such as Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and the UnRulies strutting the runway.
IN 2010, Swe Bar will come alive again as Fashion meets Music! It’s Jeans For Genes 2, and it is strictly, a t-shirt party!
Designers such as OUCH (who recently showed his line at the Waldorf-Astoria), Toni Payne, 5VE and more, will show their collection while artistes like Skuki, Lami, Loose Kaynon, Overdose, S.K.A.L.E.S and Hakym the Dream will perform.
As it is a sickle-cell awareness initiative, the hosts of the day will have information for the audience about the disorder, with one or two poets performing poetry specially designed for the show.
This year, the project will also be raising awareness about a lady living with sickle cell, who recently had to undergo an operation and needs help with footing the bill.
SICKLE cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin* S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin.
Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels.
When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disorder. There is currently no universally accepted cure for sickle cell disorder.
IN the past, These Genes has organised events like Jeans for Genes 1, Celebrity Auction, and Red and Blue Day, and also made appearances on shows such as Moments with Mo, Today on STV and Morning Ride.
This is their first event of the year, and with support from s.h.a.r.e, Swe, Zapphaire Events, M.Et.Al, Jus’ Kidding, X3M Music and more, Jeans for Genes 2 should be one of the biggest awareness based fashion shows, of the year.
For more information, please stay updated on www.thesegenes.blogspot.com.
Happy marriage… what you should know
• Start each day with a kiss — This one is not that hard; on the contrary; it can be healthy and nice.
• Wear your wedding ring at all times — most couples do wear the ring, however; their reasons might vary, so as long as they think of it as a sign of their commitment to their spouses, then they are on the safe side.
• Date once a week — It is very healthy; maybe not as often as once a week, let’s say every other week or that a date can be inside your home and that you don’t have to go somewhere fancy to have it, you get the idea, right?
• Accept differences — No one is perfect. However; healthy arguments are good for the relationship, hence; the most important thing would be learning how to compromise with one another.
• Be gentle — a person is supposed to be the closest to his/her spouse, being gentle is crucial to keep them close enough or they will find that comfort elsewhere.
• Give gifts — nice small gifts are appreciated every once in a while
• Smile often — Smile always because it is contagious and you are more likely to be smiled at when you show your teeth more often!!
• Touch — intimacy between married people is very important and touching is a means of communication that reflects closeness, connection and love; it is your way of keeping the spark alive.
• Talk about dreams — dreams of the future that is; if you don’t share your dreams with your spouse; then who?
• Do what the other person wants before he or she asks — of course; you need to know your spouse so well to be able to do this one. I guess this comes with time as you grow to know each other but seek to get that knowledge; don’t assume that it will come to you!
• Listen — this could be the most important one ever, but note that you should listen with empathy and not just hear what they are saying; you should get involved.
• Encourage — positive support and being there for one another is also very important; seek their support and give them yours and be generous!
• Do it his or her way — sometimes; you need to do things their way just to show how much you love them and respect their feelings.
• Know his or her needs —what good is a spouse if he/she does not know the needs of their significant others? This should be your primary concern!
• Call during the day — but don’t over do it and be obsessed with calling him/her. Give them their space but also show them that you think of them by a 2-minutes phone call saying “how are you doing?”
• Slow down — and don’t jump to conclusions; always give the benefit of the doubt and wait to hear them out.
• Cuddle — yes; intimacy is very important and reflects love and deep feelings.
• Ask for each other’s opinion — absolutely; whose opinion would you seek if not your spouse’s? Your decisions will reflect both your lives and not only your own, so their opinion is important for you to make the right move.
• Show respect — all the time; whether you are alone or among others. Showing respect is more important than showing love.
• Celebrate birthdays in a big way — this does not mean a big party; just show them you care about their personal occasions.
• Apologize — and don’t be too stubborn to admit that you made a mistake, because apologizing can clear things between you and allows you to move on from the conflict in a healthy manner.
• Forgive — from the heart and not only in words; forgive them and mean it.
• Set up a romantic getaway — this sounds like fun every once in a while; no harm in that!
• Ask, “What can I do to make you happier?” — in other words; communicate and keep it going, because one’s needs might change along the way, and what they used to like a couple of years ago might not be appealing to them now; so make sure you ask them what does make them happy and do it.
• Be positive — even when it is a negative era of your lives; always try to show the full half of the cup.
• Respond quickly to the other person’s request — show them that you are doing this because you care for them the most.
• Talk about your love — again; communicate. Always tell them as well as show them how much you love them and how happy you are because of having them in your lives.
• Treat each other’s friends and relatives with courtesy — even if you don’t like their family and/or friends, you treat them with respect and courtesy for the sake of your spouse; they deserve that much.
• Admit when wrong — don’t be too arrogant to say it.
• Be sensitive to each other’s sexual desires — more importantly; understand these desires and keep the communication going.
• Pray for each other daily — and do it from the heart.
• Say “I love you” frequently — don’t assume that they know you love them; everyone likes to hear it, so say it!
• End the day with a hug — show closeness and again; intimacy.
• Seek outside help when needed — if you reach a point when you feel that you cannot solve the problem alone; seek the help of someone you both trust before giving up, or go for professional help as a last resort. Never feel ashamed of that; seeking help is a lot better than giving up and doing your very best to solve your issues. You owe it to yourself and to them to do
www.anolitasmind.com
BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
SO, in 2008, Swe Bar came alive! It was a little show we called Jeans for Genes! It featured music, and fashion — designers used denim to design some fabulous pieces!
The models were beautifully made up by Labelle’s Touch, and the houses including, Byge, Beampeh and MY Q turned up with interesting designs.
T-shirts were on sale; from ‘These Genes Celeb’ inscribed tees, to patterned ones, it really was these genes day!
Toyin Adesola, author of Still Standing, read excerpts from her book, which chronicles her journey, living with sickle-cell.
Artistes such as Etcetera, Divine Brothers, M.P, M.I, Jesse Jags, Bez and L’il Flow performed, while spoken word and poetry was supplied by Sage and Chiedu Ifeozo, Ebuka and Shade Ladipo hosted the event, which had celebrities such as Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and the UnRulies strutting the runway.
IN 2010, Swe Bar will come alive again as Fashion meets Music! It’s Jeans For Genes 2, and it is strictly, a t-shirt party!
Designers such as OUCH (who recently showed his line at the Waldorf-Astoria), Toni Payne, 5VE and more, will show their collection while artistes like Skuki, Lami, Loose Kaynon, Overdose, S.K.A.L.E.S and Hakym the Dream will perform.
As it is a sickle-cell awareness initiative, the hosts of the day will have information for the audience about the disorder, with one or two poets performing poetry specially designed for the show.
This year, the project will also be raising awareness about a lady living with sickle cell, who recently had to undergo an operation and needs help with footing the bill.
SICKLE cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain mostly hemoglobin* S, an abnormal type of hemoglobin.
Sometimes these red blood cells become sickle-shaped (crescent shaped) and have difficulty passing through small blood vessels.
When sickle-shaped cells block small blood vessels, less blood can reach that part of the body. Tissue that does not receive a normal blood flow eventually becomes damaged. This is what causes the complications of sickle cell disorder. There is currently no universally accepted cure for sickle cell disorder.
IN the past, These Genes has organised events like Jeans for Genes 1, Celebrity Auction, and Red and Blue Day, and also made appearances on shows such as Moments with Mo, Today on STV and Morning Ride.
This is their first event of the year, and with support from s.h.a.r.e, Swe, Zapphaire Events, M.Et.Al, Jus’ Kidding, X3M Music and more, Jeans for Genes 2 should be one of the biggest awareness based fashion shows, of the year.
