Showing posts with label edition 211. Show all posts
Showing posts with label edition 211. Show all posts
Monday, 16 November 2009
How to leverage your money
(Biz tool Kids)
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
IN an inflationary economy such as this with deepening economic crisis, without leverage, most workers cannot put enough money aside for their future because the more money they save, the less valuable it becomes. Leveraging makes your money work harder for you by using other people’s money. But one advice from my mentor: never borrow to buy an asset you don’t have control over.
If an investor therefore lacks the financial intelligence to control an investment, the use of leverage becomes risky and even suicidal.
This is the major flaw with paper assets such as savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and index funds, where the investor lacks control. And because you lack control, it is difficult and risky to apply leverage.
Like Robert admits, using leverage to invest in something you do not control would be like buying a car without a steering wheel and then stomping on the accelerator.
Most people that were hurt during the recent stock market meltdown in Nigeria thought their investments in stocks would keep going up and up.
Many borrowed thousands and millions to acquire more stocks in the hope of selling at a higher price and making some capital gain from it, while some even borrowed using their existing portfolio as collateral. Since they had no control over the investment, they were at the mercy of the market.
When the market came tumbling, their investments came tumbling too. Their investments (and calculated net worth) melted like butter in the sun.
What is leverage? In simple terms, leverage is doing more with less. I will be looking at this from the following perspectives.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Money (OPM). My advice is, if you have to borrow, or use bank’s money to carry out your project, you need to mind two things: You need to have control over the business or project. You need to have done your due diligence on the project before asking for any form of financing.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Knowledge and Skill (OPKS). When Microsoft, now the world’s leading software manufacturer started business, Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen were just techies. They lacked managerial skills and competence needed to manoeuvre the business. They had to invite Steve Ballmer, a Harvard MBA product and Microsoft’s current CEO, to come on board to steer the management of the company while they focused on writing software programmes. Steve Ballmer’s inclusion on board changed and skyrocketed the fame and fortunes of the company. They couldn’t pay him at the time; so they settled for stock options with him. Ballmer’s shareholding in Microsoft today makes him a multi-billionaire. Leverage may come to you as the knowledge, skills or abilities (KSA) that somebody can contribute to your business or project.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Credibility (OPC). There are few Nigerians whose uncommon and very successful achievements have made them the toast of board selections in many blue-chip companies in the country. Chief Gamaliel Onosode, Dr. Christopher Kolade and Professor Pat Utomi, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, inter alia, are among this rare class of Nigerians. Imagine floating a business and getting one of these men on board as chairman, the Nigerian corporate environment will respond positively to your business. But you have to make sure you don’t tarnish the image and reputation of such people which they’ve built over the years.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Assets (OPA). Sometimes, people have started businesses by leveraging on the assets provided by certain individuals to them. I know a business that the first car the company had was provided by a shareholder as his own contribution to the business. Another individual provided a completed building as his own contribution to a group of people who were starting a microfinance bank.
Leverage could also mean Other People’s Contacts or Network (OPCN). In this case, somebody might provide you contacts that can help you secure a contract, implement a project or get financing for a project. This also could be a form of leveraging.
In other words, leveraging does not only connote money. It could also involve or require some other intangible but very important assets.
As a business person, you may not need money for a project, all you may require is someone’s credibility, contacts or knowledge to achieve your laid-down objectives. When you identify the form of leverage you need, then identify those who can likely provide it and find out what you might need to provide to secure that leverage.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd, bridgetolotu@gmail.com
O what a weekend!
(Strictly for the yoUNG)
BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
LAST weekend was one of those weekends. I guess one could call it the weekend of money, money, money, and all that jazz!
First off was Friday!
The promotion had been going on for a while now, and no matter what everyone thought deep down, we all dutifully sent in our texts with our names and location. But only one person could win $1 million. And like I always like to repeat and clarify; not naira oh, but dollars!
The winner?
Kizito Egeonu, a 400 level student of Medicine at University of Jos! On Thursday, he probably had some thousands of naira in his account, and by Saturday, well, after fainting of course, he was N150 million richer!
It got quite a bit of us thinking. First was lucky dude! Or ‘I hate him’! But after all of that, our thoughts all went to the money and what we would do if we had won it! And try as I might, I still have not been able to map out what I would do with an amount like that!
Is it not funny how we sometimes sit and say we want to do this and that and build this and go here and see there?
And we just know that all we need is the money and we would fly. Then sometimes, we get all we wished for in our laps but then realise we have no clue where to fly to? Err... It is important to think before the opportunities come oh, so that by the time they come...
In the meantime, if Kizito is wondering what to do with the money?
Well, he can buy three BussCars and start a cross country business. He can buy breakfast lunch and dinner for all his schoolmates for four years. Or buy my favourite drink for everyone in Nigeria. I think he should just please remember that we both s.h.a.r.e Adam as a forefather. He should therefore see me as a cousin and write me a cheque!
THAT was just one half of the fantastic Friday!
The other half, which made it really complete and totally beautiful, was the Muson Jazz Festival.
Festival held on Friday and Saturday and featured artistes like Bright Gain, Beautiful Nubia, and Mfon. Dan Foster hosted it, and yours truly co-hosted!
Now, I love music. But I probably would reach for a rock album before a jazz album. Well, that was until I saw Jimmy Dludlu perform live at Muson Centre!
If you ever get the opportunity to see Beautiful Nubia, Pure and Simple, Bright Gain, 5 YZ Men, Mfon, Biodun Batik and indeed Jimmy Dludlu perform live, seize the opportunity! For they will deliver to you, live music like never before. It was a truly inspiring and borderline spiritual experience! New acts like JD, Kafayat and Q, were also showcased on Friday Night!
In all, it was a peaceful weekend, spent rejoicing for a total stranger, and hanging out with some of the biggest names in alternative music.
What more could one ask for?
(Well, maybe MY name should have popped up during that draw jo!)
tosinornottosin@yahoo.com
BY BRIDGET OLOTU
IN an inflationary economy such as this with deepening economic crisis, without leverage, most workers cannot put enough money aside for their future because the more money they save, the less valuable it becomes. Leveraging makes your money work harder for you by using other people’s money. But one advice from my mentor: never borrow to buy an asset you don’t have control over.
If an investor therefore lacks the financial intelligence to control an investment, the use of leverage becomes risky and even suicidal.
This is the major flaw with paper assets such as savings, stocks, bonds, mutual funds and index funds, where the investor lacks control. And because you lack control, it is difficult and risky to apply leverage.
Like Robert admits, using leverage to invest in something you do not control would be like buying a car without a steering wheel and then stomping on the accelerator.
Most people that were hurt during the recent stock market meltdown in Nigeria thought their investments in stocks would keep going up and up.
Many borrowed thousands and millions to acquire more stocks in the hope of selling at a higher price and making some capital gain from it, while some even borrowed using their existing portfolio as collateral. Since they had no control over the investment, they were at the mercy of the market.
When the market came tumbling, their investments came tumbling too. Their investments (and calculated net worth) melted like butter in the sun.
What is leverage? In simple terms, leverage is doing more with less. I will be looking at this from the following perspectives.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Money (OPM). My advice is, if you have to borrow, or use bank’s money to carry out your project, you need to mind two things: You need to have control over the business or project. You need to have done your due diligence on the project before asking for any form of financing.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Knowledge and Skill (OPKS). When Microsoft, now the world’s leading software manufacturer started business, Bill Gates and his partner Paul Allen were just techies. They lacked managerial skills and competence needed to manoeuvre the business. They had to invite Steve Ballmer, a Harvard MBA product and Microsoft’s current CEO, to come on board to steer the management of the company while they focused on writing software programmes. Steve Ballmer’s inclusion on board changed and skyrocketed the fame and fortunes of the company. They couldn’t pay him at the time; so they settled for stock options with him. Ballmer’s shareholding in Microsoft today makes him a multi-billionaire. Leverage may come to you as the knowledge, skills or abilities (KSA) that somebody can contribute to your business or project.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Credibility (OPC). There are few Nigerians whose uncommon and very successful achievements have made them the toast of board selections in many blue-chip companies in the country. Chief Gamaliel Onosode, Dr. Christopher Kolade and Professor Pat Utomi, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, inter alia, are among this rare class of Nigerians. Imagine floating a business and getting one of these men on board as chairman, the Nigerian corporate environment will respond positively to your business. But you have to make sure you don’t tarnish the image and reputation of such people which they’ve built over the years.
Leverage could mean Other People’s Assets (OPA). Sometimes, people have started businesses by leveraging on the assets provided by certain individuals to them. I know a business that the first car the company had was provided by a shareholder as his own contribution to the business. Another individual provided a completed building as his own contribution to a group of people who were starting a microfinance bank.
Leverage could also mean Other People’s Contacts or Network (OPCN). In this case, somebody might provide you contacts that can help you secure a contract, implement a project or get financing for a project. This also could be a form of leveraging.
In other words, leveraging does not only connote money. It could also involve or require some other intangible but very important assets.
As a business person, you may not need money for a project, all you may require is someone’s credibility, contacts or knowledge to achieve your laid-down objectives. When you identify the form of leverage you need, then identify those who can likely provide it and find out what you might need to provide to secure that leverage.
Olotu is the CEO/Lead Consultant, DEAIM Innovative Resources Ltd, bridgetolotu@gmail.com
O what a weekend!
(Strictly for the yoUNG)
BY TOSYN BUCKNOR
LAST weekend was one of those weekends. I guess one could call it the weekend of money, money, money, and all that jazz!
First off was Friday!
The promotion had been going on for a while now, and no matter what everyone thought deep down, we all dutifully sent in our texts with our names and location. But only one person could win $1 million. And like I always like to repeat and clarify; not naira oh, but dollars!
The winner?
Kizito Egeonu, a 400 level student of Medicine at University of Jos! On Thursday, he probably had some thousands of naira in his account, and by Saturday, well, after fainting of course, he was N150 million richer!
It got quite a bit of us thinking. First was lucky dude! Or ‘I hate him’! But after all of that, our thoughts all went to the money and what we would do if we had won it! And try as I might, I still have not been able to map out what I would do with an amount like that!
Is it not funny how we sometimes sit and say we want to do this and that and build this and go here and see there?
And we just know that all we need is the money and we would fly. Then sometimes, we get all we wished for in our laps but then realise we have no clue where to fly to? Err... It is important to think before the opportunities come oh, so that by the time they come...
