Ace photographer urges government to establish training centers for youths

 

Pa Okhai Ojeikere, veteran photographer at his exhibition at the Omeka Gallery, Ikoyi

 

 

one of the photo on exhibition at the Omeka Gallery, Ikoyi

 

 

Tomoaki Nakano, photographer coordinator, south Africa and Pa Okhai Ojeikere

 at the Omeka Gallery, Ikoyi 

 

 

one of the photo on exhibition at the Omeka Gallery, Ikoyi

 

 

 

one of the photo on exhibition at the Omeka Gallery, Ikoyi

 

 

 

Photography

Lagos, Nov. 12, 2013 Pa Okhai Ojeikere, a veteran photographer, on Wednesday urged the three tiers of government to establish photo studios to help train youths in photography.

Ojiekere, 83, said in Lagos that photography was an alternative source of income and employment for all citizens, especially the youths.

``We do not have to go far in looking for ways to train our youths when we have lucrative business like photo in Nigeria.

``My association has been urging the government to help us out in providing centres where youths can be trained.

``A lot of youths are adapting to it. The ones interested are really coming in large numbers and they are interested and learning fast, because they know it pays.

``Nobody is at a lost if he or she took to photography. It is not a useless job.

``With the age of commuter it is easier for them to do this things now, so we don’t need to go far to help this children,” he said.

He observed that most government officials wanted to be photographed but they do not want to know how it can be used to help the youths grow.

``They can build studious and equip them, but they are not active in it.

``They like seeing themselves and their pictures in newspapers but they do not care how it is done.

``They see photographers as nobody but it tells a lot of stories and can be kept for a long time.

``I believe that when they become aware of how serious it is to help the youths through this medium, they would help.

``We made a lot of representations to government but they seem not to care, but I pray with time they would understand its priority. Our union talked but nothing has been done,” he said.

The veteran photographer, who said he had trained more that 200 photographers, disclosed that photography has paid him.

``I cannot say photography had not paid me; I talk photo, l sleep photo and live photo. I use it in training my children and most of them had graduated.

``Photography is a lucrative job, it is a paying job, the only thing is to be dedicated, disciplined and remain focused; the sky is their limit,” he said.

The octogenarian said that he attended only the Saint Bernard Catholic Primary School.

``I did not go to any high institution and I did not learn photography anywhere.

``I started photo business since 1950 and started holding exhibition since 1974; I have been all over the world.''

He, however, said that cameras were expensive just as any equipment used in making money is very expensive.

``That is why it is very expensive; you cannot get it cheap, what one do to promote the goodness of the society and others is on the high side.

``I have not had regret been in photo business either, and I have exhibited my photos in Nigeria, French Cultural Centre, Lagos Museum, South Africa, Senegal, London Geneva and Amsterdam.

 

Tomoaki Nakano, photographer coordinator, south Africa, noted that a lot of countries are involved in arts and photo exhibitions to create awareness.

 

``Even in South Africa, a lot of exhibition had been going on, and most times with other countries.

 

``It is good for Africans and the people involves in it to sell what we Africans have to the rest of the world".

 

``Photo speaks a lot and tell its own stories to the people of the world,",

 

 

 

 

 

More pictures at the exhibition of the photograph at the Omenka Gallery.

 

Olaiya, idibia collabo ``baby mi da" launched by premier music

2face-Innocent Idibia and Dr Victor Olaiya answering questions from the media at the launch of their ``collbo" by premier music

 

 

2face-Innocent Idibia and Dr Victor Olaiya

 

 

Annie Idibia watches as her husband and Dr Victor Olaiya take questions from the media

 

 

Victor Oliya, Veteran Musician, 2face-Innocent Idibia and Wife Annie Idibia at the launch of ``Baby mi da"

 

 

Music

Lagos, Oct.22, 2013 A veteran musician, Victor Olaiya, on Tuesday, urged the youths in the music sector work in partnership with older musicians as Innocent Idibia (2face) had done to promote evergreen music.

Olaiya said in Lagos at the launch of his musical collaboration with Innocent Idibia, (2Face) by Premier music recording company.

He said that highlife helps to develop the mind and brain of people, because its lyrics make meaning to an average person.

``The music is more about our culture and arts and our culture should be maintained and be promoted.

``The lyrics are crafted and articulated to bring out the good, the bad and the ugly in the society.

``Teach lessons and also correct the things we are not getting right.

