tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85129653640179971382024-03-05T21:42:24.176-08:00WELCOME TO OMIKO AWA'S BLOGNEWS, EVENTS, REVIEWS, PROFILES, ENTERTAINMENT, LIFESTYLE, FASHION, INSPIRATION.OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-13865036603111781022013-03-20T04:31:00.000-07:002013-03-20T04:36:19.080-07:0014th Tale, A revisit of Ellams’ past<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>-->By Omiko Awa<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">ACCORDING</b> to Vanessa Williams Singer, a
former United States of America beauty queen, “everybody wishes they can erase
their mistakes. But that is not how life works.” For Inua Ellams those mistakes
of the past, though multifarious, can be hilarious told for people to learn
from them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBQ_nLPJVm88C-X8N4l3PFPvW2VSEFm4sFJEkwHOm3Ec_cZoNtbspBz5dOwUKNTmChjY617jykhKmAbM3NSeSseEXhi9DZ3EmrJHGvG8DWD5XRgyeBmYVHIhthGdnq3P4e_QdDSTnTqM/s1600/feast+k.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBQ_nLPJVm88C-X8N4l3PFPvW2VSEFm4sFJEkwHOm3Ec_cZoNtbspBz5dOwUKNTmChjY617jykhKmAbM3NSeSseEXhi9DZ3EmrJHGvG8DWD5XRgyeBmYVHIhthGdnq3P4e_QdDSTnTqM/s320/feast+k.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This spoken word artist did just
that when during the British Council organised Lagos Theatre Festival, which
was held recently, he presented <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The 14<sup>th</sup>
Tale</i>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Embracing the finesse of language Ellams
tells the story of a young Black boy growing up in three cultures across the
globe.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opening with a man sitting on a
single hard-backed chair, shirt and trouser stain with blood, he anxiously
awaits someone, probably the receptionist, to tell him the true health
condition of his father, whom he brought to the hospital.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he waits, sometime barking orders at
the people and sometimes also taking instructions or apologising for his unruly
behaviour, one expects to hear another horrific tale of a young Black man
humiliated in London, but instead Ellams provides a complex tale of his family
life, friendship, hate and love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3El9SzQP_Y-vKylfF_AexpS4RSPN5aLrmOdPkPpeEKB1KZixDX1X1Q5Eb-zyw3LCxHdtu2EGaFI5oUshsbUk9Z9T5MOEPl-P51OuKqshulBRsQqpzDCCjkmIHvCLdiWupQqXxQ3NFvU/s1600/14th+Tale.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO3El9SzQP_Y-vKylfF_AexpS4RSPN5aLrmOdPkPpeEKB1KZixDX1X1Q5Eb-zyw3LCxHdtu2EGaFI5oUshsbUk9Z9T5MOEPl-P51OuKqshulBRsQqpzDCCjkmIHvCLdiWupQqXxQ3NFvU/s320/14th+Tale.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OKVgRUB9wzN8whquHRORFxj0OfYmeR6OKHyQMcFZn9dFsLgeQTkX1vK84AZUsTatCl7-7uJqtlaI4ENdKHM3T6EA-5oiUJxoPru7hytwK4EGprirzl5r-823pi0c-agFokjGPfNDIqM/s1600/Innua+Ellams+14TH+.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2OKVgRUB9wzN8whquHRORFxj0OfYmeR6OKHyQMcFZn9dFsLgeQTkX1vK84AZUsTatCl7-7uJqtlaI4ENdKHM3T6EA-5oiUJxoPru7hytwK4EGprirzl5r-823pi0c-agFokjGPfNDIqM/s320/Innua+Ellams+14TH+.jpg" width="312" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tale, a sequence of autobiographical
sketches, takes him from the dusty roads in Nigeria to a London classroom, then
to the streets of Dublin, racing back at intervals to a moment where he sits
jumpily in a hospital reception, waiting to hear from the receptionist or any
medics about his father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3P-txZeNzuHANO8px48Dfsje5rTHvEtsJdLsxkj2Fa8SZvJDqhpXxgmHxsad3rlrfZuBWSoNTtuX6tsJxg-j0fkkTKvcKp3BcmqUqpoExYAzf71j0tBPM-kdP02t1InbZs-qaRtB8to/s1600/14th+Tale+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3P-txZeNzuHANO8px48Dfsje5rTHvEtsJdLsxkj2Fa8SZvJDqhpXxgmHxsad3rlrfZuBWSoNTtuX6tsJxg-j0fkkTKvcKp3BcmqUqpoExYAzf71j0tBPM-kdP02t1InbZs-qaRtB8to/s320/14th+Tale+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ellams narrative is fleshed out
by his agile shimmying across the stage, arousing fellow feeling and evoking
mood. Recalling he is heritage in rhythmic poetry Ellams says, I come from a
long line of troublemakers, of ash skinned Africans, born with clenched fist
and a natural thirst for battle.” He reveals how his grandfather and father
were infamous in their village for their troublesome tricks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
CLEARLY
intent on upholding his birthright, he causes trouble wherever he goes and
invariably gets caught. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyr9yxt1Zk3P8axkpE2GCi9GaD2GwTbFrco4g1B_-17tIe40yl2IWDZW68vCfMNp5BuVPsW_byK6Bm_62vYJL56lJjweEiUaxICPoGOcMZEJo87CPdAQJVb2iUIHbMk9EriGulFCC-FU/s1600/FEAST+B.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyr9yxt1Zk3P8axkpE2GCi9GaD2GwTbFrco4g1B_-17tIe40yl2IWDZW68vCfMNp5BuVPsW_byK6Bm_62vYJL56lJjweEiUaxICPoGOcMZEJo87CPdAQJVb2iUIHbMk9EriGulFCC-FU/s320/FEAST+B.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though Ellams only makes a glance
references to racism, emigration and displacement, these themes, however, form
the backdrop to a narrative that focuses on his rebellion as a child and
teenager with an irrepressible disruptiveness inherited from his father and
grandfather. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of how
evoking and poignant the narrative seems, some of the pranks such as provoking
the wrath of a ‘hurricane nun’ in Bible class, coating the bedclothes of a
boarding school enemy with toothpaste are laughable, while the likes of
urinating against the school wall setting thumb tracks on the way of his
secondary school senior that bullied him or playing basketball with mates on
the rooftop in Dublin seem relatively tame. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the whole, despite their
geographical locations, the men of Ellams family have a common
denominator — mischief. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Produced by Fuel Theatre Company,
but written and directed by Inua Ellams (himself), the monologue reveals a
strong ties between Ellams and his father; a relationship that would have
further given the audience a better understanding of him (Ellams’ father) and
the tale had he been exposed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrKogrxxdW5bDgEKCiOPVTjrhjv80VTL-X0y4HJeLBrOOzfUxDkj_izcY3SE80s79tdHTCWpTHldN1W4Sb4BbQ67_3P6b6-0NHFXqf9xC0K9zw0Ku39vew-30wOphKdag0hZF0rpzV2s/s1600/DSC00635.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrKogrxxdW5bDgEKCiOPVTjrhjv80VTL-X0y4HJeLBrOOzfUxDkj_izcY3SE80s79tdHTCWpTHldN1W4Sb4BbQ67_3P6b6-0NHFXqf9xC0K9zw0Ku39vew-30wOphKdag0hZF0rpzV2s/s320/DSC00635.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a need for the tense
moments to take us past the genuinely charming story teller and unveils the
person telling his family story in a tee shirt and trouser stained with blood. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFdRkj8LW1XH-KZ7fNRIsvDXTPovxH3ddUhUuVktc50BMhm4-IwVjZN7kS92S5V_n74CM40wH6wEqeztugPxPZPcK5GFrBlUP1QYDPj361_C7H3S1jm92ZLCm0uUMu0DJZUD-y-Olnm8/s1600/fest+1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnFdRkj8LW1XH-KZ7fNRIsvDXTPovxH3ddUhUuVktc50BMhm4-IwVjZN7kS92S5V_n74CM40wH6wEqeztugPxPZPcK5GFrBlUP1QYDPj361_C7H3S1jm92ZLCm0uUMu0DJZUD-y-Olnm8/s320/fest+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the lighting appropriately
projecting the different locations and creating nostalgic feelings, Fela’s
music at the background further brings to life that wistfulness to the
listener, conjuring the restive traits common among the men in Ellams’ lineage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also of note, is the venue, Casa
Chianti Restaurant, which is too small and poorly ventilated to accommodate
large number of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from
this, the stage is low with clustered chairs that make the audience to stretch
their necks to catch a better view of the performance; besides it would have
been a better space for musical performance. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the whole <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The 14<sup>th</sup> Tale</i> showcases a story of a man grounded in his
past, proud of his heritage and mixed cultural upbringing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-32774189100493262862012-12-27T21:19:00.001-08:002012-12-27T21:19:09.537-08:00Dikko Chronicles in White Space
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:595.0pt 842.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:35.4pt;
mso-footer-margin:35.4pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzsu_47kO5X3FyBPbHTKf_76ba-ZNJRw32hWe11iunjK-gX3aDhT_VfuHjW2jKggh8tIgQGV3BCGfd1Ct-fvqNe8Eqyq_B-Vz_otMKTawb7mKIb7PVa2KMmakMWqyU_Ml0193AIKilcs/s1600/IMG_2531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">BY
OMIKO AWA</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_8oPv_v1boRqjQkcI5ZqY8h56S-8ovbl8KAxBmxYMHeEV_SQoZQ5zLppwOV3oRMJDnhgwGby5GZbWD3Vp_Gv_LshM_0vIjNiQb25HQHcnHxeZNZS42Y3RGKOVKBFpLrtuA7OpM-b4Ps/s1600/IMG_2540.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_8oPv_v1boRqjQkcI5ZqY8h56S-8ovbl8KAxBmxYMHeEV_SQoZQ5zLppwOV3oRMJDnhgwGby5GZbWD3Vp_Gv_LshM_0vIjNiQb25HQHcnHxeZNZS42Y3RGKOVKBFpLrtuA7OpM-b4Ps/s200/IMG_2540.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3xdu0Ytta9wAKfqlqIkULwi69YQixk9U4yKSB0ONqWGDTO6PpeOGecU86hhCOS801ziQK5NKS08DL_iu-2RkGK0-S16ugRPb8C6zkPcu8Y-6X7Fpg076OKmc1JRaPNAX3N6AlrwTQPU/s1600/IMG_2861.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3xdu0Ytta9wAKfqlqIkULwi69YQixk9U4yKSB0ONqWGDTO6PpeOGecU86hhCOS801ziQK5NKS08DL_iu-2RkGK0-S16ugRPb8C6zkPcu8Y-6X7Fpg076OKmc1JRaPNAX3N6AlrwTQPU/s200/IMG_2861.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvHvJsJF-0wyI857-bspVwWxMLSDnXIqdZL-Of0QebPm9Qe4a6HTmDxSGPMbY4uYVavTVXuD6UHrfxibYhl6uVNMW1qM4y0mPTrPSSbF3xRev6G0Z9GSJ-QgzW1yIcrMmCNvntH1gukI/s1600/IMG_2571.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvHvJsJF-0wyI857-bspVwWxMLSDnXIqdZL-Of0QebPm9Qe4a6HTmDxSGPMbY4uYVavTVXuD6UHrfxibYhl6uVNMW1qM4y0mPTrPSSbF3xRev6G0Z9GSJ-QgzW1yIcrMmCNvntH1gukI/s200/IMG_2571.jpg" width="200" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">CARVINGS</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">,
furniture, fashion and other genres of the art met recently at the White Space,
Raymond </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Njoku Street, Ikoyi, as Zebra Living opened its doors to the public for
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dikko Chronicles</i> and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mara Home</i> exhibition.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI_uz05OmJuuUiWw1ITfSjH5bH5hDiMe4_lfp8oogLwzjzCd4My20gNb9RfJZaGuis_D0UNgSwIielT3wtCRVqgeUtkGd-gCoMyL_iyoj1XgUDyTweHPZ9mjBDdn22v-P_oVj7jGwQOc/s1600/Ugoma+Adegoke+and+a+guest.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEI_uz05OmJuuUiWw1ITfSjH5bH5hDiMe4_lfp8oogLwzjzCd4My20gNb9RfJZaGuis_D0UNgSwIielT3wtCRVqgeUtkGd-gCoMyL_iyoj1XgUDyTweHPZ9mjBDdn22v-P_oVj7jGwQOc/s200/Ugoma+Adegoke+and+a+guest.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:36.0pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:36.0pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:748503403;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:776919038 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-18.0pt;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0cm;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0cm;}
-->
</style>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ugoma
Adegoke and Sandra Obiago</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ugM7j5iBhLQGvkDve76B1UPUwijy93D_hPldk4FJ3wL0fFIXoLD9IJx_kCkzeKjpz_bIKMq0EIzYZqIOfx5iw4PPJniH0QdM2cT5IaTVT3EIaFSiLniWK3rh-BdwxFMIRfV-0yDdIc/s1600/IMG_2862.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ugM7j5iBhLQGvkDve76B1UPUwijy93D_hPldk4FJ3wL0fFIXoLD9IJx_kCkzeKjpz_bIKMq0EIzYZqIOfx5iw4PPJniH0QdM2cT5IaTVT3EIaFSiLniWK3rh-BdwxFMIRfV-0yDdIc/s200/IMG_2862.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9is3vO3kIPIbX1lZBrWSB16CBAImTruzdfMvCwEM4IPnAFKFU9MkvHctp1V1lUp9g0wderC1DfhEN8_9JlEO521utElzjOS5B6K9iiH1dl8ucmXIjJjrWhyopeUGVIuBzEEBsl-PG2LQ/s1600/IMG_2542.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9is3vO3kIPIbX1lZBrWSB16CBAImTruzdfMvCwEM4IPnAFKFU9MkvHctp1V1lUp9g0wderC1DfhEN8_9JlEO521utElzjOS5B6K9iiH1dl8ucmXIjJjrWhyopeUGVIuBzEEBsl-PG2LQ/s200/IMG_2542.jpg" width="121" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzsu_47kO5X3FyBPbHTKf_76ba-ZNJRw32hWe11iunjK-gX3aDhT_VfuHjW2jKggh8tIgQGV3BCGfd1Ct-fvqNe8Eqyq_B-Vz_otMKTawb7mKIb7PVa2KMmakMWqyU_Ml0193AIKilcs/s1600/IMG_2531.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzsu_47kO5X3FyBPbHTKf_76ba-ZNJRw32hWe11iunjK-gX3aDhT_VfuHjW2jKggh8tIgQGV3BCGfd1Ct-fvqNe8Eqyq_B-Vz_otMKTawb7mKIb7PVa2KMmakMWqyU_Ml0193AIKilcs/s200/IMG_2531.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The show, which attracted guests
from different fields, saw the outfit’s retrospective capsule collection of
classic vintage dresses in iconic bold </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">African wax prints as well as colourful vintage
laces and retro painterly textures.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpYNY8rkmxxgEyJIdNewslZK8lPy8-S1-DOFjkUBOnepc2NfUJxMv8haQBkezJN4xhKFeZzFYQUVxNiSkGJ7SpAFqAj4Pkd04G0_Q1H6Me4jblgwf3x-0Wc-CeJzcd93oFG3Lsw7-O0g/s1600/IMG_2562.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpYNY8rkmxxgEyJIdNewslZK8lPy8-S1-DOFjkUBOnepc2NfUJxMv8haQBkezJN4xhKFeZzFYQUVxNiSkGJ7SpAFqAj4Pkd04G0_Q1H6Me4jblgwf3x-0Wc-CeJzcd93oFG3Lsw7-O0g/s200/IMG_2562.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzEQN2vVuuCqnpkPHDrGqciMHMclJAUziv9pv3hFP_LFusjCx6xbLqWkNFq5XUoZ_BbRc4r_oe7oIiyQGF6ndzeuB8eFQQqViPBAsAhJFEE0Au9HHa1l3VLEoSphC4RpK1-VVJGxlA3M/s1600/IMG_2573.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIzEQN2vVuuCqnpkPHDrGqciMHMclJAUziv9pv3hFP_LFusjCx6xbLqWkNFq5XUoZ_BbRc4r_oe7oIiyQGF6ndzeuB8eFQQqViPBAsAhJFEE0Au9HHa1l3VLEoSphC4RpK1-VVJGxlA3M/s320/IMG_2573.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ugM7j5iBhLQGvkDve76B1UPUwijy93D_hPldk4FJ3wL0fFIXoLD9IJx_kCkzeKjpz_bIKMq0EIzYZqIOfx5iw4PPJniH0QdM2cT5IaTVT3EIaFSiLniWK3rh-BdwxFMIRfV-0yDdIc/s1600/IMG_2862.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9ugM7j5iBhLQGvkDve76B1UPUwijy93D_hPldk4FJ3wL0fFIXoLD9IJx_kCkzeKjpz_bIKMq0EIzYZqIOfx5iw4PPJniH0QdM2cT5IaTVT3EIaFSiLniWK3rh-BdwxFMIRfV-0yDdIc/s200/IMG_2862.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyPNH4lhyphenhyphen-toYG674aErEUa6xPRASNYwjPO4qoCfszsF8adoV8a47SKaAjkdXeRTeKXEMGAiGvCYoTl_s_XVm9mBRqCqlT1Pz_jQ4HFx5lbbdCJxOJp6C7Sd_KZC_E36kNtO5eT_kP18/s1600/IMG_2867.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeyPNH4lhyphenhyphen-toYG674aErEUa6xPRASNYwjPO4qoCfszsF8adoV8a47SKaAjkdXeRTeKXEMGAiGvCYoTl_s_XVm9mBRqCqlT1Pz_jQ4HFx5lbbdCJxOJp6C7Sd_KZC_E36kNtO5eT_kP18/s200/IMG_2867.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from clothes, there was the
installation of Mara home collections, which was mostly made of furniture and
décor items.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb1hEqvS1h4wySe4Tu5iFZrn7FVj8mM0JTgXxELvnvSFacjnwQeC7A2RZ76ABuTtwLPvPbM7Zc1wkeQ9p-E3jOLc4FAbrc0GtGzLmEg6oZENo0QYmwYD1rA2aDqfmy4oDnfn6XlSkusQ/s1600/Marc-Andre+Schmachtel+and+a+guest.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHb1hEqvS1h4wySe4Tu5iFZrn7FVj8mM0JTgXxELvnvSFacjnwQeC7A2RZ76ABuTtwLPvPbM7Zc1wkeQ9p-E3jOLc4FAbrc0GtGzLmEg6oZENo0QYmwYD1rA2aDqfmy4oDnfn6XlSkusQ/s200/Marc-Andre+Schmachtel+and+a+guest.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:36.0pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:0cm;
margin-left:36.0pt;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
p.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, li.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast, div.MsoListParagraphCxSpLast
{mso-style-type:export-only;
margin-top:0cm;
margin-right:0cm;
margin-bottom:10.0pt;
margin-left:36.0pt;
mso-add-space:auto;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt 72.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:748503403;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:776919038 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-18.0pt;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0cm;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0cm;}
-->
</style>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Marc -Andre
Schmachtel and a guest</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVHOamC1b6_aNXpqsPeIVCgEAh8ik54XqL99cgIK11lROodgd99IgYhckGZGreOEvahGAlIzt92V8psrUWj2s7ZBOTe-HtzoPfzgwtHL9EhyphenhyphenN4neyQhoquMiOuzaAyPstMhAbTt1Nymg/s1600/IMG_2544.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVHOamC1b6_aNXpqsPeIVCgEAh8ik54XqL99cgIK11lROodgd99IgYhckGZGreOEvahGAlIzt92V8psrUWj2s7ZBOTe-HtzoPfzgwtHL9EhyphenhyphenN4neyQhoquMiOuzaAyPstMhAbTt1Nymg/s200/IMG_2544.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRTMOKHHxyIx2_kdWCBJH12brCOhKbPHoFHxCwPM3ZxWaWqrDKh_ciS77_sugZadKkVP6emt8lxo4YreCYVmfLTTHk0sl6MYVkcFZPzMdPxv4O4sEcolLKgKiP0cgdH__MkFJ9tT1CTY/s1600/IMG_2579.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRTMOKHHxyIx2_kdWCBJH12brCOhKbPHoFHxCwPM3ZxWaWqrDKh_ciS77_sugZadKkVP6emt8lxo4YreCYVmfLTTHk0sl6MYVkcFZPzMdPxv4O4sEcolLKgKiP0cgdH__MkFJ9tT1CTY/s200/IMG_2579.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speaking at the show, Ugoma
Adegoke, creative director, Zebra Living, said for half a decade she has
recycled fabrics and notions from her fashion </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">projects to create rustic,
collectible accent furniture pieces that attract the following of art-loving,
design-conscious and functional decorators and buyers.</span></div>
OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-31803736445277561852012-12-27T15:55:00.000-08:002012-12-27T15:55:57.715-08:00OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-69608327887687548572012-10-11T17:22:00.002-07:002012-10-11T17:22:40.034-07:00For motherland… South African tourism lures Nigeria<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Times;
panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWDVryBKKdE9lhifW6xFWpFOFgkJxVMP-i-1gk3gLf0eTIGwQAYqYoA6rk8qBaMOsJOTNvpMdgwTbTaQL5wHZHVfyoqX4AJZbKrhJnKJQdzDSXwWyoiYOw22BeDQ1eMvIP-IYg2F3NvA/s1600/kingsby,+senoamali,+jeanete+molole+&+themba+mthembu.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;">BY OMIKO AWA</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_RnFWuQLfPSYM-OnLqhloxB09j55b1xGeQ3NqKMyD3CTklbL-01iniY2fh9JyWjZxbjdCdVDk-l54wucJ9v9INGZpZmfucZrTBlZdDf8RHVT-j3cnfODKEupdh3hHtPnw9xUViXIT6o/s1600/+++chief++samuel+abitoye+of+lordgate+travel+&+tours+ltd,+south+++africa+consular+generalmokgethie+monaisa,thdoi+duma+&+hloni+pitso++++++++++++++.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu9LZcuYF0MIOJEDbyT5HA2qdiJmi645qIz5DBrd77iqhL4VKd3gD54WGciU-hXiN7Z9hNqxOcA0ztxsLy1eNnPEQfZmhXzf6n452QKPHpTVxUwZP-aGkJpu96JyjTa353idsNmQak70/s1600/mbali+mngomezulu.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZu9LZcuYF0MIOJEDbyT5HA2qdiJmi645qIz5DBrd77iqhL4VKd3gD54WGciU-hXiN7Z9hNqxOcA0ztxsLy1eNnPEQfZmhXzf6n452QKPHpTVxUwZP-aGkJpu96JyjTa353idsNmQak70/s200/mbali+mngomezulu.JPG" width="138" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBtag7nXUBv6lsfzlrPcECegplva9pbow-3x3UKT4zH6xfa8kt99sq_UsILTwJ9UNXmFfIR9w4wD-5gijdbyLEdJARY3c_EwhB2OTfq0nacyQIrVWrDFAz5-8FEbvp3bMbClAbtDPP94/s1600/DSC_8391.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBtag7nXUBv6lsfzlrPcECegplva9pbow-3x3UKT4zH6xfa8kt99sq_UsILTwJ9UNXmFfIR9w4wD-5gijdbyLEdJARY3c_EwhB2OTfq0nacyQIrVWrDFAz5-8FEbvp3bMbClAbtDPP94/s200/DSC_8391.JPG" width="191" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;">POOL</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"> Club,
Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, was last week filled up by operators of travel
agencies, hotel and hospitality businesses. They were around to welcome members
of the South African Tourism Board, who were in the country to introduce the
various destinations in South Africa to Nigerians.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH8eBSGJtamiuuTW7v9ZCYGf4AOZY8SNyfsuaOsKsr5jKIbFi1m6md4zZb9r22UShjOA2hbGSqP4hVh2SFF5uJ1EnhSkoh8KK_2owtafn0VyC4MGBpzzaKar1PENKMosBXplPLiHjVuc/s1600/DSC_8390.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwH8eBSGJtamiuuTW7v9ZCYGf4AOZY8SNyfsuaOsKsr5jKIbFi1m6md4zZb9r22UShjOA2hbGSqP4hVh2SFF5uJ1EnhSkoh8KK_2owtafn0VyC4MGBpzzaKar1PENKMosBXplPLiHjVuc/s200/DSC_8390.JPG" width="130" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtnd3MCcLTuBhiNaJ3npT2nJ0MZUt52btmJTodwwMfMkMoQxEgwWm4gJY3bZT0waHnZcEu2IipVynl26ZH6rbpeyw0w9kYvnxD66cuMI3yp3ZgjuIyVOsZ-U73JfI_e2p4P6Fdnb3h2g/s1600/aniva+aniva.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtnd3MCcLTuBhiNaJ3npT2nJ0MZUt52btmJTodwwMfMkMoQxEgwWm4gJY3bZT0waHnZcEu2IipVynl26ZH6rbpeyw0w9kYvnxD66cuMI3yp3ZgjuIyVOsZ-U73JfI_e2p4P6Fdnb3h2g/s200/aniva+aniva.JPG" width="66" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWDVryBKKdE9lhifW6xFWpFOFgkJxVMP-i-1gk3gLf0eTIGwQAYqYoA6rk8qBaMOsJOTNvpMdgwTbTaQL5wHZHVfyoqX4AJZbKrhJnKJQdzDSXwWyoiYOw22BeDQ1eMvIP-IYg2F3NvA/s1600/kingsby,+senoamali,+jeanete+molole+&+themba+mthembu.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWDVryBKKdE9lhifW6xFWpFOFgkJxVMP-i-1gk3gLf0eTIGwQAYqYoA6rk8qBaMOsJOTNvpMdgwTbTaQL5wHZHVfyoqX4AJZbKrhJnKJQdzDSXwWyoiYOw22BeDQ1eMvIP-IYg2F3NvA/s200/kingsby,+senoamali,+jeanete+molole+&+themba+mthembu.JPG" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_RnFWuQLfPSYM-OnLqhloxB09j55b1xGeQ3NqKMyD3CTklbL-01iniY2fh9JyWjZxbjdCdVDk-l54wucJ9v9INGZpZmfucZrTBlZdDf8RHVT-j3cnfODKEupdh3hHtPnw9xUViXIT6o/s1600/+++chief++samuel+abitoye+of+lordgate+travel+&+tours+ltd,+south+++africa+consular+generalmokgethie+monaisa,thdoi+duma+&+hloni+pitso++++++++++++++.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_RnFWuQLfPSYM-OnLqhloxB09j55b1xGeQ3NqKMyD3CTklbL-01iniY2fh9JyWjZxbjdCdVDk-l54wucJ9v9INGZpZmfucZrTBlZdDf8RHVT-j3cnfODKEupdh3hHtPnw9xUViXIT6o/s200/+++chief++samuel+abitoye+of+lordgate+travel+&+tours+ltd,+south+++africa+consular+generalmokgethie+monaisa,thdoi+duma+&+hloni+pitso++++++++++++++.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event, which served as avenue for
stakeholders in the hospitality and travel and tour business to network, saw
the tourism board officials show some of the clips on television to guests. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwTkCbADT2pwvVjy3LsNKCnomT75hOz5k_M08amZuDxfkSKzC0bD6sFnLatSbyqbCYAz_3LMQitfQFpQwFBfu88tx32_inUsqyh4MqL5dnETEtrVrMb9nyga0YxVV4pMxRB5MH0z8aJY/s1600/dinner+is+served.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYwTkCbADT2pwvVjy3LsNKCnomT75hOz5k_M08amZuDxfkSKzC0bD6sFnLatSbyqbCYAz_3LMQitfQFpQwFBfu88tx32_inUsqyh4MqL5dnETEtrVrMb9nyga0YxVV4pMxRB5MH0z8aJY/s200/dinner+is+served.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tourism team also attracted staff of the South
African Consulate General, Lagos, led by Ambassador Mokgethi Sam Monaisa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inviting
Nigerians to the South African Republic for business and holidays, Monaisa
said, “<span style="color: #1a1a1a;">South Africa and Nigeria</span> are the two
giants in the African continent and it is befitting to bring the people
together for business and to promote the general good of the continent.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apart from dining and wining, the event bereft the
long speeches usually experienced at such gatherings, was spiced with generous
doses of old and new <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">skool </i>music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: #1a1a1a;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-22135004143057222522012-10-11T16:24:00.001-07:002012-10-11T16:24:59.333-07:00The bridge… A dance of national unity
<div class="MsoNormal">
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0cm;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:612.0pt 792.0pt;
margin:72.0pt 90.0pt 72.0pt 90.0pt;
mso-header-margin:36.0pt;
mso-footer-margin:36.0pt;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;} </style>By Omiko Awa</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
AS part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 52nd independence
anniversary, National Troupe of Nigeria presented <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bridge</i>, a musical dance drama recently at the National Theatre,
Lagos.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Written and
choreographed by Arnold Udoka, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bridge</i>
has peace and unity as theme.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It opened with
dances that cut across the major ethnic groups in the country, including Igala.