In the meantime, if Kizito is wondering what to do with the money?
Well, he can buy three BussCars and start a cross country business. He can buy breakfast lunch and dinner for all his schoolmates for four years. Or buy my favourite drink for everyone in Nigeria. I think he should just please remember that we both s.h.a.r.e Adam as a forefather. He should therefore see me as a cousin and write me a cheque!
THAT was just one half of the fantastic Friday!
The other half, which made it really complete and totally beautiful, was the Muson Jazz Festival.
Festival held on Friday and Saturday and featured artistes like Bright Gain, Beautiful Nubia, and Mfon. Dan Foster hosted it, and yours truly co-hosted!
Now, I love music. But I probably would reach for a rock album before a jazz album. Well, that was until I saw Jimmy Dludlu perform live at Muson Centre!
If you ever get the opportunity to see Beautiful Nubia, Pure and Simple, Bright Gain, 5 YZ Men, Mfon, Biodun Batik and indeed Jimmy Dludlu perform live, seize the opportunity! For they will deliver to you, live music like never before. It was a truly inspiring and borderline spiritual experience! New acts like JD, Kafayat and Q, were also showcased on Friday Night!
In all, it was a peaceful weekend, spent rejoicing for a total stranger, and hanging out with some of the biggest names in alternative music.
What more could one ask for?
(Well, maybe MY name should have popped up during that draw jo!)
tosinornottosin@yahoo.com
Youths arise in Abuja
YOUTHS in the Federal Capital Territory had a refreshing, educative, informative, and empowering session with some of the country’s outstanding individuals such as Mr. Foluso Phillips, Executive Chairman, Phillips Consulting Limited; Dr. Okey Ikechukwu, Special Assistant to the Vice President of The World Bank; Mrs. Eugenia Abu, broadcaster and author; Mr. Simon Kolawole, Editor, This Day Newspapers and Mr. Alleluya Atunnyota a.k.a. Ali Baba, CEO, Excusez-Moi at the grand finale of Dare to be Different National Interactive Youth Forum.The RISE National Youth Forum held in seven different venues across the country like Lagos, Owerri, Enugu, Benin, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Abuja with over 35,000 youths in attendance and 35 top-notch facilitators, with different topics varying from Entrepreneurship, Life Style, Personal Development, Career Development and Activism.
Another sensational and emotional part of the programme was when the MTN Project Fame Winner Season 1 – Iyanya Mbuk, shared his life story with the audience, urging them never to give up in face of tough times.
Inyanya narrated how everybody, who initially did not believe in his dream and looked down on him, now believe in him and look up to him.
He recounted how his mother prayed for him before embarking on the Project Fame journey in 2008, his trials and fears in the Academy, and his eventual success as the MTN Project Fame Season 1 winner.
After that he entertained the audience with musical tracks from his new released Album. Free copies of his CDs were given to the participants.
Some of the participants spoke afterward. In the words of Opaola Oluwagbemiga, “the interactive forum is the best thing that has happened to me in the last six months.”
For Osagie Lauren, “the event set me on fire oh! No it should be ablaze.”
Kay Aluka believes that with a programme as this, “there is hope for Nigeria.”
Girls... Mind your life
BY GBENGA ADETUNJI
RECENTLY, Joy Akwara, in collaboration with Zealous Youth Ministries, staged a creative workshop for young and single ladies.Held at the Sweet Sensation, Alagomeji, Lagos, the event, which attracted a lot of ladies, was aimed at educating them on how to spot wrong relationships.
Themed DIVAS Conference, it was a self-esteemed clinic, where single ladies diagnosed themselves of healthy, low, or overly high self-esteem through the principles taught.
Akwara, the convener of the conference, pointed out the principles ladies should imbibe towards having a healthy self-esteem. She stressed that every lady is wired a diva, unsurpassed by countless others.
She said everyone has a built-in alert system and that they all vary. From spiritual to mental and then to the physical types of Red alert.
President and vice president respectively of Pinkbelle Foundation, Bolatito Junaid and Funsho Williams, who were guest speakers at the event lectured the ladies on breast cancer and its prevention.
Self examination exercises were taught and the participants practised touching their breasts in the hall.
Breast Confidence was taught the ladies, no matter how small or big they were. Participants asked a variety of questions that were tackled by Akwara. She warned ladies never to evaluate themselves based on the negative stories that the media circulate ab out them.
Book Trek: When literature goes Hiking
Heralded on its eve by an 8pm talkshow on 91.1 Lion FM, -with Eghosa Imasuen and Onyeka Nwelue as guests- the Nsukka Book Trek began at 11:30am on Saturday,the 7th of Nvwember, 2009 at the Faculty of Arts Boardroom, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, instead of the much publicized eleven. Silk-voiced Lorenzo Menakaya of the aforenamed radio station kicked off proceedings by reading the address of the unavoidably absent Toyin Akinosho, secretary-general of cultural watchdog and organizers of the event, Committee for Relevant Art,CORA.Enfant-terrible of Nigerian literature, Onyeka Nwelue read from his book, The Abyssinian Boy and then it was the turn of Eghosa Imasuen who followed suit with his To Saint Patrick. An interactive session with the audience -that quite encouragingly filled three-quarters of the hall- followed.
There was a second reading session where both authors participated. Afterwards, a member of the Drumline Media Crew, Drumline’s Small Talk columnist, Macdonald Ugonna Ukah, read some pages from The Abyssinian Boy. It was a portion where magical realism was the central theme. So, it set the tone for a second Q&A session. Imasuen read from a part in his book -scene of a cabinet meeting- that drew laughter from the audience, especially at the line that described a character, MKO Abiola, talking and simultaneously munching on doughnuts. Nwelue read again. Imasuen too.
Lorenzo moderated all the interactive sessions, lacing the periods with his legendary quips, especially during the last. Members of the audience asked both authors questions about their books and the subject of writing in general. Imasuen answered in his trademark pidgin-sliced-into-English, pausing intermittently to either snack on a prawn cracker or chocolate bar or sip from his can of chilled Amstel Malta; Nwelue in his unique geeky pose.
The highlight of the event was the reading of the story, ‘The Geenrator:I Better Pass My Neighbour’, an Eghosa Imasuen short story during the workshop session. The bpurpose was to portray the tips and suggestions he’d earlier on given with respect to manuscript and story development and it was a near-perfect example. There was no single paragrap[h that wasn’t hilarious and reflective of the gospel of causality he was preaching.
The trek ended at 4;24pm, a little over an hour past the supposed end-time but attendees were too immersed in the autograph-cum-snapshoot session that ended it to even notice.
And as everyone left to go take their delayed lunches after pumping the hand of Drumline Media personnel present, there was a smile on each of their faces.
Eromo Egbejule is a student of the University of Nigeria and editor of a campus newspaper, Drumline which collaborated with Committee for Relevant Art, CORA in organizing the Nsukka Book Trek. He has a blog -www.thebarbecuerepubliik.blogspot.com- and is currently working on his first novel.
Turning charcoal to gold
THE first thing notable about this lawyer who abandoned that career path for the arts, is his confidence. The youngman knows exactly why he is where he is and how far he wants to go. We sat him down for a probe:
Who is Laolu Senbanjo?
First of two children. I hail from Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, I’m a bachelor in my 20s, studied law at the University of IIorin. I attended the Nigerian Law School, Abuja. I have participated in various art exhibitions (British Council W.A.P.I., Art Pyramid Exhibitions at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja); I love to do music, I play the guitar, and I’m a singer and music producer. I have a few tracks on air in Abuja; one of which is ‘baby kos kos’, which topped the cool FM’s Abuja top 10 in the recent past. I currently work with NN24, a news TV station. I’m the kind of person who likes to have fun while I work... I use art to express my views, forms and imaginations
Afro-mysterics... hmm, what’s that about?
‘Afro’ means African, ‘mysterics’ means mystery. Afro-mysterics is the language of my art. It simply means the mystery of the African thought. My patterns speak of mysteries, which cannot be comprehended by the shallow minded. I love to tell stories with my art.
Why did you venture into arts?
First for the passion, secondly for the arts. It’s something I have always loved to do besides singing and law practice...
From law to arts…
I would rather say from arts to law because I have been drawing right from my secondary school days. I did Fine Arts in my WAEC (West African Examinations Council) exams and had a distinction.
What was it like starting up an arts gallery?
Having a gallery is very essential to every artist. It gives the artist a platform where his/her works can be seen and he can also get feedback. Unfortunately, in this part of the world financial constraints makes it difficult for young and aspiring artists to have galleries of their own.
Tell us about you project ‘Narratives of a busy life?...Are you into other things other than your art?
“Narratives of a busy mind”? Works of art that tell stories are called narratives. Simply put the narratives of Laolu Senbanjo’s mind. Most of my works are very busy and that is a reflection of what’s inside..
It’s a perennial question, but do you think the arts are well embraced in Nigeria ?
Not many Nigerians appreciate art for the value, sometimes people want to put a ‘price’ to art works like tomatoes or pepper in the market.. A few intellectuals do appreciate art. Some others will say funny things like African art is demonic. (laughter).
You use charcoal for your art, any reason behind this?
I just love the way it dissolves on white pastel surface. It allows for intricate details in shades of monochrome it also encourages a free expressive style. It can be deliberately blended to create moody and atmospheric effect, which is very appealing. Besides that, charcoal dates back to 30,000 years B.C. It was used to make some of the earliest cave paintings, which can still be viewed today. Also masters like Matisse and Piccasso have made notable works in charcoal.
Are there schools people can learn this art or is more of an inborn talent one has to have?
I think a bit of both. Some people just cannot see light and shadows or understand tone or color combinations it can be learned by those who don’t do it naturally but I think you must have some inner talent to be able to understand and learn!
Have you ever had any exhibition of your works? How was it like?
I had a private art viewing/exhibition last year December 9 at the elephant house Alausa, Ikeja, titled ‘the narratives of a busy mind’. You can view some of the art works that was on display at www.laolusenbanjo.com. It was loads of fun! I met with lots of art lovers and collectors who encountered my work for the first time and loved it. It was an unforgettable experience for me. It was an avenue for a few people to see and experience my kind of art... and I’m looking forward to the next one..
I’m planning for my next exhibition. It will be coming up in the first quarter of 2010. I will keep you posted on the date and venue.
Any plans of taking your art outside Nigeria ?
