Dress smart, pregnancy is not an illness – Fashion designer, Yummy Mummy

Gone are the days when pregnant women appear padded in oversized outfits just to keep up with their protruding bellies.

Edidiong Amama Ekwere’s maternity line, Yummy Mummy Maternity Couture, has creatively availed expectant mothers of maternity designs that leave them sassy and confident.

She told Daily Sun in a recent chat that her inspiration was borne out of the desire to create something exclusive to breach the gap of availability and comfort for expectant mothers.

Excerpts:

Why the name, Yummy Mummy?

The name, Yummy Mummy Maternity Couture, was birthed with the focus of providing glam, afrocentric looks for the pregnant mummy. I had thought of other names but finally settled for Yummy Mummy Maternity Couture because I wanted every woman to feel pampered and special when wearing my designs. Today, we have expanded our line and the change has necessitated a shift. We tend to go by YM Couture a lot more now.

What is the inspiration behind your maternity line Yummy Mummy?

The inspiration was born out of the desire to create something exclusive, breach the gap of availability and comfort. Fashion choices for pregnant women have been constantly evolving and staying fashionable during pregnancy has become a lot easier and more fun.

I wanted to uniquely express myself while creating stylish and wearable clothes with that touch of afrocentric designs for the pregnant diva. Originally, Yummy Mummy Maternity Couture’s focus was to glam up pretty pregnant women, giving them a sense of a special feeling during the months when hormones and burgeoning bodily changes tend to make one feel a tad bit ugly.

I had to accommodate non-pregnant clients when friends kept on calling me up to make clothes to suit them. Thus, the advent of the YM Tribal Tees, Tee Dresses, and YM Rococo were added to the list. Now, we cater for both pregnant and non-pregnant women.

Aside from dressing for comfort, what else should a pregnant woman consider when choosing her clothes?

Comfort is key. However, women are beginning to dress for other reasons. Some want to conceal their bumps in the early stages, prolonging the time between when they keep the secret to themselves and bask in it and when they want to share the happy news with the world. Yet, others want to be stylish and fashionable for the entire period.

My advice is comfort first, and then safety. We don’t want those tight straps, cutting off your circulation and causing you a discomfort. Once you have that out of the way, try to infuse touches of your personal style throughout the entire period. Pregnancy should never be synonymous with being frumpy.

What distinguishes Yummy Mummy from other maternity lines?

Yummy Mummy stands out as being the forerunner of ethnic inspired maternity wear. When we kicked off there was no other maternity fashion line here in Nigeria and when compared with foreign counterparts, we are the only one, providing maternity couture with a decidedly ethnic twist and that African inspired touch.

Using African prints as a basic medium and playing them against and alongside other fabrics of varying textures, Yummy Mummy Maternity Couture desires to craft and provide a unique African inspired touch to its products, captivating the trendy, classy, sexy, sassy and bold modern day mummy-to-be and the urban lady, a soon to be mummy.

Who is the typical Yummy Mummy Maternity Woman?

Every woman in the world, who wants to look and feel glamourous when pregnant, after she’s had the brood, and while anticipating that facet of life and every other woman in between.

What are the challenges you face?

Finding the time to invest in this project has definitely been my biggest challenge. However, outsourcing has been another key challenge.

What significant life lessons have you learnt on this journey?

You can start small. Outsourcing is hard and above all else, never let your dream die; no matter what it is, just get up, go out and achieve it.

How do you get your clients and how has the reception been since Yummy Mummy was set up in 2010?

I started out pitching to friends and family, and friends of friends and placing a couple of adverts here and there. I also use social media, my website and latch on to ‘marketing’ events.  Thankfully, the products speak for themselves.

Certainly you have learnt from a few people in life, who are your mentors?

I am constantly learning and I am still learning, picking up a few things here and there as I go along so I can’t say I have any one specific mentor in the business.

How would you describe your designs?

Each piece is carefully designed to either be worn as a day dress, or to transition nicely for a casual evening event or for church, and cut to accentuate and celebrate the baby bump while still affording the wearer comfort uncompromised by style. The Maternity-Tees are designed to snuggle the baby bump in a very bold and trendy way while the Tribal Tees are Ankara and embroidery infused T-shirts for every woman, in every walk of life. The accessories are designed to either complement or to be worn alone and are carefully assembled by hand.

What else do you hope to achieve with your maternity fashion line?

I want to have a fashion line that stands the test of time and becomes a staple in every home, affordable for the middle class and embraced by celebrities and diplomats worldwide. We are looking forward to adding on our luxury line and kiddies line and being stocked in stores in every continent of the world.

Can you share your background with us?

My name is Edidiong Amama Ekwere. I hold a Bachelors’ Degree in Geology and currently work as an Exploration Seismologist, as my day job while moonlighting as the Creative Designer for Yummy Mummy Maternity Couture.

Even though I studied sciences, I have always had a flair for all things arts and creativity. Designing, as a fall out, came naturally. I love the process of bringing something to life, that was once only a figment of my imagination, a few rough lines in my sketch patch or playing in my head. It is an absolute high. The best part is that you can be certain that there are pieces of you out there for someone else to enjoy.

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Oba Adebukola Alli

Adebukola Alli

•The monarch’s acquittal for rape of NYSC girl is intriguing legal sophistry

The judgment of Justice Jide Falola of Osun State High Court, that the the Alowa of Ilowa-ijesa, Oba Adebukola Alli is guilty of desecration of his royal stool, by having sex with a youth corps member under his care, but he is not guilty of raping the girl is one intriguing legal sophistry. According to the news report, the judge berated the Oba for bringing disgrace to his family and subjects by his disgraceful conduct, but held that in the absence of exhibits such as the used bed sheet, victim’s underpants and a medical report indicating a forcible penetration, the offence cannot be proved.