The play centres on a bank manager, who, apart from unifying the various ethnic
groups in the town where he was posted to serve, also helps to solve the
different problems militating against the growth and development of the town,
Tanfo, a town at the verge of collapse.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24avljkzUrr40hy9b9mFSZA8S8cLhjtJSEQiKrsbSPPNMYGPn3dBJiO9_P22xqVT7pTTLPFdgoC6tlFaBgKwJRPe6WcTPjIjTdop5hfkOjvcdfh-IMZAxIkQu7Lic3LOPAT30ZDOHMJg/s1600/Bridge+1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24avljkzUrr40hy9b9mFSZA8S8cLhjtJSEQiKrsbSPPNMYGPn3dBJiO9_P22xqVT7pTTLPFdgoC6tlFaBgKwJRPe6WcTPjIjTdop5hfkOjvcdfh-IMZAxIkQu7Lic3LOPAT30ZDOHMJg/s400/Bridge+1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
industrious banker, the lead character, is promoted to the position of a
manger, his people are full of praises for him and organises an elaborate party
to celebrate the new position; but the joy soon wanes when they discover that
their son is not only transferred to Tanfo, but will head the bank as manger as
well. Not satisfied with their son going to the town, the banker’s kinsmen and
community leaders of thought plead with him to turn down the offer on the
grounds that there is high level of insecurity, civil strife, corruption,
rancour and power struggle among the people of Tanfo. But he would not listen;
not even his pregnant wife’s entreaties could make him change his mind.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dedicated to
his duty, the young branch manger sets out for Tanfo. Just as his people
feared, he meets Tanfo in anarchy and civil strife, which result in
bloodletting. Worried about the situation, he resolves to settle the people’s
differences thereby bringing a new order that ensures everybody is given equal
opportunity to operate. While working under the new order, peace returns to the
town and the inhabitants start to have a level ground to invest and move freely
and the once dreaded community begins to experience some growth and
development.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Using Tanfo as
a metaphor for Nigeria as a developing nation, the 45-man dance drama, through
colorful costumes and dances that are both traditional and modern bring to the
fore the positive and negative forces that usually contend for attention for
the emergence of true nationhood and mutual coexistence of the various tribes.
The dance drama showcases how negative elements such as ethnicity, civil strife
and distrust usually draw a nation backwards. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Bridge</i> highlights the importance of peace and unity as
essential ingredients of nation building.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDhm_P787a9_TgKAmYtrwNfIlz7Ft1m7rR-F1FwPL88qKuzWYvyuD2utiYzm9D5hV5TgfzbvH9yV28e9G1a2pR2wRIEoSZ3pe5a2WZg9br9cTvg0wT4UNayyD7fJTIOqQUrGbVe5kTdk/s1600/Bridge+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDhm_P787a9_TgKAmYtrwNfIlz7Ft1m7rR-F1FwPL88qKuzWYvyuD2utiYzm9D5hV5TgfzbvH9yV28e9G1a2pR2wRIEoSZ3pe5a2WZg9br9cTvg0wT4UNayyD7fJTIOqQUrGbVe5kTdk/s400/Bridge+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
encapsulating the overall message of the play, Udoka said, “It is when we build
bridges across boundaries, across gender, ethnicities, religions and states
that we would have the understanding of people and the situation of things at
the other side of the divide. What is happening is that within religions, politics
and gender, there is so much strife, which is totally unnecessary.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First staged
in July this year at the 7<sup>th</sup> edition of African First Ladies’ Peace
Summit held in Abuja, Udoka said, he was inspired by the unity of the nation to
write the play.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was
inspired by the need for the unity of the country to write the play, because I
know the various federating states are capable of building bridges to link one
another. Though some people are busy destroying what others have built or are
building by causing confusion, strife or inter-tribal wars in the country, but
with mutual understanding and justice, we will overcome them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If men and
women understand themselves there will be no strife between them or male
cheating or making laws that do not favour women. If we really understand the
essence of building bridges, then we need to know that we have to build bridges
of peace, love and unity across religions, political divide, states and ethnic
groups to bring about social and economic justice that would enable the various
communities in the country to develop and Nigeria as a country will be the
better for it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KCrpZqbtmvlgrQgwlDUPituX8etV7X9zBJPDt8YJSTNKv8__aVcDS_OuC7SxAYND2FS-ZQyN6XsUZsci0sYjvHHCE1oh7eRdtV-U8bolSzA7UQU8j_2rAr_Um1Q5t-7F2TiBXp4e8gw/s1600/Bridge+3.jpgnn" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KCrpZqbtmvlgrQgwlDUPituX8etV7X9zBJPDt8YJSTNKv8__aVcDS_OuC7SxAYND2FS-ZQyN6XsUZsci0sYjvHHCE1oh7eRdtV-U8bolSzA7UQU8j_2rAr_Um1Q5t-7F2TiBXp4e8gw/s320/Bridge+3.jpgnn" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
commenting on the role of the bank manger of Tanfo, Udoka said, “People should
learn to grow up because there is no god-fatherism in self-actualisation; as a
bank manger, the young man was able to manage everything, include human
emotions and crises to succeed. He is a metaphor for leadership and the type of
leader expected in Nigeria”.</div>
OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-57941746970417312112012-09-27T14:35:00.000-07:002012-09-27T14:35:04.467-07:00… Just an Evening with Coca-Cola<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWrwtUlz7n8edYeM_1zcP3LN-YKo7PesV4hZZCxnHQbQiuJuHCcdE-f-kozzNuWY0KBA51ZLoYXLzUq9eT6gs3hIxYdXG_9O6EkxQ6n7jp7qjE2bddG-C2yGt3UM67cBm_SEpQ2y3ZCQ/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>BY OMIKO AWA</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27b0bGvkvdWFcTZe3sJ20R-S0oz9Vir1n6cA14fYpZIM9n-E8J1IiQSd_s81LFPJ6WUdtR79_6chzIG6umPM4Lkeb11wM9-yEyjX0HUDMGBivR4YLBFGvuPbtM3cJIFeCWgQcpCuVHZA/s1600/IMG_0749.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27b0bGvkvdWFcTZe3sJ20R-S0oz9Vir1n6cA14fYpZIM9n-E8J1IiQSd_s81LFPJ6WUdtR79_6chzIG6umPM4Lkeb11wM9-yEyjX0HUDMGBivR4YLBFGvuPbtM3cJIFeCWgQcpCuVHZA/s320/IMG_0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MI ON STAGE</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj-DIk0botb5PelkepeH-y0ozJKOkYr_NU7laNZVNwMnkfoa4-fqR8eLuLONAfBKl1mFmNchwszM9lsT79DA6mLx0GJWg6Xku1rEFCbth4KHcXwXLxFJq4vWUNj8dBH2xLs1JYjpWjzQ/s1600/IMG_0568.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxj-DIk0botb5PelkepeH-y0ozJKOkYr_NU7laNZVNwMnkfoa4-fqR8eLuLONAfBKl1mFmNchwszM9lsT79DA6mLx0GJWg6Xku1rEFCbth4KHcXwXLxFJq4vWUNj8dBH2xLs1JYjpWjzQ/s320/IMG_0568.JPG" width="128" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A POET</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q1pcH_gkCNcMNYCU8HUZvwfXq19gV_Awn-56xxXwj4KCfPa4DfkjU-BQ82g4deshy0UNNqlniedARyiEBJ6Rnr4GyKKp2ZNOsNFjbl0FAIXYkgSHElzaa-52PIRAUX5PhmnjP-65aM4/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Q1pcH_gkCNcMNYCU8HUZvwfXq19gV_Awn-56xxXwj4KCfPa4DfkjU-BQ82g4deshy0UNNqlniedARyiEBJ6Rnr4GyKKp2ZNOsNFjbl0FAIXYkgSHElzaa-52PIRAUX5PhmnjP-65aM4/s320/IMG_0358.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OFFICIALS OF THE BOTTLING COMPANY</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekLBUkj-E0jvL85vFr28prq7GgWBealbtcZ2f8KQhCDHK2KrAVH7w6zdVdUuyQmqB8wm-LVF1EoIMcE9xqX302DIo8eXH26Cr4_kwWqgpzsgvFrtDPFeEGZ91ojiSf1aZ_EJ2nzOH7DQ/s1600/IMG_0784.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekLBUkj-E0jvL85vFr28prq7GgWBealbtcZ2f8KQhCDHK2KrAVH7w6zdVdUuyQmqB8wm-LVF1EoIMcE9xqX302DIo8eXH26Cr4_kwWqgpzsgvFrtDPFeEGZ91ojiSf1aZ_EJ2nzOH7DQ/s320/IMG_0784.JPG" width="320" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">THE</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">
main hall of Habour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, was last week filled to its
capacity with guests, including students, who stormed the facility for
Coca-Cola’s latest continental campaign titled, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Billion Reasons to Believe in Africa.</i></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7HEP1ooH-C5OtsetjUFJg4hiPtmeY2to82lt6ZBlTZUl9KwRuoAwyuDsq7sDtq6Bl2jvoj8crdedCDPkrl4bdeP4c7z-BftyoQyplMTqDYhLWTh4BXPWA6pNAB8peJD8cMu4X8K_FQs/s1600/IMG_0843.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7HEP1ooH-C5OtsetjUFJg4hiPtmeY2to82lt6ZBlTZUl9KwRuoAwyuDsq7sDtq6Bl2jvoj8crdedCDPkrl4bdeP4c7z-BftyoQyplMTqDYhLWTh4BXPWA6pNAB8peJD8cMu4X8K_FQs/s320/IMG_0843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MI SIGNING THE I BELIEVE CHART</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y4c5A6pGo6vg3JDSOPp8hJVbdzf8MPm6_Uun8gNr_jabL1xGmETZ7Smuk0WoxQBPQuxnqeVrJU3McWg7id5-3swtEvM7nIjiU1dct39AzDcw-Q3vZuCwnWi3CbDp2VBEWrmp0iCi840/s1600/IMG_0833.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1y4c5A6pGo6vg3JDSOPp8hJVbdzf8MPm6_Uun8gNr_jabL1xGmETZ7Smuk0WoxQBPQuxnqeVrJU3McWg7id5-3swtEvM7nIjiU1dct39AzDcw-Q3vZuCwnWi3CbDp2VBEWrmp0iCi840/s200/IMG_0833.JPG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The global campaign, which sees
happiness in everyday occurrences in the society, seeks to celebrate and
highlight the positive sides of Africa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anchored
by the witty comedienne, Helen Paul and Isaac Moses of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Goge Africa, </i>the event, besides showcasing diverse African culture
and reawakening the ‘I believe in Africa spirit’ in the Nigerian youths, had
generous doses of poetry, music and dance.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHuP0HD7ngeGqXz32QzQ76RBqLXZpxHEUzsBdltZvLQHZ9rA2SisiR6bBBKxq4MqroUe8qPassN9XuCqX9FbsblBi76dl8b7NMrNhBEtbO-BGjJX4W91eLOr13qLPTLsYy1juezztATo/s1600/IMG_0914.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHuP0HD7ngeGqXz32QzQ76RBqLXZpxHEUzsBdltZvLQHZ9rA2SisiR6bBBKxq4MqroUe8qPassN9XuCqX9FbsblBi76dl8b7NMrNhBEtbO-BGjJX4W91eLOr13qLPTLsYy1juezztATo/s320/IMG_0914.JPG" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMAWUMI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kukere </i>crooner, Iyanya; Mr. Incredible,
MI; and the sensational Omawumi displayed their musical prowess while young
poets SageBlack, Elizabeth Ole and Nonnie painted the good pictures of Africa
in their spoken words.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_Ve5SJdNE1znNdVWEUgi3_whCNk1lxheCAXmOd-oKxOhpq67RqXuyuGN2RoHpLnciQ8ixlDAAfuGidnr962TEwz2zJYmCQGp78QMFgf3ZH5r95ayWEky-fkIzR6j7sarDP_wt6HS1PY/s1600/IMG_0906.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_Ve5SJdNE1znNdVWEUgi3_whCNk1lxheCAXmOd-oKxOhpq67RqXuyuGN2RoHpLnciQ8ixlDAAfuGidnr962TEwz2zJYmCQGp78QMFgf3ZH5r95ayWEky-fkIzR6j7sarDP_wt6HS1PY/s320/IMG_0906.JPG" width="139" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OMAWUMI</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hZuReL5MT2NAjSw-Is77iz_UyDNsZ4pHw-cOTungptHEg4IyncTVkUSOr7mteV8hYR3v2iPRO7qr4TCXp5ggh16YTFGLRfC7IkOri17uAEdvwueaGFxhYjB8ZvLtkOVvWBMFNbscvm8/s1600/IMG_1176.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hZuReL5MT2NAjSw-Is77iz_UyDNsZ4pHw-cOTungptHEg4IyncTVkUSOr7mteV8hYR3v2iPRO7qr4TCXp5ggh16YTFGLRfC7IkOri17uAEdvwueaGFxhYjB8ZvLtkOVvWBMFNbscvm8/s320/IMG_1176.JPG" width="113" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A MODEL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other side attraction was a
fashion show by Touch of Magic, an award-winning fashion house that works with
African fabrics.</span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQhKnPhVvFQStnscbqdoCniWLXnoanvQxLYDdgWXVQC1c8xfCMdjozN1cv0bYg8K06hSl4-YGpjYy3JWZVsxiFdHOmOmiVk9rvyAEfhYuB8v_ZXnKSDxWGUxI46RZNbOz-0fvqp88Dm8/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQhKnPhVvFQStnscbqdoCniWLXnoanvQxLYDdgWXVQC1c8xfCMdjozN1cv0bYg8K06hSl4-YGpjYy3JWZVsxiFdHOmOmiVk9rvyAEfhYuB8v_ZXnKSDxWGUxI46RZNbOz-0fvqp88Dm8/s320/IMG_1119.JPG" width="123" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A MODEL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Highlight
of the fun-filled evening was the signing of the ‘Believe Wall’, which allowed
guests to state their reasons for believing in Africa. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWrwtUlz7n8edYeM_1zcP3LN-YKo7PesV4hZZCxnHQbQiuJuHCcdE-f-kozzNuWY0KBA51ZLoYXLzUq9eT6gs3hIxYdXG_9O6EkxQ6n7jp7qjE2bddG-C2yGt3UM67cBm_SEpQ2y3ZCQ/s1600/IMG_1188.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWrwtUlz7n8edYeM_1zcP3LN-YKo7PesV4hZZCxnHQbQiuJuHCcdE-f-kozzNuWY0KBA51ZLoYXLzUq9eT6gs3hIxYdXG_9O6EkxQ6n7jp7qjE2bddG-C2yGt3UM67cBm_SEpQ2y3ZCQ/s200/IMG_1188.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A MODEL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>According
to Olufemi Ashipa, the Brand Manager, Coca-Cola, “the youths of Africa have the
manpower, the intellect and resources to change the world. Nigeria is already
taking the world by the storm with great feats being accomplished in the areas
of technology, fashion, business, music, literature and others.”</span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consumers not at the event can also participate in the
campaign by sharing their reasons and personal stories of optimism, passion and
belief in Africa on the Coca-Cola Nigeria Facebook page <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cokenaija"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">https://www.facebook.com/cokenaija</span></a></i>
or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/CocaCola_NG"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@CocaCola NG</span></a></i></span>
OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-37921335696554511652012-08-02T09:08:00.003-07:002012-08-02T09:10:35.545-07:00Children strut the red for Soyinka @78<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">BY OMIKO AWA<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhB7_uHlKDuM7mbFVuoSG-xsBsQnAC3ztIng-wh3br42XMYJOfOBDUc6wvJmknK7zPGizLtm9IQxDsSEg8ob4rL8NmVFfBJw_ReOoVm4zRwzPWGrbDtX7bGKNOQsnP9KinHkU_uNmXoM/s1600/pix+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRhB7_uHlKDuM7mbFVuoSG-xsBsQnAC3ztIng-wh3br42XMYJOfOBDUc6wvJmknK7zPGizLtm9IQxDsSEg8ob4rL8NmVFfBJw_ReOoVm4zRwzPWGrbDtX7bGKNOQsnP9KinHkU_uNmXoM/s320/pix+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPNnOOJcq0utreDbr7uMYjPCRVdE12XiKYG09D0r29WMWqr3itiguMOY5Eow2PlQzGlkndRXczZDogPegjboEie6acWjxVgxD3tVHsWwoTVWXKMW3cL3Ds1k4LU8O8_8ptDQni33Ppik/s1600/pix+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPNnOOJcq0utreDbr7uMYjPCRVdE12XiKYG09D0r29WMWqr3itiguMOY5Eow2PlQzGlkndRXczZDogPegjboEie6acWjxVgxD3tVHsWwoTVWXKMW3cL3Ds1k4LU8O8_8ptDQni33Ppik/s400/pix+3.jpg" width="400" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE</b> <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">ambience of </span>Musical Society
of Nigerian (MUSON) centre was last week<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"> brightened</span> up by pupils, parents and the 78 Senior Secondary
School students selected from across the country and in the Diaspora to
participate in the 2012 edition of the <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">WS/78 </span>International Cultural Exchange (ICE) project essay
competition<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The</span>
topic <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">of the essay was </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Mind Of A Patriot </i>dedicated to the
78<sup>th</sup> birthday celebration of Professor Wole Soyinka, the Nobel
laureate<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"></span>Apart from essay writing, <span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">the young ones</span> strutted the red carpet
in beautiful traditional attires of the various tribes that make up the
federation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXbYBQp2yBGOhVZ5bkvkbBaSSM9QmAhueHqmMXx5Gsr39-kWFeLlkGISKwyHVnycZJQ1KlxOkZkx8yWsBDBJqoUf2fZYLUUUKg-8rWM7VF1l6GcYgzWHqO1qwIdAgBdnyhLcJGLGq4go/s1600/pix+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXbYBQp2yBGOhVZ5bkvkbBaSSM9QmAhueHqmMXx5Gsr39-kWFeLlkGISKwyHVnycZJQ1KlxOkZkx8yWsBDBJqoUf2fZYLUUUKg-8rWM7VF1l6GcYgzWHqO1qwIdAgBdnyhLcJGLGq4go/s320/pix+5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fun-filled event
also saw the pupils sing and speak different dialects, put up traditional
dances, short plays and recite some of Soyinka poems and even imitate his
mannerism. Drawing loud ovation was a boy, who dressed like the Nobel laureate,
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wVqtmx3SfRloT8SB69fLW_JcnZEO9duWbVYHTJnykSEXSlKvp7JXmC2gLTOzjap-V7k3E4BpISBvAnWcqDlhL5jLDAqtDaGcOWTwhfNOjXD2NmFbkEa_TkXGUsBUHq9lAnIw0LEWbjc/s1600/pix+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wVqtmx3SfRloT8SB69fLW_JcnZEO9duWbVYHTJnykSEXSlKvp7JXmC2gLTOzjap-V7k3E4BpISBvAnWcqDlhL5jLDAqtDaGcOWTwhfNOjXD2NmFbkEa_TkXGUsBUHq9lAnIw0LEWbjc/s320/pix+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gospel singer, Benita Okojie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around to provide
music was the gospel singer, Benita Okojie, who sang her gospel songs alongside
old skool music that kept the pupils and adults, too, on the dance floor for
hours.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dUG58zBrnbicIWKtE5wK6XFuZkHAX4JHkdBFKOXieOQ30AYk9G0N-KbAc1tcF-9adZpUrfQEPSrvRW03ofgx2ooE_ihE1p4DEDc7bjSfRU3In1bhI6zM5wQSTxH7pCQbD1ZLZe-dtI8/s1600/pix+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3dUG58zBrnbicIWKtE5wK6XFuZkHAX4JHkdBFKOXieOQ30AYk9G0N-KbAc1tcF-9adZpUrfQEPSrvRW03ofgx2ooE_ihE1p4DEDc7bjSfRU3In1bhI6zM5wQSTxH7pCQbD1ZLZe-dtI8/s320/pix+4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">The event climaxed with the staging of Sam Art
Williams's famous play, <i>Home,</i> directed by US-based Nigerian Professor of
Theatre, Segun Ojewuyi. It featured a mixed cast of actors from US, Britain and
Nigeria.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children were hosted the following day by
Prof Soyinka at his Abeokuta, Ogun State home in continuation of the birthday
celebrations.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-37023003267815140072012-08-02T07:45:00.004-07:002012-08-02T07:48:06.190-07:00Travel musing<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuYHiZYkVtE6prupZuMpmbhGuFDrkodLW-QU-ZxbKBpt_xa3vTiYPR_v9u5h3y1kUjC_vGYlvDimBcY_uEVTm3kF-vyxMYYHC4i8H49y3wx0gMfb1qvtaUUjtPTrU91hp9MKevbYqBhg/s1600/Classic-FM-crew-with-Funmi-Faloye-of-World-N-Traveland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BY
OMIKO AWA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N-H58smhD25SNprH9XVe-KW6uu09_i8yQ3vpvSLBkFDMQpzFV4stHNF7gJqWg4u0AEo_5wy0M0EI7aPO0wMBuZfaTVIxnClWh4poXbxzKKuZszS7hr3rc1XfhbUiRV9EdelKJqRisDU/s1600/Funmi+and+her+hubby(Segun+faloye).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0N-H58smhD25SNprH9XVe-KW6uu09_i8yQ3vpvSLBkFDMQpzFV4stHNF7gJqWg4u0AEo_5wy0M0EI7aPO0wMBuZfaTVIxnClWh4poXbxzKKuZszS7hr3rc1XfhbUiRV9EdelKJqRisDU/s200/Funmi+and+her+hubby(Segun+faloye).JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Funmi Faloye and husband on the dance floor<br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcERO8jktL-r_J4C-vKHNXt2pAGdF0b6SqVqfQB_8oWy4QOEw2UsswBl_gG76IcreIfNBc3wtbSxqj2B4b4nfntE1zkNlkZquFz7UIMRwDShBHFCQDHkKxrRP6V-lulM4PyYaF43GDcM/s1600/Funmi+with+friends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcERO8jktL-r_J4C-vKHNXt2pAGdF0b6SqVqfQB_8oWy4QOEw2UsswBl_gG76IcreIfNBc3wtbSxqj2B4b4nfntE1zkNlkZquFz7UIMRwDShBHFCQDHkKxrRP6V-lulM4PyYaF43GDcM/s200/Funmi+with+friends.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz6aAtTuy5UsNTdkOXHRALFGFhQJzQEIvnbmn_g5AyKSoXcYuuv1ETtkeXjR8rj1LrCNIuz3lV8qW05wd9VynrN0_shBzitElFK5tWew8_sbdx6vMQxyLto4InuQIYR6ROF1dGcTJwps/s1600/Funmi+and+friends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCz6aAtTuy5UsNTdkOXHRALFGFhQJzQEIvnbmn_g5AyKSoXcYuuv1ETtkeXjR8rj1LrCNIuz3lV8qW05wd9VynrN0_shBzitElFK5tWew8_sbdx6vMQxyLto4InuQIYR6ROF1dGcTJwps/s200/Funmi+and+friends.JPG" width="200" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SILVERBIRD</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Galleria,
Victoria Island, Lagos, was recently stormed by those that matter in the
aviation and travel business, who came to witness the unveiling of three
products — <strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">travel kiosk, voice and loyalty card system —by</span></strong>
<strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">World ‘N’</span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Traveland.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-C9IkaHhhPuXTOB6jkYqEnjhYxnNhKISPmfHnaDnJtpDf9tq7HlNFBv6Z08MfSQo9kvHNkYgfWXnmLgdbRDiNZqmbLHzybndEfwAANJVEFuchFtBDQCTXde1qKlG66U9xrVDSBLClZQ/s1600/Funmi+with+the+machine....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-C9IkaHhhPuXTOB6jkYqEnjhYxnNhKISPmfHnaDnJtpDf9tq7HlNFBv6Z08MfSQo9kvHNkYgfWXnmLgdbRDiNZqmbLHzybndEfwAANJVEFuchFtBDQCTXde1qKlG66U9xrVDSBLClZQ/s200/Funmi+with+the+machine....JPG" width="139" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Uyc0uLD0V-IBcxVPURpWq1m-nH1GBXFYYN1MVcFo_z7TBksExsj0soVzKNAaXsbMH0HXtAywKzypybb2PKV-9VKi9IQiX4YHTrH97t0M5O8uXqSAYfkkE8cop2GRY77zh2Wbb3kC5Ts/s1600/Guest+at+the+launch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Uyc0uLD0V-IBcxVPURpWq1m-nH1GBXFYYN1MVcFo_z7TBksExsj0soVzKNAaXsbMH0HXtAywKzypybb2PKV-9VKi9IQiX4YHTrH97t0M5O8uXqSAYfkkE8cop2GRY77zh2Wbb3kC5Ts/s200/Guest+at+the+launch.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNvZGVJhF4vZmfFWDeRLxaqIecssRkeYNB0Oo_sJY-NZaj-6dLIc52IwexsXSKppg-D_qK4vXkjYIj4zlPvMKWWzjvJNcFmiNmaFu3VRcyH-sFTSBXSDCQtGPtVULLZNW1Tc6rsrftfs/s1600/Segun+and+Funke+Faloye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNvZGVJhF4vZmfFWDeRLxaqIecssRkeYNB0Oo_sJY-NZaj-6dLIc52IwexsXSKppg-D_qK4vXkjYIj4zlPvMKWWzjvJNcFmiNmaFu3VRcyH-sFTSBXSDCQtGPtVULLZNW1Tc6rsrftfs/s200/Segun+and+Funke+Faloye.JPG" width="108" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Targeted at providing clients with safe, easy and convenient facilities
to book their travel arrangements, the floaters of the package said the<strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> travel
kiosks are located in busy supermarkets and shopping malls across cities such
as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Warri. </span></strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Aside this, the products could be accessed
via the company’s website.</span></strong></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MsQu4zTqNHXG0QF_OBusgGmIbPVNgjcYLDRBVr1iESsh-pDdQ1IEp8Wo_n_rYwQ3IdlElEBXE-CQyvFT4wBkhfq2ntsWwzKmm2DprrSwoFb5IvXC_Pga3aLWUl2Y1GeucrzsuWW3a_I/s1600/DSC_0375-600x402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MsQu4zTqNHXG0QF_OBusgGmIbPVNgjcYLDRBVr1iESsh-pDdQ1IEp8Wo_n_rYwQ3IdlElEBXE-CQyvFT4wBkhfq2ntsWwzKmm2DprrSwoFb5IvXC_Pga3aLWUl2Y1GeucrzsuWW3a_I/s200/DSC_0375-600x402.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZGqh1uYWYlK2iSPbUAHm6RrVrXcbw6rvug7CXOj7npGqXD_CU2OPcCcOWi8AF1LvrcqvQDlxQfiKjJqr01pAog-TFxLqXY278g0txm46DVoTL6rophzvw7jFdn5XSSZV29m4PSMWWSc/s1600/Kemi,+Funmi+and+jimi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZGqh1uYWYlK2iSPbUAHm6RrVrXcbw6rvug7CXOj7npGqXD_CU2OPcCcOWi8AF1LvrcqvQDlxQfiKjJqr01pAog-TFxLqXY278g0txm46DVoTL6rophzvw7jFdn5XSSZV29m4PSMWWSc/s200/Kemi,+Funmi+and+jimi.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCHg_Wt7yfbsLamvPNP9doHWMNEVKJNP_DXOK4wnPg66vsBhtZin0aALoJbojfgSpi8INHSJSXXnyD0bQRnFUqbq_3c3nZpzEipi0ZaGfSklHdYRM7T2-lNaIUDgrnVoWxrrJpifAKkg/s1600/Funmi-Faloye-with-Mr-Mrs-Femi-Tejuosho--600x402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtCHg_Wt7yfbsLamvPNP9doHWMNEVKJNP_DXOK4wnPg66vsBhtZin0aALoJbojfgSpi8INHSJSXXnyD0bQRnFUqbq_3c3nZpzEipi0ZaGfSklHdYRM7T2-lNaIUDgrnVoWxrrJpifAKkg/s200/Funmi-Faloye-with-Mr-Mrs-Femi-Tejuosho--600x402.jpg" width="200" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12.0pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Speaking at
the gig organised after the launch, chairman of <strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">travel agency, </span></strong></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Funmi Faloye, said, the products would save clients
the precious time often wasted on queues while booking across the canter and
other inconveniences.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuYHiZYkVtE6prupZuMpmbhGuFDrkodLW-QU-ZxbKBpt_xa3vTiYPR_v9u5h3y1kUjC_vGYlvDimBcY_uEVTm3kF-vyxMYYHC4i8H49y3wx0gMfb1qvtaUUjtPTrU91hp9MKevbYqBhg/s1600/Classic-FM-crew-with-Funmi-Faloye-of-World-N-Traveland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuYHiZYkVtE6prupZuMpmbhGuFDrkodLW-QU-ZxbKBpt_xa3vTiYPR_v9u5h3y1kUjC_vGYlvDimBcY_uEVTm3kF-vyxMYYHC4i8H49y3wx0gMfb1qvtaUUjtPTrU91hp9MKevbYqBhg/s200/Classic-FM-crew-with-Funmi-Faloye-of-World-N-Traveland.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuYHiZYkVtE6prupZuMpmbhGuFDrkodLW-QU-ZxbKBpt_xa3vTiYPR_v9u5h3y1kUjC_vGYlvDimBcY_uEVTm3kF-vyxMYYHC4i8H49y3wx0gMfb1qvtaUUjtPTrU91hp9MKevbYqBhg/s1600/Classic-FM-crew-with-Funmi-Faloye-of-World-N-Traveland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeuYHiZYkVtE6prupZuMpmbhGuFDrkodLW-QU-ZxbKBpt_xa3vTiYPR_v9u5h3y1kUjC_vGYlvDimBcY_uEVTm3kF-vyxMYYHC4i8H49y3wx0gMfb1qvtaUUjtPTrU91hp9MKevbYqBhg/s200/Classic-FM-crew-with-Funmi-Faloye-of-World-N-Traveland.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqCDBqCmCIKCzNSzmOrDEx1WsleW5wJ9jJLonGkXu5nM3fPiUkiWIBS7KjA0D4RBz-jf0987khWDmzItx6NM3J8ueUw5_acyMyayIu1vr4sz3Pj-TyPy-hicWR5B1OCf48a80PC07r8c/s1600/Funmi+with+guest+at+the+event.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWqCDBqCmCIKCzNSzmOrDEx1WsleW5wJ9jJLonGkXu5nM3fPiUkiWIBS7KjA0D4RBz-jf0987khWDmzItx6NM3J8ueUw5_acyMyayIu1vr4sz3Pj-TyPy-hicWR5B1OCf48a80PC07r8c/s200/Funmi+with+guest+at+the+event.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">According to Faloye, the products are meant
to facilitate easy travel and open up the country for tourist</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ZGqh1uYWYlK2iSPbUAHm6RrVrXcbw6rvug7CXOj7npGqXD_CU2OPcCcOWi8AF1LvrcqvQDlxQfiKjJqr01pAog-TFxLqXY278g0txm46DVoTL6rophzvw7jFdn5XSSZV29m4PSMWWSc/s1600/Kemi,+Funmi+and+jimi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Aside
from wining and dining, guests went home with different gifts, which include
airline tickets, special invitations to attend upcoming quarterly World ‘N’
Traveland events and exclusive VIP hand luggage bag tags.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Present at the </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">launch were <strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Don