For more information, please stay updated on www.thesegenes.blogspot.com.
Happy marriage… what you should know
• Start each day with a kiss — This one is not that hard; on the contrary; it can be healthy and nice.
• Wear your wedding ring at all times — most couples do wear the ring, however; their reasons might vary, so as long as they think of it as a sign of their commitment to their spouses, then they are on the safe side.
• Date once a week — It is very healthy; maybe not as often as once a week, let’s say every other week or that a date can be inside your home and that you don’t have to go somewhere fancy to have it, you get the idea, right?
• Accept differences — No one is perfect. However; healthy arguments are good for the relationship, hence; the most important thing would be learning how to compromise with one another.
• Be gentle — a person is supposed to be the closest to his/her spouse, being gentle is crucial to keep them close enough or they will find that comfort elsewhere.
• Give gifts — nice small gifts are appreciated every once in a while
• Smile often — Smile always because it is contagious and you are more likely to be smiled at when you show your teeth more often!!
• Touch — intimacy between married people is very important and touching is a means of communication that reflects closeness, connection and love; it is your way of keeping the spark alive.
• Talk about dreams — dreams of the future that is; if you don’t share your dreams with your spouse; then who?
• Do what the other person wants before he or she asks — of course; you need to know your spouse so well to be able to do this one. I guess this comes with time as you grow to know each other but seek to get that knowledge; don’t assume that it will come to you!
• Listen — this could be the most important one ever, but note that you should listen with empathy and not just hear what they are saying; you should get involved.
• Encourage — positive support and being there for one another is also very important; seek their support and give them yours and be generous!
• Do it his or her way — sometimes; you need to do things their way just to show how much you love them and respect their feelings.
• Know his or her needs —what good is a spouse if he/she does not know the needs of their significant others? This should be your primary concern!
• Call during the day — but don’t over do it and be obsessed with calling him/her. Give them their space but also show them that you think of them by a 2-minutes phone call saying “how are you doing?”
• Slow down — and don’t jump to conclusions; always give the benefit of the doubt and wait to hear them out.
• Cuddle — yes; intimacy is very important and reflects love and deep feelings.
• Ask for each other’s opinion — absolutely; whose opinion would you seek if not your spouse’s? Your decisions will reflect both your lives and not only your own, so their opinion is important for you to make the right move.
• Show respect — all the time; whether you are alone or among others. Showing respect is more important than showing love.
• Celebrate birthdays in a big way — this does not mean a big party; just show them you care about their personal occasions.
• Apologize — and don’t be too stubborn to admit that you made a mistake, because apologizing can clear things between you and allows you to move on from the conflict in a healthy manner.
• Forgive — from the heart and not only in words; forgive them and mean it.
• Set up a romantic getaway — this sounds like fun every once in a while; no harm in that!
• Ask, “What can I do to make you happier?” — in other words; communicate and keep it going, because one’s needs might change along the way, and what they used to like a couple of years ago might not be appealing to them now; so make sure you ask them what does make them happy and do it.
• Be positive — even when it is a negative era of your lives; always try to show the full half of the cup.
• Respond quickly to the other person’s request — show them that you are doing this because you care for them the most.
• Talk about your love — again; communicate. Always tell them as well as show them how much you love them and how happy you are because of having them in your lives.
• Treat each other’s friends and relatives with courtesy — even if you don’t like their family and/or friends, you treat them with respect and courtesy for the sake of your spouse; they deserve that much.
• Admit when wrong — don’t be too arrogant to say it.
• Be sensitive to each other’s sexual desires — more importantly; understand these desires and keep the communication going.
• Pray for each other daily — and do it from the heart.
• Say “I love you” frequently — don’t assume that they know you love them; everyone likes to hear it, so say it!
• End the day with a hug — show closeness and again; intimacy.
• Seek outside help when needed — if you reach a point when you feel that you cannot solve the problem alone; seek the help of someone you both trust before giving up, or go for professional help as a last resort. Never feel ashamed of that; seeking help is a lot better than giving up and doing your very best to solve your issues. You owe it to yourself and to them to do
www.anolitasmind.com
Mastering the art of decision making
(LIFE COACH)
BY AGBOLADE OMOWOLE
ONE of the cardinal principles of achievement is effective decision making. Every successful person you know is probably an effective decision maker. The decisions you make daily are either ‘making’ or ‘breaking’ you. When you fail to make the right decisions, you become vulnerable to wrong decision making.
Decisions are different from wishes. A wish may be a fantasy or a mental picture of a desirable state without conscious determination to achieve it. Conversely, decision making is all about choosing the things you want in life.
You can decide to be rich or poor, or happy or depressed. Consciously or unconsciously we make decisions that determine our lifestyle. If you are poor, it is probably because you have not decided to be rich. If you are sorrowful, it is probably because you have not decided to be happy. If you are a ‘nobody’, it is probably because you have not decided to be a ‘somebody.’
In the game of life, there is nothing like indecision because indecision is in itself a decision.
Accept responsibility for your life. Whatever happens to you in life, accept responsibility for it. Don’t blame someone else for your failure. Note that there is a ‘you’ aspect to every experience in your life. Nobody can decide for you without your permission. Don’t blame the society, the government or the country for your woes. Decide to make your life better instead. You can make it big in this country.
The key to making effective decisions is to break complex tasks down into simple, and manageable task, and measuring the effectiveness of the decision made and how it affects your life positively.
Some decisions like reading a book at least every week, will require you to be accountable to someone.
Make one decision at a time.
When a decision is complex, it is easy to become overwhelmed, or stressed out. Take a decision per time, and take action. If the decision is to be made by a group of people, get only a few people, especially the key office holders.
Think about the future.
In making your decisions, think about the outcome. If you decide to get rich quick through unfair means, for instance, think about how that will affect your image negatively. Remember that a good name is more desirable than riches. If a decision does not have a long-lasting positive impact, you can ditch it.
Don’t make decisions in a hurry. Every decision probably has a consequence. There are times that you begin to see the negative effect of the decision that was made without being able to change it. Think for at least two minutes before making a decision. Every time you want to make a decision is an opportunity to make the right one.
As I grew up, I came to the understanding that it is my decisions, not external factors, that determine my destiny. I decided to learn as an apprentice at Awesome Associates as a consultant, and that decision has helped me in my professional life. I learnt the rudiments of life coaching and consultancy then. Today, that decision has paid off in spades.
Take time to decide your career path. An average person spends about 20 years, building one career. Before you apply for that job, ask yourself if you will like to spend the next five years or thereabouts in that company.
Understand that one of the greatest decisions you will ever make is who to marry and your career path. Choose them wisely. Take time out to think about the career path that will make you fulfilled.
Give yourself enough time.
A wise man once counseled: “A minute spent in thinking is worth two in execution.” Give yourself time to consider the pros and cons of your decision. Think about the effect of your decision on yourself and on those around you. The best decisions are those that affect you and others around you positively.
You deserve to be recognised. You deserve to be great. You deserve to be rich and wealthy. You deserve to be healthy.You deserve to have all the good things of life. The only thing you need to do right now is to decide all the good things that you want for your life, and start attracting them.
agboolaa_coach@yahoo.com
Making money from ice block-making
(Biz tool Kits)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
RECENTLY, we attended a business breakfast meeting for top executives and business owners. After the meeting, we gave out our magazine to the attendees. One of them called us and asked if we could prepare a business plan for his cousin.
The business plan was on ice block making. Our research threw up some interesting findings: Ice block business has come to stay despite poor state of power supply.
The business plan was an eye-opener for him. Today, he is offering us another brief in a different industry.