We accept that under the criminal code, applicable in most states south of Nigeria, the proof of the offence of rape is scandalously technical. However, “the essential and most important ingredient of the offence of rape is penetration and unless penetration is proved, the prosecution must fail”. But in the instant case, that question was positively answered as the accused confessed and the court confirmed that the monarch had sex with the corps member. At that stage, what the court should be concerned with is whether the victim gave her consent, or whether it was obtained by force.

So, in our humble view, the judge may have gone on a frolic when he claimed that the prosecution failed to prove penetration, when the accused had confessed that he actually had sex with the victim. Agreed that where the victim shows bruises on her private part or other parts of her body, that evidence may ground the use of force, but it is untenable to contend that those are essential ingredients of rape. Indeed, in the instant case, it was on record that the victim called her office to report that the accused was allegedly threatening to rape her, yet the judge seems not to have given much value to this evidence, by holding that there was no evidence that the accused attacked the ex-corps member.

While we continue to ponder as to the soundness of the legal reasons offered by the judge, for his highly regrettable judgment; we urge the state to quickly take steps to appeal the judgment. Considering that the victim was on a national assignment, it is unfortunate that both the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and the Nigerian state could not protect her. In the circumstance, it is a matter of urgency to take steps to mend the abused psyche of the poor victim.

We also recall that the monarch had at the trial sought to intimidate the court by mobilising innocent children from his community school to protest at the court premises. A similar pattern was used when at the trial the accused mobilised his palace officials to appear in court to claim that the ex-corps member was the girlfriend to the accused person, despite her vehement denials. The witnesses chose to ignore the fact that the girl was involved in a project within the community, and preferred to interpret her visibility in the palace, to mean an amorous relationship with the accused. In making that assertion, it is obvious that the accused was bent on the use of subterfuge and diversionary measures to secure his acquittal.

Regrettably, it appears that the judge fell for those tricks and decided to hand an acquittal to Oba Adebukola Alli. Now, it may be necessary for the state to ponder on the integrity of the monarch, while it takes steps to modernise its criminal law, particularly on rape. It may also be necessary for the NYSC to consider blacklisting the community until there is a change.

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Why I dug my grave, sewed my shroud 11 years ago — 81-year-old retired matron

Eighty-one-year-old retired matron, Mrs. Florence Fashola, has done something many senior citizens will dare not do. In preparation for her death, she has dug her grave and sewn a shroud. She tells KUNLE FALAYI reasons for taking this step in this interview

Do you think many people are dying young these days than in the old days?

Yes of course. The problem is that young people are no longer doing what we did in those days. They no longer live the way we lived and eat the way we ate. For example, our parents never ate pepper milled with machines. They never put seasonings in their soup. They ate fresh fruits and fresh meat and fish. My mother never did before she died. She would not eat any soup if the ingredients were not milled on a stone. People eat too many packaged things nowadays. The luxury in which people live nowadays contributes to early death. But that does not mean I am not prepared for death. I have been ready since I clocked 70.

But many old people are afraid of death. Why are you not?

When I was 70 years old, I had a meeting with my children and told them I was expecting death anytime from then because even the Bible says nobody knows the time or day death will come. I have been blessed by God; I have children who have children of their own. I am not afraid of where I am going. So, why  would I be afraid of death? To show I was really prepared, I held a meeting with my children and told them of my decision to find a tailor to sew me a shroud I would be interred in and dug my own grave in my yard. When the shroud was sewn; I put it on and took photographs with it.

You did that? Not many people have the heart to do that.

That is because they are afraid of death. And they are afraid of death because they don’t know where they would be going when they die. I also do not believe in superstitions. Because I did those things does not mean I will die in the next 20 years. Since I was baptised in 1956, I have served God diligently and can say that I have never done anything to hurt someone. The way I have lived my life, I cannot be afraid of death.

Your children must have kicked against the idea of the grave and shroud…

Yes of course. When I informed them, they even threatened to get the tailor who would sew the shroud arrested. But I already made my decision. If I pass away today, all they would need to do is buy a coffin.

Was the decision made just because you were not afraid of death?

Well, not totally. There was this couple who were my friends. Before the husband died, he had given the instruction that he wanted to be buried in his house in Lagos and had even prepared his wife’s grave beside his. But seven years after he died, his wife died as well. The children exhumed the man’s body and took it along with the wife’s to Owo, his hometown. I did not like that idea at all. When I got back from the burial, I immediately held a meeting with my children and told them of my decision to prepare my place of burial ahead of time. I moved to my house in 1977 and retired as a matron in 1978. I was once told that this house would be my ‘Goshen’. Things have happened around me in this area since then that have shown that God has given me tremendous grace. So, why should I not want to be buried here?

You seem to remember dates so easily; do you keep written records like some elderly people do?

It is simply God’s grace. I can remember the dates of every major event that has happened since my father died in the 1940s. I know that having the ability to remember dates is a special grace God has given me. Some old people in my age group cannot even remember what happened yesterday.

Can you remember any other instance where children exhumed their parents’ bodies to be buried somewhere else or buried them where they did not want?

None other than the one I have told you readily comes to mind. But I have heard of such things. It is not a good thing on the part of the children of such people at all. I don’t know why some children cannot respect the wishes of their parents even when they are dead.

But what if your children do the same?

My children? They dare not. Every year end and every September during my birthday celebrations, I repeat my demands to them. I ring it in their ears so that they would not disobey me when I am dead. I have found where I want to be buried. I have prepared the place. All I ask of them is to respect that and let me be laid to rest there.

And what if none of your children lives in this house after you are buried?