Jazzy,</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-family: Times; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dr. SID and Banke Meshida Lawal</span></strong><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-6653307411390081432012-07-31T04:29:00.002-07:002012-07-31T04:29:56.512-07:00For Soyinka students get scholarships<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BY OMIKO AWA<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKQ9gkH1OqaVUgCTj1yA88jEejyctZocViS7L9v1-pCRo6B0CLyH55RWG1LYp44Nu2qNos7E6fJbHRx1kPuLyPY7Iz8LLSvVQUker04XKzC04Dz5Hx56d1JPRg_By2QgirV-vuvSDFVo/s1600/+Sopundi+Mgbearike+of+Graceland+International+School,+Port+Harcourt,++N250,+000,++.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKQ9gkH1OqaVUgCTj1yA88jEejyctZocViS7L9v1-pCRo6B0CLyH55RWG1LYp44Nu2qNos7E6fJbHRx1kPuLyPY7Iz8LLSvVQUker04XKzC04Dz5Hx56d1JPRg_By2QgirV-vuvSDFVo/s400/+Sopundi+Mgbearike+of+Graceland+International+School,+Port+Harcourt,++N250,+000,++.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5<sup>th</sup> from the right, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Miss Sopundi Mgbearike, winner of the
essay competition, surrounded by other participants and officials of WS/78.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">THIS year’s International Cultural Exchange
(ICE) project, which was part of the activities lined up to honour the Nobel
laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka (WS/78), who recently turned 78, was quite
eventful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SHVhdfk-9a2HN2mBkT7jxaKxB91WSPvU8WO7IP7THY6ugBJlkhA6p71LIi6r8IqpIkS-AbrCQE6yZqhS_p3C0H_8itRjNn6HQLVp8fpNnks1QCaJGQ_GfLFXd1R49Ocg4cM-CIS88D0/s1600/Lecture+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SHVhdfk-9a2HN2mBkT7jxaKxB91WSPvU8WO7IP7THY6ugBJlkhA6p71LIi6r8IqpIkS-AbrCQE6yZqhS_p3C0H_8itRjNn6HQLVp8fpNnks1QCaJGQ_GfLFXd1R49Ocg4cM-CIS88D0/s320/Lecture+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment--><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">3rd
from right: </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Prof. Hope Eghagha, Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State; </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Prof. Robert </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Fox of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA; </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Barr. Yusuf Olaniyonu, Ogun State Commissioner
for Information and Strategy; </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Prof.
Segun Ojewuyi; Mr. Teju Kareem and cast of actors of <i>Home </i>from Britain
and the US. </span><!--EndFragment-->
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Organised by Zmirage Limited </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and GlobalNewHaven Multimedia outfit, the celebration, which
was planned to hold in two countries —Nigeria and the UK— saw the Nigerian
phase ending on July 17 and the London leg today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaV0jCCVFcO7n04ZEKVUAXnI_ptDNptTmWtNvqGaw1-l3w6RR0rSkOYbhnGFwb82nEZ26qQPnaZGCgbojfq32hY7EzZmAV8tgAq09I1snuUJwTJTVgpLei9jC9xw_XM43MY72Hi3dPPo/s1600/oba+palace+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxaV0jCCVFcO7n04ZEKVUAXnI_ptDNptTmWtNvqGaw1-l3w6RR0rSkOYbhnGFwb82nEZ26qQPnaZGCgbojfq32hY7EzZmAV8tgAq09I1snuUJwTJTVgpLei9jC9xw_XM43MY72Hi3dPPo/s320/oba+palace+3.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr5kGRV6NtvPlgN2vIHz9CFcnoJFEHideBn38HYCJidTtU4YJhPyJ9o3PpgIM6K44dHeDPhGMyAHkZPlnghfUZPjvkuqEi19LFBEeEECvoIpmXZRao_aGYP7ei5HNuLwLLxy1UdhpTD4/s1600/ondo+gov+visit+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr5kGRV6NtvPlgN2vIHz9CFcnoJFEHideBn38HYCJidTtU4YJhPyJ9o3PpgIM6K44dHeDPhGMyAHkZPlnghfUZPjvkuqEi19LFBEeEECvoIpmXZRao_aGYP7ei5HNuLwLLxy1UdhpTD4/s320/ondo+gov+visit+5.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from beginning the advocacy lecture
entitled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From Tigritude To Transcendence;
The Conscience And Conscientiousness Of Wole Soyinka</i>, delivered by
Professor Robert Fox of Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA, the
event featured dance, drama, poem recitations and essay competition. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDPdnzVAYiNC3Cms6B48RWGIkyGLNDoTgD1RnwEWQ8nG_g_n9k3XvieJbkE4utXvybshT8HdRZY-2G0yU2DP9k4mly07bbZgSKTj38GozBiRnacabes-t4igQZhCWcqRRUendtWBN1EQ/s1600/wole+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDPdnzVAYiNC3Cms6B48RWGIkyGLNDoTgD1RnwEWQ8nG_g_n9k3XvieJbkE4utXvybshT8HdRZY-2G0yU2DP9k4mly07bbZgSKTj38GozBiRnacabes-t4igQZhCWcqRRUendtWBN1EQ/s320/wole+house.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDPdnzVAYiNC3Cms6B48RWGIkyGLNDoTgD1RnwEWQ8nG_g_n9k3XvieJbkE4utXvybshT8HdRZY-2G0yU2DP9k4mly07bbZgSKTj38GozBiRnacabes-t4igQZhCWcqRRUendtWBN1EQ/s1600/wole+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMDPdnzVAYiNC3Cms6B48RWGIkyGLNDoTgD1RnwEWQ8nG_g_n9k3XvieJbkE4utXvybshT8HdRZY-2G0yU2DP9k4mly07bbZgSKTj38GozBiRnacabes-t4igQZhCWcqRRUendtWBN1EQ/s1600/wole+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the topic, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Mind
Of A Patriot</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">,
the jury for the </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">essay </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">competition shortlisted 78 names from
across the country and in the Diaspora, of which 15-year-old Miss Sopundi
Mgbearike of Graceland International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State,
emerged winner and was awarded a scholarship worth N250, 000, while her school got
a desktop computer system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
second prize winner, 17-year-old Miss Chidinma Emmanuel of Betenas Unity High
School, Idanre, Ondo State went home with N150.000 and a laptop for her school,
while the third prize winner, 16-year-old Miss Aliyah Ibrahim </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of Zamani
College, Kaduna,</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;">
got N100, 000 and a laptop for her school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the
participants went home with consolation prizes, which included some of the
books written by the Nobel laureate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 78 pupils were entertained at Prof.
Soyinka’s Abeokuta residence after the award. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-58312540119117843852012-07-27T12:56:00.000-07:002012-08-02T07:12:08.789-07:00Babaeko … Advertising ‘golden boy’ steps up solo<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">BY CHUKS NWANNE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">THE</span></b><span style="font-family: Georgia;">
news of his resignation from 141 Worldwide to set up his own advertising agency
was greeted with mixed reactions by friends and colleagues. While some wondered
why Steve Babaeko left his lucrative position as the Business/Creative Director
of one of the leading agencies in the country, to toe the difficult path of
setting up his own outfit, those who had followed the dreadlocks-wearing
creative artiste through his career in advertising, saw his decision as a right
move. Well, Babaeko is not the type that ventures without thinking; he’s indeed
a thorough-bred professional. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr0BVktwLWmSOru2qiJtqJblg3zyxa3arX8oyk89WPll1Vm9PBGFZB55t7MY9_zSpHOITQ0xrgeCzz9x8cQdGJihWMicYDHDrMdpoPlekrt2PZ_l7Fn1Z6qCSTfJNFIzDCPYg2LH2dsQ/s1600/Steve+Babaeko+and+Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikr0BVktwLWmSOru2qiJtqJblg3zyxa3arX8oyk89WPll1Vm9PBGFZB55t7MY9_zSpHOITQ0xrgeCzz9x8cQdGJihWMicYDHDrMdpoPlekrt2PZ_l7Fn1Z6qCSTfJNFIzDCPYg2LH2dsQ/s400/Steve+Babaeko+and+Family.jpg" width="290" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was inspecting work at his new Ikeja
office, in company of some of his youthful team members when I arrived. Mere
looking at the building, it was obvious that the duplex now has the magic touch
of the dreadlocked one; he changed everything to his taste. From the painting
to the doors, windows, railings, lights, tiles, flowers, furniture… the
building was totally overhauled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look, we had to do it right,” he said as he
led a tour of the premises. “We are aware of the high expectations, so, we are
not leaving any stone unturned.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">AT first glance, Babaeko
appears more like a music artiste; his hairstyle and close link with top
musicians, points to that direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wish I am,” he said jokingly. “I actually
wanted to do music when I was 15, but my mum made me change my mind; she just
didn’t think it was a viable career to pursue at that time. Then, music wasn’t
what it is today,” he recalled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After his desire of becoming a musician
was discouraged by his parents, the Ahmadu Bello University Theatre Arts
graduate took interest in broadcasting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I really wanted to be a broadcaster; apart
from music, the only job that fascinated me as a child was broadcasting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Babaeko’s stint with broadcasting was in
1994, when he joined the NTA Kano, where he presented a TV programme, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Corpers Forum</i>. But along the line,
discouragement set in, forcing him to change career line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“At some point, I discovered that
broadcasting was nice; people look glamourous on TV, but they are not really
well paid. That sort of discouraged me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After reading a supplementary report on
Nigerian advertising agencies published in one of the national dailies in 1995,
Babaeko picked interest in the creative business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lolu Akinwunmi was talking about Prima
Garnet and I was like, ‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wow,</i> I think
this is what I should be doing.’ That’s how my love for advertising started. With
Theatre Arts, you have all the raw materials to do whatever you want to do in
the arts. Theatre Arts is much more broader; it prepares you for a whole lot of
stuff.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His advertising career, which spans nearly
two decades, started off at MC&A Saatchi & Saatchi, from where he moved
to Prima Garnet Ogilvy and later 141 Worldwide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6CmMBL9q8KdYKbgGQU0SHd2rSnJncf9gvh6Qa_oVsQZYd_CUU7TosbgfCArx02RldgZc-ORvbGcDGON52QxudViytDkU63lR-Bx8HzWgp7_lUXuD2RDd0d6k4XvrUjh2wtG9yaL9taM/s1600/Steve+Babaeko+and+wife,+Yetunde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6CmMBL9q8KdYKbgGQU0SHd2rSnJncf9gvh6Qa_oVsQZYd_CUU7TosbgfCArx02RldgZc-ORvbGcDGON52QxudViytDkU63lR-Bx8HzWgp7_lUXuD2RDd0d6k4XvrUjh2wtG9yaL9taM/s640/Steve+Babaeko+and+wife,+Yetunde.jpg" width="425" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had always wanted to work with Prima
Garnet after reading that supplement; I wrote him (Lolu) letters from Kaduna
about my intention to work with them. As a matter of fact, it took me five
years of applying every year to work for Prima Garnet. At that time, it was a
big dream come true.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After five years with the outfit, an
opportunity came for Babaeko to explore a new terrain with 141 Worldwide and he
grabbed it with both hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“At that time, I felt I had done all I
needed to do with Prima Garnet and I needed new challenges. So, when the chance
to work with 141 Worldwide came, I saw it as an opportunity to write my own
history. I took the opportunity and became the pioneer Creative Director of the
company. To be honest, I had the privilege of working with a great team in the
company, and we performed well for almost seven years,” he enthused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While at 141, Babaeko led a team of
result-oriented professionals, who worked on several award-winning campaigns
for brands such as Tom Tom, British American Tobacco, First Bank, Muitichoice
and of recent, Etisalat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The jobs we did for British American
Tobacco Company (BAT) and others, people don’t really get to see them; the one
everybody easily remembers is Etisalat. We launched the brand in Nigeria in
2008; it was a keenly contested pitch then. We were just three years old then,
and we won that pitch ahead of other companies, including foreign agencies.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What really worked for you during the pitch?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think it was just the different thinking
we had; from day one, we wanted to come out in a different way. We came to the
table with different solution and I think that’s what gave us the edge over
others.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the way he spoke about 141 and his
boss, Lolu, it is obvious that the father of two had an interesting experience
working for the company.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was beautiful working there, we were like
one small family. It is on record that after I tendered my resignation letter,
I worked till the very last day because we needed to do the handing over
process properly so that client’s businesses would not suffer. Last year, I
finished the last script I was working on at about 5pm and I left the company
around 5.30, on a Friday. I knew if I didn’t leave, I would get emotional
because seven years of my life was spent in that agency,” he said with
emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">NOW 41, Babaeko has
established his own business, X3M Ideas. A Lagos-based full service plus
digital advertising agency, the outfit, according to him, will have a global
presence and impact, through its barrier-breaking and record-setting campaigns.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“At X3M, we will combine our excellent
understanding of traditional media habits and practices, with a clear knowledge —
and appreciation — of new media, working with our clients to best deliver
witty, creative and above all, honest and believable communications, using
today's media ecosystem.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the creative director turned CEO, “the
advertising industry is at a critical stage and the world is looking to places
like Nigeria, where young, driven and promising professionals and agencies are
emerging, for ideas and innovations that'll determine the future. I'm willing
and ready to play my part and I'm happy to have a dedicated team ready to go
with me on this marathon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6ZuDd_Ia7OXYhYeT32F3rQr1A1qt3ipUsPDhPF13ij-gBXEq6z3dsXpwlWbpQtmDs66uKKnyxVNzbqZ02hXUc46prgGZGgiqfjAjUrUg7s-eAAL9f0ybqzBxpthGa5tZy_ZBP5rZdqI/s1600/Steve+Babaeko2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6ZuDd_Ia7OXYhYeT32F3rQr1A1qt3ipUsPDhPF13ij-gBXEq6z3dsXpwlWbpQtmDs66uKKnyxVNzbqZ02hXUc46prgGZGgiqfjAjUrUg7s-eAAL9f0ybqzBxpthGa5tZy_ZBP5rZdqI/s640/Steve+Babaeko2.jpg" width="425" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;">Setting up any business in Nigeria,
including advertising is very challenging. Apart from the huge infrastructure
one has to put in place, getting the right people on board could be a herculean
task.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not like the easiest thing to do;
setting up an advertising agency is difficult. But we have a solid team on
ground now and I feel good. My feeling is that this is the right time to do
this, and we are putting everything behind it to make sure that we are able to
offer support to our clients. I feel good doing this,” he said confidently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from his advertising agency, the
building is also housing Xtreme Music studio, Babaeko’s record label and home
of artistes such as Overdose, Praise and Etcetera, who has since completed his
deal with the outfit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is actually a group; we want to make
this place a one-stop solution for brands and clients. We’ve always had Xtreme
Music, which is also part of the infrastructure we have here; this studio is
perhaps the minimum standard you find in studios all over the world. So, if a
client comes here and say they want a radio commercial done, it doesn’t take us
days; it’s a matter of hours. Advertising will always need music, which is why we
are putting all these together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">A celebrated creative
director, writer, business development enthusiast, consumer behaviour analyst,
brand development expert and multi-platform media influencer, Babaeko has been
able to strike a balance between his corporate life and his status as a showbiz
promoter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not really difficult; the kind of
business we are in is cross functional. I’ve always felt, on a personal level
that there’s a confluence where music and branding meets. We want to be at the cantre
of that confluence to help brands exploit the effective use of music and help
music artistes attract branding supports as much as we can. It’s a
complementary kind of service and I think part of my passion over the years, is
driving this. If you see the way we’ve managed the artistes we work with, we
develop them as brands not just commodities.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t believe in volume; as an
independent record label, there’s limit of fund you have to push artistes. It’s
like a football club buying all the strikers and putting them on the bench; they
will leave one after the other because they don’t get enough playing time. I’ve
seen labels that signed up to 15 artistes, but where are they today? It’s like
having children, you get the number you can handle. We are interested in
quality and not quantity.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued: “We are working on Praise’s
album; he’s going to be here any moment to continue with his production. He was
nominated for the NEA Award as the most promising act and he just got back from
Oxford where he played at a gig. Overdose too will start recording his second
album as well,” he revealed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Indeed, expectations are high for Xtreme
Ideas and the Kogi State-native is fully aware of that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are as prepared as the team you have;
I have a solid team, that’s my confidence. We will be venturing into
territories that people haven’t ventured into before such as digital
advertising. Here, people mostly do the normal conventional advertising, but
now we have digital advertising that will help us take brands to new frontiers.
It’s going to be different; from the outlook, you will know that we are setting
up a modern infrastructure and the creativity is going to reflect the
environment.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few weeks after opening its doors to the
public, Xtreme Ideal already has its first client. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Interestingly, we’ve won the pitch for
Inbisco, an Indonesian FMCG company. They just gave us their candy segment and
we are expecting the brief. That’s our first client and you never forget your
first client. We just want to do something powerful and different.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued: “My dream is to build a
solid local network of agencies. Why can’t people get affiliated to us? Why
can’t we build a network in Togo, Benin and other African countries for them to
pay for affiliation? It is possible. We are much more focus in building a
strong local advertising brand that would become like the beacon across West
Africa and maybe Africa,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">IN the advertising
industry, Babaeko is a brand. An associate registered member of Advertising
Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), he has carved a niche for himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I didn’t wake up one day and said I
would turn myself into a brand, no. As advertising people, we are brand builders
and if you are helping others build their brands, what do you do with yourself?
It’s just being able to be myself and do all those things that make me happy.
It wasn’t deliberate,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And your dreads?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know how it is in Lagos; everybody
wears the same low cut, the same hairstyle. So, I wanted something else; I want
to look different. We are in the business of building perception and branding
for product, so, we are expected to create brands.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had the dread before joining
advertising?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had it long after I joined advertising; I
was like 10 years in the industry before I started growing dreads. As I started
getting into the senior management cadre, I wanted to distinguish myself from
all the many creative directors; I needed something to help me achieve that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What was the reaction of your colleagues?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF5dYjWxErIIxUpX5XChj8z-z6TNQQLU4fqPeN77I1I5WklnY9F5Do-pLd0Mis5F7rgrUpAt-DrfxMshM8K7ao7DjS1aUnxXpeoXYsvFgZeVoSPZ_lSit2Z4sCMTSAfriS8U3hCgcqgE/s1600/Steve+Babaeko.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwF5dYjWxErIIxUpX5XChj8z-z6TNQQLU4fqPeN77I1I5WklnY9F5Do-pLd0Mis5F7rgrUpAt-DrfxMshM8K7ao7DjS1aUnxXpeoXYsvFgZeVoSPZ_lSit2Z4sCMTSAfriS8U3hCgcqgE/s640/Steve+Babaeko.JPG" width="426" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, my boss then would look at me and
say, “Steve, are you sure you want to do this?’ I was like, ‘yea, it’s done
already, not like I’m still thinking of doing it.’ I think three to four months
after I did my dreadlocks, two other people in Prima Garnet did the same thing
and my boss was like, ‘see what you’ve caused?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has your dreadlocks ever been a sort of
hindrance in your line of duty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, it took a while before people
started accepting me with dreads; I was among the first set of Nigerians, who
dared to wear dreads. However, by the time they hear you talk and they knows
this guy know his job, all the stereotypes would disappear.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Obviously, Babaeko pays extra attention to
his hair, which has become a sort of identity to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you carry this type of hair, you don’t
need anybody to tell you to dress well. With this dreadlocks and you wear rags,
people would think you are not normal. So, you need to create contrast so that
people will look at you and say, ‘well, we don’t know why he’s wearing dreads,
but he looks cool.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MEANWHILE, the success story of Steve
Babaeko will not be complete without mentioning the role of his photographer
wife, who is like his solid rock.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To
be honest with you, I’ve always wanted to take this decision long time ago, but
she kept telling me, ‘no, don’t.’ Finally this year, she said ‘yes, you can.’
She’s my partner, my friend and I love her with all my heart. We took the
crucial decisions together because it’s a risk. At the end, I know my job and
finally, people, who know my worth, would come looking for me; that’s why I’m
doing this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"> </span></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
</div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-85011599262636218792012-07-27T11:54:00.002-07:002012-07-27T11:54:38.312-07:00The Big Sellout … A shot at corporate greed<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Omiko Awa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IN </span></b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">continuation of their monthly
collaborative film screening project, the Goethe-Institut and iREP Documentary
film forum recently presented <i>The Big Sellout</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, a </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">political</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
documentary </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to
an audience that cuts across different professions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The screening<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>supported as usual by the
Nigerian Film Corporation, NFC, which provided its screening hall at its Lagos
office in Ikoyi. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Directed by Florian Opitz and produced by
Felix Blum and Ame Ludwig, the film <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">shows
the damage irresponsible privatization of public utilities has caused in the
lives of people across the globe. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqOFzfMTTIerhEbd-IpYTLeNaGncVMUPY_IK80Q5LRo7IGQYVWBfx_u5z9CYIL3vJhrEcYzwTp6mWHW6LhKMXMbpkG7xLMX-jWwwJ7dRZQ-jaYusjJEJQhu8alKmFrCR6_QkYuKeK7tI/s1600/JOSEPH+STIGLITZ-+Nobel+Prize+winner+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqOFzfMTTIerhEbd-IpYTLeNaGncVMUPY_IK80Q5LRo7IGQYVWBfx_u5z9CYIL3vJhrEcYzwTp6mWHW6LhKMXMbpkG7xLMX-jWwwJ7dRZQ-jaYusjJEJQhu8alKmFrCR6_QkYuKeK7tI/s400/JOSEPH+STIGLITZ-+Nobel+Prize+winner+.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Big Sellout</span></i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="font-family: Times;">tells the tragic, tragicomic but also encouraging stories of everyday
life of people, who daily have to deal with the effects of the obnoxious policy
dictated by different international financial institutions such as the
International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and the World Trade Organisation
(WTO).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scriptwriter and director, Florian Opitz,
examines the effects of the big sellout— privatization— of basic public
services such as water supply, electricity, public transportation and even public
health care in South America, Asia, Africa as well as Europe and the US. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Opitz discovers that the promises made by
these organisations are nothing, but mere phrases among the people whom governments
in the different countries have said it would benefit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">SEGMENTED into different
episodes according each country’s problems, the film shows Opitz talk with the architects
of the new economic world order—privatization— as well as ordinary people in
the streets, who have to deal with the politics of the former. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tells the story of a South African
activist who helps poor families in Soweto, who are disconnected from
electricity by the to-be privatised electricity supplier ESKOM, because they
cannot afford to pay the high electricity bills anymore reconnect their lines.