ICE-block business is important in this country located in a hot region of the world. Besides, our economy is such that majority of our people get involved in hard labour to make ends meet.
These two important facts necessitate the high intake of water by especially the people, who drive the economy at that level. Therefore, one can imagine the volume of water that is taken on a daily basis irrespective of the season we are in.
And of course, most people prefer to take their water or drink chilled as this makes the liquid tastier and better appreciated.
In addition, the nature of the economy does not permit everyone to own a refrigerator at home so as to ice their water and other drinks. And even among those that own a refrigerator, only a small percentage can afford to power it with the right generating set because of epileptic power supply.
This is an opportunity that can be taken advantage of by smart entrepreneurs or investors.
Ice Block Making
Ice is water that has frozen into a solid state. Ice block is the block shape the water poured into a cellophane bag or a container takes when it is frozen. It is a product developed to provide cold effect to otherwise warm or lukewarm packaged water, soft drinks or fruit juice products with the intent to give the consumer the pleasure of taking such fluids chilled or cold.
With increase in the number of packaged water and fruit juice products, carbonated soft drinks and in the market, ice blocks will help to make them more enjoyable, tastier to consumers’ palates and preserve them for a longer time.
Target market for ice block business.
With current poor power supply, ice-block business will remain relevant because the target market is wide and varied. If the product is not needed at the individual level, there are organisations/institutions whose work/products require constant icing.
The market for ice-block here includes:
* Drink sellers dealing in carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and fruit juice beverages;
*Packaged water sellers dealing in sachet and bottled water products;
*Party people or individuals or groups having one festivity or celebration or the other; Carbonated and fruit juice beverages manufacturers e.g. Cocacola, Pepsi, ChiVita, etc.
∑ Restaurant and fast food vendors; Cafetaria (what some popularly call buka);
∑ Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of drug products requiring cooling effect to preserve the efficacy and potency of some of their drugs.
• Hospitals and clinics also need it
for the treatment of patients and
for preserving certain drugs and
vaccines.
• Hawkers who sell their drink, water and juice products during traffic and who need to ice these items to attract buyers, among many others.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd
BY AGBOLADE OMOWOLE
ONE of the cardinal principles of achievement is effective decision making. Every successful person you know is probably an effective decision maker. The decisions you make daily are either ‘making’ or ‘breaking’ you. When you fail to make the right decisions, you become vulnerable to wrong decision making.
Decisions are different from wishes. A wish may be a fantasy or a mental picture of a desirable state without conscious determination to achieve it. Conversely, decision making is all about choosing the things you want in life.
You can decide to be rich or poor, or happy or depressed. Consciously or unconsciously we make decisions that determine our lifestyle. If you are poor, it is probably because you have not decided to be rich. If you are sorrowful, it is probably because you have not decided to be happy. If you are a ‘nobody’, it is probably because you have not decided to be a ‘somebody.’
In the game of life, there is nothing like indecision because indecision is in itself a decision.
Accept responsibility for your life. Whatever happens to you in life, accept responsibility for it. Don’t blame someone else for your failure. Note that there is a ‘you’ aspect to every experience in your life. Nobody can decide for you without your permission. Don’t blame the society, the government or the country for your woes. Decide to make your life better instead. You can make it big in this country.
The key to making effective decisions is to break complex tasks down into simple, and manageable task, and measuring the effectiveness of the decision made and how it affects your life positively.
Some decisions like reading a book at least every week, will require you to be accountable to someone.
Make one decision at a time.
When a decision is complex, it is easy to become overwhelmed, or stressed out. Take a decision per time, and take action. If the decision is to be made by a group of people, get only a few people, especially the key office holders.
Think about the future.
In making your decisions, think about the outcome. If you decide to get rich quick through unfair means, for instance, think about how that will affect your image negatively. Remember that a good name is more desirable than riches. If a decision does not have a long-lasting positive impact, you can ditch it.
Don’t make decisions in a hurry. Every decision probably has a consequence. There are times that you begin to see the negative effect of the decision that was made without being able to change it. Think for at least two minutes before making a decision. Every time you want to make a decision is an opportunity to make the right one.
As I grew up, I came to the understanding that it is my decisions, not external factors, that determine my destiny. I decided to learn as an apprentice at Awesome Associates as a consultant, and that decision has helped me in my professional life. I learnt the rudiments of life coaching and consultancy then. Today, that decision has paid off in spades.
Take time to decide your career path. An average person spends about 20 years, building one career. Before you apply for that job, ask yourself if you will like to spend the next five years or thereabouts in that company.
Understand that one of the greatest decisions you will ever make is who to marry and your career path. Choose them wisely. Take time out to think about the career path that will make you fulfilled.
Give yourself enough time.
A wise man once counseled: “A minute spent in thinking is worth two in execution.” Give yourself time to consider the pros and cons of your decision. Think about the effect of your decision on yourself and on those around you. The best decisions are those that affect you and others around you positively.
You deserve to be recognised. You deserve to be great. You deserve to be rich and wealthy. You deserve to be healthy.You deserve to have all the good things of life. The only thing you need to do right now is to decide all the good things that you want for your life, and start attracting them.
agboolaa_coach@yahoo.com
Making money from ice block-making
(Biz tool Kits)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
RECENTLY, we attended a business breakfast meeting for top executives and business owners. After the meeting, we gave out our magazine to the attendees. One of them called us and asked if we could prepare a business plan for his cousin.
The business plan was on ice block making. Our research threw up some interesting findings: Ice block business has come to stay despite poor state of power supply.
The business plan was an eye-opener for him. Today, he is offering us another brief in a different industry.
ICE-block business is important in this country located in a hot region of the world. Besides, our economy is such that majority of our people get involved in hard labour to make ends meet.
These two important facts necessitate the high intake of water by especially the people, who drive the economy at that level. Therefore, one can imagine the volume of water that is taken on a daily basis irrespective of the season we are in.
And of course, most people prefer to take their water or drink chilled as this makes the liquid tastier and better appreciated.
In addition, the nature of the economy does not permit everyone to own a refrigerator at home so as to ice their water and other drinks. And even among those that own a refrigerator, only a small percentage can afford to power it with the right generating set because of epileptic power supply.
This is an opportunity that can be taken advantage of by smart entrepreneurs or investors.
Ice Block Making
Ice is water that has frozen into a solid state. Ice block is the block shape the water poured into a cellophane bag or a container takes when it is frozen. It is a product developed to provide cold effect to otherwise warm or lukewarm packaged water, soft drinks or fruit juice products with the intent to give the consumer the pleasure of taking such fluids chilled or cold.
With increase in the number of packaged water and fruit juice products, carbonated soft drinks and in the market, ice blocks will help to make them more enjoyable, tastier to consumers’ palates and preserve them for a longer time.
Target market for ice block business.
With current poor power supply, ice-block business will remain relevant because the target market is wide and varied. If the product is not needed at the individual level, there are organisations/institutions whose work/products require constant icing.
The market for ice-block here includes:
* Drink sellers dealing in carbonated soft drinks, alcoholic drinks and fruit juice beverages;
*Packaged water sellers dealing in sachet and bottled water products;
*Party people or individuals or groups having one festivity or celebration or the other; Carbonated and fruit juice beverages manufacturers e.g. Cocacola, Pepsi, ChiVita, etc.
∑ Restaurant and fast food vendors; Cafetaria (what some popularly call buka);
∑ Pharmaceutical companies and manufacturers of drug products requiring cooling effect to preserve the efficacy and potency of some of their drugs.
• Hospitals and clinics also need it
for the treatment of patients and
for preserving certain drugs and
vaccines.