Does a dead person know what goes on in his or her house? I care less about that. I cannot force my children to live in this particular house where I will be buried. They have all got to high places in life and are free to live their lives the way they want. When I am gone, I am gone. All I want is to be buried here. My request is not that they must come and live in this house, only that they should bury me here. Will they now exhume my body after I am buried or take my body after I am dead to Owode? That will not happen because that will show they do not respect my wishes.

You said a lot of things have happened around you that have shown this place is your ‘Goshen,’can you tell us some of those things?

There is a house on this street, the landlord committed suicide by hanging. There are some of my neighbours, who are barely 70 years old but have become senile. The house across me over there, many different people from different tribes have lived there and the house has seen many deaths. I am not thanking God for their woes. God knows I was genuinely sympathetic when those things were happening. I see this house as my Goshen as I was told because apart from my mother who died, this house has never seen death. None of my tenants has experienced any bad incident. So, I know God planted my root here as a place of grace for me.

Did you buy your parents’ coffins or prepared their graves in advance?

Let me first explain how my mother died. My mother had 14 children but only five survived her. She fell ill on January 11, 1976 and I thought she was about to die. I had to go and buy a coffin and a shroud and prepared where she was to be buried even though we had not actually dug the grave. But five days later, she was up and about. She requested for fresh fish, which we prepared and she ate. She said God had healed her. So we had her coffin before she died. In May of the following year, my mother told me she needed to ‘go home’. But I said no way, you have to carry your grandchild before you go anywhere. She then said she would wait a little longer but that she was already seeing her dead relations.

The morning my first child gave birth, she named the child. She said whatever other name the child was given, the name she had given the baby must come first. She suddenly went quiet but we revived her. She then prayed for everyone. She died a couple of days later. But my father’s coffin or grave was not prepared ahead. My father died in August 1948 at the age of 73. I was 15 at the time.

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Check Out Nigerian Musicians That Made The List Of Richest Artistes In Africa

Just like Forbes, Huffington post has also released a list of its own version of 10 Richest African musicians.

See the list below and check out the Nigerian musicians who made the list.

1 Youssou N’dour

Youssou N’dour brings it home in the No.1 spot. This Senegalese singer is widely considered the most famous singer alive in Senegal and much of Africa. His style of music is known as mbalax, a mix of Senegalese traditional music in the Serer language and various styles from around the world including Cuban rumba, hip hop, jazz, and soul.
With millions around the world in his fan base, he is now the owner of the biggest media house in Senegal (complete with radio and TV stations) and was appointed tourism and culture minister in 2012. More importantly, before K’naan had “Waving Flag” in 2010, N’dour was responsible for the 1998 FIFA World Cup national anthem, “La Cour des Grands,” along with Axelle Red.


2 Psquare
P-Square is made up of identical twins, Peter and Paul Okoye, who began singing and dancing together back in their small Catholic high school in Jos, Nigeria.

After forming the group in 2005, their music developed a devoted following, particularly in South Africa, and each album outsold the previous one. They were named Artists of the Year at the 2010 Kora Awards and now bring in more than $150,000 per show. Best of all, their shared home is worth more than $3 million and has been dubbed “Squareville.” Talk about product placement!

3 D'Banj
D’banj, aka the Koko Master, aka Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo, has been killing it in his native Nigeria and around the world since 2007, and was the first African artist who signed with the music label GOOD, owned by Kanye West. The recipient of countless awards, D’banj is known for his unique sound of dance music and Afro beats. He is involved in a variety of investments including a nightclub in Nigeria, brands such as Koko water, and was given his own reality show, “Koko Mansion.”

4. Koffi Olomide
Along with fellow Congolese star Fally Ipupa, Koffi Olomidé formed Quartier Latin as lead singer and vocalist before launching his solo career. Dubbing his style of music as tcha tcho, he considers it a blend of soukous music (dance music that originated from African rumba music). He’s notorious for taking on controversial subjects in his lyrics, which has led him to be widely praised and criticized worldwide.
Raking in over 100,000 euros per show, Olomidé is extremely popular across Africa and the world. One of his albums is listed in Robert Dimery’s book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.”

5. Salif Keita
Born and raised in Mali, singer and songwriter Salif Keita has been referred to as the “Golden Voice of Africa,” with his original take on Afro-pop music. Despite his royal heritage (he’s directly descended from Sundiata Keita, the founder of the Mali Empire), he chose a path of music, bucking the Malian caste system. But this means that he was loaded even before his music career took off, explaining his private island and properties across Europe

6. Fally Ipupa
Fally Ipupa, a former member of Quartier Latin International (along with Koffi Olomidé, to be mentioned later), went solo in 2006 and has been incredibly successful, both in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as internationally. With MTV Africa Music and Kora awards under his belt, he’s racked up clothing endorsement deals in Paris as well as high commissions for his shows across the world, which are almost always sold-out.

7 2face Idibia
Nigerian singer-songwriter 2 Face Idibia began his career as a member of the hip hop group Plantashun Boyz, but went solo in 2004 after the group split. His most popular song, “African Queen,” took off after being featured in the movie “Phat Girlz” in 2006, but all of his five albums have been very well-received around the world. His wealth comes from various real estate investments across Nigeria, as well as the $80,000 he commands per show.

8. Hugh Masekela
Musical sensation Hugh Masekela is a South African artist who plays a variety of instruments, including the trumpet, flugelhorn, and cornet, along with singing and composing his own work. He has been highly praised for his work, with everything from a Grammy nomination to the Order of the Ikhamanga by President Jacob Zuma (for achievements in arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, and sports in South Africa). He has graced prestigious festivals across the world. He is perhaps best known for his acapella-style singing and collaboration with Paul Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo on the Graceland album and 1987 Graceland tour

9 Banky W
Born Olubankole Wellington in the U.S., Banky W moved back to Nigeria and grew up in Lagos, where he began singing at an early age. Finding success early in singing competitions, most of his wealth has come from endorsement deals with companies such as Estisalat mobile and Samsung in Nigeria. He also started the Mr. Capable Foundation, an education charity that provides tuition scholarships for disadvantaged children.