Hunted by the Police and the company's security, he and his team of ‘guerilla’
electricians that illegally reconnect these families back are always
confronting the authorities whenever they meet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another episode is about a Philippine woman
living in Metro-Manila, a slum area, with her family. For years, she has been
struggling to get money for the dialysis her son needs, twice a week, to
survive; and if she doesn't succeed her son will die. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next in line is the protagonist, the
humorous British train driver and union activist. Having started his career in
the most efficient railway system in Europe, some years back, he finds out that
his company, which has been doing well, has as a result of privatization been fragmented
and run down. To salvage the situation, he takes to advocacy and fighting for
his colleagues, who have been facing more pressure from their private employers
over the years. The pressure mounted on the railway workers cause many some
psychological problems, thus leading to numerous deadly accidents in the
country. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last episode talks about the fight of
the Bolivian citizens of Cochabamba against a US corporation that wants to take
over the country’s municipal water supply. The attempted-takeover leads to the
people confronting government and the said company, in which tens of thousands
of the citizens fought against the Bolivian police and military. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though the film showcases the tragic failures
of privatisation across the globe, it however, highlights that there is hope if
only the people unite and stand up against a seemingly all-powerful enemy or
policy. It shows how such unity of purpose brings succour and makes governments
of the various countries in focus to either alleviate the desperate situations
or change the policy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the documentary, Joseph Stiglitz, one of
the world's best known economists and Nobel Prize winner for economics makes
viewers understand where the dogma of privatisation came from, who profits from
it and what societies stand to lose if followed without caution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With different storylines carefully
intertwined in a thrilling and compelling episodic structure, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Big Sellout </i>calls countries across
the globe to have a second look at policies from international and
multi-national organisations before embarking on them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">OPENING the floor for the
audience to comment on the film in line with happening across the world, the
people noted that education, advocacy and being resolute to a cause, mostly
against negative policies, is key to the development of a nation. The people,
in one voice, stated that most of the policies from these international
organisations are not always for the poor majority in the different countries
where they are implemented because the elite class do high jack them and called
for the formation of close knitted groups that would see the development and
progress of their different communities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commending</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Goethe-Institut Nigeria,</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> members of the audience called for the film to be taken round the
country and show in public places, including secondary and tertiary
institutions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-15566400096360993992012-07-26T23:02:00.000-07:002012-07-26T23:02:11.978-07:00Flawless, stylish… beauty is Ronke<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="st"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;">BY OYINDAMOLA LAWAL<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">RONKE
Ademiluyi is the brain behind African Fashion Week, London. In the last few
years, Ronke has proved that she is not only a style icon, but also, a trendsetter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pn0elI94hJrFDgYBtRC69WoRSsJ0wVUbQyF_2PFx8wcH-tWeaDhi_bVCUWpgPfDS6ysTyE5YZ3IUTCTSr8PmPGneuWkftGvy5y_jxAh_Fsv2lzjFdZ4hS1Z_U1FR0smU_gUtD03Dvg8/s1600/DSC03195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pn0elI94hJrFDgYBtRC69WoRSsJ0wVUbQyF_2PFx8wcH-tWeaDhi_bVCUWpgPfDS6ysTyE5YZ3IUTCTSr8PmPGneuWkftGvy5y_jxAh_Fsv2lzjFdZ4hS1Z_U1FR0smU_gUtD03Dvg8/s400/DSC03195.JPG" width="265" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having made a huge success as a clothier in the
country, the pretty lawyer decided to take her love for fashion to a new
dimension, promoting creative African designer</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">s</span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> in the international
market with her yearly Africa Fashion Week, London, which is set to hold on August
3<sup> </sup>and 4, 2012 at the London Spitalfield Market.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnCEia3HOVe4-8kBoZYSs0addUXN7ApGvwQuZslCYFi3u-NQHBVsQayS1zNu7m0IwbN1eUJT0KAq_Sg6z50JZQINOhgGwKJa8LvdbkITrjGnQ1KkIoQv51b8kNkzIAuQ9zmm84bzF-kc/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnCEia3HOVe4-8kBoZYSs0addUXN7ApGvwQuZslCYFi3u-NQHBVsQayS1zNu7m0IwbN1eUJT0KAq_Sg6z50JZQINOhgGwKJa8LvdbkITrjGnQ1KkIoQv51b8kNkzIAuQ9zmm84bzF-kc/s400/IMG_1427.JPG" width="266" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">With
all her tailored signature looks, Ronke’s style is something that</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> all</span><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">
can learn from.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Have a sense of style</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Create your own fashion and have your own
style, because it's not right to wear something that isn't you. It's often
better to have a basic personal style than to always be chasing the latest
‘fad’ look. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have good taste in
clothing. Like the lawyer-turned entrepreneur, be modest in clothing and avoid
clothing of bad taste. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyNQ6lBtKRXFdc5XXeXtW-WucDknJtGH_wTUrmAAVWfHRMxTdBIwbCox9LyW8kgpEyLlMpz1-WFIdyMInxp90Pu8yPW1Arf60aJeR-RelZ44VBgisleDnt-YI-AelpJDMGY8koT6Dgys/s1600/Ronke-15-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGyNQ6lBtKRXFdc5XXeXtW-WucDknJtGH_wTUrmAAVWfHRMxTdBIwbCox9LyW8kgpEyLlMpz1-WFIdyMInxp90Pu8yPW1Arf60aJeR-RelZ44VBgisleDnt-YI-AelpJDMGY8koT6Dgys/s400/Ronke-15-1.jpg" width="257" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Be conservative<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="st"><span style="font-family: Times;">The fair complexioned Chief Executive Officer of
Rukkies Boutique is indeed a trendsetter and follower, yet very conservative.
She says, “ </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">I follow the fashion trends of every season, but in a
conservative way.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-outline-level: 3; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Keeping it
clean and simple<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt; mso-para-margin-bottom: .01gd; mso-para-margin-left: 0cm; mso-para-margin-right: 0cm; mso-para-margin-top: .01gd;">
<span style="font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pretty damsel
knows that a clean and simple outfit can be incredibly elegant as well as very
trendy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVGCj3E2cuNFVtzspFZHrQB3idFPRUgbQTZFxwAj2tbRVVISrF58Hb9fppvlcGv1XO6STip8LAKzUHNBUssDrO2tFblu6y9IpLfkmqFnrK2mXS5qgu54ihhdnqEINermZAo7tKOyxTZs/s1600/6150643183_e6a6fc083a_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPVGCj3E2cuNFVtzspFZHrQB3idFPRUgbQTZFxwAj2tbRVVISrF58Hb9fppvlcGv1XO6STip8LAKzUHNBUssDrO2tFblu6y9IpLfkmqFnrK2mXS5qgu54ihhdnqEINermZAo7tKOyxTZs/s400/6150643183_e6a6fc083a_z.jpg" width="266" /></a><o:p> </o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"></span></h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;">
Dazzle in black<o:p></o:p></h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ronke’s favourite colour is black; like they
say, you cannot go wrong in black. Black is an all-around classic, and Ronke
certainly takes that to heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .1pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: .1pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Knee length
dresses rocks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is advisable to dress yourself in the way </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">you</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> will be comfortable. Ronke’s favourite piece of
clothing is knee length dresses, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;">they</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> make
her comfortable, chic and elegant. Knee length dresses end up being effortless
to wear, as they are comfortable tending to be matched with either sandals,
flats, high heel slides or boots.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> <br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]-->
<!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY33-ZTV-qiaBX5XULikBgL-5cmwdHNfdGMES1U4EBvfNbKaSU5bovaDsHv_P5sktvl8uBb400c9aqrMhtzCIRZ97Xlx2H2dYCNYdEbgXcpxGfJLzDhQlAPEfLn2LQfvTSjUKqUUaGrYw/s1600/Ronke+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY33-ZTV-qiaBX5XULikBgL-5cmwdHNfdGMES1U4EBvfNbKaSU5bovaDsHv_P5sktvl8uBb400c9aqrMhtzCIRZ97Xlx2H2dYCNYdEbgXcpxGfJLzDhQlAPEfLn2LQfvTSjUKqUUaGrYw/s400/Ronke+2.jpg" width="266" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Rock the scent<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">S</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">o </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">P</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">retty by
Cartier does the magic for her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Let the design speak<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocdNGB2vNkP5YY8RwKkikLCRDeRtVop8u9RVfV0U4_2OAN-fnPYwM94EsXVG3ZZvzbrJlHtTPJEM0C7WFW30tgoGrzHkoQlGgpFMTQd6jXqzb2JlzidJXYnDsKZqFmHJ2W80mRuW1ARM/s1600/IMG_1019a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocdNGB2vNkP5YY8RwKkikLCRDeRtVop8u9RVfV0U4_2OAN-fnPYwM94EsXVG3ZZvzbrJlHtTPJEM0C7WFW30tgoGrzHkoQlGgpFMTQd6jXqzb2JlzidJXYnDsKZqFmHJ2W80mRuW1ARM/s400/IMG_1019a.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She discloses, “I honestly
do not have a favourite designer, if I like a design, I just buy, not
necessarily because of the name. What interests me is the design itself.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiQE90aFbEeMcqLQI31jq96G_lvLiimeRxcZDPMdqy5Astn5L3rFfxZqp5tN0OidbDav81npxN7xZto5o8e7K7duVAnoSi0nHWrHO-hbmpycj83v8Llag6xaUfi2maOTmjtfl2ezIaW0/s1600/Ronke+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLiQE90aFbEeMcqLQI31jq96G_lvLiimeRxcZDPMdqy5Astn5L3rFfxZqp5tN0OidbDav81npxN7xZto5o8e7K7duVAnoSi0nHWrHO-hbmpycj83v8Llag6xaUfi2maOTmjtfl2ezIaW0/s400/Ronke+3.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Wow with accessories<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ronke’s favourite accessory
is her Rolex wristwatch, but one fashion piece that she cannot leave the house
without is, her handbag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA-QcCDal6GAIeTUKvblWrmtqGYSP3XnXi6qwyPTzTSKZhO0pku5sMDelYngjdKhEe0n0vFU-D22BTrv5W4tQfyZ2ud8oFb2R6IxP7F3IMUIaG9waAYrrei0A8meRwjFVAwqU1clpBtY/s1600/thumb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNA-QcCDal6GAIeTUKvblWrmtqGYSP3XnXi6qwyPTzTSKZhO0pku5sMDelYngjdKhEe0n0vFU-D22BTrv5W4tQfyZ2ud8oFb2R6IxP7F3IMUIaG9waAYrrei0A8meRwjFVAwqU1clpBtY/s400/thumb2.jpg" width="265" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">All Rukkies<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boutique owner does
her shopping in her boutique, Rukkies in Lagos. She adds, “Charity begins at
home.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Obagi, the secret of her flawless touch<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span class="st"><span style="font-family: Times;">For over 20 years, Dr. Zein </span></span><em><span style="font-family: Times;">Obagi</span></em><span class="st"><span style="font-family: Times;"> has been leading the skin care industry with the </span></span><em><span style="font-family: Times;">Obagi</span></em><span class="st"><span style="font-family: Times;"> products for anti-ageing and skin health. </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Obagi skin care offers several condition-specific
skin treatments to gently yet aggressively help treat your skin concerns. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><i><span style="font-family: Times;">Obagi</span></i><span style="font-family: Times;"> is a
world-renowned brand with one of the highest rates of efficacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wonder, the secret behind Ronke’s
flawless skin, it is Obagi.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-11156250519408914462012-07-26T22:45:00.000-07:002012-07-26T22:45:08.949-07:00Adams… promoting reggae with the Republik<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By Omiko Awa</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With over three decades in the United States of America,
where apart from promoting artistes, organizing shows and running other
businesses, which include mortgage and telecom, Adams Kelly Salaam, recently
came<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>home to do what he has been
doing in God’s own country in Nigeria and to mentor the youths. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Determined to up
the stead in showbizness in the country, the State University, New York,
Finance graduate formed Bryze Entertainment, an outfit through which he
mentors, manages and promotes artistes, old and new, and as well rekindle the
love for reggae music. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do feel coming
home to find that the Nigerian entertainment sector has changed? He says, “it is
like night and day. I left the country thinking Nigeria is there with music,
but coming home I discovered we are not even there; we have rather allowed hip
pop to dominate the scene. So, coming home, it was like trying to carve a path
for reggae music to grow. So, I am happy that we have begun to understand that
entertainment can bring in money and create a whole lot of empowerment for the
youth and, of course, help a lot of people to stand on their own. However, I
must point out that we have not even scratched the surface of our entertainment
industry, for countries like the US for the huge revenue in the industry give
it due attention and make laws that protects the artistes.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJfK8XVyIEQ2PrIkFQ_srheskWd3pZ6EeY8WekGZXNRbDcOrmgDjdJOUR25Waok6VLDJ_K2TFTsrF_pRPPj9HT7Ie0dLPi9iz8osFbzJnO7IS4rSewbD1kAaT-NjxF8sODVF00H2agjA/s1600/DSC_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJfK8XVyIEQ2PrIkFQ_srheskWd3pZ6EeY8WekGZXNRbDcOrmgDjdJOUR25Waok6VLDJ_K2TFTsrF_pRPPj9HT7Ie0dLPi9iz8osFbzJnO7IS4rSewbD1kAaT-NjxF8sODVF00H2agjA/s640/DSC_3537.JPG" width="424" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a person with
his type of background in the telecom and mortgage sectors, one would have
expected him to go into either of the sectors, but the returnee sticks to
music; but why music?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“</b>It’s my passion, we need to understand
that in life there is a point you get and you begin to understand where you are
suppose to go. Of course, there is this believe that as a boy growing up with
strict parents, the first model to them is education. It was on that premise
that I decide to study something to satisfy my parents, but after graduating
and having my degree I went for my passion — showbiz. I realized that I
have more to do for music and entertainment than working in the bank or in any
other industry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Though I have worked in
the financial and telecom sectors in the US and even own a real estate and
mortgage company there, my passion lays in music and I have come back to
contribute my quota,” he says.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
October 1, 2010, Adams lighted up the entertainment scene by organizing <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reggae Carnival</i> at
Oniru beach, Lagos. This attracted a large turn out of people who have been
longing to see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jah</i> people do their
thing in our country. With the success of the maiden edition and consequently
the second outing held, last year, at the National Stadium, Lagos, the music
fest has come to stay as a yearly event, as plans are on to hold the third
edition come October 1, aside from making it a global fest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
resting on his success, the show promoter has gone a step further to establish
a borderless republic known as<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Reggae
Republik </i>on radio.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reggae Republik?</i> “It is an interactive
forum on radio, where upcoming reggae artistes and, of course, the old ones are
invited to speak on the music. Here, different reggae artistes tell the
audience how they feel about the music and why nobody seems be hearing about
them. We established it, not only to rekindle the love of the music in the
people, but to take reggae to another level, to make it be at par with
international standard.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continues, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">“</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reggae
Republik </i>is solely my idea. It’s a product of the few things I discovered
in the Nigerian music industry. I realized that the love of the music is
weaning, so I decided to revive it by bringing reggae artistes from different
places across the globe to talk on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rainbow
94.1 FM</i> every Sunday from 4pm to 6pm. It is a call-in programme that allows
people to make their contributions and ask questions about the music,” he says.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commenting on the
radio show, Adams informs, “the responses we get from the audience is unbelievable.
Though it is an entertainment platform, we still counsel and enlighten people on
life. There are a lot of talented reggae artistes in Nigeria that people do not
even have the opportunity to see or hear, less interacting with them, but with
the radio show it becomes an easy thing. People from other countries across the
globe can also participate in the show by logging onto <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">www.rainbo-fm.com</i> to listen to us live.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y7PrUqglFwDzWqKlLGDO73vB_Xy4GbIHcwNtKx96IMC9RqZ57yLvtsFGtd_3pPmc5F3OM8WDC1hFQ51tc8P3cQXTvJhuOg1rsNQzZWxLIbDDSCodp9db9_YhfzZnlw3PSdYwkqRNOIs/s1600/DSC_3540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Y7PrUqglFwDzWqKlLGDO73vB_Xy4GbIHcwNtKx96IMC9RqZ57yLvtsFGtd_3pPmc5F3OM8WDC1hFQ51tc8P3cQXTvJhuOg1rsNQzZWxLIbDDSCodp9db9_YhfzZnlw3PSdYwkqRNOIs/s640/DSC_3540.JPG" width="338" /></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Comparing reggae
to hip hop, don’t you think reggae is fast losing its grip?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>Adams retorts,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> “</b>one thing I know for sure is that
reggae is here because people are really doing it. Listen to somebody like
2Face, he might not come to declare that he is a reggae artiste, but his
lyrical content and sometime his rhythm have a flavour of reggae. However, Nigeria
is a funny society that moves towards anything in vogue. We believe so much on
quick returns on investment, which is one of the things killing us. We must learn
to grow things like seed; throw a seed on the ground, you don’t expect it to
germinate immediately. For the fact that hip hop is all over the place people
began to think reggae is dead in the country, but if you go back to all the hip
hop artistes you will see a bit of reggae in what they are doing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most artistes would want to do hip pop for the
monetary returns, but the fact remains that Nigerians want reggae because we
have hundreds of thousand of people following the music based on the findings
of our radio show.“<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the show you must then be managing a lot
of reggae artistes. Adams disagrees, “presently, I am managing only Precious
Stone. He has been here for a while and nobody seems to hear or listen to him,
but thank God for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reggae Republik</i> that
gave him and the like of Pato Ranking, King Wadyda, Rockman and other artistes the
platform to come on board. I know as I am mentioning these names you would be
asking who are these fellows, because nobody is tapping into them to understand
that these artistes are tuning out one of the best reggae music you can ever
listen to in the country by their personal efforts.” He adds,” we have the
likes of the late Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, I Roy, U Roy, Johnny Nash, Jimmy
Cliff and others in Nigeria, but they have not been given the platform until
now to showcase their talents. No matter what, we must note that these artistes
are on their own using their songs to unite the country. Take a song like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bind Us Together</i> from Precious Stone; it
can be a national anthem, especially with what is happening in the country, now,
with the Boko Haram thing. The lyrics talk about who we are, our sameness and
whether we like it or not that we must bind ourselves together as one invisible
nation.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And your dreadlock? “Oh, it’s a<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>fashion dread, you don’t have to be a
dreadlock to do reggae. Though I love other genres of music, I seriously
believe in what reggae artistes believe in — human rights, anti
imperialism, anti-colonialism, civil rights, love, living together and others.
For, we either live together or perish together.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-30821636026033608192012-07-03T13:27:00.001-07:002012-07-26T22:38:43.963-07:00‘Why we are bidding for Port Harcourt as World Book Capital’, by Kalango<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">SOME women
stand out. Some others are outstanding. Koko Kalango is one of the few women
who combine both traits.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> The founder of Rainbow Book Club, Kalango,
does not only stand out in her pursuit of academic excellence, but is
outstanding in her vision of getting Nigerians to read.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0V4rQJ0Odpj49VkK5ZX_MvodBYaTJbTbck5cbha6ZSO14UWv0r62_auJ16cky3bjpXckSPCGvVcQ-EmXblT4wbTrMsTqehyFbp2gNugr6JQUEEYRZkr1IEYBdmG6AllhKbQs6iSNQaI/s1600/pic+1.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0V4rQJ0Odpj49VkK5ZX_MvodBYaTJbTbck5cbha6ZSO14UWv0r62_auJ16cky3bjpXckSPCGvVcQ-EmXblT4wbTrMsTqehyFbp2gNugr6JQUEEYRZkr1IEYBdmG6AllhKbQs6iSNQaI/s400/pic+1.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px;">Koko Kalango</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> In the last seven years, she has altered the
course of book in the country, flying from Port Harcourt to major cities in
Nigeria, showing a zeal for book never seen before.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b> </b>In 2005, the Rainbow Book
Club took on the challenge of reviving the dying reading culture in Nigeria.
Through various instruments, the club has worked to make this dream a reality:
by facilitating and running book clubs, hosting authors, organising various
literary activities, publicising good books through our book-of-the-month,
running workshops for teachers, holding a yearly writing competition and
getting leaders to read to children. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">From </span><i>Get Nigeria Reading
again</i>!’ campaign to <i>Book-of-the Month,</i>
<i>Leaders Read’ project</i> and <i>The Garden City Literary Festival</i>, her
mission has been to encourage reading as a lifestyle, particularly among
children in Nigeria.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her new goal is
simple in its definition: Port Harcourt must be World Book Capital (WBC) in
2014.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Considering the
caliber of cities bidding for the hosting right<span style="font-family: Times;">
</span>such as Oxford, England; <span style="font-family: Times;">Vilnius in
Lithuania and Pula in Croatia,</span> it seems a very big challenge. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the lady is
convinced that no other city deserves the bragging right more.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You ask, ‘<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Why Port Harcourt?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> “Why not Port Harcourt?” she protests,
raising a quizzical eyebrow. “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">The city has a long history in literary
traditions and has served as a haven for writers for decades. In the 70s, it
had a vibrant cultural centre in the Old Port Harcourt Town that provided
entertainment and education through plays directed by the likes of Comish Ekiye
with an illustrious cast that included actors such as Doye Agama, Barbara Soki
and Aso Douglas. More importantly, some of the early renowned educational
institutes in Nigeria such as the Okrika Grammar School and the Archdeacon
Crowther Memorial Girls Secondary School were very active in promoting
literature in the city.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzXD5C4IN-YzBbVBg1HlqkX3mQ8MeNsRvX0X2QyCokoqtzOHbDtj8M_4nugoQwGbKumHtXS0FmxyGsb9FxQn-6aCQldOZHLdrVvpAKolVQhBXq2jE9bULL5a1Y4JQdpq0EtuIS6M9NNo/s1600/_MG_0219.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzXD5C4IN-YzBbVBg1HlqkX3mQ8MeNsRvX0X2QyCokoqtzOHbDtj8M_4nugoQwGbKumHtXS0FmxyGsb9FxQn-6aCQldOZHLdrVvpAKolVQhBXq2jE9bULL5a1Y4JQdpq0EtuIS6M9NNo/s400/_MG_0219.jpg" width="253" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span>
Wearing a luminous smile, Kalango says proudly, “today, the city hosts one
of the biggest book events in the continent —<i>The Garden City Literary Festival</i> — alongside other literary events
during the year.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Looking glowingly pretty, she says, wistfully, “the city will serve as an ideal host for the 2014 World Book
Capital. It is home to diverse groups of authors, including the novelist Elechi
Amadi and poet Gabriel Okara, as well as renowned historians such as Robin
Horton and E. J. Alagoa. Also of note is that Port Harcourt represents the rich
duality of Nigerian and African literary cultures; the legacy of colonialism
and its impact on language, culture and society and the heritage of triumph in
the struggle for equity, peace and justice.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Glancing around her office in Falomo, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos, Kalango
recounts, “Nigeria has given the world great writers such as Wole Soyinka, the
first person of African descent to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, Chinua
Achebe, author of the most widely read book by an African, <i>Things Fall
Apart, </i>Ken Saro-Wiwa, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Ben Okri, Amadi and many
others; Port Harcourt, as the World Book Capital, will not only highlight the
past achievements of this region, but will also enrich the current learning
climate towards an even greater era of literature.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">FOR the founder
of Rainbow Book Club, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Nigeria’s literary tradition, which has enriched global book
culture, can serve as a driving force for a new literary ‘renaissance’ in the
continent. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0V4rQJ0Odpj49VkK5ZX_MvodBYaTJbTbck5cbha6ZSO14UWv0r62_auJ16cky3bjpXckSPCGvVcQ-EmXblT4wbTrMsTqehyFbp2gNugr6JQUEEYRZkr1IEYBdmG6AllhKbQs6iSNQaI/s1600/pic+1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0V4rQJ0Odpj49VkK5ZX_MvodBYaTJbTbck5cbha6ZSO14UWv0r62_auJ16cky3bjpXckSPCGvVcQ-EmXblT4wbTrMsTqehyFbp2gNugr6JQUEEYRZkr1IEYBdmG6AllhKbQs6iSNQaI/s320/pic+1.jpg" width="220" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Signalling to her staff to get water, she brings out some documents to
show her guest. The lady, who has equal part admiration and astonishment for
her passion, begins to r</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">eel out statistics: “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Nigeria has a
population of about 155 million people. With approximately 800 million people
living in sub-Saharan Africa, this means one out of five Africans is a
Nigerian. In addition, 70 per cent of Nigeria's population is under the age of
35.”</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
She says with a brightened expression, “by serving as the host for WBC
2014, with a focus on youth, Port Harcourt will demonstrate what is possible in
the African context. This positive step towards meeting a pressing development
need among the world’s illiterate population will have a ripple effect in other
areas as the HIV/AIDS awareness and the United Nations Millennium Development
Goals. More specifically, it will galvanise stakeholders to address the wide
array of challenges that confront the African book and reading culture, which
include low school enrolment, high levels of literacy and limited availability
of books. We believe that once the young people of Nigeria are empowered
through reading, they can act as an army of change agents not only in Nigeria,
but also across the continent.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
She takes a deep breath, and sips from the glass of water in her front.
Giving an engaging smile, Kalango says enthusiastically, “with a focus on
children and youth, a wide variety of programmes have been planned that will
run through the World Book Capital City 2014 and 2015 year.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0V4rQJ0Odpj49VkK5ZX_MvodBYaTJbTbck5cbha6ZSO14UWv0r62_auJ16cky3bjpXckSPCGvVcQ-EmXblT4wbTrMsTqehyFbp2gNugr6JQUEEYRZkr1IEYBdmG6AllhKbQs6iSNQaI/s1600/pic+1.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0V4rQJ0Odpj49VkK5ZX_MvodBYaTJbTbck5cbha6ZSO14UWv0r62_auJ16cky3bjpXckSPCGvVcQ-EmXblT4wbTrMsTqehyFbp2gNugr6JQUEEYRZkr1IEYBdmG6AllhKbQs6iSNQaI/s400/pic+1.jpg" width="275" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
The planned activities and all their components, she says with aplomb, are
in conformity with principles of freedom of expression, freedom to publish and
to distribute information, as stated in the UNESCO Constitution.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> Being
mindful of the fact that writers all over the world are mostly in danger due to
the peculiar nature of their profession, the proposal for Port Harcourt as the
World Book Capital of 2014 lays emphasis on the protection of the rights of
writers and book publishing companies in line with their fundamental right to
publish and distribute cultural and educational materials. The programme on
copyright, piracy and sanctity of the written word in Nigeria will draw
attention to the dignity of the end product of literary activities to the
extent that they are protected and their values restored appropriately within
the confines of the time and energy devoted to their production.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
The mixture of good education and training sits easily on her shoulder.