• Hawkers who sell their drink, water and juice products during traffic and who need to ice these items to attract buyers, among many others.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd
Nigerian apple
(Food Value)BY CHINELO NWAGBO
EVERY year, Nigeria produces a lot of its own specie of apples, which belongs to botanical family of Rosaceae with peaches, plum etc. This apple contains certain amount of carbohydrate in form of sugar. It also has small amount of protein and very rich in vitamins C and E; and as well some minerals such as potassium and iron. The local apple contains certain non-nutritive compound such as fibre; flavonoid and polyphenols — both are powerful antioxidant. All the nutrients contained in this apple are essential for proper functioning of the body.
Uses and preparation of local apple
Raw: It can be eaten raw or otherwise, but it must be properly washed. Some people recommend peeling the back to help eliminate pesticides. It can also be eaten raw as in fruit salad.
Juice: It can be used to prepare apple juice.
Baked: Baked apple is delicious and highly digestible. In the process of baking, one must be cautious not to over-bake, so, as to minimise nutrient loss.
Healing power / health benefits
Cures constipation: Apple consumption regulates intestinal function and cures both constipation and diarrhea. Eating one or two on an empty stomach in the morning prevent or cures constipation because of the high-fibre content.
Prevents high blood pressure (hypertension): Studies conducted in Japan, where the normal diet contains a great deal of salt, have shown that those who regularly eat apples have lower blood pressure. This is as a result of high potassium and sodium with little or no fat content of the fruit. Potassium regulates heartbeats in the body.
Lowers elevated cholesterol (a type of fat in the body): Eating apples reduce an increased or elevated cholesterol level. Pectin, a soluble fibre found in apples, plays a significant role in this case. It absorbs biliary salt (a basic ingredient for making cholesterol) and helps to excrete them out through faeces, thereby lowering the cholesterol level.
Prevents arteriosclerosis (narrowing/ blocking of the artery walls due to fat and cholesterol deposits): Favonoids in apple prevents cholesterol and fat deposits in the arteries. Cholesterol and fat deposits are the major cause of arteriosclerosis because they obstruct the flow of blood and nutrients into the artery walls and if arteriosclerosis is not properly treated, it may lead to stroke, heart attack and death.
Good for prevention of cholelithiasis (gallstones): Local apples have choleretic effect (increase bile production in the liver), which helps to decongest the liver. It also reduces lithogenic index of the bile, which measures the tendency to form biliary caculi. Apple is recommended to patients who are at risk of developing cholelithiasis (particularly women between 40 and 50 years old) or those who have undergone surgery because it enables bile to produce more fluid and prevents the formation of gallstone or calculi.
Good for the diabetes: Diabetics like local apples for their sugar, fructose, which requires less insulin than the common sugar. They also contain pectin (fibre) that helps to regulate the slow release of sugar into the blood. Pectin also supplies galacturonic acid, which lowers the body’s need for insulin and helps in the management of diabetes.
Prevents cancer formation
The antioxidants vitamins (C and E) in apples work against the development of cancer by neutralising the agents that cause it. Pectin (a non- nutritive component) is capable of preventing the growth of cancerous tumors of the colon. Local apple is recommended to patients that are at high risk of developing colon cancer as well as those that have been diagnosed or treated of cancer to avoid relapse.
Aid in digestion (cures indigestion): Apples, rich in fibre, help in digestion. Their regular consumption ensure smooth bowel movements, prevention of constipation and other stomach disorders.
Cures anemia: Anemia is the deficiency of hemoglobin in the blood, which can be increased with the regular intake of iron rich diets such as apples.
Dental care: Eating apples help in cleaning the teeth and gum. They also reduce the incidence of cavities in teeth. When you eat apples, the fibre cleanses the teeth and the antiviral properties keep bacteria and virus away.
Bone protection: French researchers found that a flavanoid called phloridzin found only in apples protects post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and may also increase bone density. Boron, an ingredient in apples, also strengthens bones.
chineloeby@yahoo.com
Imperial Restaurant…A different style to dining
(Eatry Run)
BY ADEOLA OJEDOKU
MANY know about Imperial Chinese Cuisine Restaurant on Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos but how many have discovered the treasures within? Imperial, like the name, fits perfectly with the venue’s relaxed and informal atmosphere; it simply gives you a fantastic dining experience and the perfect solution to social entertainment.
Warm, creamy and sapphire lights warmed my steps through the doors into the restaurant. This trendy facility is an artistic display of structural paintings of genius.
The main restaurant is over a few steps above the entrance and rests diligently on the bar that is a display of exotic drinks that beckons on you.
A delightful dining experience is started off with Seafood Delight Soup, which is a sea soup with chunks of fish.
The fish amidst other sea rudiments can either be a hit or a miss, but it definitely was a hit for me with its spicy flavour that warmed my palates.
Once that was settled in, I settled down to enjoy enjoy the special hot appetizers; Crab Balls, Jumbo Frantail Prawns and Spring Rolls, each accompanied by a delicate but tasteful sauce which perfectly complements the culinary experience.
The prawns are the biggest and most tender I have eaten a long while. The balled crabs also come hot and covered in a delicious sauce, which will definitely leave you wanting more.
For the main course at Imperial, the experience becomes more exciting as Chef Du’ (as he is fondly called) dazzled and razzled my imagination with his beautifully prepared toasted culinary dishes even before it gets before you.
I was served with an array of a la carte dishes; diced beef with black pepper in sticks, steamed whole steamed whole fish in shallot sauce, cooked prawns with mushrooms and bamboo shoot, deep fried chicken with green and red pepper, lobsters in supreme clear sauce, fried vermicelli in Singapore style and a house special fried rice, all in royal platters. And this is no nouvelle cuisine; the portions are quite large.
Cool Green Lawn
BY EKWY P. UZOANYAA BRILLIANT, green lawn is always a delightful sight. Homeowners with some spacious outdoors will definitely love a thick carpet of grassed ground.
Growing a healthy lawn can be achieved by taking the right decisions. The effort put out to put the lawn in now, will determine the quality of the lawn for many years to come. It will also make a major difference in the amount of upkeep and maintenance to be performed in the future.
Proper preparation of the soil is the first step in attaining a healthy lawn. The soil should be tilled thoroughly over the entire area and should be made rich for planting if it is lacking plant nutrients.
Selecting the right grass that thrives well in a given area among the different types of grasses in existence is another important step towards a creating a beautiful lawn. Shady areas do not easily allow green lawns. Shade tolerant type of grass is therefore suited for any such planting.
Lawn areas with heavy foot traffic require a tough grass. Some types are more resistant to drought than others prone to drought than others. Getting such information from the local commercial gardener will be beneficial.
But in addition to selection of grass-type, there are other factors to consider in having a green lawn. Effective lawn weed control, in addition to having the right lawn mower and using that lawn mower properly is important. But in dry season, weed growth is not likely to be much of a problem. Think about watering lawns and removing thatch.
Watering
Watering is of prime importance in the survival of newly planted lawn grasses especially during dry season. New sod must be kept moist, by watering as soon as it is layed out. So during the first few weeks of watering, concentrate on keeping the lawn surface moist. This is best accomplished by frequent light watering, especially on hot, sunny days. Areas of the lawn in full sun need to be watered more often than partially shaded areas. Note that slopes always dry out faster than level areas.
During the first two weeks, heavy traffic should be avoided. After that time, the new sod should have established roots. Mowing the lawn can begin when it grows up to four to five inches. Cut the grass only when the grass and soil are not wet. Mowing when the ground is wet can lead to damage roots and grass that may prohibit proper growth. Since most new lawns require constant water saturation for their first weeks or months, try to mow during the driest period in between watering periods.