10. Jose Chameleone
Jose (or Joe) Chameleone is a Ugandan artist who found his niche blending traditional Ugandan folk music, a bit of rumba and a heavy reggae influence. He sings in English, Swahili, and Luganda. His mansion outside of Kampala and four cars (including a Cadillac Escalade and a Benz) are evidence of his success, particularly with his hit, “Valu Valu.” He’s been credited with changing the face of music in Uganda, as well as making local music accessible to the rest of the world.

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My Vision Is To Promote Peace’

 

Onwuka Irene a graduate of History and International Studies from the Imo state University, Owerri hails from Abia State. In this first ever interview with ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM after clinching the ultimate price at the just concluded Miss Ambassador for Peace 2013, she said it was the will of God that made her outstanding against all odds.

You have just been crowned ‘Miss Ambassador for Peace’ 2013, how does it feel being the next queen?
Naturally, I am a peace loving person just as I love to impact positively on people around me and the society in general. So when I learnt about the pageant, I was highly motivated to participate. I feel so blessed, honoured and delighted to be crowned the 2013 ‘Miss Ambassador for Peace.’ It is for me, a great privilege and I give God all the glory.

How has the first edition motivated you in contesting for this pageant, and besides did you ever think you could win?
Ambassador for peace pageant is a unique ceremony and movement for sustenance of peace in the society. When I heard of the first edition, I imagined myself participating, but due to my academic responsibilities, I couldn’t. More so I was in my final year as a student and needed to concentrate more on my studies. The pageant is not like any other beauty pageant, where people could just come and show off. You have to be equipped or else you won’t make it, because all the girls were intelligent, which played off during the questions and answers period with the judges. During the camping I had a lot of contenders that are equally intelligent and beautiful, so I did not imagine myself winning the prestigious crown, but I give God the glory that in the end I won.

Now that you have been crowned, what next?
Now that I have been crowned, I will kick start my pet projects which are centred on instilling morals on Nigeria children, enhancing their full potentials as well as minimising child-mother mortality in the society. Just as the name implies, I will do all within my power to ensure that I promote peace and tranquillity in the country. 
The last queen Miss Istifanus was outstanding in her time, what would you do in making sure some of her projects are not just sustained but improved upon for the peace of our country?
She has really represented the agency with wholeheartedness and commitment. She’s shown everyone that she deserved the crown as Miss Ambassador for Peace, 2012. I will follow in her footstep as I continue to uphold the good works she has done and ensure that it is sustained.

What was your family’s response like when you decided to take part in the contest?
You know how parents are; they wanted me to concentrate more on my studies. My family were not so supportive when I told them about the pageant, but gradually I talked them into it and gave reasons why I should participate in promoting peace and unity and they eventually succumbed. But it wasn’t easy I tell you.

When you eventually won against all odds, what was their response?
You could see the excitement on their faces. My entire family were around to support me; my friends and relation in one. Even my neighbours came in their numbers. The people of Abia state were well represented and it was evident when the winner was named. My mum cried because she was amazed that my determination took me this far. I’m happy and thank everyone for their support.

You were overwhelmed when you were named winner of the contest just as the crowd cheered you on, does it mean that the judges’ decisions were credible enough?
The judges were outstanding in their judgement, honestly I was not expecting to win but when they mentioned Miss Abia, I was very happy. I’m still baffled because everyone deserves to win, but the judges’ believe that I had more reasons to win the crown and that was why I was crowned.

So what should Nigerians be expecting from Miss Abia? 
Nigerians should expect the very best from me, I will do my best to ensure that peace and unity is promoted in the country. By carrying out all that I promised to do. Finally, I thank God, my family and friends for their support through out the campaign. I also promise not to let anyone down as Miss Abia, Queen of Peace 2013, I will fulfil my promises.

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Bright moments in arts, culture sector

National Arts Theatre complex, Lagos

CHUX OHAI takes a look at significant developments in the arts, entertainment and culture sector

For more than a decade after Independence, the arts, culture and entertainment scene hardly recorded any major event until Nigeria hosted the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture in Lagos in 1977.

The objective of the festival, which took place between January 15 and February 12, 1977, was to celebrate the “individuality, antiquity and the power” of the black race.

About 17,000 participants from over 50 countries in the world attended the festival. At the time, it was described as the largest cultural event that ever took place on the continent.

The festival was originally planned as Pan-African celebrations and it featured various performances – music, dance, drama, poetry and a colloquium that was attended by scholars from various countries in Africa and the Diaspora.

A few years after it ended, the gains of FESTAC ’77 were evident in a kind of cultural renaissance that seemed to usher fresh developments in some parts of Africa, including Nigeria.

Birth of ANA

The Association of Nigerian Authors was founded in 1981 with novelist, Chinua Achebe as its first President. It is the umbrella body for all Nigerian writers anywhere in the world. Among other objectives, at inception the body aimed at promoting Nigerian literature, encouraging the collection, recording and transcription of all oral literature, as well as the commitment of authors to the ideals of a humane and egalitarian society.

The association has branches in all the states of the federation and it has created several literary awards and introduced capacity building programmes to enhance creative productivity in the country.

Era of literary laurels

In 1986, the Nobel Prize in Literature 1986 was awarded to Prof. Wole Soyinka for fashioning the “drama of existence  in a wide cultural perspective and with poetic overtones “. His feat ushered in more literary laurels for Nigerian writers.