For someone with a brilliant idea of how to empower the youth through books,
2014 to 2015 will truly celebrate a ‘renascent’ Africa.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Weaving a smile, which glistens, the warm hearted Kalango says, “this
proposal, in its concepts and themes, is geared towards the cultural education
of society employing the concept of culture, creativity and memory with
relations to achieving order both in thought and in action by a wide range of
organisations and individuals towards, which this project is targeted. The
authors, icons, government institutions, students and ordinary lovers of
literature and arts will share and benefit from the activities and programmes
arising out of the themes, the concept and motifs of the proposal.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
She says encouragingly, while sipping from the glass of water in her
front, the year will kick off with weeklong activities that will have the country’s
President in attendance to create awareness. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> There
will be a theme song competition. Popular Nigerian artists will perform this
song at the opening ceremony. Also planned are opening of the multi-purpose
Garden City Library Complex, a national symposium with the topic, <i>Books: Windows to the World</i>, performance
of a drama,<i> Along Came the Book,</i> that
will trace the history of books and the reading culture in Nigeria. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> <i>Celebrities Love to Read</i>, where authors,
poets, celebrities from film, music, sports, as well as the business
communities will read to children at strategic locations across the city, including
schools and libraries is also on board. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> <i>Culture, Tradition and African Literary
Renaissance: A Roundtable Discussion with Young African Authors,</i> where a
prominent Nigerian author will be invited to give the keynote a on this subject
to be followed by discussion on the role of culture in literary traditions and
its impact on the successive generations of writers by young African authors.
At the end of the discussion, a communiqué for action will be issued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
“The proposed events have been arranged to draw in participation from
various sectors of society including the popular music, film and sports sector,
as well as civil society and grassroots organisations, schools, the public and
the private sector,” Kalango says proudly, raising her eyebrows, meaningfully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">WITH an intelligent face, dark hair and
engaging smile, Kalango says soothingly, “consultations across various
stakeholders including writers and publishers associations, government agencies
and literary enthusiasts have garnered significant support for the hosting of
the World Book Capital in Port Harcourt. In addition, the governor of Rivers State,
himself a literary enthusiast, has constituted a dynamic team, which includes
private sector and civil society organisations, galvanised by Rainbow Book
Club, who will drive the activities for 2014. This team will generate financial
support that will enable it effectively cover all the costs associated with the
programmes for 2014.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
The passion-driven lady lets out a giggle, “2014 will be exciting for
book in the country if Port Harcourt is chosen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> The
soft-spoken lady says, “in the week leading up to World Book and Copyright Day
2015, Port Harcourt will again hold events to round off the World Book Capital
year activities and initiatives. This celebration will feature: Port Harcourt
World Book Capital Awards (in recognition of the role they have played to
ensure the success of the yearlong programme and in promoting the books as our
window to a world of opportunities, awards would be given to deserving
individuals, schools, libraries, media, civil society organizations and other
strategic partners). </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> An
exhibition entitled, <i>Possibilities</i>, which
will showcase writings, poems and artwork by children and the youth that have
been inspired by the theme of the World Book Capital and others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Heading into the year will be monthly readings. Each month, the author
of the book-of-the-month will be invited to the city to interact with readers
and do book signings. Participants will be able to interact with the authors
and engage them in discussions on their books.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
The 2014 <i>Garden City Literary
Festival</i> will have an even bigger audience. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> This
weeklong festival features an array of local, national and international
writers and their works. It will explore the major themes of the World Book
Capital programme with a diversity of participants from across the continent,
events for children, writers’ workshops, drama performances and symposia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzXD5C4IN-YzBbVBg1HlqkX3mQ8MeNsRvX0X2QyCokoqtzOHbDtj8M_4nugoQwGbKumHtXS0FmxyGsb9FxQn-6aCQldOZHLdrVvpAKolVQhBXq2jE9bULL5a1Y4JQdpq0EtuIS6M9NNo/s1600/_MG_0219.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzXD5C4IN-YzBbVBg1HlqkX3mQ8MeNsRvX0X2QyCokoqtzOHbDtj8M_4nugoQwGbKumHtXS0FmxyGsb9FxQn-6aCQldOZHLdrVvpAKolVQhBXq2jE9bULL5a1Y4JQdpq0EtuIS6M9NNo/s400/_MG_0219.jpg" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 16px;">Koko Kalango</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> <i>Rainbow Reading Tree</i>, a graded reading
scale, which encourages youngsters to read a book a week over the year, is also
planned.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> “As
participants climb the tree, and successfully complete stipulated books
appropriate to their age group at the required time, they would receive
rewards/recognition,” Kalango offers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Also planned is the Library Support Programme. The Rivers State government
has recently renovated over 100 public primary and secondary schools and each
of these schools is equipped with a modern library. A book donation programme
will be set up and individuals, faith-based organisations and private
organisations would be encouraged to donate books or funds, which will be given
to these libraries. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
She says, “part of this drive will be to solicit for volunteers to teach
in an adult literacy programme, which can be hosted in the public libraries.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
There is a pregnant pause. Kalango breathes heavily and smiles, as she
scrapes in words to fill the void. “Part of the World Book Capital activities
will be the establishment of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Writer/Martyrs Memorial Square
to be located in a central point in Port Harcourt. The Square will commemorate
the life and work of this illustrious writer and environmental activist who was
‘judicially murdered’ in 1995 by the military government of the time. Apart
from this, it will serve as a worthy commemoration and celebration for other
fallen Nigerian writers. The day would also be marked by symposia and
discussions,” she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
Kalango also reveals that WBC 2014 will be an opportunity to introduce a
writers’ residency programme. Applications will be invited from established and
aspiring writers to a one-year residency programme in Port Harcourt at the end
of which they will be expected to write stories with themes on ‘possibilities’
for the Niger Delta. These stories would be published in an anthology.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> “</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">As Nigeria turns 100, Port Harcourt will launch
a nation-wide essay contest. The winner of the contest will have the unique
opportunity of presenting his or her paper during the World Book Capital
closing ceremonies in March 2015,” she grins ruefully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">‘</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-51719431674521350262012-07-03T13:16:00.001-07:002012-07-03T13:16:09.532-07:00Jimi Solanke @ 70… ‘I’m so much afraid of God now’<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Arial";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Georgia";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfpHGAbPVm7Ox4smde8zLk_DZ1pDG2ML-0LvKrMJUC6HZ2nlfmXgwPtttpFFccfP-JpsZ9piQtLV02vVEGVn9IgQZ9Ng_8j-gNfVRkATTs6CEFkh4tVtObxBD4yjU6eKwPqmsZTnLDzk/s1600/Jimi+Solanke+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b></b></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"></span></b>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><b>BY CHUKS NWANNE</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">LATER</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"> this
evening, the enigmatic playwright, actor and folk music artiste, Jimi Solanke,
will go live on stage in a concert at the EniObanke Arts Centre, GRA, Ikeja,
Lagos. The gig, which will also feature other notable artiste is organised to
mark Solanke’s 70<sup>th</sup> birthday anniversary. For sure, with his
baritone voice and traditional gaits, Solanke would surely sing out his heart
today, to thank God for seeing him through the years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“I’m so much afraid of God now; when I look
at all the challenges I’ve overcome in my life, I know that God truly loves
me,” he said in a telephone chat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>For many, attaining 70 calls for a big
celebration, but to Solanke, it is a time for deep reflection.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Just recently, I listened to a work we did
in 2004 for <i>BBC</i> and I discovered that
most of the people I worked with on that production are today, dead. You talk
about people like the palm wine guitarist, Alaba Pedro, saxophonist Maliki
Showman … and I called my wife immediately and said to her, ‘let us pray.’ It
is not by my powers that I’m still alive; it’s been a very long journey,” he
said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfpHGAbPVm7Ox4smde8zLk_DZ1pDG2ML-0LvKrMJUC6HZ2nlfmXgwPtttpFFccfP-JpsZ9piQtLV02vVEGVn9IgQZ9Ng_8j-gNfVRkATTs6CEFkh4tVtObxBD4yjU6eKwPqmsZTnLDzk/s1600/Jimi+Solanke+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfpHGAbPVm7Ox4smde8zLk_DZ1pDG2ML-0LvKrMJUC6HZ2nlfmXgwPtttpFFccfP-JpsZ9piQtLV02vVEGVn9IgQZ9Ng_8j-gNfVRkATTs6CEFkh4tVtObxBD4yjU6eKwPqmsZTnLDzk/s640/Jimi+Solanke+3.jpg" width="412" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>At his age, nothing changes for Solanke,
who has promised to give his best today on stage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Nothing actually changed; I still do a
lot of things I used to do. Maybe because I’m used to using all my body in
performance, I don’t feel anything. I still sit down with the younger
generation and I still remember time and dates. However, within me, I know that
old age has set in,” he said in that husky voice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Having live for 70 years on earth, the
veteran artiste has learnt a lot about life, which he now shares with the
youths.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Life has taught me to be hardworking, to
be Godly and to be trusting. In the last 40 years of our marriage, we’ve not
had any quarrel because we’ve learnt to trust.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>To the energetic performer, contentment
should be the watchword for every youngman.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“You must be contented with whatever you
have,” he charged. “The truth is that contentment forms the basis of life; once
you are contented, other things will come.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>If given the opportunity to relive his
life, </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">the
Ipara Remo-born artiste, said,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"> “I will like to come back in form of Jimi Solanke. I have no single
regret about my life because I see the hand of God in it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>However, if there’s any regret in Solanke’s
life, it has to do with starting his career late.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“I have a feeling that I started
performing late; I would have loved it if I had started out much earlier than I
did.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">THOUGH naturally talented, Solanke </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">wormed himself to the hearts of many
through his various children programmes, especially <i>Storyland,</i> which used to be very prominent on government and
private television stations in Nigeria. A lonely child, many had tipped young
Jimi to become an engineer, but he ended up a great performer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>“I am sure it is destiny because as a child, I was technically oriented
and so my intention was to become an engineer. Then, I used to repair,
dismantle and assemble objects. I used to do movies using candles and have
other children watch while I played the role of a narrator. I never knew, I
could end up a performing artiste.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>Along the line, Solanke’s uncle, who owned a casting company then,
appointed him assistant technical officer, as a way of helping him develop what
was believed to be his calling. Just as it looked like the coast was clear, the
arts came calling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>“Whenever I got home then and I saw my hands soiled in oil and gum, I
would just shake my head and put off. Meanwhile, I was getting more popular
with a variety show on the radio then and the personage that was accompanying
it was also soothing. At that point, I would do anything to avoid going to one
paper printing press that would merely soil my hands. It wasn’t long before I
started dodging work.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>With his tricks, young Jimi got reported to his uncle, who insisted he
must conform to his wishes or leave his home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>“Of course, I left and ended up in my friends’ house. There and then, my
vision for theatre arts became clearer and the liberty his (uncle’s) order
provided linked me up with the likes of Tunji Oyelana, Yomi Obileye, Yewande
Akinbo and other top artistes. Within the shortest period of time, I started
singing and getting recorded by Roy Chicago, Rex Williams, having credit as a
songwriter. I later got involved in drama,” he recalled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXxlRUQL6UXg0HY_2tQ7xfpm1VxnFSyXjC8morQL-Ug1kivjdNgaIZQFH_1kyoX1V8tqBtKow1dAsyqfD4P_LnQp-cnfpmrm5XuQcUOSnGR-9hjJUqqi7AcmV3vCmxtMnK6ET2iljwAg/s1600/DSC_0835.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXxlRUQL6UXg0HY_2tQ7xfpm1VxnFSyXjC8morQL-Ug1kivjdNgaIZQFH_1kyoX1V8tqBtKow1dAsyqfD4P_LnQp-cnfpmrm5XuQcUOSnGR-9hjJUqqi7AcmV3vCmxtMnK6ET2iljwAg/s640/DSC_0835.JPG" width="424" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>As a performing artiste, Solanke pays more attention to children, who
were part of his programmes on TV.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“I
got drawn to them, especially when I travelled to America. The Europeans, by
their own standard, put a lot of beneficial inputs into their kiddies
programmes unlike what we have in Nigeria. It was with this notion that I took
off with <i>Storyland</i> and others. The
intention was to replay any part of this nation with the deep knowledge of that
part. We tried to make it culturally, educationally and morally rich.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">His driving force on focusing on the Kids, he clearly stated this way: “<span>I believe the future of any nation is in the
hands of her youths and if these youths are not well managed when they were
kids, that particular nation may be living a bleak future for.”<i> </i></span> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span>
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 16pt;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To Solanke, the popularity of the show is
not unconnected with the story telling approach and the ability to draw graphical
illustration to accompany the story.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>“We had recorded two episodes in Jos, at the Plateau Radio Television
(PRTV), and when we all came back to watch the two episodes, everyone had
agreed that the programme was good and was already on air. It was when those
people got back to Lagos that they spoke about it and they had to call me back
to come and start the programmes there. I enjoyed doing it because children
everywhere appreciated my cultural interactions in their life.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>Though not a rosy experience, the passion for the arts kept Solanke
going all these years.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>“Then, I would leave Ife to Lagos and in two to three days we had not
recorded two episodes. It was time, mental and energy consuming, but I managed
to survive. You have to keep on reading and thinking, not just the ordinary
way, but in the most outstanding and creative way. This, as you would agree
with me, does not come very cheap.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">Meeting Mrs. Solanke</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>I
met her when I came back from America. As soon as I returned, I started having
shows here and there. My first show was a children’s show at the University of
Lagos and Lagos Television Station (LTV 8). People came and it was that show
that we transported into <i>Family Face</i>
until NTA asked me to come and do a workshop, which actually made me popular. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>Before then, I was still working at the department of dramatic arts when
suddenly, I ran into her. Somehow, I was very angry at talking or having an
affair with her, but she was different. I had a lot of them coming to visit me
in my house, but the first day she got there, she showed her uniqueness, all
the leftover plates that other girls used, she washed without showing any hard
feeling. I was surprised that a young lady like her could do all that; she
didn’t even eat out of what she cooked. She cleaned the whole living room and
the entire house. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>When she was coming the second time, she insisted on stocking the house
with necessary foodstuff and the like. As far as she believed, we were wasting
all our money on irrelevant things. She was not only furious about her findings
in my kitchen; she was disappointed. She only found cartons of beer, empty
crates of soft drinks and containers. There was nothing inside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span>The Saturday after, she forced me to the market, bought some foodstuff
and cooked soup and food for us to eat. She doesn’t eat outside, that was her
reason; and so, we went to the market and before I could mention Jack Robinson,
we had bought stove, gas cooker and even fridge, which only cost about N13,000
in those days. I am talking about 1983. From then on, my house took a new
shape, it became a place where I could come back to eat, have clean and already
boiled water to drink; my life generally took a better turn. I thought this was
getting serious and was actually helpless; that was how I got trapped. It was
like caging a lion; she was so special. Even when other girls were inviting her
out to the club, she would not listen; eventually she was the one that stayed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">Jimi Solanke… The man, the Father </span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">BY TAIWO SOLANKE </span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiRzZulmCq6tcVOdlQ2tkuR2yo-XJgYAZbq45J5srMoRl1iWHMOLCA9shEd5Z6xy6Bn4jX-NqgvL4iNDWDAvML7isqaYlvyIsdOqzhrzBTEd1niZVNjIHFGWvfXJ3H4PlHnXqU1Kn6sg/s1600/jimi+solanke.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiRzZulmCq6tcVOdlQ2tkuR2yo-XJgYAZbq45J5srMoRl1iWHMOLCA9shEd5Z6xy6Bn4jX-NqgvL4iNDWDAvML7isqaYlvyIsdOqzhrzBTEd1niZVNjIHFGWvfXJ3H4PlHnXqU1Kn6sg/s640/jimi+solanke.JPG" width="424" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">How and where do I
start to reflect on the enigma called Baba Agba, or as I fondly call him ‘my
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">aburo’? My dad’s relationship with me, for as long as I can remember has been
that of an older protective brother, always there with a listening ear, words
of advice and encouragement! I can say on behalf of my siblings and myself that
he’s the first best friend we all have; there’s never a dull moment around him.
He’s not one to impose his beliefs or opinions on his children, though he
involves/exposes them to his craft, his teachings are more about the benefits
of hard work, dedication, being and staying principled and most of all enjoying
and loving whatever you do!<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>I believe I have the <i>coolest</i> dad in the world, as attested to by all my friends who
consider ‘my aburo’ their dad or uncle, till date.<span> </span>A lot of my friends remember times shared
with him, case in point, I remember a day a few of my friends ran into him at
the Students Union Building, University of Ibadan, as we sat down he asked what
we would like to drink. I ordered an alcoholic beverage whilst my friends were
asking for soda, my dad looked at them and said, ‘ok what, so only my son
drinks alcohol? I don’t believe you people.’ He tells a joke and by the end of
the evening, everybody had his brand of alcohol; he has a knack for making
everyone around him comfortable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>I remember another incident back in my
college days (some 20 something years ago) I ran into my dad on campus; he had
come to see some of his friends at the Theatre department, on seeing me at the
department he asked what I was doing there because I was not a theatre arts
major. I told him I was there for rehearsals for a production I was playing a
lead role in. First, the look that greeted me back was surprise, then it slowly
turned to pride, then he went around letting everybody know ‘my son is playing
a lead in a production on the same stage we founded, I am a proud father.’<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>‘My aburo’ is one of the most intense human
beings I’ve ever come across in my entire life. This ‘intenseness’ stems from
his very passionate love for life and everything he believes in, some of his
attributes, I admire the most are his passion for giving. Jimi will gladly give
the shirt off his back without batting an eyelid. He’s very selfless, very
principled and uncompromising (sometimes to the point of rigidness), there have
been so many situations where his principles could have been compromised by
accepting a position, or influencing a decision with huge financial gains, without
as much as a second thought ‘my aburo’ turns them all down much to my chagrin.
And when I ask him why, he answers in his booming baritone ‘<i>Taiiiwoo</i>, I want to be able to live with
myself in peace, sleep well at night and not have nightmares, or have people
rain curses on my head everyday.’<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Jimi Solanke has touched so many lives
with his gifts and talents, especially children,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"> hence his
moniker <i>Baba Ewe</i></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">. Every day, I hear people I’ve
never met before say at the mention of my dad’s name… “<i>Oh</i>, I remember that man from <i>Storyland</i>,
I never used to miss that programme” or “some of my best childhood memories
were the stories from <i>Storyland</i>,”
these are people I run into here in the US. Every time I hear these comments,
I’m humbled, because to me, he is just my father</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">I have since learnt to appreciate
him the more, value his accomplishments the more, respect his gifts and talents
the more, while understanding that I have a treasure that I can learn</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">
so much from </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">at my
disposal. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>In conclusion, being Jimi
Solanke's son has been a blessing in so many ways, it has open doors of
opportunities, but most importantly, I've learnt how to be the best man, father
and husband, I can be from the best dad in the world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">Happy 70th Birthday ‘my aburo!’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm -3.6pt 0.0001pt; text-indent: 3.6pt;">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-81840179380806694012012-06-27T06:31:00.001-07:002012-06-27T06:31:11.548-07:00Everlasting Praise from 2 Voices<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "MS 明朝";
}@font-face {
font-family: "MS 明朝";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">BY OMIKO AWA</span></b>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> church hall of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Life
Gate Assembly, Isheri Olofin, Lagos, was recently filled to its capacity with
guests, which included church members and the media, converging for the launch/dedication
of <i>2Voices</i> gospel album, <i>Everlasting Praise.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E-c03tdgcWbokSRRVKSeZC-OOAMd-1_sYH6tOXcvtPBUr7VTU4GloQgDeLDMt92UDhgyPk2mgLugJKylz-vLm2_xmSgXX7ClvM5EiYbDGmK20bQJqhbuPHuLnPp2woVWPSpiOBOMgGs/s1600/2VOICE+2.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E-c03tdgcWbokSRRVKSeZC-OOAMd-1_sYH6tOXcvtPBUr7VTU4GloQgDeLDMt92UDhgyPk2mgLugJKylz-vLm2_xmSgXX7ClvM5EiYbDGmK20bQJqhbuPHuLnPp2woVWPSpiOBOMgGs/s320/2VOICE+2.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqaiyniXiU_hLHvcb2Yed0525o8cCi8xaD1QMLnlOOplyJewJ72aBh4JNBovgBvcQhkWcEDlt-BMiLWUIFwndNHIR11D49i_zWAgbrBmKaYm9yswkSUHKZoRVkxz2_xv_19FGGAXImak/s1600/2VOICE+8-1+%28dragged%29.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqaiyniXiU_hLHvcb2Yed0525o8cCi8xaD1QMLnlOOplyJewJ72aBh4JNBovgBvcQhkWcEDlt-BMiLWUIFwndNHIR11D49i_zWAgbrBmKaYm9yswkSUHKZoRVkxz2_xv_19FGGAXImak/s320/2VOICE+8-1+%28dragged%29.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>The seven-tracker produced by Sammy Jayzee
Studio, has songs such as <i>Everlasting Praise,
Dancing for My Lord, You Are My God, Glorious Is The Lord, O Lord! Send Me </i>and
two remixes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>Thrilling guests, 2 Voices — a duet of
Oluwafunmi and Oluwatosin Odujinrin — both sisters, showcased the stuff
they are made off, drawing applauses from guests who danced and sang along with
them. With their performances, the girls, impressed their observers that they
are cut out for the top.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span><span> </span>Formerly now, Oluwafunmi (12) and Oluwatosin
(9) both students of The Kings Kids School, Abaranje, loved hip-hop and other
contemporary music, but through their mother, Victoria, changed to gospel
music. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span><span> </span>“We were
introduced to gospel music by our mother, Victoria. We used to love hip-hop and
other contemporary music and would want to play them, but our mother told us to
use our talents to sing and dance for God,” Oluwatosin said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm6nx83R-Yu4rcCaxZh1d8S_M0z_-_KO6Dyd2Ur9_9a4bfKYSJN_pvkmaFBUkhtnON_pAofPSVbCXqolPYWZiBDXRo61Wv70_VJCDsPDtI01lD3ULf9vNfN4JUGXdLkeW5V3ZrHQEnGY/s1600/2VOICE+4.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm6nx83R-Yu4rcCaxZh1d8S_M0z_-_KO6Dyd2Ur9_9a4bfKYSJN_pvkmaFBUkhtnON_pAofPSVbCXqolPYWZiBDXRo61Wv70_VJCDsPDtI01lD3ULf9vNfN4JUGXdLkeW5V3ZrHQEnGY/s320/2VOICE+4.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span><span> </span><span></span>“She loves Christian music and encourages us
to play it as a way of spreading the gospel and uplifting souls.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>On where they draw their inspirations from,
Oluwafunmi said: “Apart from the Holy Spirit and the things around us, Destiny
Kids, as a group inspires us. In fact, they motivate us to do most of our
songs. We watched them and wished to be greater than they are.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>With the songs jointly written by the girls
and their mother, the sisters said, “each time the idea of a song comes up, we
write it down and give it to our mother, who directs us on how to go about it.