``Highlife is more of African and youths should endeavour to do more collaboration as 2face had done so that they don’t loose touch,” he said.

Olaiya opined that highlife is a lingua-franca of Nigeria, so ``we should do more of collaboration with these evergreen musics, because it is understood by all.

He however said that ``Youths like 2face are keying into highlife, so the next generation is beginning to do that but we want more to be done.

``We have started the dream and that is marrying the younger musicians with the older ones, with 2face in the lead, we will immortalize highlife,” he said.

The veteran noted that 2face is very talented, respectful and highly gifted and has the qualities.

``His humility is baffling and such a young talented person, listens when given instructions”.

A musician, Innocent Idibia (2face), said it was an honour to sing along side the veteran.

``His music is evergreen and I felt we should not allow the music to die. It was great working with Olaiya and I learnt a lot from him during the ``collabo”.

Idibia stressed that Olaiya is paving way for the new generation to continue where they stopped, I am copying it, to take it to the next level”.

He said that why he chose to collaboration with Olaiya in ``Baby Mi Da” is because it is one of his wife’s favourite songs.

He further said that he would like other artistes to collaborate with other great artistes to keep the legends alive

 

Art enthusiast says it will speed up nation's development

Dance steps of SARO the Musical

 

 

Play of SARO the Musical

Some dance steps from SARO the Musical

 

Some dance steps from SARO from SARO the Musical

 

Some dance steps from SARO from the Musical

 

Bolanle Austen-Peters, created SARO the musical.

 

Clips of the media preview of SARO the musical, a Broadway Theatre showcased in Lagos

 

 

Lagos, Oct. 22, 2013 Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters, the Chief executive Officer (CEO), Terra Kulture, says the country’s development will speed up if Nigeria appreciates and uses its arts and culture properly.

Terra Kulture is a Nigerian Cultural Centre set up to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts and culture.

Auten-Peters said in Lagos that every sphere of ``our lives hang on creativity, and it will  help the country to grow.’’

She spoke against the backdrop of the forthcoming Broadway production, titled: ``SARO the Musical” which she created and produced.

Austen-Peters said ``we have to open a lot of doors for creativity and encourage those willing to take steps to make it happen.

``We have to showcase, teach, and appreciate what we have in the area of arts, culture, music, dance and other performing arts to be able to progress.

``That is why we need facilities to be able to create these things and make people look inward for the country’s development,” she said.

The CEO said that for sustainable development to be effective, Nigeria needed to tap more deeply into the Nigerian culture and arts.

``Culture will help Nigeria’s progress as it does to other climes.”

Austen-Peters stressed that Nigeria do not need any importation of other nation’s cultures and arts because ``we have it in abundance”.

``All we need do is to improve on our culture appreciation and tap into it for solving our myriad problems.

``We are going to make Nigeria proud with this production both within and outside the country.

According to Austen-Peters, ``I want to showcase Lagos as a land of opportunities where a lot of people came in and become a success story.

``Lagos also has its culture and heritage sites that have many good histories,” she said.

The show is scheduled to hold from Oct 25 to Oct. 27 in Lagos.

 

 

Artist advocates use of art to improve bilateral ties among nations

Fast , Furious, Dudes Nigeria and Rock Fry, Cameroon, doing their art at the media briefing of Ijodee coming Festival

 

 

 

Fast , Furious, Dudes Nigeria and Rock Fry, Cameroon, doing their art at the media briefing of Ijodee coming Festival

 

 

 

 

Dayo Liadi and Nneka addressing the media on their forthcoming of Ijodee annual festival known as TRUFESTA

 

 

Festival

Lagos, Oct. 22, 2013 Mr Adedayo Liadi, the Chief Executive Officer, Ijodee Dance centre (IDC), said on Tuesday that dance culture is a platform to improve bilateral ties between and other countries.

Laidi said in Lagos that dance art is an avenue for dancers to collaborate, network and share ideas with Nigerians, Africa and other artistes around the world.

He spoke against the backdrop of his forthcoming Five days Festival, ``TRUFESTA”, a dance art with other nations from Oct. 23 to Oct. 27.

He said: ``It would create an artistic link that promotes peace, mutual understanding and cordial relationship among African dancers and other artistes from other parts of the world.

``It will continually, create a working relationship and space for all dancers both at home and abroad to connect and work together and reach out to one another even after the festival.

``It would continue to renew excellence and encourage the spirit of togetherness and creativity,” he said.