Another Nigerian writer, Ben Okri made the country proud when his novel, The Famished road was declared winner of the MAN Booker Prize, Britain’s most prestigious literary award, in 1991. The novel was described as a “lush blend of Yoruba myth and post-colonial Nigerian misery”.

Helon Habila became first Nigerian to win the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2000, while his compatriot, Chimamanda Adichie beat other contenders to win the coveted Orange Prize for Fiction in Britain a few years later.

Book fairs

The birth of the Nigeria International Bookfair in 1998 helped to raise awareness for the importance of the book among members of the public.

Nigeria International Book Fair, the biggest book event in Africa today, is an annual book trade and exhibition that creates a vibrant platform for the stakeholders in the book industry both within and outside Nigeria to network and interface for the growth of their respective businesses. NIBF comes up annually every second week of May.

Other bookfairs, such as the Lagos Book and Art Festival, as well as the Ake Book and Art Festival, to mention but a few, have since sprouted from the foundation laid by the NIBF.

Enter Nollywood

One of the remarkable developments in the culture sector is the rise of the Nigerian cinema or what is now known as Nollywood. What actually happened was that film production progressed from the tradition of the 1970s, dominated by the celluloid format, to the home video format in the 1990s. With the commercial success of Kenneth Nnebue’s ‘Living in bondage’ in 1992, the stage was set for the emergence of a new generation of films produced locally at much cheaper costs.

In no time, the industry had expanded so much that it was rated as the third biggest in the world, next to the Indian film industry and the American Hollywood.

As expected, Nollywood suffered many hiccups. One of the problems had to do with organising the industry to meet global standards. Other challenges included funding, the absence of basic infrastructure and internal squabbles, which had some negative impact on the industry.

Presidential grant to Nollywood

Eventually relief came to Nollywood in the form of a promise by President Goodluck Jonathan to donate N3bn to help turn it around. Before the offer was made, Nollywood, had been at the mercy of critics who had complained bitterly about the poor quality of the films churned out in the industry.

Jonathan said the package included a capacity development fund and grants for the best film scripts, among others.

Although he said the scheme would be inaugurated in the first week of April, 2013 and managed by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, nothing has happened since then.

NCC’s endless fight against piracy

Despite the Nigerian Copyright Commission’s consistency in fighting piracy and its successes, as evident in the seizure of pirated goods worth N4.38bn in 2012, the end of the war is not in sight yet.

Between July 2011 and December 2012, the commission secured 29 convictions of pirates of copyright-protected books, musical and movie works, broadcast signals and software products.

Within a period of eight years, it arrested 85 suspected pirates and confiscated 3,621,787 million units of pirated goods worth about N4.38bn. Yet, piracy has continued to thrive in the country.

Concession of National Arts Theatre Complex

Artists and other culture workers have been increasingly agitated over the planned concession of the National Arts Theatre Complex in Iganmu, Lagos, to private investors.

A tour of the complex by members of the Federal House of Representatives Committee on Culture and Tourism and their subsequent approval of the plan sparked protests in Lagos.

Not moved by the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke’s denial, on television, of the allegation that the complex had been sold to private investors, creative artists and culture workers held a march to protest against government’s insensitivity in its proposed action. It was called ‘Standing Man’ protest.

Acting under the aegis of the Artists Collective for the Artists’ Village, they accused the government of not considering their interests.

  The artists said the sale of the complex would displace the series artists’ creative works being carried out. The protesters, comprising sculptors, painters, metal works artists, choreographers and performing arts, insisted that the National Theatre was the symbol of Nigeria’s creative industry.

Achebe’s controversial memoir and death

Renowned writer, Chinua Achebe, finally published his long-awaited memoir on the Nigerian Civil War in September, 2012. In the book, which was titled There was a country: A personal history of Biafra, Achebe accused the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo of complicity in the deaths of thousands of Igbo via starvation during the three-year war. His comments drew the anger of the Yoruba who argued that Awolowo helped to bring the devastating conflict to an end.

Later, Achebe died of an undisclosed ailment in the United States on March 21, 2013. He was given a burial befitting a man of his status in his hometown, Ogidi in Anambra State.

Nigerian Entertainment Conference

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, stakeholders in the entertainment industry held a conference to discuss the problems affecting it.

The event, which took place in the Grand Ball Room of Eko Hotel and Suites, was declared open by the Director-General of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr.

The objective of the conference was to study the global demands of the arts and entertainment industry, identify the challenges and to provide solutions for the benefit of all.

The event ended with some of Nigeria’s celebrated showbiz personalities receiving NET honorary awards from the organisers.

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Osun to complete Opon Imo distribution in November

Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola

Osun State Government has said that it will complete the distribution of Opon Imo (iPad-like device) to  all secondary school pupils in the state by the first week of November

The device, which is loaded with 17 subjects, is being  distributed by the administration of Governor Rauf Aregbesola to ease teaching and learning.

The Project Manager of Opon Imo, Mr. Sam Omoruyi, said in Gbongan, at the distribution of the device at Olufi High School, that the plan was to distribute 600 tablets everyday.

The Tutor-General, Osun West Senatorial District, Mrs. Adisa Olabamiji commended the governor, saying with the distribution of the tablets, education had completely been turned digital.

The Principals, St. Pauls Grammar School, Ilobu, Mr. Akinola Ojuola, and Olufi High School, Gbongan, Mrs. Akingbile Elizabeth, in separate reactions, lauded Aregbesola’s administration that the Opon Imo initiative had become a reality.

The duo urged the the pupils to cherish the  device and ensure that the objective was not defeated.

Reacting on behalf of the pupils,  Florence Alabi of St Paul Grammar School, and  Hammed Ajibola of Olufi High School, said pupils would learn with ease and improve in their examinations.