At times, after writing the songs in our own way, she directs us on the lyrics
and the dance steps.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>The group, which started as a child’s play,
turning everything in their sitting room to musical instrument, has grown to be
recognised as a band, performing in church events and other social gatherings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaruMNwqL8H7oSvbvNR0eWHWmWYx4vh_rw5YFRq-TVIkjWyWavA_nH05Vplko5DHc1_25BWvhyyltJPEn78Oe_gcrfvu_sQv6W_HYuI95dLL7XmDLw7w8Ep_zuDkhsiAKq0f993u46zw/s1600/2VOICE+10.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXaruMNwqL8H7oSvbvNR0eWHWmWYx4vh_rw5YFRq-TVIkjWyWavA_nH05Vplko5DHc1_25BWvhyyltJPEn78Oe_gcrfvu_sQv6W_HYuI95dLL7XmDLw7w8Ep_zuDkhsiAKq0f993u46zw/s320/2VOICE+10.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>According to their elated father, Pastor
Kayode Odujinrin, “I never took them serious. When they were turning almost
everything in the house into musical instrument, hitting the table, singing and
dancing, I took it as one of those things children do around the house. In
fact, I was much particular about their academic pursuit, so, I left them with
their mother, who likes music. But with what I have seen them do with the
‘noise’, I now believe, they are serious and deserve my support.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>Would you not by tomorrow do secular music,
as you are influenced by your mother to do gospel? “No, we are from a Christian
home and there is no better way to appreciate God than to sing of His glory and
gospel music remains a medium of doing that. In fact, it is one of the best
ways to spread the good messages and as well express ones love for God,”
Oluwafunmi stated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuecbii_8BTVX_iLsxOlUvqJbSAil7FsRdJaLONkY3HEi_21mhlCgFMjfrkalvFvJ8Mr7ZWuYoqJbIrnmCjS3M4uOHJGt6nrXj1n__EuG8dinjAfSt8gZaviJGdAcbwahpz4-2RxKrNi8/s1600/2VOICE+9.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuecbii_8BTVX_iLsxOlUvqJbSAil7FsRdJaLONkY3HEi_21mhlCgFMjfrkalvFvJ8Mr7ZWuYoqJbIrnmCjS3M4uOHJGt6nrXj1n__EuG8dinjAfSt8gZaviJGdAcbwahpz4-2RxKrNi8/s320/2VOICE+9.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>Oluwatosin retorted: “As Christians, we are
not going to limit ourselves, we are going to use different genres of music —
local songs, hip hop, R‘n’B and others — to reach out to the world.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>With both parents as their managers, the
girls informed that one of their challenges is satisfying everyone around them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n-_JentwcdesmXZpAdNIlPidUy9iu7jxZFItPbJJYbQuvmDC_xMCp7E0HCTY8AtiEO5gtnY56m9zg9gcHrO040de5fEn4mIroR5jivT2Oe9WCgIkBVxRbV6osVTRIWZs8oDoAPP1zLs/s1600/2VOICE+6.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9n-_JentwcdesmXZpAdNIlPidUy9iu7jxZFItPbJJYbQuvmDC_xMCp7E0HCTY8AtiEO5gtnY56m9zg9gcHrO040de5fEn4mIroR5jivT2Oe9WCgIkBVxRbV6osVTRIWZs8oDoAPP1zLs/s320/2VOICE+6.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span><span> </span>“People now see us as stars and expect so
much from us. They expect us to excel in all areas — academics, at home, in the
church and even at play. It is, indeed, challenging, but God is seeing us
through,” Oluwafunmi said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>Mixing performance with school work, she
added, “it’s challenging. Whenever there is any event, I have to face the
hurdles of rehearsals, vigils and school work. There was a time we went for a
show, it was within our school examinations period, I had to put in extra
efforts to pass it. It was so tiring and since then, I pray never to have such
experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>“It is as a result of such experiences that
make us to fix most of our events during the holidays, especially the long
vac,” she noted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihutU21LI7XRDcoLY0u4iXatB2qleSbB4lKPULln3MH61pDG7HxmHjNeMwc2iy1E3AqyPF-VRRX4s91tG6SCWU5haqSZjn1nHAIgXr012RcuMV0L3HE8oQjA4vKHOxPpH9OnxUrExDcSk/s1600/2VOICE+8.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihutU21LI7XRDcoLY0u4iXatB2qleSbB4lKPULln3MH61pDG7HxmHjNeMwc2iy1E3AqyPF-VRRX4s91tG6SCWU5haqSZjn1nHAIgXr012RcuMV0L3HE8oQjA4vKHOxPpH9OnxUrExDcSk/s320/2VOICE+8.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span>On how he wishes to control them so that
the glamour of stardom will not get the better part of them, Pastor Odujinrin,
said, “outside prayers, I monitor them, see that they do their school works and
guide them on the things of the God. Though they are stars, they are still
children and need to be guided.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Advising parents, he noted, “parents should
encourage their children to use their talents for the service of God and the
betterment of the society. Allowing children to fully showcase and use their
talents would not only make the children live a fulfilled life, but could also
serve as an avenue of job creation for themselves and others.”<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-52612034349536068692012-06-25T14:05:00.000-07:002012-06-25T14:15:33.542-07:00Nkili, the new shirt maker on the block<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYICn-Rm76k3MvW3krp2ooKXGAfLWBkCVQ2tRUy9vA7KclljSUGZSzfln9K-xc9vu4ZqapUibG5D2VZdwW7xDZAT5Vjco2O6lj_dsCf0nXxZqAYB8NTmFitbAFR5tOyq7UTApc8a4pxPU/s1600/02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">A</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"> TRAINED architect, <b>Tolani Nkili Onajide </b>is set to take the Nigerian fashion scene and
the global market by storm. The graduate of University of Dundee School of
Architecture, Scotland, made a foray into fashion through the support of the
Scottish government, which created a platform for the less-privileged young
people in the city of Dundee to develop their business potentials.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Braving the
odds in a keenly contested competition, Nkili won awards and financial support
from the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust and Cultural Enterprise, which
offered her a grant of £25,000 and other benefits to launch her shirt line, <i>Nkili</i>, in February this year.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybMqBk2k5L7ILgY5Ee_mhNDWzA2llDL8leHUzkOuSjVCa_QtyO9106nI1Il4P7_c2wiWamwxVjagVh7bk2S1peC7aJoAUwGP3r3MIEum9m7kAhz46lppbgmXEBXmmTv0yYriUSbGgTM0/s1600/_MG_4147.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybMqBk2k5L7ILgY5Ee_mhNDWzA2llDL8leHUzkOuSjVCa_QtyO9106nI1Il4P7_c2wiWamwxVjagVh7bk2S1peC7aJoAUwGP3r3MIEum9m7kAhz46lppbgmXEBXmmTv0yYriUSbGgTM0/s400/_MG_4147.JPG" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"> Since then,
she has not only looked back, but has gained wide support from the Scottish
media with her new twist to shirt collections. Recently, Nkili launched her
brand in Lagos at an exhibition titled, <i>Seeing
Beautiful Things</i>. The designer spoke with <b>NIKE SOTADE</b> about her collections and entrepreneurship.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">The
beginning of <i>Nkili </i> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> I started <i>Nkili</i> in 2011 after attending Arts
School for a year in London, at the Architectural Association School and later
at the University of Dundee School of Architecture. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDIZXnel2L9OCO28ORN9BdvsUSnPddyTCFJvXNwzCPzlF2KFY-FJJbMJwPUUfzbiXa-eaaKZ9SPbzfE8829QejAgYF_v9X1Oop-cdXftY0awHWiNQtvxWKMk_IRkoak3zdidchnfAIh0/s1600/NKILI+model+4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDIZXnel2L9OCO28ORN9BdvsUSnPddyTCFJvXNwzCPzlF2KFY-FJJbMJwPUUfzbiXa-eaaKZ9SPbzfE8829QejAgYF_v9X1Oop-cdXftY0awHWiNQtvxWKMk_IRkoak3zdidchnfAIh0/s400/NKILI+model+4.jpg" width="140" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times;"> I was in my
second year in the University when I entered for the Business Plan Competition.
We needed to develop business ideas about opening a people-friendly business
shop in Dundee, which inspired me to start something on my own. With the help
of the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust funded by Prince Charles of
England, I developed a business plan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> The whole
idea of the trust was to develop young entrepreneurs. I was given business
advice, went for classes for a few months and then got a grant in October 2011.
I got my final award, which was financial, and this helped me to start my
business. I also got another grant from my university, which was a six-month
lease in an office space, using all their facilities to do my business. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> So, I
started Nkili in January 2012, when I got the full funding with my online
website <i>Nkili.com. </i>I started with
seven shirts and three scarves. Nkili is just focused on making beautiful
hand-printed shirts with my own unique designs; so, I design prints and shapes
for shirts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> By
February, I got a lot of support from the Scottish media. I was in the <i>Skinny Magazine</i>, an arts and
entertainment magazine in Scotland and in the <i>Evening Telegraph</i>, too.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2weqEtl6Jt-SC1W02NXm-1JlCDHHoFs0QKpTfxCwOmr__R-4aEkaeLcJAj09RYQxSzVhB0BIiK2CIHMKVoL3D2Jq9oYp4UHl5qpXbqc0YkdFoso6J0iTbdboBayrAckCCmwXtNV8rrCk/s1600/Nkili+%28left%29+&+her+friends+wearing+her+shirts+at+the+launch+party+++.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2weqEtl6Jt-SC1W02NXm-1JlCDHHoFs0QKpTfxCwOmr__R-4aEkaeLcJAj09RYQxSzVhB0BIiK2CIHMKVoL3D2Jq9oYp4UHl5qpXbqc0YkdFoso6J0iTbdboBayrAckCCmwXtNV8rrCk/s400/Nkili+%28left%29+&+her+friends+wearing+her+shirts+at+the+launch+party+++.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;"> What has an architect got to do with fashion?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> The
one-year course I did at the Arts School, London, helped me, because it offered
an artistic view to architecture, as it entailed fashion and textile,
photography and painting. It helped to shape my fashion sense. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Before I left
school and presented my final work, the comment that was made pointed to the
fact that my strength was in fashion and textile, and I knew that as well. That gave me the confidence, but I knew I
would study Architecture and be an architect in the long term.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCMPe6RNiQTGtaAwM8kmR0TNZ8De4zrmyGSVTq_y2ig-vDVeiY1sCUL8L_fYxHZz2Rka2HyyPAC4cJFQsSeRGV8usoFM-n8Owy_pxIO0dFJbkdfvq_QEXEwgf_tL45Dj4ogDie-_fkdA/s1600/_MG_4151.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCMPe6RNiQTGtaAwM8kmR0TNZ8De4zrmyGSVTq_y2ig-vDVeiY1sCUL8L_fYxHZz2Rka2HyyPAC4cJFQsSeRGV8usoFM-n8Owy_pxIO0dFJbkdfvq_QEXEwgf_tL45Dj4ogDie-_fkdA/s320/_MG_4151.JPG" width="213" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Times;">Her love
for shirts</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> I decided
to go into shirt making in particular because I wear silk shirts all the time.
I decided not to use generic prints for my shirts. I wanted to design my own
shirt and make them look like something different. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> The shirts
just describe my character. I made them very feminine. They were hand painted
and classic with a quirky twist. My designs are based on an architectural
design. Both fashion and architecture are about design and structure. <b></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmGE9jqpuRBOwqzoLos-oAtea5L8Tw3j8AWkvwCwmLubX7MPUTDO5-JxueToEt-8xp5DCXPryfvGXKhQx_fk_QoGwkW0Q6wQDCg0HF7ru5fkWYuUmkNNhR2wFiCgAlkF-q087SBH_XNU/s1600/NKILI+model+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMmGE9jqpuRBOwqzoLos-oAtea5L8Tw3j8AWkvwCwmLubX7MPUTDO5-JxueToEt-8xp5DCXPryfvGXKhQx_fk_QoGwkW0Q6wQDCg0HF7ru5fkWYuUmkNNhR2wFiCgAlkF-q087SBH_XNU/s400/NKILI+model+2.jpg" width="156" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">The Nkili
signature</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">The
Spring/Summer Collection,<b> </b><i>Seeing Beautiful Thing,</i> is about women’s
luxury shirts. It focused on highlighting the most important garment in a
wardrobe — the shirt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Nkili
designs, prints and produces the most beautifully crafted silk shirts that people
will treasure. Each piece goes on a journey, from design and print to
production. The process of combining tonal hand drawing with traditional silk
screen-printing and hand-painting techniques on pure silk makes each piece
unique.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">What
inspired the Collection</span></b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght9VwUEO3qOFSIkJSQ-w3wGK6gK_aegfudUd12oXWxisa9vnaMYjFTO_CHv8WAAU5KiIuPjA45B1wVGPiEJMjApsCkaROf_gwKDVNH1ag-x9vOMvkkAn4CixOxaukJY9GLBwAOZVYvSU/s1600/Nkili+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> My
collection is influenced by one of the leaders of modern architecture —
Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe’s minimalist design style. He adopted the ‘less is
more’ approach and arranged the necessary components of a building to create an
impression of extreme simplicity. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> By
highlighting the shirt in its pure form, without distraction, the progressive
beauty and craft can be seen. Everything is simple, but sophisticated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">Future
plans for Nkili in Nigeria </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> I want to
make my designs accessible to my clients in Nigeria, and to achieve this, I
already have two stockists in Lagos namely, Les Spaces and Deola Sagoe’s
flagship stores in Victoria Island. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> I, also
deal with an online store called <i>Asos.com</i>.
They have an independent store for young designers, where you have your own
boutique. In the future, I intend to go into other fabrics outside silk.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCK-l0KRpmgk4dEYRyR1ajM6SA2m8sshZlnQVntN6TUmOTW7j4-Pu-as1azHSgalw7pvYLl9P-AuMmOgftVnm3Cx9IZfgxMWtjyqUrJzvZjx6DhZxjQIat679y8hT5eYL6EMTxRgBq3I/s1600/_MG_4443.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCK-l0KRpmgk4dEYRyR1ajM6SA2m8sshZlnQVntN6TUmOTW7j4-Pu-as1azHSgalw7pvYLl9P-AuMmOgftVnm3Cx9IZfgxMWtjyqUrJzvZjx6DhZxjQIat679y8hT5eYL6EMTxRgBq3I/s400/_MG_4443.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">How can one
compare the fashion industry of Scotland with that of Nigeria?</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> There is
no comparison between the fashion industries. There is so much diversity over
there. The Nigerian fashion industry pales in comparison to that of Scotland
and largely the United Kingdom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Fashion
industry in Lagos is just starting and there are only a few people in the
country who are just starting it. There
were a lot of incentives, which I took advantage of in Scotland, to help me
start and grow my business.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">How can
Nigerian government help young entrepreneurs to grow?</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> I happened
to be in the right place at the right time. The Scottish government is investing
in young people from the age bracket of 18 and 26. After spending a year in
London, which was the foundation because the Arts School refined me for the
textile and fashion industry, I moved to Scotland in 2009. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> The
platform of the Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust created by Prince
Charles for young and under-privileged people was what I used to set up my
clothing line while still in my second year at the university. That is the kind
of incentive every government should have for her youth. I have two years of
aftercare support for Nkili.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNKQOc72rQfxY3_bN4NU_qjVc4U4HMIgna71WfABhGF8LVdnCViu8LmBr_HGfki-ZWT4DkFoY8uEf3K6JGTaXuSZtz2Y7VkWQbAJuaSDMmcj2qRfQn19zOhkv4pBrKDkp4gRQAuw4A00/s1600/Nkili+Model+3.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNKQOc72rQfxY3_bN4NU_qjVc4U4HMIgna71WfABhGF8LVdnCViu8LmBr_HGfki-ZWT4DkFoY8uEf3K6JGTaXuSZtz2Y7VkWQbAJuaSDMmcj2qRfQn19zOhkv4pBrKDkp4gRQAuw4A00/s400/Nkili+Model+3.jpg" width="266" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"> I have a
financial adviser whom I go to from time to time for my clothing line; I also
have a legal adviser, who takes care of other things so that I can face the
design proper. I sometimes wish there was a trust like this for young
entrepreneurs in Nigeria. It could go a long way in empowering young people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Apart from
the grant from the trust, which I could access for <i>Nkili</i>, there were other incentives such as the Enterprise Gem
Business Incubator from the University of Dundee, which offered me £1,200 to
invest in my business. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> I would
like to see an encouragement of young people with innovative business ideas in
the country (Nigeria). They’ve helped a lot of people to grow their business in
Scotland. You don’t even need to have a degree to get the support. It would be
nice to have this kind of support here.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpiKm7wkyevJOjzAcxXk08chkYbO3RnmrLetDe3xWOfC5N_xhqkXC-l5fC5IOSzvxxPuZGD__2Xe0zjRbC4jGwqYgqCmW_85ZkETPlYNLJmukR6q_fkGGJZrvwzkVkxkASGdCtXWHpLE/s1600/nkili-11-bs.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpiKm7wkyevJOjzAcxXk08chkYbO3RnmrLetDe3xWOfC5N_xhqkXC-l5fC5IOSzvxxPuZGD__2Xe0zjRbC4jGwqYgqCmW_85ZkETPlYNLJmukR6q_fkGGJZrvwzkVkxkASGdCtXWHpLE/s320/nkili-11-bs.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;"> Growing up </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">I
was born in Lagos. I spent my first eight years in Nigeria. I’ve spent most of
my life in Oxford and London, but then, I moved to Scotland in 2009. I come to
Nigeria almost three times a year because my parents live here and I intend
settling down at home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght9VwUEO3qOFSIkJSQ-w3wGK6gK_aegfudUd12oXWxisa9vnaMYjFTO_CHv8WAAU5KiIuPjA45B1wVGPiEJMjApsCkaROf_gwKDVNH1ag-x9vOMvkkAn4CixOxaukJY9GLBwAOZVYvSU/s1600/Nkili+2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEght9VwUEO3qOFSIkJSQ-w3wGK6gK_aegfudUd12oXWxisa9vnaMYjFTO_CHv8WAAU5KiIuPjA45B1wVGPiEJMjApsCkaROf_gwKDVNH1ag-x9vOMvkkAn4CixOxaukJY9GLBwAOZVYvSU/s320/Nkili+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2weqEtl6Jt-SC1W02NXm-1JlCDHHoFs0QKpTfxCwOmr__R-4aEkaeLcJAj09RYQxSzVhB0BIiK2CIHMKVoL3D2Jq9oYp4UHl5qpXbqc0YkdFoso6J0iTbdboBayrAckCCmwXtNV8rrCk/s1600/Nkili+%28left%29+&+her+friends+wearing+her+shirts+at+the+launch+party+++.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b><span style="font-family: Times;">Her role
models in the fashion industry </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Stella
McCartney is one of the designers I consider as my role model. She is my main
influence. She is probably the richest fashion designer in the world, but if
you see her, she is very plain and minimal. She wears everything with
confidence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">Her
definition of fashion</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Fashion is
more than clothes, but an expression of oneself. One can decide to dress like
this one day and like that the other day. I love classic styles, colours and
make-up, but I also like anything that is a bit off and quirky at the same
time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-52277072901911282542012-06-25T13:46:00.000-07:002012-06-27T05:40:50.920-07:00In the name of attitude and of taste… Confidence is Ashionye<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> No
matter your age or shape, looking good stands you out. However, a few steps can
change your whole perspective on how you look and feel.<b> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxCe856oDH3N58KwaCGw7qKW9YvII2Hhm1GEPp2yylSstBV4HFVqlMDl-X9lLxSWeU_itVi2BBTV5mjqnWn9f0-LA9SeoGCxzeZZLvpn2Lg721XKOJZnd4mIlCUSA2fQk9sM1DikhUJ8/s1600/ashionye-ugboh-raccah-399x600.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxCe856oDH3N58KwaCGw7qKW9YvII2Hhm1GEPp2yylSstBV4HFVqlMDl-X9lLxSWeU_itVi2BBTV5mjqnWn9f0-LA9SeoGCxzeZZLvpn2Lg721XKOJZnd4mIlCUSA2fQk9sM1DikhUJ8/s200/ashionye-ugboh-raccah-399x600.jpg" width="131" /></a><b><span style="font-family: Times;"> ASHIONYE</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"> Ugboh-Raccah is one of the fashionable celebrities
in the country. The hard working lady has carved a niche for herself in the
entertainment and fashion industry.<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> Apart from having her fragrance
line, <i>Romance by Ashionye</i>, her unique
sense of style has over the years placed her as a stylish person.<br />
In 2007/2008, she was the Face
of Pepsi Light. Her first step in <i>Nollywood</i>
earned her a 2010 AMAA nomination for her role in the movie, <i>Jungle Ride</i>. She's also had lead roles
in <i>MNET soaps </i>such as <i>Doctor's Quarters </i>and <i>Tinsel</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">Quick tips from Ashionye<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"><br />
<b>Be confident</b><br />
Feel confident in yourself about the way you look and that will come
across to other people.<br />
<br />
<b>Simple and chic</b><br />
Ashionye’s style is simple and chic.<br />
<br />
<b>Jeans rocks</b><br />
Her favourite piece of clothing
is a pair of jeans. “That would be a nice fitting pair of jeans,” she says.<br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">
<b>Red, red wine</b><br />
Many women are afraid of wearing red colour
because they believe that it’s hard to pull off. Nothing screams the word
‘sexy’ louder than wearing the red colour. It takes attitude and ultimate confidence
to be able to wear it. For Ashionye, red is her favourite colour. “It is
bold and stands out,” she says.<br />
<br />
<b>Designers</b><br />
“I have loads of favourite designers;
so, I'm not going to start mentioning them,” she states.<br />
<br />
<b>Smell nice</b><br />
She discloses, “my signature scent are
5th Avenue by Elizabeth Arden, Sicily by D&G and, of course, Romance by
Ashionye. They are strong and very feminine.”<br />
<br />
<b>Red carpet glam<br />
</b> “I actually plan for a red
carpet event well in advance. I go through my wardrobe and if I don't find
anything appropriate, I call up a designer friend (I have a couple) and get an
outfit made quickly. I also get fashion tips from them. These are perks of
being friends with designers,” she intones.<br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPU0LLLy85-KViow1iRsTyG0vOO4t2aQbDYpKoqtVB2UAwym4-a72E8bP8s0XFZcDKMWqgj_ol6pUqOOKtN707leeoLwpkvvLNRtgC2xBWPZWvSVrpx47lyEv7cLn8oz8MkscI_U12dY/s1600/ashionye.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPU0LLLy85-KViow1iRsTyG0vOO4t2aQbDYpKoqtVB2UAwym4-a72E8bP8s0XFZcDKMWqgj_ol6pUqOOKtN707leeoLwpkvvLNRtgC2xBWPZWvSVrpx47lyEv7cLn8oz8MkscI_U12dY/s320/ashionye.jpg" width="211" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: Times;">
<b>Shop Smarter<br />
</b> Ask yourself a few questions
regarding what suits you before you shop, and plan what to buy in advance.
Speaking on her favourite shopping spot, Ashionye, says, “It's hard to pick favourites;
there are great shops and boutiques around. As per countries, I don't go out of
my way to plan a shopping trip, but whenever I go on vacation, I make sure I
come back with cases of new clothes.” <br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times;">
<b>Be fit</b><br />
She says: “To be honest, I haven't been to a gym in a while, but I
exercise chasing my son around the house.”<br />
<br />
<b>Mary Kay, is it?</b><br />
Knowing the right make-up product that suits your face matters a lot, if
not, you might end up breaking out. For Ashionye, Mary Kay does the wonders.
She explains, “I'm a fan of Mary Kay makeup. I have been using their products
for years now. I love their mineral powder; it sits well.”<br />
<br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-46789734176461819442012-06-23T03:16:00.003-07:002012-06-23T03:16:48.074-07:00Oguntokun … From the bar to the world stage<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }p.yiv2055929481msonormal, li.yiv2055929481msonormal, div.yiv2055929481msonormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">…Doing Shakespeare in Yoruba
at the Olympics</span></b>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">THIS gusty morning, Wole Oguntokun saunters in to the Renegade Theatre
office on Akinwunmi Street, Alagomeji, Yaba, Lagos, in a tired mood. He is in a
T-shirt and jeans. The dark complexioned playwright/ has been on the set of <i>Ajai, The Boy Slave</i>, a play he wrote and
directed, whose final performance was on Sunday, April 29, at the MUSON Centre,
Lagos. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>After four months of rehearsing
three plays, two of them already performed, you wonder how Oguntokun, popularly
called <i>Laspapi</i> by friends, gets his
energy. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“It’s certainly not drugs,” he
smiles. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>The lawyer-turned theatre
director, who symbolises what can happen when an artiste dares to dream,
doesn’t touch anything hard, “they are not for me,” he says.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Since 1998, he has been on the
Nigerian theatre circuit and on May 24 and 25, he will be presenting his latest
directorial work, <i>Itan Oginintin</i> (<i>The Winter’s Tale</i> in Yoruba), one of the
plays scheduled for World Shakespeare Theatre Festival 2012.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnKFoFj4qKfDdgEPRlQtYPXTeKKKiJ-IGVaVF8OUV25cdHesT_XZqsLH9oHa6SwGZaOxdb0WdZNkUB6d2Be47K5VsUA2PUcTNiyTM57Uel2uOQSDjkTyE4It4pcHdq632UtO1LaZgbB8/s1600/6729_120095927395_526137395_2817033_8193133_n.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnKFoFj4qKfDdgEPRlQtYPXTeKKKiJ-IGVaVF8OUV25cdHesT_XZqsLH9oHa6SwGZaOxdb0WdZNkUB6d2Be47K5VsUA2PUcTNiyTM57Uel2uOQSDjkTyE4It4pcHdq632UtO1LaZgbB8/s640/6729_120095927395_526137395_2817033_8193133_n.jpg" width="480" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>April 21 and 22 saw the opening
performance by one of the 37 international companies selected to present
William Shakespeare’s plays in different languages over six weeks in the run up
to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The play,<b>
</b><i>Venus and Adonis</i>, by Isango
Ensemble, in IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, SeSotho, Setswana, Afrikaans and South African
English, was staged on Shakespeare's birthday and it’s part of efforts to
celebrate both the cultural diversity of London and Shakespeare's worldwide
appeal. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Highlights of the festival
include a hip-hop re-interpretation of <i>Othello</i>
from the Chicago-based Q Brothers, as well as Deafinitely Theatre's British
Sign Language rendition of <i>Love's
Labour's Lost</i>.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Whether you want to see <i>A Midsummer Night's Dream</i> performed in
Korean, <i>Richard III</i> in Mandarin, <i>Julius Caesar</i> in Italian or <i>Macbeth</i> in Polish, <i>Hamlet</i> in Lithuanian and <i>Henry
V</i><b> </b>in English, the Globe to Globe
Shakespeare plays give you the chance to approach The Bard from a new direction
and see some of the most acclaimed Shakespearean companies from around the
world,” the Oguntokun’s voice crackles. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>He thinks for a moment,
glancing down at me, then he says, “we are the only theatre company invited
from West Africa. And this puts us on a positive light to fly the Nigerian
flag.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>There’s a pregnant pause.