Yes, a few friends in Europe have shown interest in my works and we are making arrangements to have an exhibition next year.
Advise to upcoming artists like you…
.An artist is not paid for his labour but for his vision. Just be yourself do your best and I’ll see u @ the top.
COOL
What do the deposed bank MDs and ex-governors who were caught stealing money have in common? They went to jail, we hailed the courts and the EFCC, and then they claimed they were seriously sick, went back to the courts and got bail – for some, too easily. So when the chief who was former board chairman for the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) was sentenced to a cocktail of jail terms, many Nigerians could be forgiven for thinking it would be same ol’, same ol. But we were all in for a shocker. The courts refused to be drawn into the small stuff – insisting that the hypertension and other “life threatening” ailments mentioned were not proved. And it was back to Kirikiri for the big men accused of playing fancy-free and foot loose with public funds kept in their care. People being made to pay for crimes no matter whose ox is gored? Ultra-cool.
UNCOOL
So now they are kidnapping everyone in sight? This nonsense has to stop. No, really. This week, Nkem Owoh, the actor popularly called Osuofia, was abducted, with the kidnappers requesting as much as N15million. This was the same week that a Niger State permanent secretary as well as a ministerial aide. What is the one string tying all of these together? A group of men and women who have no respect for the human life. This is wrong, wrong – and the police had better start devising a better means of stopping this.
thefuturenigeria@yahoo.com
Dotting on the Frozen dreams
By Bimpe AdebamboLOOKING through the Frozen Dream collection brochure while waiting for the FADAN and VLISCO event to kick off two Sundays ago, I could not help but be mesmerised by its concept.
Every image had a mirrored counterpart from the cover, to the last page and justice was done to the collection by the ebony skinned model that pulled off all the looks.
I come from an art background and I have styled and directed photo shoots for magazines in addition to being a fashion designer and lover of beauty.
What nailed it for me was also the model selection for the actual runway presentation on the day of the show.
When two identical twin models hit the ramp in two outfits that were exactly the same style and textile design but different colour schemes, I knew the moment really had to be frozen!
For Vlisco, international fashion trends and global tendencies are a source of inspiration for each new fabric collection, based on a pre-determined theme and this really shone through, given the global tribal/ethnic trend that is still waxing strong into next summer. Contrast in characteristics, pattern design and shapes.
Flowing, almost handwritten designs exist alongside those with graphic ornaments. While some ones capture your dreams, the double layers in others create a 3D effect, which evokes hallucinations.
At first sight, the collection seems to consist of a total mix but the colour card brings coherence in the gallery of items. With different tones of steely blues, passionate pinks and fierce yellows a linking impression is created. The contrasting cold and warm colours bring balance to the eye-catching designs.
Surreal reflections intensify the impression of contrast. The presence of a mirror is suggested, but what about the colour differences? Confusion awakens you.
With the depth of different designs, the breadth of shapes and the wealth of colours, ‘Frozen Dreams’ leaves lots of room for your own creativity with the vibrant prints.
Whether or not it is a dream, it is all in the mix. ‘Frozen Dreams’ is the best of both worlds.
The textiles are like dreams you wouldn’t want to be awakened from!
beampeh2000@yahoo.com
ace of Sleek Semi finalists emerged
By Oyindamola Lawal One of the top beauty companies, Sleek International, held its semi-final Face of Sleek contest on Saturday, November 14, at The Coral Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, and 20 finalists emerged.
Before getting the final winner, the 20 contestants would have to stay under the same roof for a maximum of two weeks undergoing intensive crash programmes in Etiquette, Grooming and Fashion by professionals in preparation for the grand finale billed for November 29, in Lagos.
The regional screening for Face of Sleek kicked off with the first phase held in Abuja. About 90 damsels, most of whom were university undergraduates thronged the Sleek Studio, Blommsbury Plaza office of which 20 were selected.
The search, which is aimed at selecting a brand ambassador for Sleek Nigeria, according to Ify Ugochukwu, MD Sleek hair Nigeria, is also aimed at upholding the essence of the African beauty.
“We are looking for a lady with confidence, a sense of style and good skin. It doesn’t matter, if she is fat or skinny, but we are looking for that singular feature that expresses the total outlook of the African woman. It is about everything that makes you a woman, not just your facial beauty,” she says. Other criteria for selection include grammar, total look, passion and intelligence.
After a rigorous screening session, judges made up of prolific designers Dakova; Ify Ugochukwu, MD Sleek hair; Douglas Nwokocha; Rhythm FM, Abuja, radio DJ, Mrs. Goziem Onuoha; Sleek hair franchisee, Abuja; and Yemisi Suleiman of Vanguard, trimmed the number from about 90 to 20.
The competition was keenly contested by other winners from the regional screening points held in Enugu, Port Harcourt and Lagos, with each region producing 20 contestants. Others that could not be selected went home with diverse Sleek beauty products.
Tai-Lo’s way
By Florence UtorNigeria has been said to be the third largest producers of film. Mind you largest, not the best. The simple reason being that most of these films lack quality, certain things are not considered to be important, whereas, there is no aspect of film production that is more important than the other.
It is in line with this that Titilola Ogundipe resolved to study special effect make-up for the screen.
With Tai-Lo as her brand name, Titi could be described as an all rounder, who has touched almost every aspect of beauty routines including hair, nails, all types of make-up, modeling and she has professional photographers that work with her. “I do everything about makeup and this means, photographic makeup, fashion make-up and makeup for film”, says the lady.
The economics graduate of Covenant University, who has a passion for the arts and professionalism, started her journey in the beauty business right here in Nigeria with Banke Meshida-Lawal, a notable make-up artists, where she learnt some basic things about make-up.
Not satisfied, she went to modeling and finishing school in Manchester. She later attended the University of Bolton to bag a second degree in business information; and just to crown it all before returning to start her own thing here, she went to London school of make-up and beauty.
Talking with her at her Opebi studio, she said, ‘I just got back about a month ago and I started my shop on Opebi, where I do nails, hair, make-up, modeling and photography, I also do consultancy and training.”
And what new stuff is she bringing into the make-up business? She simply says, “I appreciate what is being done by the existing people in the industry, “I just want to contribute my own quota to it and for the film industry, I know special effect makeup is not popular, so I believe that my knowledge will come a long way in the film industry and I am hoping that there will be some film directors who want to make a difference like I do so we can work together.”
Tai does not have her line of beauty products yet but says, “I will certainly do so in future. For now, I use a lot of M.A.C, NARS, IMAN, Mary Kay, Bobbi brown and Make-up Forever.
Since her return, she has concentrated on setting up her studio but jobs are coming up, “i’m going to be part of the make-up team for celebrity takes two.”
Just like most parents who frown at their children going into such professions, Titi’s parents were not different but now, they support her in everyway they can.
Fulbright scholar comes home
BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
AFULBRIGHT, Professor Felix Famoye, who was expected in Nigeria in August, will now be home in January.
Famoye, a faculty member in the mathematics department at Central Michigan University (CMU), was offered the award in April.
Fulbright award recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievements, and demonstrated leadership potentials in their fields.
“I accepted the award, and then I heard that all public institutions in Nigeria were shut down,” Famoye said. “I was supposed to be there for 10 months.”
Due to the four-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of the universities, Famoye will have less time in his homeland. “I will be at the University of Lagos.” The University of Ibadan alumnus, who has been at CMU since 1988, said he is excited to be back home to teach faculty and students more “Western world” styles of learning. “When I was in school, I never received one assignment or one quiz,” he said. “We only had one final examination.”
Famoye, who teaches statistics, said he hopes to make a contribution by working in the areas of critical development, statistical consulting, and technology. “I will be there from January to July, the spirit of scholarship is really good, and it is an opportunity to share the culture from here. I hope to encourage an exchange between the two universities.”
Famoye would like to see more “cultural mingling” where students from CMU would come to Nigeria and vise versa. He described himself as an energy junkie, who is used to running three computers to do his research calculations. “Sometimes, there is no power, and that is a big setback that I am going to face,” Famoye said. “When I applied, I was planning to take my wife and son, who is 12. But with no public schools going on, I have decided to come alone.”
Famoye was born in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, despite English being the official language; he still speaks his native language, Yoruba.
REACH fights HIV/AIDS pandemic
BY ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO
RESEARCH Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (REACH), a collaborative effort between the University of Ibadan and Northwestern University, Evanston in the United States of America, recently undertook a research in different communities, which include Badeku, Yemetu, Atibo (all in Oyo State), Epe (Lagos) and Makurdi to examine the exposure and prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
But it turned out to be more than just a research effort as Theatre Arts students of the University of Ibadan joined in the awareness and fact-finding mission. A drama was presented to bring information about the deadly virus closer to the people in the communities.
The play titled Grave Encounter and which the manager of the troupe, John Oladejo, translated into local dialects, had HIV/AIDS characterised, even as the lead character, Isaac Israel, exposed the causes, prevention and way out of the pandemic.
The programme manager for REACH, Dr. Olajide Rabak, said they had, over the past two years, conducted research in several communities in Nigeria, “and it is part of our effort to disseminate the result of our research to the community we visited. As part of our effort to relay our message, we decided to incorporate this drama presentation, and from the turnout of the people, it is obvious that the message was well received. We only hope some of these interventions would go a long way in curbing the spread of the virus.”
Another member of the team, Nkem Dike from the US, said REACH is principally using social science methods to find out more about HIV/AIDS, understand the community better and learn how cultural factor will help to lessen the spread of AIDS.
“We incorporate drama, because we see it as a more effective means of spreading the message in a community with mixed audience. With drama, one will capture all the segments of the society.”
She further advised everyone to use preventive methods while going for HIV testing and counseling.
abrahamoladipupo@gmail.com
ASUU commends students for support during strike
BY DAYO ADESINA PETERS
THE University of Ibadan branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in a statement released last week, expressed its appreciation and gratitude to all students for their support and understanding during the three-month nationwide strike.
The letter, signed by the chairman of ASUU, UI Chapter, Dr. Demola Aremu read: “It would be recalled that ASUU embarked on the strike action after all entreaties failed, in order to encourage government to sign the agreement it willingly and voluntarily entered into after over two years of intensive negotiation meant to stem the scourge of brain drain and reverse the decay in the educational sector.
“Let it be on record that your conduct during the strike, especially by resisting all pressures to thwart our collective resolve to enhance the human capacity of the nation for development in an increasingly competitive global environment, has affirmed your resolve to stand by the noblest of ideals in the current state of anomaly in Nigeria.”