The ancient… the modern
BY BIMPE ADEBAMBOEARLIER this month, Vlisco, makers of fine Dutch wax, launched the New Tableau Vivant Collection, an eccentric expressions that embraces the distinctiveness of art inspired by unexpected combinations.
The collection features an interesting colour palette of soft blues and mellow browns that trigger memories of ancient art (think Egyptian sphinx and old indigo), while bold yellow and orange accents evoke a timeless intensity and sunny disposition.
Vlisco has been supporting local fashion design talents – both emerging and established – by organising competitions and providing some designers with textiles to support their fashion shows.
The fabric has some exciting designs such as fishes caught in a net, groundnut pods, lattice designs like molecular structures, ethnic batik and fan-like designs, tiny polka dots, decorated tap and charming pipe designs. 3 dimensional images of a cross between cheese chunks and dice, with a grid as the background (they got their calculations right!) are a pleasant cacophonous mix that will easily catch your attention and arouse curiousity in a healthy and creative way. The textile designers indeed have a good sense of humour!
beampeh2000@yahoo.com
Show me your backside
By Kemi AmushanTHE hottest trend among ladies now is backless? Yes, backless; in the sense that the outfit reveals partly or fully, the back of the wearer.
A dress with an open back is surely going to attract attention, especially when it is worn at a wedding reception or any social engagement.
But if you know you don’t have an attractive back, especially if you have spots, please don’t even try it.
Simple rule of fashion says that you must wear what comes out fine on you, not the other person.
Tips for backless
• When going backless, look out for balance. Since you’re exposing your back, high necks are a way of maintaining balance; longer lengths are a plus, while sleeves can add just the hint of modesty you need.
• If your back is bare, please make sure your ‘girls’ are covered.
• If you wear a low cut front along with a bare back, you could easily be considered a promiscuous person. So, the best is a boat neck front with a huge surprise when you turn around.
• Carefully consider the type of bra you plan to wear. If you are the type that goes out without a bra, then see yourself as blessed as far as this outfit is concerned. If you must wear one, be sure to get that perfect type that isn’t going to hang out. The lowest you can go is mid back, that way; it will fall right below where your bra will normally be. This is where the invincible bras come in. An option is the relatively modern backless bra. There are straps, but no back strap. This makes it easier for you to have support without showing the straps.
• Another important rule is to stand up tall and refrain from slouching when wearing a backless dress. In fact, don’t wear one if you are uncomfortable in it. Once you have it on, be proud and confident.
• When posing for pictures lift your back, tighten you abdomen, and casually cross your legs.
If you can keep these rules, then go right ahead and bare that gorgeous back, lady.
Ebohon dines with the masters
BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLEAS the beauty of the canvas lies on colour projection; painter, Sam Ebohon, holds nothing back in his rendition of the rainbow. While preparing for a solo art exhibition in August, Ebohon is eagerly looking forward to feeling the pulse of the public on what he declares as “new face of my art.”
Inside his studio, in Isolo, Lagos, some of the works show a slight difference from collection in his last solo outing entitled Shades of Value, 2008. For example, Job Seekers and Princess appeared subtler in tone, compared to the human image depictions in works such as I Fine, Saharian Bride and Brain Storm Herald of Royalty, in his last outing.
“I can’t be static; I keep researching. It’s still within my identity to remain unique, not much of change, except the softness,” he explains.
GROUP exhibition projects often tend to add or subtract from an artist’s rating, but Ebohon has found like minds in the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria (GFA). “It’s the right group to belong for any full time studio artist, who wants to be counted among the best in Nigeria,” he boasts.
Perhaps serving at executive level in the guild’s inauguration and induction committee, last year has blessed Ebohon with some privileges to contribute to growth of the collective of new and aspiring Nigerian visual art masters. But at the just concluded election that ushered in the new executive, his name was missing from the list of candidates. He explains that it was necessary for him to “step down for another competent member; Kehinde Sanwo, the new secretary.”
EBOHON’s emergence as the winner of the global art competition, Caterina de’ Medici Painting Award, Italy, in 2009, he says, “confirmed that GFA is the guild of masters.” About 150 artists across the world participated in the competition themed Florence and its Province in the Eyes of the World, with Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka being on the panel of judges.
A streetscape titled Midnight on Viaguelfa – which earned him the prize – draws one’s attention to Ebohon’s cubist form.
The glory did not come without pains, as he recalls almost losing interest in the event because of lack of sponsors back home.
Ebohon’s sacrifice, however, is the nation’s gain – beyond the laurel — as the representatives of Caterina de’ Medici Painting Award in Nigeria had secured the hosting of the 2010 edition. The competition has been included as part of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival holding in Badagry, but the irony of this development is that the corporate support is not forthcoming. This confirms the criticisms that Nigeria’s corporate sector always wait for a breakthrough in a project before coming in to tap from its harvest, rather than being part of the dream from the beginning.
THOUGH he is satisfied with the credit of inducing the hosting right, one expects the sponsor of the event, a leading telecommunication company (name withheld) to recognise Ebohon in the Lagos event tagged Lagos, The City Of A Thousand Masks, which holds in April. So far, nothing in that direction: “I don’t know if the organisers and sponsors are recognising my status as the last winner; I’m yet to hear from them,” he says.
Graduated in 1990 at Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech), Yaba, Lagos, specializing in Painting; Ebohon in the same year, received the Academy Press Award for Excellence in Painting.
EVENTS
ArtHouse Contemporary’s first art auction of the year opens with preview on Saturday, February 27 and Sunday 28 at The Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, while the auction holds on Monday, March 1.
The Ballad Artistry of Gene Ammons
BY BENSON IDONIJETHREE tenor saxophone players have become models for the exhibition of the broad-toned brilliance usually referred to in jazz history as the Ammons-Rollins-Webster saxophone tradition.
They have influenced generations of tenor players, including such Nigerians as Peter King and Laitan Adeniji, the Heavywind. And, of these three jazz giants and innovators, Gene Ammons is perhaps the most emotionally expressive and appealing because of his treatment of ballads where the essence and impact of this feeling are more effectively communicated and felt.
Gene Ammons was one of the great jazz ballad players – very capable of conveying strong emotion at slow tempos without sliding over into the syrupy side of things. Under normal circumstances, however, even the best of balladeers must restrict himself to only one or two examples per album, keeping a proper balance between the slow and the swinging, the pretty and the funky. Fortunately for Gene — and for all of us — part of his very long period as a Prestige recording artist coincided with the existence of a specialized label, ‘Moodsville’ — dedicated to albums filled with nothing but ballads. Thus, without having to pick out an anthology involving many different years and varied settings and personnel, we can come up with an impressive and unified view of “gentle” music by Gene Ammons.
The Moodsville premise was a simple one: take a soloist with the right kind of feeling, provide him with a suitable rhythm section, and turn them loose on the Great American Songbook.
This premise fitted smoothly into a basic Prestige concept. From his earliest days in the record business, Bob Weinstock (founder and — until 1971 — head of the company) felt that jazz could be best marketed by providing music of similar characteristics with its own label identity. The first of Bob’s labels (in 1949) was New Jazz; and when Prestige was started shortly thereafter, he attempted to keep their identities separate. New Jazz would be for more experimental sounds, while Prestige would represent the popular jazz mainstream of the day. Ten years later, he revived the idea for LPs, with the two main labels being joined by Swingville, Moodsville, and labels devoted to blues, R&B, gospel, Latin, and ethnic music.