They promised that  pupils would not use the device for something else outside learning.

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Mbanefo rolls out plans at tourism summit •Says domestic tourism, cornerstone for building sustainable industry

 

SURE of herself and proving to all that she clearly understands what is required of her as the Director-General of the highest tourism development and promotion agency in Nigeria, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mbanefo   organised a stakeholders’ forum where she unveiled  her strategy  and also cross-fertilise ideas with expectant tourism  stakeholders, concerned members of the public and private sectors.

The Tourism Stakeholders Forum  with the theme “Rebuilding the NTDC and Growing the Tourism Value chain for Revenue  Generations and Job creation,’’  held under the chairmanship of  Mr Andrew Alli, Chairman, African Finance Corporation, AFC   at the Civic  Centre,  Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue on Monday, September  9, 2013, which recorded the presence of  state commissioners for tourism, chairmen of tourism boards, transport operators, airlines and travel associations, hoteliers and hospitality associations, media, investors,  corporate institutions  and members of the tourism allied sectors, provided a bountiful avenue for gaining an insight into the direction where NTDC will be heading under the new Director-General.

Realising the essence of the forum and bringing the reality home to the stakeholders, the NTDC ensured that the packaging of the forum was replete with the hospitality retinue of entertainment, exhibition and networking. It signed a Memorandum of Understanding with some financial and corporate institutions that are keen on supporting the tourism vision of Mrs Mbanefo.

Emphasising why the forum was necessary, Mrs Mbanefo said, “We at the NTDC have our work cut out for us. But we cannot achieve anything without the support of all the stakeholders at home and abroad. We will engage frequently with each stakeholder group to clarify or revise our perception of your issues and expectations on an ongoing basis through forums like this. We therefore make a passionate appeal for your help as we embark on this bold and persistent experimentation in the service of our most important stakeholder: the Nigerian citizen at home and in the Diaspora.’’

She  reeled out her focus and point of action in relation to the National Assembly in terms of enacting necessary acts needed for the sector, forging a profitable relationship with other related ministries , departments and corporations; networking with the Central Bank and other financial institutions in relations to finance, statistics; maintaining a balance of responsibility with the supervising Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation in policies guidelines,  implementation and coordination  in alignment with the nation’s aspiration; maintaining a symbiotic relationship with state Tourism Ministries and Boards and charting a result-oriented and purposeful course for tourism value chain operators with  particular reference to solving multiple taxation.

   Other goals include access to finance and  creating conducive atmosphere for good business, helping in crystallising the desire of the Nigerian and African  in Diaspora; keying into the desire of international tourists by facilitating improved security measures at and along tourism sites; provision of better facilities at the airports and others tourists’ hubs and sharing correct information about tourists sites and Nigeria in foreign media for proper and true perception of Nigeria; making domestic tourism the pivot of reference by doing everything possible at making Nigerians embrace spending holyday and touring Nigerian sites, and integrating  the media as an integral part of the NTDC in information  management, dispensing  and effective communication of tourism value and facts.

The NTDC also aims at enhancing the value of Nollywood and tapping its potentialities for the benefits of the sector and horning  the NTDC by repositioning it as a purposeful  corporate public serving parastatal  which is alive to its charter of inauguration.

 She pointed out that “Given the desired objectives of the Federal Government to make the tourism industry and indeed the NTDC a source of revenue and jobs, we cannot afford to continue treating these issues and expectations in a piece meal manner.

The way to achieve these highpoints she announced to all requires a three-fold strategic imperative for moving forward. We urgently need to: rebuild the NTDC, grow the tourism value chain and re-invent Nigeria’s tourism industry.”

She further elaborated on each of these steps with assurance.

On the NTDC, she commended her predecessors: “We thank the past Directors General of the NTDC for their contributions and support as we move forward in our bid to make their good work even better. As they say; the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.

“There is the greater need to  systematically repair, replenish, replace and maintain the corporation and finetune the minds of the staff to embrace the evolving trends in the  global hospitality sector  for better performance and service  delivery.’’

Mrs Mbanefo assured that  the  NTDC  under her leadership will do its  best to ensure  the success of the policy of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration in re-energising Nigeria’s tourism  brand campaign and fascinating Nigeria as a  strategic policy thrust to diversify the economy away from  oil earnings, create  jobs and strengthen  full economic growth through tourism.

   Mrs Mbanefo  explained  further that the second strategic plan which is  growing the   tourism value chain  for revenue  and jobs would  bring about the establishment of  tourism service  desks at major airports and hotels and major tourism centres in  the six geopolitical zones in the country. These centres are to provide tourists  with  adequate information  about sites and offerings,  while tourism value chain alliance will establish the market drive alliances programme that will bring  together all operators across the tourism value chain using customised technology to create a network of partner brand that run promotional and loyalty network through the brand.

The third phase of the plan, reinventing  Nigeria’s tourism industry  programmes, according  to the DG,  includes revenue  growth programmes which consists of an  interconnected network of sequential  projects designed to make tourism industry commercially  viable in the short, medium and long term by creating  linkages across the tourism value chain through a tourism cloud service.

She also  disclosed that the commission was working  on the establishment of a Tourism  Development Fund and access to cheaper finance operators, which is designed to  finance and train local communities to participate in the network of franchises to be operated by SMEs as a result of both travel hub and green city projects

  While concluding her analysis, the DG said: “Our strategy begins and ends with Nigerian citizens and you can therefore understand our focus on  domestic  tourism  as the cornerstone for building  a sustainable  tourism industry that will attract foreign tourists and  investors. We  are  not wedded to our idea and are therefore open  to any idea that work better for Nigeria.”