The body then wished all students success in the ongoing examination exercise.
Sussex university students vote to boycott Israeli goods
STUDENTS of the University of Sussex, England, have voted to boycott Israeli goods. The decision follows the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, which calls upon the Israeli State to respect international law and end the occupation of Palestine.
In a campus-wide referendum, 56 per cent of students voted in favour of the boycott. The referendum was held by the University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU), which represents the institution’s 11,000 students.
Goods from Israel will no longer be stocked in USSU shops on the university campus, and USSU will be lobbying the university administration to observe the boycott.
USSU also currently boycotts Coca-Cola and Nestle in protest at unethical business practices by those corporations.
Tom Wills, USSU President, said “Israel has broken more United Nations resolutions than any other state. No other Western-backed democracy has committed such egregious violations of international law, but the international community has failed to hold Israel to account.
“Sussex was one of the first universities to boycott South Africa during apartheid, and we hope that this will help kick-start an international movement on a similar scale to put pressure on Israel to end its oppression of the Palestinian people. We call on students at other universities to table boycott motions in their own unions.”
Earlier this year, the Israeli attack on Gaza triggered a resurgence in student activism in the UK, with a wave of sit-in protests at universities including Sussex. The student boycott comes after the Trades Union Congress (TUC) backed a boycott of Israeli settlement goods in September.
ITPAN donates equipment to MAPOLY’s Communication dept
By DAMILOLA ADEKOYA
THIS equipment is for the maximum benefits of the students,” said Busola Holloway, as he, and his Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) team, donated materials worth over N500,000, which included two cameras, an editing computer and lights to the communication department, at the end of a seminar held recently by the HND II students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY)’s Mass Communication department, also known as The Global Villagers.
The ITPAN crew conducted the two-day seminar, which dealt in details, issues on the theme, ‘Broadcasting/Narrowcasting Production and Techniques in Current Technologies’.
According to Holloway, broadcasting entails thorough training and discipline. He further promised that the body would be there for students whenever the need arises.
The institution’s Rector, Tokunboh Fowode, while welcoming the ITPAN crew, noted that the provision of facilities couldn’t be borne by the government alone.
He therefore called for more private sector intervention with the provision of funds and support for infrastructural and manpower development of tertiary institutions.
During the two day seminar, Stella Damasus-Nzeribe, a renowned actress and also member of the ITPAN team, gave a stirring discuss on rudiments of acting and what it takes to be good at it.
Also present at the occasion was the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State governor, Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi, who delivered a lecture on the role of governance in educational development. He donated the sum of N200,000 to the department for the procurement of a brand new generating set, which will be used to power the studio and make the equipments functional. He also gave N50,000, to the organisers of the event.
Other members of ITPAN, who spoke at the event include the Vice President, Mr. Yinka Akanbi, Michelle Bello, and Cartherina Bertolusi, from Italy, among others.
Accolades have since been pouring in from all quarters, to all members of the Global Village, for their initiative in putting up the event.
dammyseyifunmi@yahoo.com
AFULBRIGHT, Professor Felix Famoye, who was expected in Nigeria in August, will now be home in January.
Famoye, a faculty member in the mathematics department at Central Michigan University (CMU), was offered the award in April.
Fulbright award recipients are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievements, and demonstrated leadership potentials in their fields.
“I accepted the award, and then I heard that all public institutions in Nigeria were shut down,” Famoye said. “I was supposed to be there for 10 months.”
Due to the four-month strike by the Academic Staff Union of the universities, Famoye will have less time in his homeland. “I will be at the University of Lagos.” The University of Ibadan alumnus, who has been at CMU since 1988, said he is excited to be back home to teach faculty and students more “Western world” styles of learning. “When I was in school, I never received one assignment or one quiz,” he said. “We only had one final examination.”
Famoye, who teaches statistics, said he hopes to make a contribution by working in the areas of critical development, statistical consulting, and technology. “I will be there from January to July, the spirit of scholarship is really good, and it is an opportunity to share the culture from here. I hope to encourage an exchange between the two universities.”
Famoye would like to see more “cultural mingling” where students from CMU would come to Nigeria and vise versa. He described himself as an energy junkie, who is used to running three computers to do his research calculations. “Sometimes, there is no power, and that is a big setback that I am going to face,” Famoye said. “When I applied, I was planning to take my wife and son, who is 12. But with no public schools going on, I have decided to come alone.”
Famoye was born in Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, despite English being the official language; he still speaks his native language, Yoruba.
REACH fights HIV/AIDS pandemic
BY ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO
RESEARCH Alliance for Combating HIV/AIDS (REACH), a collaborative effort between the University of Ibadan and Northwestern University, Evanston in the United States of America, recently undertook a research in different communities, which include Badeku, Yemetu, Atibo (all in Oyo State), Epe (Lagos) and Makurdi to examine the exposure and prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
But it turned out to be more than just a research effort as Theatre Arts students of the University of Ibadan joined in the awareness and fact-finding mission. A drama was presented to bring information about the deadly virus closer to the people in the communities.
The play titled Grave Encounter and which the manager of the troupe, John Oladejo, translated into local dialects, had HIV/AIDS characterised, even as the lead character, Isaac Israel, exposed the causes, prevention and way out of the pandemic.
The programme manager for REACH, Dr. Olajide Rabak, said they had, over the past two years, conducted research in several communities in Nigeria, “and it is part of our effort to disseminate the result of our research to the community we visited. As part of our effort to relay our message, we decided to incorporate this drama presentation, and from the turnout of the people, it is obvious that the message was well received. We only hope some of these interventions would go a long way in curbing the spread of the virus.”
Another member of the team, Nkem Dike from the US, said REACH is principally using social science methods to find out more about HIV/AIDS, understand the community better and learn how cultural factor will help to lessen the spread of AIDS.
“We incorporate drama, because we see it as a more effective means of spreading the message in a community with mixed audience. With drama, one will capture all the segments of the society.”
She further advised everyone to use preventive methods while going for HIV testing and counseling.
abrahamoladipupo@gmail.com
ASUU commends students for support during strike
BY DAYO ADESINA PETERS
THE University of Ibadan branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in a statement released last week, expressed its appreciation and gratitude to all students for their support and understanding during the three-month nationwide strike.
The letter, signed by the chairman of ASUU, UI Chapter, Dr. Demola Aremu read: “It would be recalled that ASUU embarked on the strike action after all entreaties failed, in order to encourage government to sign the agreement it willingly and voluntarily entered into after over two years of intensive negotiation meant to stem the scourge of brain drain and reverse the decay in the educational sector.
“Let it be on record that your conduct during the strike, especially by resisting all pressures to thwart our collective resolve to enhance the human capacity of the nation for development in an increasingly competitive global environment, has affirmed your resolve to stand by the noblest of ideals in the current state of anomaly in Nigeria.”
The body then wished all students success in the ongoing examination exercise.
Sussex university students vote to boycott Israeli goods
STUDENTS of the University of Sussex, England, have voted to boycott Israeli goods. The decision follows the Palestinian call for boycott, divestment and sanctions against Israel, which calls upon the Israeli State to respect international law and end the occupation of Palestine.
In a campus-wide referendum, 56 per cent of students voted in favour of the boycott. The referendum was held by the University of Sussex Students’ Union (USSU), which represents the institution’s 11,000 students.
Goods from Israel will no longer be stocked in USSU shops on the university campus, and USSU will be lobbying the university administration to observe the boycott.
USSU also currently boycotts Coca-Cola and Nestle in protest at unethical business practices by those corporations.
Tom Wills, USSU President, said “Israel has broken more United Nations resolutions than any other state. No other Western-backed democracy has committed such egregious violations of international law, but the international community has failed to hold Israel to account.
“Sussex was one of the first universities to boycott South Africa during apartheid, and we hope that this will help kick-start an international movement on a similar scale to put pressure on Israel to end its oppression of the Palestinian people. We call on students at other universities to table boycott motions in their own unions.”
Earlier this year, the Israeli attack on Gaza triggered a resurgence in student activism in the UK, with a wave of sit-in protests at universities including Sussex. The student boycott comes after the Trades Union Congress (TUC) backed a boycott of Israeli settlement goods in September.
ITPAN donates equipment to MAPOLY’s Communication dept
By DAMILOLA ADEKOYA
THIS equipment is for the maximum benefits of the students,” said Busola Holloway, as he, and his Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) team, donated materials worth over N500,000, which included two cameras, an editing computer and lights to the communication department, at the end of a seminar held recently by the HND II students of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY)’s Mass Communication department, also known as The Global Villagers.
The ITPAN crew conducted the two-day seminar, which dealt in details, issues on the theme, ‘Broadcasting/Narrowcasting Production and Techniques in Current Technologies’.
According to Holloway, broadcasting entails thorough training and discipline. He further promised that the body would be there for students whenever the need arises.
The institution’s Rector, Tokunboh Fowode, while welcoming the ITPAN crew, noted that the provision of facilities couldn’t be borne by the government alone.
He therefore called for more private sector intervention with the provision of funds and support for infrastructural and manpower development of tertiary institutions.
During the two day seminar, Stella Damasus-Nzeribe, a renowned actress and also member of the ITPAN team, gave a stirring discuss on rudiments of acting and what it takes to be good at it.
Also present at the occasion was the Chief of Staff to the Ogun State governor, Dr. Yomi Majekodunmi, who delivered a lecture on the role of governance in educational development. He donated the sum of N200,000 to the department for the procurement of a brand new generating set, which will be used to power the studio and make the equipments functional. He also gave N50,000, to the organisers of the event.
Other members of ITPAN, who spoke at the event include the Vice President, Mr. Yinka Akanbi, Michelle Bello, and Cartherina Bertolusi, from Italy, among others.
Accolades have since been pouring in from all quarters, to all members of the Global Village, for their initiative in putting up the event.
dammyseyifunmi@yahoo.com
Ezeilo’s Kambani… All for tomorrow’s sake
BY TAJUDEEN SOWOLEWHEN a teenager, over 25 years ago, presented his portrait drawing of the then President, Alhaji Shehu Shagari at the State House, Ribadu Road, Lagos, a seed of nurturing artists at younger age was sowed, sub-consciously.