Swingville, intended to be more for jam sessions than anything else, didn’t quite turn out that way. Moodsville, on the other hand, was exactly the jazz mood-music vehicle it was supposed to be. Not counting reissue anthologies, Moodsville produced 32 LPs in less than three and a half years, a respectable output which involved roster artists who also appeared on Prestige, New Jazz, and Swingville. As far as quality is concerned, the series produced — in addition to the two albums reissued here — three certified classics (Coleman Hawkin’s At Ease; Oliver Nelson’s Nocturne; and Yusef Lateef’s Eastern Sounds) and a number of top contenders. But what is of concern here is Gene Ammons and how remarkably well his individual contribution to the series stands up more than three decades after the fact.
Ammons was the ideal choice for the strictly ballad tempo Moodsville setting. He had the equipment in the form of a huge, highly personal tone and a sparsely noted, highly elastic sense of time. He had been playing professionally almost 20 years and had the musical maturity to perform ballads for their melodic content, rather than as an excuse for bravura displays of technique. By this time, he was an acknowledged master of the form.
The rhythm-only accompaniment which appears throughout these sides should receive particular mention. Gene had served with big bands and his own band (small units with or without Sonny Stitt); but from the time of his return to the scene in 1960, he went solo more often than not. There is nothing like a strange rhythm section to get a hornman straightened out quickly. Instead of being a part of an ensemble, the horn is responsible for the melody all by himself. In the two earlier volumes of The Gene Ammons Story (P.24058, The 78 Era; and P.24071, Organ Combos), Gene was in the company of other horns. Here we are exposed to his melodic gifts exclusively.
And certainly “gift” is the proper term.
GENE was blessed with perfect pitch, and his interpretative ability is legendary. Time after time he would see music for the first time at a recording session. Invariably, his reaction was the same. He would study sheet music and toy with changes in deep concentration until he felt he had learned what he needed to know. Then he would simply outline a routine for the accompaniment and play the tune as if he had written it — rarely referring to the printed music.
These recordings were made roughly 15 months apart, and there is a distinct difference between them. For one thing, Gene is clearly more inspired on the second session where he evolves his own little arrangements on several tunes. This may have been a result of more familiarity with the overall ballad-album concept; a greater affinity for an obviously superior rhythm section; or both.
Meredith Wilson’s Till There Was You, from The Music Man, is our opener.
Gene has the melody and a blowing chorus. Richard Wyands has half a chorus and Gene returns on the bridge. Nat Cole had a big hit with Answer me my love in the fifties, and after a 3/4 intro by Wyands, Gene has this one to himself. After the melody chorus, Gene plays a little, returning to the melody for the last strain. He was attracted to Nat Cole songs. Woody Herman and Nat did a cross country tour while Gene was with the band, and he got to know Nat quite well. In the early seventies, he recorded an entire session of Cole tunes.
Willow Weep for Me is one of those melodies that all great musicians get to sooner or later. Gene would record this one again a few months later in a live session with Richard “Grove” Holmes.
Little Girl Blue was a personal favorite of Gene’s. He takes this all the way. Something I Dreamed Last Night is best known in Miles Davis’s 1956 version. After Wyand’s opening, the tempo shifts to medium for Gene’s blowing.
The King and I would seem an unlikely Broadway vehicle to capture Gene’s interest; and indeed, he didn’t particularly want to record Something Wonderful. Producer Esmond Edwards brought the tune in and persuaded Gene to look it over. In retrospect, Edwards was right, since Gene gives it a warm reading.
I Remember You is an enduring standard best known in Charlie Parker’s recording. This performance has a little tempo to it, and Gene responds by tossing off an attractive break and a strong chorus. Wyands has a pleasant half chorus before Gene returns to walk it out, helped by a brief tag.
Someone to Watch Over Me is an unusual choice for Gene in that he disliked playing tunes that “everyone else does.” The melody was a special favorite of Ben Webster, who recorded several different versions.
It shouldn’t detract from this session when we say that the second is better, because it is merely a case of going from the good to the exceptional. Gene’s playing on Sides 3 and 4 is some of the best he has ever committed to record.
The rhythm section is uplifting here. Patti Bown, then a member of Quincy Jones’s band, is a great accompanist, and George Duvivier and Ed Shaughnessy are a perfect team. The session benefits from more medium tempos.
Bown and Gene prepare a little introduction for Two Different Worlds. The change from brushes to sticks for the blowing choruses was probably Gene’s idea and it obviously stimulates him.
Bown’s intro sets up But Beautiful (which has received notable performances by Teddy Edwards, Flip Phillips, and Kenny Dorham among others). Gene has all the blowing space, topped by a coda that is beautiful all by itself.
A flute-like vamp ushers in Hoagy Carmichael’s Skylark, a beautiful, classic melody. Gene obviously enjoys this one, and he negotiates the challenging changes in masterful fashion.
Three Little Words is the most aggressive performance on the album. Shaughnessy is on sticks all the way here, and after an arrangement which opens in 2/4 (and repeats for Bown’s outstanding chorus and Gene’s final theme statement), there is some strong wailing by all concerned. The ending is one of the typical tags that Gene and Sonny Stitt used to toss at each other so frequently.
With Street of Dreams, we have an opportunity to compare this performance with the famous version Gene recorded for United (now available on Savoy) almost 10 years prior. Patti Bown uses the same Tweedle Dee vamp that John Houston used on the original behind the blowing chorus. The entire arrangement is essentially the same, as is Gene’s last chorus, setting up the return to the melody. Gene, like many musicians with popular records, tended to incorporate portions of originally recorded solos into. arrangements of — requested favorites.
You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To is given a Latinized introduction before breaking into a strong four. Ed Shaughnessy’s drumming is firm and inventive, exactly like what Gene liked. Patti Bown’s chorus is a fascinating mixture of styles. Gene’s restructuring of emphasis in the melody to suit his own style is remarkable. He was as good as anyone who ever played at this.
Under a Blanket of Blue is a mellow performance, with the rhythm shifting to 2/4 for the blowing. This was an especially popular approach to ballads at the time. Jimmy Dorsey wrote I’m Glad There Is You in 1942, while Gene was still in high school, but Gene makes it his own here. Once again there is a classic Ammons coda, longer than most this time.
GENE Ammons has left two powerful albums worth of material as evidence of his continuing inventiveness and versatility in these Moodsville sides. After hearing them, anyone attempting to dismiss him as an R&B honker or relegate him to the ranks of the pure beboppers would have his case shut down.
Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination: The task ahead of JAMB
BY LUKE ODIA DENNIS
AS the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gets set to conduct the first Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), many are watching with keen interest how it will translate the policy of government into a worthy venture.
Last year, all the matriculation examinations organised by JAMB were scrapped for the unified examination, which attempts to give the secondary school leaver a range of options between universities and other tertiary institutions.
However, the examination, scheduled to hold on April 17, is already attracting comments.
The inability of JAMB to hold a problem-free examination came to the fore last year when a lot of students were asked to recheck their UME scores, as the science subjects were not accurately marked.
Many are afraid that the body will be unable to cope with the turnout of candidates, having been unable to successfully organise separate exams without problems in the past.
Mathew Ede, who owns an online registration center in Benin City, said that JAMB official website experienced extreme pressure due to the huge number of candidates who attempted to fill their online forms in order to beat the January 29 deadline for registration. He noted that filling the online form was a Herculean task.
Some candidates also complained that they had to buy new scratch cards because after submission, other candidates’ forms appeared during printing.
Some others said that since they scratched their cards, they had been unable to successfully fill their online forms. They are either told that the courses or the universities of their choice do not exist in the site’s database — which is contrary to what is on the site’s brochure — that their PIN number do not exist.
Some other candidates have been unable to reconcile the courses chosen in their choice universities with those in colleges of education as they are told that the subject combination is wrong.
These are, however, minor problems for JAMB compared to the daunting task of organising a hitch-free examination in April.