Earlier in his keynote address, the Minister of  Tourism, Culture and  National Orientation,  Chief Edem Duke also  said that “ in line with policy of this administration  of providing  an enabling environment for the private sector to be the engine of economic growth and job creation, we encourage private investors to partner with the NTDC as it unveils its programmes and projects. You have the full assurance of our ministry’s support in fast tracking  bankable public-private partnership projects. We also, in this vein, appeal to all our development partners  to support the NTDC and its partners with moderately priced and long term capital required to develop infrastructure urgently needed  by operators across tourism value chain.”

Also, the chairman of the occasion, Mr Andrew Alli, said tourism development in Nigeria was at lower ebb and needed to be upgraded and taken to greater heights.

 Alli, who spoke on “Financing  tourism infrastructure  for sustainable  growth,” said tourism development was crucial to the growth of Nigeria as a country at the moment and  commended Mrs Mbanefo for the initiative  pledging the bank’s support for the development of tourism in the country.

The Trinidad and Tobago Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr Onwika said Nigeria should also open up to the foreign tourists by working on effective modalities that will hasten securing visas to Nigeria and connecting a direct flight into the country for tourism and business activities.

He said this would enhance cultural exchange between the two countries and facilitate business relations.

Mr Yomi  Akingbogun , President Federation of Tourism Associations in Nigeria (FTAN), in his address  urged the NTDC and the Federal Government  to consider the multiple taxation  being imposed on the private sector as one of the factors hindering the growth of tourism sector in Nigeria, noting that  “the private sector is not encouraged by the government’s inability  to make available, basic amenities and infrastructure  which are essential to  their operations.”

Mr Ben Bruce, Chairman and Managing Director, Silver Bird  Television, who spoke on the role of the media, said the media should be cautioned  about  the way it projected the country and  advocated keeping the media practitioners informed about the progrmmes of the NTDC.

He  assured that the Nigerian Media would  not  relent in its  support for programmes that could enhance  development in the country.

The highlight of the Tourism Stakeholders’ forum   was the Memorandums of Understanding signed between the NTDC and four corporate entities, Heriatge Bank, Arik Airline, Africa Finance Corporation, ABC Transport, VISA, and Reddington Hospital.

Mr Ejiro Onabrakpeya, a cultural enthusiast and tourism promoter, described the forum as a very successful outing. “It is an indication that the new Director –General knows her onions and is ready to offer Nigerian tourism a refreshingly new era combing the fast tempo she met on ground with her template. This will be  good for the nation if only she could remain focused, determined and consistent. May God help her,’’ he said.

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An invitation to cultural exchange

A Senior Programmes Manager at the International Cultural Centre, Helsinki in Finland, Oge Oguejiofor-Eneh, seeks greater cooperation between that country and Nigeria in the arts and culture sector, 

Sometime in 1985, at the peak of the brain drain that swept through Nigeria like a cyclone, Oge Oguejiofor-Eneh suddenly found herself in search of the proverbial greener pastures in Finland.

 Unlike many Nigerians who had dreamt of living abroad at the time, she had set her mind on getting university education, which persistent strikes by the Academic Staff Union of Universities had denied her back home.

Oguejiofor-Eneh eventually studied at the University of Helsinki between 1985 and 1991 and graduated with a Masters degree in education.

Almost 20 years after she arrived in the Scandinavian country, she is currently spearheading a drive to open cultural relations between Finland and Nigeria at the International Cultural Centre in Helsinki, also known locally as CAISA, where she works at present.

In April, 2013, Oguejiofor-Eneh was part of CAISA’s first-ever production of a musical based on the life and works of the late Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, as well as an African Foods Festival that was also intended to draw attention to Africa’s exceptional cuisine and cultural heritage.

Titled Beats of a BArd’s Country and produced by Finland’s Marjo-Sisko Lindstedt, the musical has succeeded in raising awareness about Nigerian culture and music, as well as stimulated multicultural interactions to an appreciable degree in that country.

Apart from the two events, CAISA has hosted Nigerian musicians and Nollywood stars at different times in the past. It has screened Nollywood movies, especially the ones that are rooted in the culture of the country.

“CAISA promotes genuine ethnic and culture diversity dynamics of Helsinki. It provides possibilities for minority, and migrants to practice their culture and own language. We promote cultural understanding, collaboration and reduce prejudice through intercultural education workshops, where migrant artists are instructors.

We offer opportunities for everybody to connect with people of diverse cultural backgrounds. And we organise anti-racism campaigns through the arts and culture, debates, seminars, art exhibitions and workshops,” she says, in an interview with our correspondent.

Oguejiofor-Eneh speaks glowingly about her experience in Finland, with particular reference to the privileges that she enjoyed in that country, even as an immigrant.

“I love Finland so much. I attended university here without paying tuition fees up to a Masters degree level. I had access to the best modern facilities and infrastructure that any university would wish to have. I have made very good friends here. The Finnish people are very honest when you learn to know them. They can be friends for life when the foundation of the friendship is built slowly,” she says.

But she wishes that Nigerian artists and their contemporaries in Finland could collaborate on mutual projects in the near future.

Oguejiofor-Eneh believes that both countries stand to benefit immensely from a viable cultural exchange programme.  But she thinks that the onus of responsibility lies on Nigerians living in Finland to enlighten their hosts about the advantages of ‘doing business’ with Africa.

Although there is hardly any evidence of cultural exchanges between Nigeria and Finland in recent time, she says both countries are currently collaborating on a number of projects, especially in the areas of higher education students and industrial investment.

Noting that the kind of reception accorded Finland’s entry in the 2013 European Film Festival in Abuja was enough indication of good things to come, she says the time is ripe for inter-cultural collaboration between the two countries.