That teenager who is now the founder of Kambani Arts, Chima Ezeilo is giving to the society what, in his thinking, is a way of breeding tomorrow’s masters in the young art enthusiasts of today. From the United Kingdom, Ezeilo, an artist and architect had carried out several projects back home to empower the art scene.
Currently, Kambani is engaging teenagers across the country in art exhibitions and competition in such centres as Osogbo, Benin, Nsukka and Zaria, representing four zones in the project known as Mirror the master, a collaborative effort with Access Bank. The first two events concluded recently in Osogbo and Benin, involved royal fathers, artists and school children.
Ezeilo explains that, “we have a strong vision to make a difference by developing the art masters of tomorrow. These young ones will be exposed to the masters and gain inspiration from the works of the masters who are celebrated from time to time”.
In Benin, three winners emerged: First Prize, Aiwekhoe Osamagbue, 16, Edo College; second, Obi Augustina, 15, Greater Tomorrow College; third, Delina Ruth Imabibo, 9, Negbenebor International School.
But the project goes beyond discovering talents,it is also about; documenting art on the electronic media as well.
Kambani is making impact in TV documentary of visual art related subjects: one of such is Diaries - Voices of the Unheard, a focus growing popularity of African arts in Europe and America, which, has “impacted on ordinary Africans and made a practical difference in their lives.” The documentary premiered at the Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island, Lagos in June, 2006. In the U. K., one of the art group’s most memorable show was Africa Within: Many Eyes One Soul, a joint exhibition of African art by Kambani Arts and another group, also based there, Passion Arts.
Also, in the same year, Kambani organized an art exhibition, Expression, launched at The Commonwealth Club of the Royal Commonwealth Society. A month long show, it was part of the year’s Black History Month events. The exhibition featured graduate artists from a number of African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, South Africa and Kenya.
A year after, Kambani had the backing of Cadbury Nigeria and the Heart of Africa Project to take the Expression tour across Nigeria this time and he, added children’s creative arts and writing to it. Each area had a unique Nigerian cultural, theme such as Argungu Fishing Festival for Abuja, Koroso Dance for Kano and Ekpe Festival, Calabar.
He recalls that Expression in Calabar offered an opportunity to have an idea about children’s thought concerning a trip to the slave history museum of the town. “Children expressed this through the creative writing workshops. They also participated in fashion, music, dance, readings and drama activities as part of the expressions experience.”
In Benin, similar situation re-played when participating school children set their canvases and rendered various thoughts on their environment.
“It is sad that in our society art is a profession that has not reached the desirability level held by medicine, law and engineering. It is often the subject of neglect and apathy from parents to children, no wonder children are not exactly clambering for a piece of art pie.”
For the participating youths in the Current project, Mirror the Master, there is an immediate reward to look forward to as the winner at a grand finale to be held in Lagos would have an opportunity to visit London. This visit, he says includes “attending some exclusive art galleries and participating in an accompanied viewing to see the works of Enwonwu and Chinwe Roy, who were both commissioned by Her Majesty, the Queen of England to sculpt and paint her portraits.”
I Remember Clifford
BY BENSON IDONIJEFOLLOWING the article I did on trumpeter Lee Morgan last week, critical discussions and debates have continued to take place among musicians and devotees for whom the story evoked nostalgia. Today’s piece is informed by the reactions of some of our readers who claim that Morgan cannot be fully appreciated without the elaborate mention to situate Clifford Brown, his mentor, in his true perspective.
Perhaps the greatest testimony in remembrance of the legendary jazz trumpeter, Clifford Brown is the beautifully crafted composition after his death in 1956, of I remember Clifford by tenor saxophonist and composer, Benny Golson.
As a matter of fact, it is this composition, a jazz classic that has been performed in different ways by jazz men, that has continued to boost the high reputation Golson has as a composer-arranger; coming after the setback he had from working with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers.
Golson was completely at odds with the theory of Art Blakey, whose drumming was considered too loud for his sidemen to function the way they should. “I play the way I feel and try to get my message across,” said Blakey. “If the horn-man knows who he is and has something to say, he’ll make himself heard,” Blakey maintained.
At the time Benny Golson was musical director of the Jazz Messengers the way John Lewis was to the Modern Jazz Quartet, (MJQ), the group was quite highly regarded, but Golson’s conception was not entirely satisfactory to Art Blakey, who needed all the freedom in this world to play the drums as leader of the Jazz Messengers.
“He’d come in with an arrangement and it was a good one, but he’d tell me when to use sticks and when to use brushes and what cymbal to play and I just couldn’t do that,” Blakey complained.
Benny Golson went elsewhere and presumably both he and Blakey became freer to express themselves. Besides, the fact that Golson did leave, and amicably, was indicative of Blakey’s philosophy: he did not expect his men to stay with him forever, but rather looked forward to the time when they felt ready to go out on their own.
However, some critics who did not understand the conditions under which the Jazz Messengers existed made insinuations in their comments that tended to make the story look like Golson was fired for his inability to cope with the discipline and chemistry of the Jazz Messenger’s music. And I remember Clifford, which he composed at the time continued to speak volumes for Golson’s capability as a composer of substance and an arranger of note.
True, Clifford Brown was influenced by Fats Navaro, but Clifford took the inspiration to a completely new level of performance both in tonal conception and the fluency of his solo lines.
In addition to his artistic achievements as a trumpeter, Brown exuded virtue and magnanimity. He was not just a nice guy, he was much more than that. Clifford Brown was an extraordinary person; and as the veteran critic, Nat Hentoff once declared: “Nobody I knew in the jazz world ever had a bad word to say about Clifford Brown. He was too open, entirely without guile, without even a hint of malice torward anyone.” Hentoff’s remarks are indicative of the powerful effect Brown had on people who knew him. It was precisely this combination of his amazing talent and his virtuous life that set many musicians who encountered Brown on a different life path.
Before his appearance, many players used drugs in imitation of Charlie Parker. But because of Clifford Brown, many players decided to clean up their acts. He believed that in order to achieve success as a jazz artist, a performer had to live in moderation with enormous focus and discipline. Because Brown was not ostentatious, it was only the respect that jazz musicians had for his enormous talent that led them to emulate his life style.
As a youngster, Brown had created quite a sensation in his hometown of Wilmington, Delaware. One night when Dizzy Gillespie brought his band to town, Brown’s friends urged the king of the bebop trumpet to let Brown sit in for a couple of tunes. Gillespie was awe-struck. Immediately he insisted that Brown, who, at the time was attending a near by college, launch himself into a performing career.
Clifford Brown had received considerable formal musical training and came from a family whose traditions included rigourous discipline and dedication. Soon after the Gillespie episode, he became a regular on Philadelphia bandstands, playing alongside Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and other bebop pioneers. Quickly, he encountered other young second generation boppers like Gigi Gryce whose intention was to develop the new style and concurrently adopt aesthetic standards equal to that of serious classical musicians.
A few of his black compeers could seek to establish themselves as rhythm ‘n’ blues stars, thereby gaining fortune as well as fame, but Clifford Brown would shun this life. His desire was to create the best music possible in the bebop genre, and after he realised that he could improvise with the best, he worked even harder, practising inexhaustibly and living fastidiously. In addition, he was one of those rare musical artisans who could spend a few days in North Africa, assimilate the colours of the indigenous music, and create a composition incorporating those elements that would become a classic in jazz literature. At age 23, alongside the quintessential bebop percussive Max Roach, Clifford Brown created a musical explosion that continues to dazzle audiences to the present day.
What Brown and Roach achieved in their group of the early 1950s was unique. At a time when art music of the great boppers was being diluted as “Jazz at the Philharmonic” blowing sessions designed to excite the appetites of screaming audiences, Clifford and Max turned elsewhere. Drawing upon training that had strong classical roots, Brown had found an unusual jazz colleague, a drummer who listened to Stravinsky.
The two musicians spent long hours discussing new concepts of jazz performance that would incorporate many traditions inherent in classical forms. It soon became clear that only in the context of intellectually crafted compositions containing tapestries of exquisite improvisational design could the music achieve the artistic heights Brown and Roach desired. Solos, the necessity for any improvisational virtuouso, had to be economical, serving the needs of the compositional frame work rather than the demands of egocentric players of hero-worshipping fans.
As an improviser, Clifford Brown created flowing lines of soaring melody and improvisation, containing geometric symmetry and punctuated with an articulated attack and buttery tone that became the envy of trumpeters everywhere. With Max Roach, Harold land, and later Sonny Rollins, the group played to audiences packed with musicians and other cognoscenti, who were continually astounded at their performances.
Clifford Brown’s artistry is at its high level in the area of improvisational design. Like Charlie Parker and pianist Art Tatum, Clifford Brown commandeered the vast resources of his creativity to construct solos that contained revolutionary melodic language and new rhythmic subtlety. With the advent of academic interest in jazz in recent years, Brown’s achievement has been analysed in dissertations and discussed in professional conferences. His focused approach to composition has influenced countless musicians and as bebop steadily gains a greater place in the aesthetic hierarchy of even the most critical circles of establishments, his art continues to emerge and flourish.
Some of the major beneficiaries of his inspiration and influence include Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd, Freddie Husband. Others are Art Farmer, Blue Mitchell, Don Cherry, Terence Blanchard. Disciples of Clifford Brown in Nigeria are Michael Falana, Fela Ransome-Kuti, Biodun Adebiyi, Nathaniel Bassey and young Taiwo Clegg.
Good or Bad, J Martin is Elevated
STORIES BY CHUKS NWANNEThe weather was still very bright the time I set out to hook up with him in one of the popular Ikeja bars. But few minutes to my destination, heavens let loose –– r-a-i-n!!! Sure, I managed to escape the showers. J Martins looks very tired; it shows all over his face. All through the interview, he keeps yawning and adjusting his sitting position.
“I’ve not been able to sleep because I’ve been very busy working. In fact, from here, I will be heading for South Africa to attend the Channel O Awards,” he says working his blackberry phone.
You need to see J Martin’s reaction when I reminded him of his days in his brother’s music studio in Onitsha, Anambra State.
“Yes, my elder brother. Wow! How did you get to know about that,” he quizzes. “They produce more of Eastern kind of music such as highlife and stuff like that; I didn’t really work with them, but I used to go there to help them with things.”
Known more for his hip-life beat, which is becoming very popular among Nigerian hip-hop artistes today, Martins-Okey Justice’s music career actually started in the church when he joined the choir.