UNILAG upgrades Faculty of Business Administration curriculum
BY MARY AKPARANTA
AS a result of ongoing collaboration between public and private sector, the University of Lagos is putting in place, a process that will enhance its business management curriculum. The move is to bridge the gap between what the labour market wants and what tertiary institutions are teaching.
The new curriculum is a product of a two-year research by Faculty of Education management, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Kansas State University and British American Tobacco Nigeria.
Speaking during announcement of the initiative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), commended the project partners for their foresight.
“A curriculum development programme such as this is very important because it provides human capability development that addresses skills gap, which is not only timely but appropriate in view of the present global socio-economic challenges,” he said.
He was, however, full of confidence that initiatives like this would help raise the profile of graduates from Nigerian institutions.
The Coordinator, Dr. A.A. Sulaimon said the course is currently being offered only by the Faculty of Business Administration, but is open to other students who wish to ‘borrow’ it.
He paid tributes to the project partners, the authorities of the university and the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Professor Ben Oghojafor, for their relentless efforts in ensuring the possibility of the initiative.
Giving an overview of the project, the USAID Team Leader (Education), Dr. Sandy Ojikutu, stated it is aimed at “increasing the productivity of the youths, as well as arming them with relevant skills to make them competitive and fit into needs of the private sector. Partnerships like this will help in the overall development of the educational sector.”
AAU students protest fee increase, as landlord ejects UNAAB from building
BY ANAZIA DANIEL
ACADEMIC and commercial activities at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, came to a halt during the week as students of the state-owned institution took to the streets, protesting alleged increment in tuition fees from N26,000 to N76,000 for full-time students, and from N30,000 to N100,000 for part-time.
Surrounding supermarkets and filling station were set ablaze, and banks raided. The Benin-Auchi-Abuja Road was also barricaded, forcing all vehicles to divert to Iruekpen-Sabonggida-Ora/Afuze-Auchi Road.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Osareren, has denied the increase, but added that the school authorities are to decide on the new tuition fees.
Meanwhile, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), in a statement jointly signed by its national coordinator, Hassan Taiwo and secretary, Chinedu Bosah, called the state government and the school authority to revert to the former fees. “The fees have been provocatively and unwarrantedly increased, and we see no justification for it, given the socio-economic difficulties most Nigerians are passing through.”
According to the group, it will be inconsiderate to ask citizens earning N7,500 as minimum wage to pay N100,000 for their wards’ university education.
Commenting on the issue, Information and Orientation Commissioner, Abdul Oroh, condemned the action of the students, which he said was hijacked by hoodlums, adding that the police will be allowed to do its work and bring those responsible for the destruction of properties to book.
IN a related development, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), has been ejected from its mini-campus at the Isale-Igbein, Ogun State.
The building was used during take-off 22 years ago before the construction of its permanent site at Alabata, outskirt of Abeokuta.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNAAB, Olufemi Olaiya Balogun, confirming this, said, “on the sudden directive from our landlord, the Anglican Communion, that we should vacate its properties, which serve as our mini campus at Isale-Igbein, we have begun the process of relocating.”
Sources close the church say; the Anglican Communion is planning to convert the property to a seminary.
AS the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) gets set to conduct the first Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), many are watching with keen interest how it will translate the policy of government into a worthy venture.
Last year, all the matriculation examinations organised by JAMB were scrapped for the unified examination, which attempts to give the secondary school leaver a range of options between universities and other tertiary institutions.
However, the examination, scheduled to hold on April 17, is already attracting comments.
The inability of JAMB to hold a problem-free examination came to the fore last year when a lot of students were asked to recheck their UME scores, as the science subjects were not accurately marked.
Many are afraid that the body will be unable to cope with the turnout of candidates, having been unable to successfully organise separate exams without problems in the past.
Mathew Ede, who owns an online registration center in Benin City, said that JAMB official website experienced extreme pressure due to the huge number of candidates who attempted to fill their online forms in order to beat the January 29 deadline for registration. He noted that filling the online form was a Herculean task.
Some candidates also complained that they had to buy new scratch cards because after submission, other candidates’ forms appeared during printing.
Some others said that since they scratched their cards, they had been unable to successfully fill their online forms. They are either told that the courses or the universities of their choice do not exist in the site’s database — which is contrary to what is on the site’s brochure — that their PIN number do not exist.
Some other candidates have been unable to reconcile the courses chosen in their choice universities with those in colleges of education as they are told that the subject combination is wrong.
These are, however, minor problems for JAMB compared to the daunting task of organising a hitch-free examination in April.
UNILAG upgrades Faculty of Business Administration curriculum
BY MARY AKPARANTA
AS a result of ongoing collaboration between public and private sector, the University of Lagos is putting in place, a process that will enhance its business management curriculum. The move is to bridge the gap between what the labour market wants and what tertiary institutions are teaching.
The new curriculum is a product of a two-year research by Faculty of Education management, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Kansas State University and British American Tobacco Nigeria.
Speaking during announcement of the initiative, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Federation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), commended the project partners for their foresight.
“A curriculum development programme such as this is very important because it provides human capability development that addresses skills gap, which is not only timely but appropriate in view of the present global socio-economic challenges,” he said.
He was, however, full of confidence that initiatives like this would help raise the profile of graduates from Nigerian institutions.
The Coordinator, Dr. A.A. Sulaimon said the course is currently being offered only by the Faculty of Business Administration, but is open to other students who wish to ‘borrow’ it.
He paid tributes to the project partners, the authorities of the university and the Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, Professor Ben Oghojafor, for their relentless efforts in ensuring the possibility of the initiative.
Giving an overview of the project, the USAID Team Leader (Education), Dr. Sandy Ojikutu, stated it is aimed at “increasing the productivity of the youths, as well as arming them with relevant skills to make them competitive and fit into needs of the private sector. Partnerships like this will help in the overall development of the educational sector.”
AAU students protest fee increase, as landlord ejects UNAAB from building
BY ANAZIA DANIEL
ACADEMIC and commercial activities at Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, came to a halt during the week as students of the state-owned institution took to the streets, protesting alleged increment in tuition fees from N26,000 to N76,000 for full-time students, and from N30,000 to N100,000 for part-time.
Surrounding supermarkets and filling station were set ablaze, and banks raided. The Benin-Auchi-Abuja Road was also barricaded, forcing all vehicles to divert to Iruekpen-Sabonggida-Ora/Afuze-Auchi Road.
Edo State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Osareren, has denied the increase, but added that the school authorities are to decide on the new tuition fees.
Meanwhile, the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), in a statement jointly signed by its national coordinator, Hassan Taiwo and secretary, Chinedu Bosah, called the state government and the school authority to revert to the former fees. “The fees have been provocatively and unwarrantedly increased, and we see no justification for it, given the socio-economic difficulties most Nigerians are passing through.”
According to the group, it will be inconsiderate to ask citizens earning N7,500 as minimum wage to pay N100,000 for their wards’ university education.
Commenting on the issue, Information and Orientation Commissioner, Abdul Oroh, condemned the action of the students, which he said was hijacked by hoodlums, adding that the police will be allowed to do its work and bring those responsible for the destruction of properties to book.
IN a related development, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB), has been ejected from its mini-campus at the Isale-Igbein, Ogun State.
The building was used during take-off 22 years ago before the construction of its permanent site at Alabata, outskirt of Abeokuta.
The Vice-Chancellor of UNAAB, Olufemi Olaiya Balogun, confirming this, said, “on the sudden directive from our landlord, the Anglican Communion, that we should vacate its properties, which serve as our mini campus at Isale-Igbein, we have begun the process of relocating.”