“Nigeria is a possible market for Finland’s cultural products, such as rock music, theatre and film. But we need somebody to start the negotiation with cultural organisations in both countries. There are possibilities that could be exploited in those areas,” she says.

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Nigeria has a compelling story to tell the world- Sally Mbanefo, DG NTDC

DECKED  in a smartly designed Ankara dress which fits perfectly on her slim, fragile physique that blends with  a radiant complexion,  Mrs Sally Mbanefo breezed into the conference room of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) office located in Alausa, Lagos like an angel descending from the firmament with a special message from the Lord almighty to expectant disciples of  the faith.

Mrs Mbanefo, the newly appointed Director-General, NTDC on Thursday, September 5, 2013 was not delivering any gospel rather, She was there to rub – mind with journalism practitioners in the tourism sector.

Accompanied by Ogbeni Tope Awe, the first Nigerian journalist to sign a tourism page in the annals of journalism practice in Nigeria and other officials of the corporation, Sally engaged in hand popping felicitation with the gentlemen of the press before she was ushered into the top table.

After a brief exposition of the mission of the day by Emeka Aneto, Ogbeni Awe  made an insightful remark on  why  the rising momentum of the tourism sector must be maintained and projected proportionally bearing in mind the peculiar nature of Nigeria as a developing nation  without tending to  foreign stereotypes and projections.

He expressed confidence on the ability of Mbanefo, a tested and thoroughly horned technocrat with bias for marketing and promotion, particularly “at this point in time when the labour and gains in the sector needed an accomplished technocrat and business minded person to horn and process them for economic and empowerment benefits of the citizens of this country.”

Displaying her mystery of communication strategy, Mbanefo, when called upon to make her remark, warmly craved the attention of the journalists to watch a video clip for just five minutes.

The clip was classical shots of some exotic tourists’ sites in Nigeria which was touched in a way that tickled the fantasy and imagination of people that it was accorded a wild applause as it came to an end.

And to be convinced beyond the applause she asked the guests,” what is your impression?

Good, great, exciting and alluring, were some of the adjectives used to describe the concept, production and packaging of the clip by the guests.

Mbanefo said, “Yes that is where the story starts. Nigeria has a compelling story to tell the world. And nobody can do that better, well and appropriately adequate than we ourselves and you gentlemen of the press who have been in this particular road of exposing the tourism potentialities of the wonderful and great country.”

She pointed out that “ It is a fact  one can tell her own story. But we have also learnt that a story of one is better told by another man who is quite familiar. Also, Shakespeare in Julius Caeser said that “the eyes see not itself, but by reflection by other things,” and I align myself with this that you are the mirror of the society.

You are the mirror of the tourism sector by specialisation. Nobody can tell the tourism story better than you, the professional story tellers. And this is the main reason you  have to be involved right from the outset the compelling story of Nigeria tourism from practical tourism to economic empowerment, wealth mobilisation and employment generation.”

Mbanefo informed that “ The NTDC is ready and by this act forming a synergy of purpose with you, the professional story tellers in telling the compelling tourism story of Nigeria to first, we the Nigerians ourselves in a more fascinating way by  bringing  out powerfully the economic and empowerment realities in the story for the benefits of us all and international community in general.”

She disclosed that “This forum is not for media hype or publicity stunt. It was called essentially to rub-mind with you and intimate you of the fact that you are an essential and integral part of  the re- engineered NTDC’s  train of  advanced progress and development.

“Without you being adequately seated at the front row of the train of progress, it will be effort in futility. And I am not here for that.”

Mbanefo revealed that “I wish to inform you that in the last 90 days, we have been able to restructure and reposition  NTDC properly in the area of manpower, concept adaption  and assimilation of the goals, mission and objective of the corporation. You will agree with me that having a mission or vision in an organisation is not the end of the beauty. The beauty continues with the people, I mean the staff sharing your vision, believing, embracing   and espousing your vision. That is the issue. We have been able to achieve that. Our charity has began from our stead.”

She pointed out that “Having done the home briefing and letting them see themselves as the Director Generals of  NTDC whose failure and success of the corporation is  their lots, we are here to again enlist your support, engage your intellectual and journalism experience, tap your ideas and crave your objective criticism of whatever we are doing. We want you to know that the success or otherwise of this corporation and its activities will have a rebound on the nation.

Hence, here at  NTDC, we are not going to fail the nation and we want you to be part of the success story.”

Mbanefo disclosed that “My predecessor, Otunba Segun Runsewe has taken NTDC into an impressive level, a bench mark which I am not only building upon, but raising it higher to the Glory of God and benefit of Nigerians. I will definitely unveil my vision, strategy and tactics of driving the tourism sector to the stakeholder at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos.

“I seek for your esteemed presence not for hearing sake, but a constructive critique of the steps through a feedback system.”

She revealed “We are going to concentrate on domestic tourism, selling and marketing Nigeria exotic places with  compelling story of adequate security, improved infrastructure, naturally good natured and hospitable people.

“We are going to turn practical tourism to economic tourism which create wealth, generate employment and empower our people within Nigeria by  involving  corporate entities, multi-national corporations, individuals, diplomatic forum  and all potent tourism stakeholders.”

Mbanefo affirmed that “I don’t believe in being loud unnecessarily, I love counting and reeling achievements and making impact in a well couched measured tone.

 Anything  that happens to a being is for a purpose, for a reason and for a season. The virtue of the man is to locate the reason for the purpose  and the  essence of a person at a duty post  is the ability to make an evergreen and imperishable impact at his duty post. This I promise, with the grace of Almighty God and support of all concerned, we shall jointly take NTDC beyond the imagination and acute perception of all. Just wait and  see.  I am here to make impacts.”

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