Suddenly, he draws a long breath, as he scrapes in words to fill the void. “We
have a culture and tradition that is very solid. This worldview is what we are
selling with the play, <i>Itan Oginintin</i>,”
Oguntokun says.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Audition and casting for the
performance held in Lagos in January. Reading of the Yoruba and English
versions started almost immediately. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>With Wale Adebayo, who played
Sango in Even Ezra Studio’s flick, <i>Sango,
</i>playing Sango, Rotimi Fakunle as Ogun and Kehinde Bankole as Oya, Oguntokun
promises that <i>Itan Oginintin</i> is going
to be a <i>helluva</i> of excitement on set.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">Putting Yoruba language on global stage, through
Shakespeare </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAnarH1h1zbV1bNEGLdeWhYO3azoXBO6qLbiSqWsbRlnI0O1zsE7Ztu3dLiAA-4_1K2rIfkfN1BuQtYVguoMBJS-nwP9v9GsMg1G9XkvY8G4mX6bIs4fX5_TW01qf5X26Lptx7exWooo/s1600/M2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAnarH1h1zbV1bNEGLdeWhYO3azoXBO6qLbiSqWsbRlnI0O1zsE7Ztu3dLiAA-4_1K2rIfkfN1BuQtYVguoMBJS-nwP9v9GsMg1G9XkvY8G4mX6bIs4fX5_TW01qf5X26Lptx7exWooo/s640/M2.jpg" width="268" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;">IN Shakespeare’s <i>The Winter’s Tale,</i> Polixenes (the King
of Bohemia) visits his childhood friend, Leontes (the King of Sicily). After a
nine-month, Polixenes is ready to head back home to Bohemia, but Leontes’s
devoted wife, Hermione, convinces Polixenes to stay a little bit longer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>As Leontes watches his wife and best bud
chat it up, Leontes suddenly becomes wildly jealous and suspects that his very
pregnant wife is having a torrid affair with Polixenes – Leontes is certain
that Hermione is carrying the man’s love child. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg9y960h8vJNMdPXuSJ4NFeXpHT_wyyi39z65_H5ic78zgUi_ywbS_9t2ydpsCzdOISO87RaZvTKHKWYXt-k_Q4k5bY4Dtk3tpIr7SMNjbUtL1ALWpsWPhLgk0JBw1cH1NVql1-9DwR8/s1600/M1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Leontes quickly arranges to have his old pal
poisoned, but when Polixenes catches wind of </span><span style="font-family: Times;">Leontes’s plot to have him killed,
he flees with a Sicilian guy named Camillo to his home in Bohemia.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>According to Oguntokun, Yoruba folk tales
inform the magical new production,<i> Itan
Oginintin,</i> where Leontes becomes Sango; the god of Thunder, and Hermione is
Oya, the warrior spirit of the wind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>“We are doing the Shakespeare’s play from a
Nigerian perspective,” he says. “We have put a Yoruba mythology, introduce our
culture to an audience that is foreign.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Itan
Oginintin</span></i><span style="font-family: Times;">
dramatises the intricate, but revealing story of Yoruba myths and legends — the
altercation between Ogun, the god of Iron and Sango, over Oya. In the legend,
the marriage between Oya and Sango was consummated after Oya divorced Ogun, her
first husband. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>How would these foreign audiences appreciate
the script, which seems different from what they know?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>“Trust that we are going to do something that
is fitted to their standard,” he jokes. “We have had about four months of
rehearsals and still checking on what is missing in the script; from-time-time,
we are looking at the script to see and feel the sub-text— hidden messages.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Chief Tade Ipadeola did the translation of
the play.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Why Chief Ipadeola?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>“We wanted somebody who could do the original
translation without missing anything; somebody who knew the importance of what
is at stake and wouldn’t allow it to be watered down,” Oguntokun says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>What could have influenced the decision to
have Oguntokun direct a play for the Shakespeare Festival?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>“My contributions to Nigeria theatre,” he
answers. “They had done some research and my views were sought out before I was
offered opportunity to direct the play.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>You ask what his feeling is?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>“A mighty feeling,” <span> </span>Oguntokun exhales. “I haven’t taken it all.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A CHILDHOOD</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
fascination with literature, dramatists and theatrical works which continued
well into adulthood as well as a burning desire to create and show others his
own works, brought Oguntokun to the theatre. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>He says confidently, “as a child, I’d create
little sketches that kids in the neighbourhood would be part of. I could sit
and watch plays as well as television for 12 hours at a stretch when I was
growing (I still do that now). It was easy to see that I would end up in that
field even though I studied Law. The country appeared to be suffering a
shortage of productions, large-scale works being few and far-between. There
also appeared to be lethargy on the part of producers concerning the promotion
of the stage. I thought I’d brighten up the literary landscape. It’s worked so
far.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">A pouch filled with theatrical productions</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">IT</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"> turns
out that everything is connected with what Oguntokun envisioned. In the last 14
years, he has consistently done theatre and now, his dream is to take theatre
round.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6gJqYIZ6lw1dRLFAuhGisV5R2E6JJXtcszbSr7CueSxPggU9cUegUfRcIwecj3RpC6iTtWmGSBM29mTf-OHnwx2cR-gbncpq73DcQJUQm84ylcwRpRozlkwq2PctXFPmCP_3_Ygk2AY/s1600/Wole-Oguntokun.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6gJqYIZ6lw1dRLFAuhGisV5R2E6JJXtcszbSr7CueSxPggU9cUegUfRcIwecj3RpC6iTtWmGSBM29mTf-OHnwx2cR-gbncpq73DcQJUQm84ylcwRpRozlkwq2PctXFPmCP_3_Ygk2AY/s400/Wole-Oguntokun.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>He is grinning from ear to ear. You could
feel the happiness, as he leafs through handbills </span><span style="font-family: Times;">announcing different
productions on his table. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>When did he storm the theatre and with what
production?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>He stands up, and takes his guest round the
Renegade Theatre office and brings out pictures from his past production. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6gJqYIZ6lw1dRLFAuhGisV5R2E6JJXtcszbSr7CueSxPggU9cUegUfRcIwecj3RpC6iTtWmGSBM29mTf-OHnwx2cR-gbncpq73DcQJUQm84ylcwRpRozlkwq2PctXFPmCP_3_Ygk2AY/s1600/Wole-Oguntokun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU9S04pKntIhAEw1sFIO78WmHmK3Xo0Dr6sOb5b-x0S6h__DHL_-nN4CDAQNEe74r8oTDHKn7q_oySdnx6LQYxVuXOuOPkvpVCtw5s_VngJUYxIgTeUYN0jZXT8xDMfpDcjjCsFMhOKM/s1600/wole+true+love.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg9y960h8vJNMdPXuSJ4NFeXpHT_wyyi39z65_H5ic78zgUi_ywbS_9t2ydpsCzdOISO87RaZvTKHKWYXt-k_Q4k5bY4Dtk3tpIr7SMNjbUtL1ALWpsWPhLgk0JBw1cH1NVql1-9DwR8/s1600/M1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’d been part of stage productions at the Obafemi Awolowo University,
though I was a student of the Faculty of Law. My first stage production for the
general public was in October 1998 at the MUSON Centre. It was a play I wrote,
produced and self-sponsored, titled, <i>Who’s
Afraid Of Wole Soyinka?</i>, it was a satire of the military in governance in
Nigeria and it brought me a lot of attention. I still hold the record for the
highest number of stage productions at the MUSON Centre in Lagos,” he breathes.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Oguntokun emerged as a player on the Nigerian
Theatre landscape in September 1998 with his productions of his satirical stage
drama, <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Who%27s_Afraid_of_Wole_Soyinka%3F&action=edit&redlink=1"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Who's Afraid
of Wole Soyinka?</span></a></i>, which lampoons the Nigerian military
leadership. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The first productions were put up at the
University of Lagos' Arts Theatre in September. In October and December of
1998, he produced the same play at the MUSON Centre, Lagos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The Centre, thereafter, hosted many plays he
wrote and directed including restaging of <i>Who's
Afraid of Wole Soyinka?</i> in May 2002; <i>Rage
of the Pentecost</i> (August 2002); <i>Ladugba!</i>
(September 2002) and <i>The Other Side</i> —
November 2002. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>At the same venue, in March 2003, he produced
and directed his adaptation of <i>The Pied
Piper of Hamelin</i> titled, <i>Piper, Piper</i>;
and his play on the dangers of HIV/AIDS, <i>Gbanja
Roulette</i>, in May and July 2003. In December of that year, he featured the
matriarch of Nigerian Drama, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, in his <i>The Inheritors</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Other plays of his produced at the
prestigious facility, MUSON Centre include <i>Prison
Chronicles,</i> <i>The Other Side</i>,
starring Kate Henshaw; <i>The Sound and The
Fury</i>; <i>The Inheritors</i> featuring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joke_Silva"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Joke Silva</span></a> in August 2006,
and <i>Anatomy of a Woman</i> featuring <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stella_Damasus-Aboderin"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Stella
Damasus-Aboderin</span></a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In July 2007, he initiated a collaboration
with the Terra Kulture Arts Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos and commenced the <i>Theatre@Terra</i>, becoming its founding
producer and artistic director and turning it into one of Nigeria's most
consistent venues for Theatre, with plays being produced every Sunday at the
venue. Oguntokun ceased to be the sole producer of <i>Theatre@Terra</i> in January 2011 though he continues to direct plays
at the venue from time to time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Oguntokun was official consultant to the
British Council/Lagos and the crew of the National Theatre in London for the
purpose of that National Theatre's production of Wole Soyinka's play, <i>Death and the King's Horseman</i> in April
and May 2009.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>He directed Ola Rotimi's <i>The Gods are not to blame</i> for the MUSON
Centre International Festival of 2006 and was commissioned by the Kudirat
Initiative for Democracy (KIND) to head the writing team that adapted Eve
Ensler’s <i>Vagina Monologues</i> for the
Nigerian populace. The end result was <i>V
Monologues-The Nigerian Story</i>, a production, which he directed in March
2008 and staged at the National Arts Theatre, Terra Kulture, The Muson Centre
(all in Lagos) and also at the Women's Development Centre and Shehu Musa
Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Oguntokun created the yearly <i>Season of Soyinka</i> in which plays by the
Nobel laureate are featured for a period spanning at least a month, and <i>The Legend Series</i> in which evergreen
plays by first and second generation Nigerian dramatists are featured. He is
the author of the published poetry collection, <i>Local Boy and other poems</i>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>He wrote, directed and produced the
unprecedented <i>The Tarzan Monologues</i> —
a dramatic stage-rendering of Monologues by men touching on topics that include
Religion, Politics, Erectile Dysfunction, Infidelity, Finances, Love and
Marriage, Infant Mortality among many others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU9S04pKntIhAEw1sFIO78WmHmK3Xo0Dr6sOb5b-x0S6h__DHL_-nN4CDAQNEe74r8oTDHKn7q_oySdnx6LQYxVuXOuOPkvpVCtw5s_VngJUYxIgTeUYN0jZXT8xDMfpDcjjCsFMhOKM/s1600/wole+true+love.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU9S04pKntIhAEw1sFIO78WmHmK3Xo0Dr6sOb5b-x0S6h__DHL_-nN4CDAQNEe74r8oTDHKn7q_oySdnx6LQYxVuXOuOPkvpVCtw5s_VngJUYxIgTeUYN0jZXT8xDMfpDcjjCsFMhOKM/s640/wole+true+love.JPG" width="425" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The performances were all Sundays in November
2009 and February 2010. This led to the production of <i>The V. Monologues v. The Tarzan Monologues</i> in which male and female
actors duelled on stage in all the Sundays of March, September and October 2010
in Lagos, as well as at the National Theatre, Ghana. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Oguntokun directed Aime Cesaire's <i>"A Season in the Congo"</i> for
the Lagos State Government /UNESCO-sponsored ‘Black Heritage Festival’ in April
2010 and his own play, <i>The Waiting Room </i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wole_Oguntokun#cite_note-20"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">[21]</span></a>
in the same festival <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wole_Oguntokun#cite_note-21"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">[22]</span></a>
in April 2011.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>He was
one of five Nigerian theatre directors selected by the British Council to be
part of a Nigerian Theatre Director's Residency/Workshop in the United Kingdom
in May 2011. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In August 2011, he was one of two Nigerians chosen
to be British Council delegates to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh,
Scotland.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In January, He directed Ntozake Shange's
multi-award winning play, <i>For Coloured
Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Enuf</i>.</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">…Sustaining Live Theatre Performances </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span></span></b></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">WITH</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <i>Theatre @Terra</i>, has it been a success to
revive theatre in the country?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“That’s a definite ‘Yes’. Terra is Nigeria’s
most consistent venue for stage plays in the country now, with plays being
staged regularly without interruption for the past few years. It has allowed
the development of artistes, set designers, costumiers, make-up artistes, stage
managers and directors. Theatre artistes who are involved get paid well and
quite a number are into it full-time. The project is a well-oiled machine but
it wouldn’t have been possible without the unflinching support of Bolanle
Austen-Peters, the Managing Director of Terra Kulture, a major collaborator and
partner with us in <i>Theatre@Terra</i>. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Legends like Professor Wole Soyinka have
become bulwarks of the project by allowing some of their plays staged at the
venue regularly. As a result, many people have made theatre attendance a
compulsory part of their calendars now and it’s finally showing that
consistency pays off if you can continue to stage competent works. It’s a pity
we don’t have theatres everywhere, like for example, Germany, with more than
300, but we hope to attain those heights some day. We are striving to make it a
success financially but good things come to those who wait, is what they say.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>The </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">challenges of producing theatre in Nigeria?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“<i>Opo gan</i>,” he retorts in Yoruba. </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>According to him, “</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">a shortage of suitable venues. There are very few
places with the status of Terra Kulture that would make their venues available.
Often, by the time the producer pays for a venue, there’s little or nothing
left over to pay the cast. There’s also a dearth of sponsors. In many places,
gate-takings are not adequate and very few actors want to practice art for
art’s sake and can one blame them? Bills have to be paid and commitments met.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>After three and a-half-years why did he pull
out of the project?</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“I guess the place grew more attractive to
people and many thought I was making a fortune so they got interested,” he
says. “At the beginning, directors refused to work with me. They didn’t see the
financial returns, now they seem to have become interested, so, I gently
watched my steps.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Oguntokun says, “I had thought
of leaving my comfort zone, <i>Theatre@Terra</i>,
and travel round the country doing theatre.” He adds. “I didn’t want to go
auto-pilot.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>So you now left because you didn’t want any
competition?</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“No,” Oguntokun says. “I just wanted to do
something else. Doing something of hardcore has been challenging, and all these
while, I couldn’t do anything else. Every Sunday, I was always doing one play
or the other.”</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg9y960h8vJNMdPXuSJ4NFeXpHT_wyyi39z65_H5ic78zgUi_ywbS_9t2ydpsCzdOISO87RaZvTKHKWYXt-k_Q4k5bY4Dtk3tpIr7SMNjbUtL1ALWpsWPhLgk0JBw1cH1NVql1-9DwR8/s1600/M1.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghg9y960h8vJNMdPXuSJ4NFeXpHT_wyyi39z65_H5ic78zgUi_ywbS_9t2ydpsCzdOISO87RaZvTKHKWYXt-k_Q4k5bY4Dtk3tpIr7SMNjbUtL1ALWpsWPhLgk0JBw1cH1NVql1-9DwR8/s640/M1.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>According to him, “there is no hard feeling
between the management of <i>Theatre@Terra</i>
and I. I did a project there in January.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>Without
sponsorship can theatre survive in the country?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Sponsorship?” He asks. “It comes in many
forms and not all instances have to be formal. It would be difficult for
theatre to survive without sponsorship but it can be done. What is essential is
a re-awakening of the theatre-going culture in many Nigerians. If there are
enough enlightened people streaming through the gates, the production will be a
financial success. The producer must be ready to put his own money where his
mouth is, however. Very rarely, will people back you until they see you’ve
kick-started your project yourself. If you don’t believe in your own dream, why
should anyone else?</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">How does he get sponsorship and are the sponsors
always ready? </span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Word of mouth is a very powerful tool and
produces better results than any letter requesting sponsorship can,” Oguntokun
say.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>He adds, “there are few things stronger
than a person who comes to see your production and is so firmly convinced of
your abilities, he or she decides to support you or recommends you to a
potential sponsor.”</span></div>
<div class="yiv2055929481msonormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>For him, “sponsors are not always ready to go
on, and you must be ready to continue without them. I suppose that’s the major
difference between a lot of would-be producers and me. I’ve learnt not just to
talk the talk, but also to walk the walk. If one waits for all the lights to
turn green, one will never leave one spot. We must move from point to point.
Use your own resources sometimes. You must treat the theatre as a business too,
if you want it to grow.”</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">And Five Years on <i>The
Girl Whisperer…</i></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">WITH </span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">a Bachelor
of Laws from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obafemi_Awolowo_University"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">Obafemi
Awolowo University</span></a>; Master’s of Law (LL.M) and Master’s in
Humanitarian and Refugee Studies, M.H.R.S. from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Lagos"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none;">University of Lagos</span></a>,
he continues to write weekly, <i>The Girl
Whisperer</i> — on gender relations in <i>The
Guardian on Sunday</i>, a column he has written since March 2007 and is a
member of the Governing Council of the (Committee for Relevant Art) (CORA), a
leading Arts and Culture Advocacy group in Nigeria.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The Whisperer</span></i><span style="font-family: Times;"> through the years?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uwXA7wI-_LsAJ-YGoGJ_XHOBFzl8au_cZVxLMkyR-Ov6CcvAsXA3dxEpqngxPERhncjOHkQnaWCcUBSN0RPnbzCxL2v2WShwhAD36JiSUo0YCTGp0AWq0Uuy3yMUEwn-EoTvh5wfgxk/s1600/bike.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5uwXA7wI-_LsAJ-YGoGJ_XHOBFzl8au_cZVxLMkyR-Ov6CcvAsXA3dxEpqngxPERhncjOHkQnaWCcUBSN0RPnbzCxL2v2WShwhAD36JiSUo0YCTGp0AWq0Uuy3yMUEwn-EoTvh5wfgxk/s400/bike.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>“It’s been five years of fun and excitement,”
says Oguntokun. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>He continues “it has been an interesting
ride, sometimes bumpy but always fun. What started as an inspiration shared
with the Editor of the paper has since gathered momentum and someday will be
made into book-form and in several volumes. I have been loved by many (and
sometimes hated, some people refusing to take to my postulations). What no one
must forget is that this column is not a Holy Book. It is me telling what I
think of gender relations, and the things that can go wrong between partners
and potential associates.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-29515087879615598712012-06-23T03:08:00.001-07:002012-06-23T03:08:12.051-07:00All things Bright … and beautiful for a LiveWell mission<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Calibri; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtME6fgCk0JogTrU9Kb_RN4CmTytphidQrQOtGAAyNdCSNu5LbfwoYcx0MaWvj5uvB0EeTuRk-bfznFfbt7gWD5DA7fpv0ChFFUEsnIrKMowVMKXkn1FMh-OXV8jOO5ocK7eh9t8Y8vN8/s1600/Bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8In8zPJo3C2mz92NOggtKIuNM_voDttvYKE_xwED_p9JJB_Zsls6ICCJbq3XJilxj6CExMl4IzMGVWcfe8tjJWR-L5UNEpYJSEHpK3p7_KhoiTEkgNuEtT_maL-oiGwDfP_SKnNQ9ocU/s1600/Bright+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">BY BISI ALABI WILLIAMS</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">BISI</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"> Bright is the Representative of Africa/Middle
East International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the global federation of
national associations of two million pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists.
She is also the first vice chairman and CEO of LiveWell Initiative (LWI), a
non-governmental organisation that focuses on reducing health illiteracy and
improving life expectancy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">“The
LiveWell Initiative is a community based, not-for-profit organisation with
international focus. Since its inception in 2007, the group has provided free
health empowerment programmes to over 1.4 million Nigerians and 3,000 Ghanaians
including the physically challenged. Yet, it’s not funded by government or any
group,” Bright says. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>The NGO, which launched its academy, the LWI
Academy, through which it hopes to reach out to millions of Nigerians,
Ghanaians and other Africans. The NGO collaborates with various local, national
and international organisations and has got the endorsement of the<b> </b>US Consulate General in Nigeria, for
its effort in the area of public and grassroots health empowerment programmes.<b></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtME6fgCk0JogTrU9Kb_RN4CmTytphidQrQOtGAAyNdCSNu5LbfwoYcx0MaWvj5uvB0EeTuRk-bfznFfbt7gWD5DA7fpv0ChFFUEsnIrKMowVMKXkn1FMh-OXV8jOO5ocK7eh9t8Y8vN8/s1600/Bright.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtME6fgCk0JogTrU9Kb_RN4CmTytphidQrQOtGAAyNdCSNu5LbfwoYcx0MaWvj5uvB0EeTuRk-bfznFfbt7gWD5DA7fpv0ChFFUEsnIrKMowVMKXkn1FMh-OXV8jOO5ocK7eh9t8Y8vN8/s640/Bright.jpg" width="385" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>Why the Initiative?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>She says, “it was established to fill the
health literacy gap by empowering people with health literacy, which is
different from functional literacy. Having realised that a lot of technocrats,
high-flying individuals and whiz kids have very low health literacy level, we
decided to bridge the gap. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Our programmes are, however, open to all —
the rich, poor, young, old, lettered and unlettered. We decided to add value to
the social space through health literacy and empowerment.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>As a way of empowering people, the
organisation recently trained and graduated seven officers at the Lagos
Business School (LBS) and Enterprises Development Centre (EDC). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">Inspiration?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>The lady retorts: “It is God-given
inspiration, and which also emanates from a few experiences I had. I was
shocked to my marrows when I heard of the death of a 44-year-old female
engineer, who suddenly died of heart attack. This made her family members angry,
that the lady was ignorant of her health condition. So, with that, God, through
one of my children, told me to start an initiative that will enlighten people
on health issues and that birthed LWI<i>.</i>”<i></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">The<b> </b>LWI runs different programmes
throughout the year; however, the most popular is the ‘health literacy’ aspect.
“We run at least 60 programmes a year, which comes to an average of five
programmes a month. One unique feature is that all the programmes offer free
healthcare services to the people. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“Some of the programmes range from workplace
wellness, work life balance, executive health seminars and health awareness
campaign in market places, garages and mechanic villages, as well as the LWI
Academy (LWIA) training in First Aid/CPR, Health Safety and Environmental
Management.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">She
adds: “We also run community health outreaches in rural, semi-rural and urban
areas; deworm children, teach school children about etiquette, personal hygiene
and hand washing. Our school’s programme covers drug abuse and disuse, as well
as our ‘Project Diabetes,’ which teaches children (and adults) about diabetes
and obesity and, and how to eat right. This project is in line with Michelle
Obama’s ‘Let’s Move’. In addition, the LWIA trainings cover self-esteem
building, youth empowerment and other humanitarian activities.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">ON Grand
Health Bazaar (GHB) and networking, Bright says: “The objectives are of
threefold: to promote health and wellness among corporate citizens by
sensitising them to the importance of health, as it relates to commerce and
productivity with a view to improving overall work-life balance; to promote
organisational health in the corporate sector through a motivational, exciting,
learning and rewarding exposition, which will enhance the individual health and
overall corporate health of the citizen; and to promote inter-sectoral health
by initiating cross-cutting health sector collaborations in a mutual synergy.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8In8zPJo3C2mz92NOggtKIuNM_voDttvYKE_xwED_p9JJB_Zsls6ICCJbq3XJilxj6CExMl4IzMGVWcfe8tjJWR-L5UNEpYJSEHpK3p7_KhoiTEkgNuEtT_maL-oiGwDfP_SKnNQ9ocU/s1600/Bright+2.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8In8zPJo3C2mz92NOggtKIuNM_voDttvYKE_xwED_p9JJB_Zsls6ICCJbq3XJilxj6CExMl4IzMGVWcfe8tjJWR-L5UNEpYJSEHpK3p7_KhoiTEkgNuEtT_maL-oiGwDfP_SKnNQ9ocU/s640/Bright+2.jpg" width="329" /></a><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">The
LWI GHB 2011 was the first health multi-sectoral bazaar in the Nigeria. It
focuses on women’s e-Health and adult immunisation. The show attracted
endorsements and accolades from organisations such as the US Consulate General (USCG),
UN Millennia 2015, Millennia 2015 Zimbabwe and others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">Bright
reveals that the training programmes compete with organisations such as the LBS
and Phillips Consulting due to its exquisite, innovative and highly qualitative
nature run in ‘clean air’ venues like Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Elion House Hotel,
Ikoyi and The Marco Polo, V.I, Lagos. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>“This quarter, we intend to mount a ‘Domestic
Health Fair’ for all drivers, cooks, gardeners, housemaids, nannies and other
domestic servants. It will be a very interesting one, and we are looking out
for collaborations. We want to do this because most domestic servants do not
have access to any form of healthcare except in emergencies when they get
minimum access and they are made to pay a refund by their bosses,” she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span>On reaching the youths through camping
programmes, Bright opines: “We will also run a Youth Camp Outreach in
partnership with the MFM Camp, and our bulk internship programmes with Babcock
University as well as other institutions. We will also run an ‘open air’ Free Health
Mission for the public. This is the third year the programme is running and it
usually costs us a lot of money. However, we run the programme yearly at
strategic locations, and we always experience large turnout.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span>
</span></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;">While
saying they are<b> </b>looking at
partnering with corporate organisations to boost their financial base, empower
more people and develop programmes, she reveals, “the major challenge faced is
finance. We run two offices with over 120 officers to cater for.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt;"><span> </span><span> </span>“We
have over 20 doctors, pharmacists, several nurses, public health professionals,
microbiologists, biochemists, engineers, lawyers, administrators, business
study graduates and others. Our programmes are in very high demand, but funding
has been a major challenge. However, we intend to overcome it by improving our
income generating drive,” she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-50720806393271890732012-06-21T14:56:00.001-07:002012-06-23T03:04:34.534-07:00Beverly... A daughter returns with love<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">BY CHUKS NWANNE</span></b><br />
<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">PREVIOUS</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">
efforts to have a one-on-one chat with her failed as the London-based actress
was said to have returned home to complete her film training at the Rodhampton
University, London. That was after she starred in Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s <i>Home In Exile</i>, the movie that brought
her to limelight.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Recently, there were feelers that Beverly
Naya had taken a bold step to relocate back home, having completed her studies
in the United Kingdom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> According to sources, the delectable actress
and model has always nursed the ambition of returning to fatherland, so, her
stint on Imasuen’s set was actually a sort of testing the waters. Through a
friend, who seems to have been keeping tabs with her, I nicked her for a chat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoySqaLU4COfTlcOEMbRZZZ6XgBcyyjxFMRVs9sRBHTz-vHJoXSt1YVBdNbOP1tzrmE0tnC-vy6v0qWLDE_dd_JAymopAwccCqvPbJuJeFzjW_YViWJBc-MV5s-09yKd_m7_vH16Y1EM/s1600/Beverly+Naya.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoySqaLU4COfTlcOEMbRZZZ6XgBcyyjxFMRVs9sRBHTz-vHJoXSt1YVBdNbOP1tzrmE0tnC-vy6v0qWLDE_dd_JAymopAwccCqvPbJuJeFzjW_YViWJBc-MV5s-09yKd_m7_vH16Y1EM/s640/Beverly+Naya.jpg" width="337" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"> As she wheeled in on a black Toyota Corolla
into the Shopping Mall somewhere on Lagos Island, the Delta State-born actress wore
a very simple dress, yet looking sophisticated. With light makeup and short
silky gown that exposes her decent legs, Beverly was on the go. The usual noise
from customers trooping in and out of the mall, coupled with the generator
sound led to a change of venue. Left with no other options, we ended up in
Beverly’s car. <i> </i>You don’t need to rack your brain to know
Beverly’s belief; she’s got a black rosary hung on the centre mirror. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">BORN</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;"> in
London to Nigerian parents, Beverly was six months old when the family
relocated to the United States where she lived in Atlanta and Chicago. Just as
she clocked eight, the family moved back to London where she spent a better
part of her life.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “I’m the only child, so, I had a bit of a
quiet childhood; but I have loads of cousins and they always made sure I was
happy and kept me company. I have some beautiful memories from my childhood,”
she enthused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Though a Nigerian, her first visit to the
country was at the age of 15. At that time, the music of American hip-hop star
Sisquo was making waves and Beverly was a big fan.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “At that time of my life, I was obsessed
with Sisquo, so, when he came to Nigeria, I had to go and watch him. My Mum
knew how much I loved him and she arranged for me to go to Sisquo concert. I
was fortunate to meet him backstage and I was speechless; I just kept staring
at him and at one point he started looking at me like I was crazy,” she
confessed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Eventually, Beverly managed to utter the
words, “can I take a picture with you?” And just as the camera flashed, “I
kissed him on the lips! He was completely shocked by that. Only to get home,
try to develop the picture and they were not there. All of them were gone, so,
I lost that memory forever. But I’m over Sisquo now,” she smiled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Right from her childhood, Beverly has
always shown signs of playing big in the arts, though without a specific direction.
Initially, she wanted to sing, then toyed with modeling, but finally settled
for acting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “I didn’t really know exactly what I wanted
to do, but I’ve always been an arts oriented person and I knew I was going to
do something in that direction. As a child, I just loved to enjoy life, but the
older I grew, I started to set goals for myself and realising where my passion
really is, especially when my parents told me I couldn’t sing to save my life.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> What does that mean?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “They said, ‘your voice is horrible, don’t
sing.’ So, after that, I realised maybe that’s not where I needed to go. I’ve
always known that I have the ability to act; my parents believe that’s the area
I should go and they have supported me since then.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Immediately she opted for acting, Beverly
made efforts to formalise what started as a passion. She studied Drama in
College for two years and got a distinction for the few plays she performed
while in school. Later, she took a three-year break to the university, where
she studied Filmmaking and Scriptwriting, and graduated with a second class
upper in Filmmaking and a first class in Scriptwriting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">BEVERLY </span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">was
only 20, when she featured in <i>Home In
Exile</i>, alongside Desmond Elliot, Justus Esiri, Chiwetalu Agu, Francis Duru
and others. The actress/model actually took a holiday to be part of the
production. A lover and admirer of <i>Nollywood</i>,
Beverly has always looked forward for an opportunity to return home to act, so,
when the script came, she grabbed it with both hands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “There was no way my parent would have
allowed me to relocate to Nigeria to pursue acting because I needed my degree.