Sources close the church say; the Anglican Communion is planning to convert the property to a seminary.
Arrested by music
BY GODSWILL ODEKUHER name may not ring a bell, but Ekwutosi (Ekwy) Daniella Alinta is gradually stepping into the music industry with her recently released single, Ashawo.
The single is already making waves in the eastern part of the country.
Performed with the group, First Base, the track is laced with goods lyrics and melody.
Born 25 years ago, as second child and only girl to the late Esom Alintah, former Secretary General of African Business Roundtable (ABR) and a Camerounian mother, her initial plan was to pursue a career in either Medicine or Law, but she ended up studying Media Productions at the American Intercontinental University, London.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor. I just wanted to help people from my impressionable age; not myself but other people because there are always less privileged people out there. On the other hand, I wanted to follow my mum’s footstep and become a lawyer, reach out to people and do amazing things,” she says.
All that changed when Ekwy, as she’s fondly called in the industry, finished her studies at the Gordonstoun High School, UK.
“I discovered I just wanted to do something in the entertainment industry; I wanted to reach out to people but in a completely different way,” she enthuses.
She saw herself drifting into more of entertainment. During her high school days in the UK, she even had a stint in ballet and later moved to dance proper, where she participated in dance festivals in the UK.
“I wasn’t necessarily a hero, but it was the only thing I wanted to do. I don’t like seeing people in pains, so, I thought that, though I want to help people, I wouldn’t be able to separate my actual life from my work.”
A LOVER of R&B, jazz, rap and rock music, Ekwy says her songs are not all local genres. “It’s a mixture. I do a fusion of different genres of music because I like a lot of them, so, I can’t really say my songs are purely Nigerian. I love hip-hop; oldies and I have a rock song in my collection. But I particularly like my single because it represents my country and I’m very proud to be here.”
On the challenges of pursuing her passion, the returnee artiste says, “the fact that my father is no longer around to support me is a major challenge. I’m so sure he would have been proud of what I’m doing. However, every moment, the turnout of events prove to me that I can do this, not just proving to people.”
EKWY is in the group of Nigerians, who are excited at the developments in the country’s entertainment industry. She, however, appeals to government to create more enabling environment for players.
“It’s absolutely fantastic now; more young ones are doing something positive with their lives. I think it’s a good development that needs to be encouraged. I believe that if these young ones are supported, they will end up becoming successful, not just to themselves, but also to the nation at large.”
To fellow upcoming acts, she says, “no matter what happens, just keep being you; keep believing in yourself, praying that everything would work out. I don’t believe because something negative happened, then you must change; you need to start seeing the world in a different way.”
WHILE not using her music to pursue any agenda, Ekwy called on the society to rise against inhuman practices against women, especially widows. She recalls what happened after her father’s demise. “Everything we had were taken away from us when my father died. I couldn’t believe that when a person dies, instead of thinking of how to bury him and take care of the people he left behind, the first thing they think of is how to mess up his name and take away what does not belong to them. I really can’t believe such things still happen in this era.”
One-on-one with Collabo MasterBORN Adebayo Durojaiye Samuel, as the last in a family of three, Deebee, as he’s popularly called, launched into the industry with Collabo. The artiste, who is currently working on his new album, speaks to TOYIN KOMOLAFE on his life as a musician.
How did you get into music?
I started when I was young. In fact, music, for me, actually started from the church to the street. In all, God has always been my inspiration.
Breakthrough
I never saw it coming, I just believe this is my time. So, let me shine.
Role model
I like some artistes but I don’t have a role model. I don’t imitate anybody; I sound like myself. However, I like D’banj and 9ice; I like their kind of music.
Challenges so far?
Going to radio stations is really a big challenge to me, but I think we are really doing fine now. Piracy is another major problem musicians face in the country. But… all the same, we are trying to make ends meet.
How do you cope with your female fans?
I am a friendly and cool type, though with crazy songs. I handle my female fans with maturity. There has not been any embarrassing moment from any of them for now.
What are you working on right now?
Be expecting something tighter than Collabo. Get Down is surely going to hit the market soon.
Message to your fans
I love you all. Keep buying my songs; so that money will continue rolling in. To up-coming artistes, like I said, time is turn by turn. Keep working and one-day, your time will surely come.
HOMEFRONT
Onos serves Keep Moving
After months of fine-tuning her songs day and night in the studio, gospel artiste, Onos Bikawei, will today launch her debut album, Keep Moving. Billed to hold at the Grand Ball Room, Eko Hotel & Suite, Victoria Island, Lagos, the event, which kicks off at 3.30pm, will be anchored by the duo of Steve Onu (Yaw of Wazobia FM) and Mc Abbey.
Aside from Onos who will be performing some of her songs live on stage, the evening, which will begin with a special red carpet reception/cocktail, will also feature special appearances by some artistes such as Timi Dakolo and Eric (both of Idol West Africa), Efe, Jay lyricist and others.
“I’m happy that at lat, we are coming up with album. But the most important thing is that the product is worth the efforts. I thank all the people that worked on this album and also my fans that have waited so long for this album to come. Keep Moving is finally here,” she said.
Meanwhile, some of the tracks in the album, such as Dance, are already on air in most radio and TV stations across the country.
D’Banj bags title in Abia State
Few weeks after he was decorated as the Are Makun of Shagamu, Ogun State, Koko Master, D’Banj, added another feather to his cap last weekend when he was conferred with Chief Oluoma 1 of Abayi Amaugwu, an autonomous community in Osisioma Ngwa L.G.A, Abia State.
According to a close source, receiving the title was never part of D’Banj’s plan when he jetted into the state for a Valentines gig.
“We just went for a Valentines’ show in Abia last weekend, there was no plan for a chieftaincy title. He was surprised himself,” the source revealed.
But to show his full acceptance of the title, D’Banj posted on his Twitter page the following Monday:
“Oluoma 1 of Abayi Amaugwu autonomous community in Abia state. New feather added to my cap. Igbo Kwenu!”
Between Kel and Capital Hill Record
Don’t be surprised if you wake up one day and hear that rapper Kel, dumped Capital Hill Records, a platform with which she launched into the industry. According to rumours making the rounds, the relationship between Kel and the record label seems to have hit brick walls.
Reports coming from both camps have it that the rapper whose debut album, The Investment, was released just last year, is about putting an end to her relationship with the label; a deal that is supposed to elapse by March 2011. Kel wants to leave immediately, but the label insists that the fast rising rapper must settle her debt before leaving.
“We produced her album, shot her videos and have promoted her ever since. She owes the label about N10 million and we have communicated this to her. We have also withdrawn her videos from TV as we cannot continue to promote her when she doesn’t want to be with us anymore,” the label claimed.
Stand Up Nigeria Valentine’s special
Afrotainment Productions organiser of the monthly comedy show, Stand Up Nigeria, has revealed plans to stage the Valentine’s Day edition of the show this month.
Scheduled for February 27, at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, the show will be hosted by comedian Lapacious Bose, making her the second female comedian to anchor the show (after Princess) noted for parading frontline comedians.
As a way of shearing love, guests stand the chance of buying one ticket and getting another free when purchasing before the event.
“Since this is the month of love, we’ve decided to give lovers the opportunity to have a fun filled show by giving out extra ticket. The project was initiated a year ago with the aim of showcasing Nigerian comedy talents as well as celebrate Nigerians, who have made significant impact in their chosen fields,” the producer of the show, Bunmi Davies said.
The list Nigerians celebrated on the Stand Up Nigeria comedy stage include Stella Damasus, Lagbaja, Julius Agwu, Jimmy Jatt, Joke Silva, Amaka Igwe, Femi Sowoolu,
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