“I was a chorister in my church and later, I joined the church band; that was where l learnt to play drums and later bass guitar. Up till date, I’m still a member of the Dominion City Choir.”
Unfortunately, present day artistes seem not to be interested in learning to play at least one musical instruments?
“Well, I think it’s a personal opinion; it depends on what you want out of life. By the world standards, every performing artiste should know how to play at least one instrument. I’m not talking of producer here, but artistes.”
It appears you spend more time making beats?
“I actually spend more time listening to music more than making beats for people.”
Then you decided to make your own music?
“Yes, a lot of people know me more as a producer, but I just decided to go back to where I started; that’s singing.”
Before his hit track, Good or Bad, featuring Timaya and P-Square, which many believed launched him into the industry, J Martins had recorded other works, which were popular in the Eastern part of the country.
“Get The Vibe had a lot of airplay in the East, especially on Cosmo FM, Enugu, where it was widely accepted. I also did Swagger Dance and one or two others; I’ve been doing music for long,” he quips.
But Good or Bad did the magic for you?
“Well, the music is rich; it’s something different, so, it was able to get the break. When people say it’s the song that brought me out, I just say, ‘whichever way, we thank God.”
How did you arrive at that song?
“Actually, the beat itself had another song on it when I first recorded. But after listening to it for some time, I decided to put it aside because, I felt the beat was asking for more expression; I decided to expand it. I wanted to do something different, so, I brought in P-Square, Timaya and others to do Good or Bad.”
There’s always an influence of highlife in almost all your beats?
“If you listen to my production, you will notice that I’m not a noise maker in terms of beat; my beats are always cool,” he says yawning. “Even when you don’t know the song, once you listen to it, you will see yourself moving. I try to find the best way to approach songs. As for the highlife stuff, it started from Do Me (by P-Square). After that, the rest is history.”
You did Do Me?
"Yes, with Paul Okoye.”
Even in Ada Owerri, a song he did for Bracket, you could feel that highlife rhythm. In fact, the Yori Yori crooners branded J Martins ‘king of highlife beat’ in that track.
“When I was quite younger, I used to enjoy music of the old men. People like Osadebe, Oliver De Coque, Goddy Ezike, Price Nico Mbarga, Paulson Kalu and the rest of them; their music greatly influenced me. But at a point, I discovered their kind of music was fading away, so, I decided to bring them back in a more modern way. That’s why you see me do the kind of songs I do.”
Meanwhile, expect surprises in J Martin’s latest album, Elevated, which is already on music shelves around the country.
“There are two personalities of me in that project; the first four songs is about the hip-life, but the other four songs are tracks you don’t expect me to do.”
How?
“Because, possibly, you are not expecting that kind of song from me; maybe by the time you listen to the album, you will understand what I’m talking about. It’s been said that every producer is on one pattern, but I’m versatile; I’m grateful to God for giving me that talent.”
Why Elevated for an album title?
“I called it Elevated because it’s a process; everybody is aware of that. If a process is good, everybody knows it’s good and if it’s bad, people know. The album has tracks such as Oyoyo, Iva, Believe, Change, Good or Bad Remix (rap version), featuring Vector; there are eight new songs in the album altogether with two remixes.”
Are you satisfied with your first album?
“You don’t expect to be satisfied always; no one will always be satisfied. It did very well, but you can’t always be satisfied.”
So, what are you doing to ensure this new work is successful?
“I wish to expand my network, put more effort in pushing and spreading the word to my fans.”
Does that include an album launch party?
“I’m not planning any big album release party; we are just pushing the album into the market. It’s not about doing album launch party, after that, what else? I’m not saying it’s not good to do a party, after all I’ve been attending the ones organised by my friends. We might decide to do something later, but for now, we are interested in pushing the song into the market.”
Most of you artistes seem to be moving to Lagos?
“In a way, you need to come to Lagos, but first of all, you have to prove yourself in your locality. For instance, P-Square came from Jos, Timaya and Duncan Mighty came from Port Harcourt, Nigga Raw and I came from Enugu… there are many of them that came from our different zones to get to where we are today. You have to understand that Lagos is the centre of entertainment in the country.”
But people like Nigga Raw maintained base till date?
“That’s an untapped resources,” he notes. “Everyone was more interested in ‘yea men, yo men’, but he’s doing something different. Today, we know him as the pioneer of vernacular hip-hop music in Nigeria.”
Though a graduate of Business Administration from the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), buying and selling is the last thing on the Abia State native’s mind.
“There will definitely be business, but it depends on where it’s coming from. There’s music business, there’s media business and others. But don’t expect me to go into buying and selling,” he says with laugher.
What’s your relationship with P-Square?
“Very cordial; they are more like my brothers,” he declares.
And you are aware of their problem with their landlord? In fact, the man claimed he complained to you when your friends started breaking their apartment to set up a music studio?
“Well, I don’t know about that; you are the one telling. Most of the times, I’m not always available, so, I can’t really say.”
But the man mentioned your name; it was in the news?
“I’ve never read such story. Even if that’s true, is it supposed to be public? Meanwhile, that story must have been written by one reporter.”
We are talking of an interview granted by both the landlord and Jude, P-Square’s elder brother?
“Well, I’m not aware of that.”
At this point, it was obvious J Martins didn’t want to comment on this matter, so I let him be.
MTN Nigerian Music Fest gets more supportEXCITEMENT is in the air for the MTN Nigerian Music Festival, which holds next weekend in Lagos. Already, Terra Kulture, the art centre on Victoria Island, Lagos has thrown its weight behind the project.
The centre will play host to music notables in an evening of royal retreat as a prelude to the festival billed for November 21 at the Oceanview Plaza, Victoria Island. The Owerri show will now hold on November 28.
Apart from MTN Nigeria, other sponsors of the project include Skye Bank Plc.
Legendary Nigerian music ambassadors including, Sir Victor Uwaifo and Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar, as well as Christy Essien Igbokwe, Sir Shina Peters, Weird MC, Obesere, Faze and Olu Maintain would be hosted to an evening of exclusive dinner, dance and wine at the Terra Kulture.
Current notable artistes, namely MI, Wande Coal, Terry G and J Martins have also been signed on to perform at the festival in Lagos.
Also billed for the day is Evi Edna-Ogoli, the popular act in the 1980s and 1990s. She will fly in from France to join other artistes to celebrate their own works.
Also, Island Limousine, a car hire company, has indicated interest to partner with Ruyi Communications to make the show glitzy and memorable.
The company is dedicating two Hummer limousines to convey performing artistes from their hotels to Ocean View Plaza, venue of the Lagos leg of the festival.
Tickets are available at selected Skye Bank branches in Lagos and MTN Nigerian Music Fest train located at strategic neighbourhoods around the city. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.nigerianmusicfest.com.
XL5IVE Swagger s in
After years of performing abroad, Nigeria-born-Europe-based artiste, Perry Stevenson Ohens, is back in the country in preparation for the launch of his debut album. Scheduled for Saturday, November 28 Lagos, at Planet One, Maryland, Ikeja, Lagos, it will feature a special red carpet reception, with notable celebrities being expected.
Popularly called XL5ive in the entertainment scene, the artiste, who launched into the music industry with Olomi, it set to serve his 14-tracker album with tracks such as Olomi, Shallangolo, Omole, Irawo, Trouble, Send Me a Letter and the title track, Swagger My Way.
His ability to speak multiple languages such as Esan, Yoruba, French, Magyar (Hungarian), and Dutch, has a strong influence on his music, giving it a universal feel. His songs come with a blend of Western and Afro-Caribbean style, fussed with Nigerian flavour.
A protégé of legendary producer, Larry Ifediorama of the PolyGram Records, Tony Oghuma, and late Ladi Lawal, Xl5ive started singing at a very tender age, though his career was truncated by his love for and proficiency in foreign languages as a student, leading to his first exposure to Europe by the sponsorship of the Embassy of France, through Alliance Francaise.
However, living in Europe for about 14 years in pursuit of linguistic knowledge, did not completely take over his unquenchable musical ambition.
“I care so much about my music and could never imagine not committing everything to it as much as I do. With my enriching experience so far, I have figured out how to work in our unique setting.”
He continues: “Sometimes, with a first album, it seems like swimming in different oceans, battling to navigate to a plausible destination. But I have a strong conviction that this is a surefooted journey.”
Blacktribe returns Addicted
Their first effort was in 1999, when they recorded Be Ma Girl, featuring 2Face Idibia and Blackface of the defunct Plantashun Boyz; Paul Play produced the track. The duo returned the following year with yet another single, Nino. The track produced by Nelson Brown, made noticeable impact in the music scene then.
Their first album, Past And Present, produced by the duo of OJB Jazreel and Nelson Brown, was released in 2004 under CK Music. The nine-track album was followed by Make Way, after which nothing has been heard from the group.
After months of fine-tuning their beats in the studio, Abdulmalik Usman and Daniel Nwankwo of the Blacktribes are back with their third. Titled Addicted, the artistes are very optimistic that the new work billed for release next month, will easily find it’s way into the Nigerian music market. Well, let’s see how it goes.
The 12-track album featuring 2Face Idibia, Timaya, Sound Sultan, OJB, Mallam Spicy and Prince Banton, has tracks such as Chacha, Ife, Trusted Friend, Ganja, Gbabeski, Follow Me Go, Story, Leave Am, My Size, U Make Me Wanna, 2nite, Wondale, Chikito and Addicted. Producers K Solo, Spanky, J-Sleek, Dr. Frabs, OJB and Jiggy Jegg and have their hand in the album.
Shot in South Africa, the videos for Trusted Friend and Chikito are already on air, while the production crew is on the verge of returning to location soonest to shoot the remaining videos.
Blacktribes has be part of major music concerts in the country such as Star Trek, The Play Safe Campus Tour for the awareness of HIV/AIDS, Y’hello Africa, Taraba and Benue States government organized Peace Concerts, Big Brother
TEETH 4 TEETH
BY JUSTIN AKPOVI-ESADE
Ras Teddy Knor the escort?
REGGAE, six-foot giant, Ras Teddy Knor, may have jettisoned music temporarily, if not how would one explain the escort role he was seen playing at O’jez recently? The singer whose only claim to musicianship was the planned duet (that never happened) between him and late Lucky Dube, was sighted at the celebrity hangout closely following a fella. Anywhere the guy went in the crowded restaurant, be sure to see Knor grinning full lips behind him. It was so bad that even when the guy went upstairs to the loo, Knor was still close marking him. The nickel dropped later, the guy was the person buying the drinks and food that night. Bros Teddy, I no blame you, my people say if tortoise no get money, e go use im body serve. Na Money yab man. God is able sha, if e no dey today, e go dey tomorrow. Take heart.