The dancer said that managing young talents was his priority for the growth of the industry.

``We need to encourage and showcase different styles of dances from Nigeria and other different continents for the awareness and benefits of our society.

``It would help in creating job opportunities for the young and upcoming dancers and choreographers.

``We need to move the Nigerian dance art from where it is now to the international mainstream,” he said.

Liadi stressed that the festival would provide good platform for upcoming and professional Nigerian dancers to research, collaborate and create other dance arts.

``It will help them discover new ideas and techniques, which is what the festival is created for.

The festival will open avenues for dialogue between the dance artistes and choreographers to update ideas on how to better themselves.''

Liadi has choreographed many works, including ``Always sanitary pad 8 hours no check check”; ``Olori Oko, musical dance video by Infinity”, and ``The 8220 Time Korea”.

According to him, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Korea, China and Germany are among other countries expected to feature at the festival.

 

 

Felabration created in honour of Fela, says daughter

 

Felabration

Lagos, Oct. 16, 2013 The first daughter of the late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Yeni Kuti, on Wednesday said that Felabration was created to honour her late father.

Kuti said in Lagos that it is ``our annual musical arts festival to commemorate the life and times of the late Fela''.

According to her, this is because of his contributions to the music and arts industry in the country.

She said that the whole concept of Felabration originated from her in 1998, in order to keep the legacies of Fela alive.

 Felabration had been an annual week-long musical event since 1998, except in 1999, when it did not hold, due to logistics challenges.

Kuti said that the celebration had attracted thousands of visitors to the ``New Afrika Shrine’’, from all over the world.

``They just want to see what is happening in the shrine, the music and what Fela stands for.

``Felabration has also attracted many high class musicians from all parts of the world,” she said.

Kuti said that Fela’s post-humous birthday had also become part of the week-long music festival.

``The festival always included diverse activities; from schools’ debate for Lagos State schools, to photo exhibitions, street carnivals and dancing.

She, however, said that as a musical event, the festival was highly important to everyone that cared about Fela and afro-beat music.

``Although, afro-beat has its peculiar style, other genres of music have their own style too”.

She said that many musicians blended their music these days and made meanings out of the music.

``What matters is for a song to make meaning and for the people to also enjoy it,’’ Kuti said.

Fela was born in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Oct. 15, 1938.

He went to London in 1956 to study music at the Trinity College of Music.

In London, he formed a band known as Koola Lobitos, playing a fusion of Jazz with West African Highlife in 1963.

Back in Nigeria, he built his shrine called Kalakuta and and named his band, ``Africa 70”.

Felabration, which commenced on Monday, Oct. 14, will end on Sunday, Oct. 20.

 

Why we set up music school --- MUSON Centre chief

Dr Mrs Katia Ekesi, Trustee of the MUSON, Mr Kitoye Ibare-Akinsan, Chairman MUSON and Thomas Kautiz, Artistic Director of the MUSON at the briefing of Festival

 

 

Femi Kuti at the media briefing of the MUSON musical festival

 

 

 

Femi Kuti and Yinka Davis at the media briefing of  MUSON musical festival

 

Lagos, Oct. 16, 2013 (NAN) The Chairman, Festival Planning Committee, Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON),  Mr Kitoye Ibare-Akinsan, on Wednesday said the society’s music school was meant to propagate Nigeria’s rich culture through music.

Ibare-Akinsan said this in Lagos in that the society recognised that: ``music, the arts and culture are interwoven”.

``The Music School was established to propagate music in the country and also educate people at all levels about music.

``We decided to encourage and help people to diversify in music and learn more about music, so as to be broad-minded.

``We also saw the need to put up a school which can polish the talents of the youth, so that they can learn how to play at least one musical instrument, he noted.

Ibare-Akinsan said the society was also keen on educating the youths to harness the potential inherent in the arts as they were doing with music.

``A lot of youths are going into music but other arts remain to be harnessed, yet they pay handsomely,” he said.

Ibare-Akinsan, said the society had set aside oct.17 to Oct. 27 every year, for its music festival, to enable the public to be able to appreciate professionalism in music.

``It is meant to make people come out and enjoy different genres of music, after a day’s hard work,” he said.

He said that some artistes scheduled to feature in the festival included Femi Kuti, Yinka Davies and Ayo Bankole.