... Still on Teddy Knor
THIS is a passionate appeal to all, the musician, Teddy Knor, who wears a short pant (that he calls knickers), urgently needs the address of the Society for Family Care office. An SMS dropped in T4T’s mobile phone and it was from Knor, some days after he was seen playing otinkpu (escort/bag bearer) for somebody. The SMS announced Knor needed the address of the above mentioned society ‘urgently.’ In fact, T4T was worried, when he became a city address book. Anyway, as you read this piece, if you know the address Knor is looking for, please go to AIT or better still, take an advert space in Guardian Life to inform the singer and the good Lord will bless you as you do so.
Ejike Asiegbu’s back
FORMER president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejike Asiegbu, is back in the country after weeks on holiday in Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Recall, we reported in this column, that after surviving the wahala of AGN, he went to cool off in Zimbabwe (when his mates were going to America, UK and Brazil), na Zimbabwe im fit go. Well, T4T ran into him at O’jez last week Saturday, spotting an army fatigue shorts. He looked every inch a U S soldier fighting in Afghanistan. Unlike in the past when presido will declare booze on his return, it seems the only thing Ejike brought back from Zimbabwe was the army fatigue shorts. Anyway, the good book said, in any situation we find ourselves, we must give thanks to Him that is up there. Amen.
Okey Bakassi at it again
RECALL I told you the last time, the love comedian turned politician Okey Bakassi has for pounded yam and vegetable soup. Fine, he was at it again last week at O’jez when he came visiting from his Imo State base.
Okey, spotting a dark waist coat over a ma he came visiting from his Imo State base.
Okey, spotting a dark waist coat over a matching pair of trousers and leather slippers (what a combination), sat with his younger brother demolishing a plate of his favourite. Again, he forgot T4T was lurking around the corner, it took him a while, after he had completed his task to look up and see your darling T4T (some of my detractors now call me tooth ache). Anyway, we will keep watching these stars no matter the name they call us.
Segun Arinze makes U-Turn?
FOR those who know the actor Segun Arinze, the new president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, this is the time to pray for him as he may have decided to pour on himself an entire colony of soldier ants. Reports have it that to make peace with the almighty ‘Board of Trustees’ of AGN, he decided to sacrifice his elected General Secretary, Chuma Onwudiwe and Treasurer Lolo and replaced them with candidates of the ‘Board of Trustees’ led by Ifeanyi Dike. Chuma and Lolo are spoiling for a fight to finish with Uncle Sege who reports said has ran to soft spoken actor Zack Orji for cover. The battle in Nollywood is just starting. You will be given real time update as the fire burns.
... As K.O.K Taku On ‘Mandate’
“I will rather die, than relinquish the mandate given to me as ‘president of AGN”, that is the war song of Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, K.O.K as the ‘Board of Trustees’ bear on him to step aside now that Segun Arinze has given in to their demands of ‘sacking’ Chuma and Lolo. But as the Yorubas will say, my friend K.O.K has taku (remained adamant). K.O.K claimed he was given six months to act as president and he has barely spent three months so what the heck is Ifeanyi Dike and co saying? He has threatened to drag them to court if he ever hears that sentence that says he should back down.
Hmmm, ever heard of the story of the Frankenstein monster? Read your history and you will understand what we are talking about here. Na dia I talk reach o o.
ogbuus@yahoo.com
Ras Teddy Knor the escort?
REGGAE, six-foot giant, Ras Teddy Knor, may have jettisoned music temporarily, if not how would one explain the escort role he was seen playing at O’jez recently? The singer whose only claim to musicianship was the planned duet (that never happened) between him and late Lucky Dube, was sighted at the celebrity hangout closely following a fella. Anywhere the guy went in the crowded restaurant, be sure to see Knor grinning full lips behind him. It was so bad that even when the guy went upstairs to the loo, Knor was still close marking him. The nickel dropped later, the guy was the person buying the drinks and food that night. Bros Teddy, I no blame you, my people say if tortoise no get money, e go use im body serve. Na Money yab man. God is able sha, if e no dey today, e go dey tomorrow. Take heart.
... Still on Teddy Knor
THIS is a passionate appeal to all, the musician, Teddy Knor, who wears a short pant (that he calls knickers), urgently needs the address of the Society for Family Care office. An SMS dropped in T4T’s mobile phone and it was from Knor, some days after he was seen playing otinkpu (escort/bag bearer) for somebody. The SMS announced Knor needed the address of the above mentioned society ‘urgently.’ In fact, T4T was worried, when he became a city address book. Anyway, as you read this piece, if you know the address Knor is looking for, please go to AIT or better still, take an advert space in Guardian Life to inform the singer and the good Lord will bless you as you do so.
Ejike Asiegbu’s back
FORMER president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Ejike Asiegbu, is back in the country after weeks on holiday in Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Recall, we reported in this column, that after surviving the wahala of AGN, he went to cool off in Zimbabwe (when his mates were going to America, UK and Brazil), na Zimbabwe im fit go. Well, T4T ran into him at O’jez last week Saturday, spotting an army fatigue shorts. He looked every inch a U S soldier fighting in Afghanistan. Unlike in the past when presido will declare booze on his return, it seems the only thing Ejike brought back from Zimbabwe was the army fatigue shorts. Anyway, the good book said, in any situation we find ourselves, we must give thanks to Him that is up there. Amen.
Okey Bakassi at it again
RECALL I told you the last time, the love comedian turned politician Okey Bakassi has for pounded yam and vegetable soup. Fine, he was at it again last week at O’jez when he came visiting from his Imo State base.
Okey, spotting a dark waist coat over a ma he came visiting from his Imo State base.
Okey, spotting a dark waist coat over a matching pair of trousers and leather slippers (what a combination), sat with his younger brother demolishing a plate of his favourite. Again, he forgot T4T was lurking around the corner, it took him a while, after he had completed his task to look up and see your darling T4T (some of my detractors now call me tooth ache). Anyway, we will keep watching these stars no matter the name they call us.
Segun Arinze makes U-Turn?
FOR those who know the actor Segun Arinze, the new president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, this is the time to pray for him as he may have decided to pour on himself an entire colony of soldier ants. Reports have it that to make peace with the almighty ‘Board of Trustees’ of AGN, he decided to sacrifice his elected General Secretary, Chuma Onwudiwe and Treasurer Lolo and replaced them with candidates of the ‘Board of Trustees’ led by Ifeanyi Dike. Chuma and Lolo are spoiling for a fight to finish with Uncle Sege who reports said has ran to soft spoken actor Zack Orji for cover. The battle in Nollywood is just starting. You will be given real time update as the fire burns.
... As K.O.K Taku On ‘Mandate’
“I will rather die, than relinquish the mandate given to me as ‘president of AGN”, that is the war song of Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, K.O.K as the ‘Board of Trustees’ bear on him to step aside now that Segun Arinze has given in to their demands of ‘sacking’ Chuma and Lolo. But as the Yorubas will say, my friend K.O.K has taku (remained adamant). K.O.K claimed he was given six months to act as president and he has barely spent three months so what the heck is Ifeanyi Dike and co saying? He has threatened to drag them to court if he ever hears that sentence that says he should back down.
Hmmm, ever heard of the story of the Frankenstein monster? Read your history and you will understand what we are talking about here. Na dia I talk reach o o.
ogbuus@yahoo.com
ON Film Festival will update potential partners about Nollywood -- Ruelle
BY SHAIBU HUSSEINIIN less than a month, between December 9 and 12, Port Harcourt, the Garden City, will play host to the traveling international film festival, ION. Earlier staged in Los Angeles (2007), Dubai (2008) and scheduled to move to Istanbul in 2010, the festival is coming to Africa via Port Harcourt. Moviedom engaged the festival’s Artistic Director, Catherine Ruelle, on Nollywood and ION in Nigeria…
Take on Nollywood
The Nigerian movie industry differs from other industries around the world; it is not a product of private-public alliances, but rather it is essentially self-financed. This is both a strength — it highlights self-drive and independence — and a weakness; as it is more fragmented and resource constrained. When referring to the Nigerian movie industry as ‘Nollywood’, an established brand with the potential to expand and diversify into additional genres, techniques, themes and audiences.
Nollywood has achieved a remarkable growth, both in terms of productivity and outreach beyond Nigeria and Africa. The industry succeeded in creating its’ own audience appeal, which is at the basis of its genuine potential. Audiences embrace Nollywood’s content as an alternative to other available contents because it has managed to make them feel something new or different.
The Nigerian movie industry is coming from a difficult place, one of limited training in the art of filmmaking and shoestring budgets. However, the industry has produced more movies than Hollywood.
The spirit of Nollywood is amazing, its potential is huge and an encouraging number of new talents are emerging with movies that aim to entertain and at the same time shape minds, and make an impact on people’s lives. The industry is therefore expanding with new angles, content, techniques and a growing recognition. Despite the economic downturn that has resulted in a reduction in the number of movies produced, an increasing number of producers are investing larger budgets and longer production schedules and are choosing to release their movie in line with the tradition worldwide, from premiere, to cinemas, to home video.
There is a need for more collaborations, training, partnerships, to enhance the entire filmmaking process, from development to distribution. The industry is opening up to partnerships and co-productions with foreign talents and also Nigerians in the Diaspora interested in sourcing and/or shooting their stories in Nigeria. This offers an opportunity to expand the local skills base in the craft.
Alliances of the Nigerian movie industry with South Africa, Europe, the US and India are key to its sustainable and structured growth and to enhance production quality and profitability through distribution. This in turn will make it easier to attract capital through strategic partnerships between content producers and content distributors.
The world is hungry of stories from Africa, that offer insights into one of the most mysterious continents in the world. Partnering with Nigerian movie industry — the most populous, dynamic and entrepreneurial country in Africa — gives the opportunity to expand the awareness about this rich continent, tap into its rich artistic creativity, and tell new stories from a new perspective to complement existing ones and expand the boundaries of the world movie market.
Expected impact of ION on Nollywood
The industry is still very green and the journey of integration into the more traditional and global cinema circuit is long. Not everyone is walking that journey, which is why it is important to attract the right partners. It is here that the opportunities lie — not where everything is already being done and reloaded. Cinema has changed tremendously in the last 20 years and will continue to change.
Nigeria with its dynamic and large marketplace has an opportunity to shape its own style to offer to local and global audiences a new upcoming cinema.
ION Festival travels the world searching for outstanding achievements in the art of movies, and Nigeria’s industry has achieved a lot in spite of all odds. The festival was attracted from the beginning to come and celebrate the achievements so far, but also, to offer a platform to showcase the industry’s vast potential with its ocean of talented artistes and hungry audiences for more stories and more quality — not only reaching out to Nigerians, but also to update potential partners from around the world that might be searching for new “green” opportunities.
The festival wants to invite them to come, to read about it or even to hear about it and experience Nigeria and the Niger Delta’s heart, Port Harcourt and their limitless potential. ION Film Festival will show Nigerian movies along with movies from around the world and has a workshop series designed to refine local skills and standards on screenwriting, cinematography, lighting and film scoring as well as film packaging and networking.
The festival has a commitment to be part of the development of the local industry, which could significantly impact on the Nigerian economy and individuals. The film festival, which originated in Los Angeles and moves around the globe would like to invite the different stakeholders such as banks, fund managers, consulting firms, insurance companies, production houses, and distributors and so on that can play a role in the development of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
Around and about Nollywood...
AMAA Goes To London African Film Festival, LAFF
ORGANISERS of the African Movie Academy Award, AMAA, say they will send a delegation to the London African Film Festival (LAFF) scheduled to hold from November 26 and December 3, 2009. The delegation is to participate in a conference on African Cinema, where it is expected to brief filmmakers on the steps taken so far to guarantee the success of one of the Academy’s major events; the yearly AMAA award. Aside this presentation, new currents in narrative forms will be the special focus of the 2009 London African Film Festival.
The organisers announced that they are showcasing debuts of a wide range of dynamic, young film-making talents and the most creative of TV/film practitioners to celebrate the energy that young Africans from all corners of the continent have brought to drama as they embrace the digital age. The festival launches with screening of a selection of feature films and documentaries including the UK Première of Tariq Teguia’s Inland; Abakar Chene Massar’s Captain Majid, a film that is a metaphor of the disenchanted youths in Chad and the Ethiopian; Nega Tariku’s “ Adera, a story of an Ethiopian refugee’s struggle to survive in Johannesburg will also be shown. A selection of the best of AMAA (African Movie Academy Awards) that include the Nigerien documentary filmmaker Sani Elhadj Magori’s seminal documentary For The Best And For The Onion, which is about one man’s determination to get the best onion harvest in other to marry the love of his life; Wanuri Kahui’s From A Whisper, a superb drama based on the bombing of the US embassy in Nairobi in 1998.
Central to the festival is a major conference entitled “Producing and Distributing African Film in the Digital Era” which holds on Sunday, November 29, in partnership with the University of Westminster Africa Media Centre (AMC) and in association with the Communication and Media Research Institute. This one-day interdisciplinary conference will have in attendance people from the academia, film and video producers, policy makers, film distributors and African specialists in diverse fields to debate the role and future of African film and video.
…Now accepts entries for the 2010 premier African Film award
The Africa Film Academy invites filmmakers to submit their Feature, Short, and Documentary works for consideration by the 6th AMAA, the premier Africa film Awards. Each completed entry form must be accompanied by all the supporting materials listed on the submission forms, including the synopsis of the film, the list of credits, marketing stills of the film, filmographies of the directors and producers, 10 DVD copies of the film and proof of the right to submit. Only films produced and released between December 2008 and December 2009 would be entered for the 2009 celebration of African Cinema to be held in 2010. All films must indicate year of copyright.
The Africa Film Academy, says it will not accept any film that exceeds the 120-minute run as a feature or a short film that is longer than 50 minutes. The AMAA awards two major categories of short films and animation. This year the Academy announces a category for the Best African Film in the Diaspora and the Best Diaspora Short Film Awards. The deadline for all submissions is December 30; a late entry deadline is January 7, 2010. Nominations will be announced in Ghana in February 2010. AMAA will hold on April 10, 2010 and will be televised across the world. Submission forms are downloadable from the Awards website. For further information, contact AMAA at info@ama-awards.com
NOPA holds December 4
THE Association of Movie Journalists (AMJ) has concluded plans to hold the third edition of the yearly Nollywood Outstanding Personality Award (NOPA). The award according to a statement signed by the associations National President, Stanley Okoronkwo, will hold on December 4 at Terra Kulture, Taimiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. Okonkwo disclosed that awards will be presented to some Nollywood personalities, who have distinguished themselves in their different beats. Publisher of Today’s Choice Magazine and Chairman Advisory Council of the association, Chief F. Onita Coker, and Chief Walter Ibekwe Ofonogaro are expected as special guests at the event. The chairman for the evening will be Dr. Peter Igho, MFR, while His Royal Majesty, Eze (Dr.) I. A.Ikonne will be the Royal Father of the day.
Fribourg International Film Festival
THE organisers of the 24th edition of Fribourg International Film Festival (Switzerland) have announced that the festival will hold from March13 to 20, 2010. The Fribourg International Film Festival promotes quality films with the objective of contributing to cinematographic and cultural diversity in Switzerland and in Europe. The Festival selects films primarily from Asia, Africa and Latin America. To encourage the distribution of the films selected, distributors, cinema owners and film critics are invited to attend the event. The official selection includes a competition open to feature films both fiction and documentaries. The Festival organises as well non-competitive sections focusing on films, which have rarely or never been shown in Switzerland (fiction and documentaries or animation, be they short, medium or full-length). However, they must be presented as Swiss premiere (priority will be given to European premiere for the competition). The filmic event proposes also a programme intended for schools and universities and publishes a catalogue with full details. Encounters and debates are organised between filmmakers, the audience, journalists, and professionals. In order to be eligible for selection, films must be submitted no later than December 5, 2009. To submit a film, please check out the regulations and fill in the online entry form via the website www.fiff.com Those wishing to participate or to submit entries can also contact the FIFF directly at films@fiff.ch
Waka pass…
Producer- Amebo A. Amebo
Director- Mr. Gossip
Actors- Nollywood Celebrities
‘Dem say’ they have ‘kidnapped’ Nkem Owoh
IT was the actor, producer, singer, writer, and director Andy Chukwu (aka five-in-one), who told us late on Monday night. We almost didn’t pick the call because we thought he wanted to hint us about the forthcoming Actor’s guild election of which is he is an electoral panel member. But when he mentioned Osuofia, we thought the inevitable has happened. ‘Ol boy, dem say, dem don kidnap Osuofia (Nkem Owoh) ooo’ was the message Chukwu gave us. Naturally, our response will be: again... where…how? But the other thing we heard from Andy on the other side of the phone was that the details were still sketchy, but that the kidnappers were asking for a whopping N15m and that they at the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria have swung into action to save Owoh. ‘We are reaching out to members, so the authorities can be properly alerted’ Andy surmised. Oh, well, one waka pass has since gone on dry fasting, so, that Osuofia’s case can turn out like that of Chief Pete Edochie, who was allegedly kidnapped, but released days after without a mention of any ransom that was paid. The waka pass also thinks we should advice the kidnappers to look elsewhere. Reason: there is drought in Nollywood. People have not been working. If you turn most of the practitioners upside down, it is probably their car keys that will fall off their pockets’. Not to me talk am o!
Steve Eboh aka Ajebo is angry
STEVE Eboh, the actor and producer, who is popular as Ajebo, returned from London during the weekend and thought he should touch base with his friends. So he called someone, who is close to the fellow we know and announced that he had just returned from London with an award — best screen play award — he received from the organisers of the ZAFAA award. ‘Best screenplay award? For which movie? we asked and the fellow gladly told us it was for the 9-hour long Concubine, which Ajebo helped a popular marketer produce but, which has failed to hit the market because they are still editing the movie, two years after they finished shoot. You will now see why wakapass was surprised at the award. Anyway, the offside of this gist from Ajebo is that he is threatening fire and brimstone. They say he is calling for a state of emergency to be declared in the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN). They say Ajebo thinks that members of the Board of Trustees of the AGN should subject themselves to proper checks for the decision they took recently bordering on the AGN. Ask us which decision did BOT take: ‘that Kanayo Kanayo’s interim national caretaker committee has been sacked. In its place is a government of national unity to be headed by Segun Arinze while Ajebo will serve as Vice President.’ Now tell us, is this power struggle summersault not enough to make a six-footer like Ajebo mad!
Victor Ohkai didn’t roam his phone
FILMMAKER and Director General of International Film and Broadcast Academy, Victor Okhai, who is in Cairo, Egypt, as President of the Feature Film category of the Cairo International Film festival, did not roam his phone. Hard as waka pass tried, waka pass couldn’t reach Okhai to discuss a matter of mutual importance. Well, if you know someone, who can reach him in the land of pyramids, please let him know that someone we know left this message for him on my phone. The message is a repost to his comment on the ‘snoozing’ distribution framework of the National Film and Video Censors Board: Victor — read your interview in today’s The Guardian Life (that was last week) on the new distribution policy as a failure. Can you please be more specific? Generalisation is not helpful. If it is a failure, what is your alternative? For the first time, we now have licensed national, regional distributors! If they are not yet functional, I suggest we pressure government to assist them than to reverse the landmark achievement! That is playing politics with the survival of the industry. Criticism should be constructive and specific. Nowhere else in the world is distribution informal as Nigeria. The industry would gain more if government can assist the licensed distributors than the informal system that won’t give us bank loan’. The author? Grab a copy, now.
Emem Isong other past time is eating well
ONE waka pass hopes the next time we speak to prolific female movie producer, writer and director, Emem Isong, about her other past time; she will not mention swimming, reading or playing ludo? The waka pass has threatened that if the producer of the folk language movie, Edikan, dares mention any of those hobbies, he will be the first to shout her down. Haba, not with her demolishing to size, a plate of well prepared eba and vegetable soup at O’jez Restaurant on Sunday. In fact, Emem’s posture and the way she crushed the bones, showed that her other past time is eating well and taking time off to enjoy whatever one has decided to eat. The waka pass said he was sure that even if Emem got a call that pirates have descended on her films, she would have put the call on voice mail if only to enjoy the meal. Cari go sista Emem, there is nothing like expressing yourself. To God be the Glory.
shaibu70@yahoo.com
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