 

 

Monye urges women to display good morals

 

 

Women

Lagos, Oct. 14, 2013 A veteran musician, Stella Monye, on Monday called on women to be excellent leaders and showcase good morals.

Monye said in Lagos that lack of good moral values in women had imparted on youths found to have gone astray.

She said that a lot of vices perpetrated by youths resulted from mothers not doing their work properly by teaching their children good moral values.

``It is imperative that women should be supportive and guide their children till adulthood for societal growth.

``A lot of women need to know that it is what they impart on their children that mould their behavioural pattern, ’’ Monye said.

Monye, who manages an NGO, `Women Help Initiative Nigeria’ (WHIN), said she decided to establish a platform to talk to women about what they were not getting right and how they could empower themselves.

``They should not abandon their children no matter the circumstances. Instead, they must have something doing so that they can earn a living and support their families.

``A lot of women are under pressure to do things they should not do just to survive,’’ she said.

Monye said that she started mentoring women on what they had passion to do so that they could achieve their goal.

``They should also not allow themselves to be full-time housewives or be made not to take up any work to support the family,’’ she said.

``Women need to improve on their socio-economic conditions so as to have the financial power to help their children,’’ she said.

Ushers are not prostitutes, employment agents say

 

Ushers

Oct.  11, 2013 The Chief Executive Officer, JEMASH Media, Ms Jemiriye Adeniji, on Friday, debunked the impression that casual jobs by young female graduates and undergraduates as ushers were synonymous with prostitution.

Adeniji, an employer of ushers, said in Lagos that the impression was wrong.

``I run a model agency and source for ushers for organisations that want things to be well-organised.

``It is about helping people not to get up from their seats at events and giving them what they want at such events.

``It is just about people being helpful at event venues and I do not encourage the girls to collect complimentary cards from people or drop their phone numbers.

``I always tell them that they should maintain their dignity, know that they are there to work and not to romance anybody.

``As for modelling, we know that they showcase wears,’’ she said.

Adeniji said that it was a dignified job and what people said about the job of ushers was not true.

She said that she usually screened the girls, monitored what they did and if she found any of them wanting, she would sack that person.

``I have lawyers and communicators that train them, sign bonds with them to be of good behaviour and what they should be paid.

``They earn as much as N5, 000 and above for any job, because they have to use the money for their education and to also take care of themselves,’’ she said.

Adeniji also said that if they worked late, up to 10 p.m., for instance, accommodation would be provided and they would all stay together, so there would be no way anyone of them could go astray.

``Even outside Lagos, accommodation is also provided, so the issue of anybody taking advantage of them is eliminated,’’ she said.

The Chief Executive Officer, Aries Usherettes Events, Chioma Peters, also said that it was not true that girls serving as ushers were prostitutes.

``I am a Christian, and I bring in my Christian faith into everything I do. So, I cannot encourage all those bad things people associate with what we do.

``Many of them, with the lingering ASUU strike, are bored staying at home now and they want to work, so they call me most times to know if there is any job to be done.

``And if there is any ushering job, I call them up to do it and they are paid N5,000 each time they work,‘’ she added.

 

Sculptures are not mostly deities - expert

 

Arts

Aug. 28, 2013 An Artist, John Egwuatu, on Wednesday said that those regarding sculptures as mostly deities were not well informed about arts.

Egwuatu said in Lagos that carvings could be used as decorations and sometimes as symbols of heroes or historical events.

``We have the religious aspects of carvings and we have carvings that are used for interior decorations.

``If we narrow it down, some carvings are used at homes, offices, while some are used in some places of worship, ‘’ he said.

Egwuatu said that people should be able to distinguish the sculpture used in places of worship and those ones for decorations.

He said that the carvings meant for places of worship were not usually sold in the markets and could only be got through specifications.

Also, Patrick Agose, Secretary, Universal Art Studio, National Theatre, Lagos, said that arts and carvings had been in existence for ages.

He said that artists used artworks and carvings to develop a lot of things.

Agose said that a sculpture would "become a deity when a person decides to bow before it, worship it and make it his God.

"Sculptures are objects that show aesthetics and beauty, ‘’ he added

Agose said that sculptures could be used to document history or events and carved on stone or metal or wood.

``It (sculpture) is someone’s creativity and intellectual property.

``In fact, arts are becoming a goldmine now because the costs are outrageous and yet, people are really buying.

``So it brings a lot of revenue for the sellers. We should not forget that science, technology, philosophy and innovations started from arts,’’ he said.