So, I came during the summer holiday and did <i>Home In Exile</i>, directed by Lancelot.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Featuring in the move was Beverly’s first
direct exposure to the Nigerian movie industry, an experience she had always
dreamt of.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgICKCorwG9oDLYxBhL2YCmYY6a92l2UWvzOBqmSNE8Kyhyf4IMN2cCbIU-ieF2eNEM7DKMnjRuGIH0kf-TSn6RsWZrbQ_9IeHX37BmZBfo4yZgys2VK0c5Thw5JOy-rBlhPYfla1j7ZU/s1600/Beverly+Naya.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgICKCorwG9oDLYxBhL2YCmYY6a92l2UWvzOBqmSNE8Kyhyf4IMN2cCbIU-ieF2eNEM7DKMnjRuGIH0kf-TSn6RsWZrbQ_9IeHX37BmZBfo4yZgys2VK0c5Thw5JOy-rBlhPYfla1j7ZU/s640/Beverly+Naya.jpg" width="456" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"> “No doubt, I was very nervous. It was my
first time shooting a feature length movie and working with Nigerians. It was a
nervous experience like I said, but I did enjoy it, hence I’m doing more now.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Coincidentally, her role in the movie was
similar to what she was experiencing personally, as a young Nigerian, who had
spent all her life abroad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “It was a sort of culture shock for my
character; coming from America to a country where I know very little about. In
fact, there was a scene in the movie where my character, Julie, sat on the
king’s throne, which is a taboo. It was kind of fun acting that part,
especially because it could happen to anyone who has lived abroad for so long.
In that sense, I will say it was cool.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Though born and brought up in the western
world, Beverly is a strong believer in the rich culture and tradition of
Africa. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “I’ve always said that Africa as a
continent has a very rich culture; I’ve always wanted to explore various parts
of this continent. I think it’s a beautiful thing; I think it’s enviable in my
opinion. This is something that we should cherish,” she harped.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Unfortunately, the western world
erroneously labels some of these rich cultures fetish?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “That’s one aspect of our culture; African
culture is very broad, so we can’t limit it to being fetish,” she noted.
“However, the western world tends to pick holes in our culture instead of
looking at the beauty of Africa. To me, I don’t really see that as a major part
of our culture.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Even with the shortcomings in <i>Nollywood</i> productions, Beverly believes
that things are gradually taking shape. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “Definitely, there’s a contrast with the
way things are done elsewhere. For instance, in London, we have more time to
shoot movies. Also, the time that we have to interpret our scripts is shorter
here. Sometimes we get a script like a week or two before the <a href="http://naijamayor.com/category/movie/"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">movie</span></a> commences and that
could be a challenge too. But I think I’m getting used to it now and I really
do enjoy it and I love challenges. I’m driven towards challenges, so, it works
fine for me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> While in the UK, Beverly was involved in
few productions, mainly short films. On the other side, she also modeled. But
when it was time to play in feature films, the Ibusa lady opted for <i>Nollywood.</i> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “It’s happening more now because I know a
few people in England and America, who have taken the decision to come home. My
mum used to tell me that charity begins at home, so, the initial movement was
because of that. However, while in the university, I resolved to move back to
Nigeria and work here after school. Officially, I decided to come home in May,
2010.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Aside from the thirst for <i>Nollywood</i>, England seems not to have
presented a healthy environment for black actors like Beverly, except playing
prostitutes, drug addicts and criminals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “We don’t work as often as we do here; we
don’t get scripts that are as challenging as what we get here — in my opinion.
I think I’m able to be more dynamic roles in this industry; I can play a
character today and do a contrast of it in my next movie. I love work; I don’t
like idleness. I love to always get the opportunity to work and <i>Nollywood</i> provides that platform for me.
The scripts coming out here now, the quality and budget, show we have really
advanced,” she enthused.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> From all indications, the London-trained
filmmaker is enjoying the <i>Nollywood </i>experience,
playing lead role in a number of productions including <i>Make Me a Heart</i>, <i>Dark Waters</i>,
<i>Weekend Getaway</i> and others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “It’s been good; I’ve been on set lately.
Since September last year, I’ve done three cinema movies — <i>Weekend Getaway</i> directed by Desmond Elliot and produced by Emem
Isong; a week after that, I was on Charles Novia’s set for <i>Alan Poser</i> starring Ossy Ukaeje. After that, I was in Terrila
Thompson’s <i>Up Creek Without A Paddle</i>.
The movie is about the Niger Delta crises and the budget is really high.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Of all her works, Beverly seems to have
fallen in love with her role in <i>Stripped</i>,
a yet to be released movie shot in Lagos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “My favourite would have to be the
character from <i>Stripped</i> which is the
movie I just finished shooting with Ramsey Nouah and Joseph Benjamin. That
character is the best I’ve played so far and it was amazing; she experienced a
huge variety of emotions. The character was very challenging; she lives in the
village and also a prostitute, which is far away from who I’m; I can’t wait for
everybody to see that movie.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> How did you cope?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “It’s all about research; I do a lot of
research whenever I’m working. The more research I do, the more I get used to
the character.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Barely a year after she return, Beverly
has featured in a number of productions; a feat some of her fellow returnees
are yet to achieve. One wonders how she got these roles in such a short period
of time?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “Well, for <i>Weekend Getaway</i>, I was fortunate enough that Emem Isong got in
touch with me for that role. As for <i>Alan
Poser</i>, I’ve had that script for over a year; he literarily wanted me for
that character. <i>Up Crick Without A Paddle</i>,
they had someone in mind for that character, but I told them I could handle it;
they believed in me and gave the role to me. If you meet Tarrila Thomson today,
he will tell you how impressed he is with my role. As for <i>Stripped,</i> they had auditioned over 200 females for that role, but
the time I came, the director was like, ‘this is the person for this job.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> She continued: “Maybe it’s a sort of
payback for taking that decision to work in my fatherland. Again, when you
believe in something and you voice it, it happens. That’s how it has always
been with me; I trust in God a lot to see me through in anything I do.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSd2FRFRlFejf5Xkpq0oDuXNaOd71CFlQ3pRjr7meqr148jFOyayF3uIvCcXz1Y49GCCedzKKSC3tUfxWxjRCDmuiqlUAYf1ATIyc_oPrclcHhw21d9GLlu4WaarCRpucPifMWDtYXr0/s1600/Naya.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSd2FRFRlFejf5Xkpq0oDuXNaOd71CFlQ3pRjr7meqr148jFOyayF3uIvCcXz1Y49GCCedzKKSC3tUfxWxjRCDmuiqlUAYf1ATIyc_oPrclcHhw21d9GLlu4WaarCRpucPifMWDtYXr0/s640/Naya.jpg" width="427" /></a><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times;">HAVING</span></b><span style="font-family: Times;">
found her rhythm as an actress in <i>Nollywood</i>,
Beverly is now eyeing the big picture.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “Definitely in the near future, I’m going
to get involved in directing films and music videos; I also model in my spare
time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Have you done any modeling in the country?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “Yes, I’m working with Etisalat right now;
I have a contract to do some billboards adverts for them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> As for the challenges involved in being a
star, “I’m aware, but I just feel that God would never give me something I
can’t handle. I never let anything affect me; I’ve got such a strong family
support with amazing friends. Most importantly, I have God on my side. So far,
I have all these things, I believe there’s no single challenge I cannot
handle.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> To Beverly, looking good is something that
should be taken very serious.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “I love to be different, I love to be
unique; I love to walk into the room and everybody looks at me. Sorry, that’s
how I love it,” she said amidst laughter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> That means you are ready to do some crazy
stuff?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “No, I’m not wild,” she quipped, laughing
aloud. “I love to look like a lady, no matter what. I just love to have an aura
of confidence; I’m a confident person; not arrogant, but just confident.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> What’s your kind of man?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “I like an ambitious man; a man that knows
how to treat a lady and make her look special. I love a confident and
intellectual man. I need a handsome man that dresses well and has to believe in
God too.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> Any plans to return to London soon?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> “I’m based in Nigeria now, but obviously,
London is still home; I would go there from time to time to see my family
members, friends and to shop.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-90480146256491734272012-06-21T14:50:00.001-07:002012-06-23T03:33:53.131-07:00Susan Peters … Foundation lift for asthmatic patients<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Calibri";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: Calibri; }p { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: Times; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">BY OLUSHOLA RICKETTS</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">HER</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> voice floated
quietly, but confidently. She was emotional </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">as</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> she spoke</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">; and even</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">with</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> wide grin</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> that spotlighted
her elegant face</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, you’ll
notice little tears dripping from her eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> As a growing child, the <i>Nollywood </i>actress and model battled with
asthma. The experience was not palatable. Now, she is determined to create more
awareness about the ailment, which has killed many young people. “My
experience, coupled with that of my father, a diabetic patient, made me think
of setting up a foundation to cater for the less-privileged,” she says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7JW_07BOPGyAZhBwg7VIMoTTZSqALYoUdyG3VTCLB36mY0cOtnBzfrCPQcSeRRZDABEd1ThN5KyK-Y6YKWGoqCfspHPKVsO0eiO8yKuaL1azOeX3q_cqFGKGP8Sh9jJgRER9SN09LDI/s1600/229735_236752949691502_100000703974154_736275_3106338_n.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7JW_07BOPGyAZhBwg7VIMoTTZSqALYoUdyG3VTCLB36mY0cOtnBzfrCPQcSeRRZDABEd1ThN5KyK-Y6YKWGoqCfspHPKVsO0eiO8yKuaL1azOeX3q_cqFGKGP8Sh9jJgRER9SN09LDI/s640/229735_236752949691502_100000703974154_736275_3106338_n.jpg" width="424" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">SUSAN Peters, the</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Benue State-born diva says she will
officially launch her non-governmental organisation (NGO), </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">'</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Susan Peters Foundation: Benue <i>Pikin</i></span><i><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">'</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> on May 30,
her birthday. “I hope to use the organisation to enlighten more people, as well
as, create awareness on childhood asthma and diabetes,” Susan says.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Childhood asthma is something
most people don’t know about. So, I intend to create awareness </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">about</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> these two killer diseases — asthma and
diabetes,” she pauses, as if to muster enough strength to say what is coming
next. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “I love charity and I hope to
use the medium provided by the Foundation to contribute my quota to societal
growth,” Susan says, in a voice that carries not only her dream, </span><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 115%;">but also</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> the spirit
behind it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Reflecting back Susan says,
before now, she’d always celebrated her birthday with inmates in orphanages,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">;</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> using </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">such occasion</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> as an avenue to enlighten them on how to
handle such cases.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Since it is an NGO, the Foundation
will source for fund both within and outside the country. Says Susan, “we are,
however, looking up to kind-hearted Nigerians, corporate organisations and
government for support to make the mission work.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">SUSAN’s break into <i>Nollywood</i>
started with an excursion to Lagos in 2002 after a course in TV and Film in
Kaduna. The actress, however, had her first shot at limelight, when she did a
modelling job around 2004. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Since then, she has graced so
many billboards including those of BAT (British America Tobacco), Fidelity
Bank, Keystone Bank, Golden Penny Pasta, U.H.F Long life Milk, Haemeron blood
tonic, Airport Branding and others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> However, modeling has not
stopped her involvement in acting. In only a few years on the turf, she has
featured in over 50 movies </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">including</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sound of poverty</span></i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, <i>Wicked
Intensions</i>, <i>Stone face</i>, <i>Spiritual War</i>, <i>God Mother</i>, <i>Nollywood
Hustlers</i>, <i>Bursting out</i>, <i>30 days</i>, <i>Mortal attraction</i>, <i>Moment of
Truth</i>, <i>Young Masters</i>, <i>Getto Language</i>, <i>The Begotten, Wasted Effort, My Diary, Squad 23, War Front 2, State of
Emergency 2, Stolen Bible, The Hammer, Save the Crown, God Mother, The boy is
mine</i> and others.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Is she comfortable with the
way </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">movies</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> are flooding
the Nigerian market?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Our videos now go through the
cinemas before they are finally released into the market. You have to go see
them at cinemas or have to wait for it to be on DVD,” she discloses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Susan believes there is no
industry without challenges, even in politics. In the UK, she says they have
their own lapses and “we have our own as well but we pray to God every day that
it gets better."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyc8neQ_CpSQcvPB87ZWbZdPtHnUK2wXOyhkNVlpodBkhJRSn1oWUpkLrmnfrabuD81ZiTU9Ge5-bonnMCoYGnTgulrlqN29pXXMyu-UETlHl4NP-2P51l7q28G4Qnd5NGqHHzdF8xbs/s1600/Susan-Peters-New-Promo-Shots-October-2011-BellaNaija-008-398x600.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyc8neQ_CpSQcvPB87ZWbZdPtHnUK2wXOyhkNVlpodBkhJRSn1oWUpkLrmnfrabuD81ZiTU9Ge5-bonnMCoYGnTgulrlqN29pXXMyu-UETlHl4NP-2P51l7q28G4Qnd5NGqHHzdF8xbs/s640/Susan-Peters-New-Promo-Shots-October-2011-BellaNaija-008-398x600.jpg" width="424" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">S</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he continues,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Nigeria is a big country, and there is no way you can compare the
way video films are shot here with that of UK.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Then again, she pauses. “The
way we work here is tense. We do back to back movies like there is no tomorrow.
An executive producer won't just sit down and expect you to use a month to
shoot a video that could take him some days. People in the UK don’t work like
us; they work with ease.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> How does she choose whom she
works with and the work to be done?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> She says, commitment to the
job and project determine that.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> As to the </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">seeming</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">stiff competition </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">among actresses</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> -- which often
lead to conflicts or what is popularly called <i>beefing</i>;</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> she </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">tacitly admits such
exists, but </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">points </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">out </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">that men don’t really go through the same
challenges and difficulties. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “If a particular role is meant
for this man, it is for the man. But in our case, we have lots of new faces
that are equally doing well. Gone are the days that they use to beg a lady or
woman to act</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">,</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> she
explains.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> But does this make her happy?
“Maybe not,” she says. “The lesser the politics in <i>Nollywood</i>, the better.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> She also puts a caveat: “There
is need for more investment in the movie industry. If there are more investors,
there will be more jobs for the youths. The industry is very large to
accommodate everybody.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> To what extent has her
appearance fees influenced her life on the acting turf?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> While advising up-coming
actresses and models to seek God’s love and favour, says, “if you have to be
Susan Peters, you must have to forget about the money at present. When you are
fresh in the industry or just coming in, the take</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">home is small. If you really have passion
for the job, you must not think too much of money for now and make sure that
you are relevant and get roles based on merit. The money will always come
later.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">WHEN
Susan got a call from Emem Isong to play a supporting role in her movie, <i>Bursting Out</i>, little did she know that
the work would earn her, her first recognition outside the shores of the
country. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> Few months after the premiere, the movie
earned her the Best Actress Award for (Supporting Role) at the <i>Nollywood</i> and African Film Critics'
Awards (NAFCA) held in North Carolina, USA.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> Though the category had other strong
contenders such as Ini Edo, Nadia Buari and Roseline Ngissah; Susan’s
troublesome character as Ibiere in the movie s</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;">ure</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt;"> won the hearts of the judges and viewers, who voted massively for
her in the competition.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> The NFACA recognizes
work of professionals in the African film industry, including directors,
actors, writers and humanitarian workers.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Apart from two international
awards — Afro Hollywood Award, United Kingdom and Best Supporting Actress in
America</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (NFACA)</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">, she has won two awards from <i>City People</i> magazine: Outstanding
Performance in the movie industry (2012) and The Most Stylish Actress of the
Year (2010) and Best of Nollywood (BON) last year. “I cherish all my awards
because they are very importance to me," she relishes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Till date, she remains the
only and first Nigerian Actress to feature in the International Afro American
Magazine, Black Beauty And Hair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Trivia</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Is she lonely at the top?
“No,” Susan says. She is in fact surprised at the negative perception the
society attach to single ladies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> “Marital issue is so serious
in our society. Any little thing, people will insult you to go marry as if
marriage is the end of the world,” she laments.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKU5dvamFrQWPMCywmmuCUTFoWMp_UXgapRtzpdTTTjpYKxPM8jxGZ23_YplUPlY3OLcsFGKRAY_2l2QMFF3WUF44hHEXQTnwvElXO0S1l96LX6HnH0n0fBzhUcrv_xli41wdnIvVXDA/s1600/Susan-Peters-New-Promo-Shots-October-2011-BellaNaija-009.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghKU5dvamFrQWPMCywmmuCUTFoWMp_UXgapRtzpdTTTjpYKxPM8jxGZ23_YplUPlY3OLcsFGKRAY_2l2QMFF3WUF44hHEXQTnwvElXO0S1l96LX6HnH0n0fBzhUcrv_xli41wdnIvVXDA/s640/Susan-Peters-New-Promo-Shots-October-2011-BellaNaija-009.jpg" width="424" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> She adds that force has nothing
to do with getting the right person. “Marriage will come at the right time. The
reason many people experience-failed marriages </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">is </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">because of pressure either from family or
their peers.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> S</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">usan</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> advises women not to rush into marriage.
“Take your time and get to know the person even though it takes forever to know
someone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> If she finally marries,
breaking up in the future won’t be an option. “I want a marriage that describes
everything to do with </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">'</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">for better for worst</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">'</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">.”</span><span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times; line-height: 115%;">HER</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> fashion sense?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> The
award-winning actress says, </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“ I am a fashionista and good dress
sense influences me.” </span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The lady, whose most expensive fashion pieces are
her Swarovski and diamond sets, says, she does not really have favourite
designers. “I go for what fits me. My style is classy, edgy, trendy, sexy and
sassy.”<b> </b><span style="color: black;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Susan says her beauty routine is simple — regular facial wash, use of
moisturisers and a lot of water. She eats well, too.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">S</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">he</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> uses any kind of
shower gel and ‘clean and clear’ products for her face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-71161226358669563842012-06-21T10:27:00.000-07:002012-06-21T10:27:15.863-07:00Ohiwerei’s Winning by His Grace<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi6qQSeojdxG-S6m3Gvdk2bD69kQ-pcc5n0mwyI2boDBvoBTpSZRt1eVRlQoI6d_DnEJcWlccOzWBkzxlxWEttpmzoKF6yWkVK4MK67-dRmJ67A_l9mbPxLNkV3fY9bAPGRlP3H_lX9I/s1600/Felix+Ohiwere.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><i></i></span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">BY GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi6qQSeojdxG-S6m3Gvdk2bD69kQ-pcc5n0mwyI2boDBvoBTpSZRt1eVRlQoI6d_DnEJcWlccOzWBkzxlxWEttpmzoKF6yWkVK4MK67-dRmJ67A_l9mbPxLNkV3fY9bAPGRlP3H_lX9I/s1600/Felix+Ohiwere.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbi6qQSeojdxG-S6m3Gvdk2bD69kQ-pcc5n0mwyI2boDBvoBTpSZRt1eVRlQoI6d_DnEJcWlccOzWBkzxlxWEttpmzoKF6yWkVK4MK67-dRmJ67A_l9mbPxLNkV3fY9bAPGRlP3H_lX9I/s640/Felix+Ohiwere.jpg" width="329" /></a><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">YOU’VE</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> probably heard of (or
maybe even bought into) the common misconception that obtaining a liberal arts
degree will limit your ability to make it to the top in a boardroom. In fact,
egocentric idealists are sure to tell you stories on how art underdeveloped the
world, not how Europe underdeveloped Africa. </span><span style="font-family: Times;">Professor Emmanuel Ndubuisi <span style="color: black;">Eme</span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">n</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">yonu’s biography of</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> Felix Omoikhoje Aizobeoje</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> Ohiwerei </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">lampoons such idea.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>In his 298-page book, <i>Winning by His Grace, </i>Emenyonu articulates skills picked up at
school, knowledge of the environment and recognition of what others are doing
as essential for success in contemporary capitalism, definitely not choice of
study. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">He celebrates
the boardroom guru, entrepreneur and pastor for</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> his</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> successes in companies that he has worked and managed. Yet, Ohiwerei
read Geography at the University of Ibadan</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Emenyonu, president
of United States and Africa Development Organisation, a Connecticut-based
organisation, whose main objective is to promote business between the US and
sub-Saharan Africa, is a professor of forensic, information and international
accounting at the Southern Connecticut State University in the US.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The Imo State-born
professor’s previous attempt to document the life and times of the late
educationist, Dr. Akanu Ibiam, was not successful.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>He got close to Ohiwerei in 2005; and in the
course of interacting with the boardroom veteran, he found in him qualities
that were encouraging in terms of humility, keeping appointments, returning
phone calls even to very minute level. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In 2008, Emenyonu
reached the conclusion that it would be good to write a book on him so that
young people within and outside the country would know that there are not only
men of integrity in Nigeria, but it is quite possible to be a business leader
at the very highest level and do it with honesty and humility. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>"That was,
quite frankly, my number one motivation for doing the book on him (Ohiwerei),"
he says. "My encounter with him agreed with the general notion you
perceive when you speak to people about him." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;">WITH
a foreward written by Dr Christopher Kolade, the very exciting work underscores
the value of hardwork and</span> <span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">provides a new template for assessing success</span><span style="font-family: Times;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The book is a ‘practical manual’ on
management, and it covers everything you’ll need to know to be a good manager
of men. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Using Ohiwerei as the eye of the camera, the
author tells you exactly the kind of mentality you’ll need to succeed, and the price
you need to pay in order to make a success of your career. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>Taking
a cursory look at the country, the author points out that o<span style="color: black;">f the </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">major CEOs who
have emerged in the last three decades in Nigeria</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">very few have been</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> as thorough and mystifying as</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> Felix Omoikhoje Aizobeoje</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> (</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">FOA)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>To list only a few of
Ohiwerei’s qualities: </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">he’s blessed with good
height, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">affable and good humo</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">u</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">red. These
traits </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">have endeared him to many</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">.</span><span style="font-family: Times;"> <span style="color: black;">But
they have not made him the winner he is. Rather, the book takes its deeper resonance
from humility.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">Prof. Ayodele Falase, a
renowned cardiologist and former vice chancellor of the University of Ibadan,
says, “I can say it anywhere, if we want Nigeria to be fixed, that is the sort
of man who can fix Nigeria and that is the sort of man people like us will work
with.”<span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Dr Paschal Dozie,
founder and former chairman of Diamond Bank, says, “Felix Ohiwerei is a rarity.
People like him are very rare in this country as of today. His character is
impeccable. He is a man of rare qualities. He is a man of integrity.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Emenyonu, drawing
inference from these positive expressions, writes that Ohiwerei has performed
in a manner that is consistent with ideas that he holds dearly and virtues he
defends whole-heartedly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span style="color: black;">In his </span>classic,
<i>See You At The Top</i>, Zig Ziglar <span style="color: black;">writes: “When you sow an action, you reap a habit; when you
sow a habit, you reap a character; and when you sow a character, you reap a
destiny.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Ohiwerei, who is </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">admired for his
</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">humility, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">tireless fight against </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">corruption</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">, makes</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> CEOs understand
the need to sow a character. The boardroom guru believes that the starting
point for success and happiness, as Ziglar reveals, is ‘a healthy self-image’ —
To be above board in their daily pursuit</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">DIVIDED into five parts: <i>Formative
Years, Career and Starting Family, Retirement Years, Homefront, Faith,
Principles, Accolades and Conclusions</i>, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">each part opens the eyes of the reader to every detail about FOA.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> In many ways,
it is a coming of age tale. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Each part of Eme</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">n</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">yonu’s biography engages students with the
compelling story of the man who went from being the son of a village catechist
to one of the biggest players in today’s boardroom.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">A</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">n Anglican by birth</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">, </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">married a Catholic, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">he </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">has </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">be</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">co</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">me </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">one of </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">the </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">vanguards of
Pentecostalism in the country.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">And </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">each chapter has an emotional detail and testament.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>FOA, like the famed King Midas, has turned
every outfit that he has managed or led in the boardroom into gold,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> inspiring </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">tremendous</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">growth in every one of them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In a straight forward
manner, the author exposes what is often missing in many a-biography — detailed
account of the subject’s life, especially major events that shaped them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In the</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> five-part, 20 chapter-book, the author starts with a
Why question! Why a biography on Felix Ohiwerei? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>A
quote of William Makepeace Thackeray prefaces the answer: "Nature has
written a letter of credit upon some men's faces that is honoured whenever
presented. You cannot help trusting such men. Their very presence gives
confidence."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Incorporating serious scholarship, the book
examines Ohiwerei in the larger context of the integrity movement. He tries to
avoid a chapter being cursory, hopping or skipping details about the subject.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>Also, in answering the why
question, the author says</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> <span lang="EN-GB">FOA
evokes deep-seated respect and adulation from Nigerians across the divide. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">The book deconstructs Ohiwerei’s earliest dreams
and ambitions in relationships with his parents, his siblings and classmates — primary,
secondary and higher institution. The author </span><span style="font-family: Times;">speaks with everyone necessary to authenticate the
Ohiwerei legend, including his elder brother and his wife, his uncle, his
mentors — Pastor E A Adeboye, Dr Christopher Abebe, Chief Akintola Williams and
Dr. Michael Omolayole — his lecturer at the university, Professor Akin
Mabogunje, and a couple of classmates in secondary school. <span style="color: black;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">IN the first part of the
book, themed, <i>Formative Years</i>, the
author introduces the character, his birth place and background, primary and
secondary education and post secondary experience.<span> </span>He also lists Ohiwerei's litany of
achievements as board chairman and chief executive officer in Nigeria Breweries
Plc, Unilever, Bankers Warehouse, Asset and Resource Management (ARM), New
Nigerian Bank, Fidson Healthcare Plc., and others. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>Vey
remarkable is the turnover of Nigeria Breweries Plc. The year before FOA was
appointed the Managing Director and Vice Chairman, turnover was N207,476
million, by the time he stepped down as chairman, the turnover had soared to
N111,748 billion, an increase of 54,284. 9 per cent. The profit after tax grew
from N27,567,000 to N18,943,000,000. These owe much to his integrity,
unblemished reputation, skills, humility, credibility and competence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>In the 298-page book, the author captures him
as a naturally ‘bright’ character without guile. Emotionally connected to what
he is involved in, whether at small or large scale, Emenyonu looks at how he
has transformed and concludes with the statement of the doyen of accountancy in
Nigeria, Akintola Williams: “A man in whom there is no guile— honest to a fault
and with whom no breath of scandal has ever been associated, FOA is a gentleman
of outstanding quality and highest integrity, an administrator of
irreproachable character.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>In the opinion of Mr. Thom
de Man, the president of Heineken, Africa and Middle East, “Felix Ohiwerei’s
career will most likely be used as business case role model at Nigerian
universities and beyond.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>He continues, “In Felix, we see a man who rose
to the highest level by rising through the ranks, knowing the facts and all
times maintaining the highest level of integrity.”</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">The most startling thing that the author discovers about
Ohiwerei is that he is largely understated. He writes, "I have
observed the way he spoke to bar maids; the way he interacted with them,
very respectful. The most startling thing I realised is that whatever you hear
about him is understated. The other thing is that there was nothing he told me,
which on further investigation, turned out false."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span> </span>The motivational speaker, Ziglar, notes, “once
you accept yourself, it will no longer be a matter of life or death for others
to accept you. At that point, you will not be accepted, but you will be
welcomed wherever you go.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Times;"><span> </span><span style="color: black;"><span> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">Reflecting on the subject matter in part
two</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;">,</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">which looks at his career and starting of
family life, the</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> book </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">‘travels’ with Ohiwerei to some of his ‘ports of call’ or ‘tour of
duty’ — Benin, Ore, Ondo, Akure, Lagos, Accra, London and many other cities
across the globe. His encounter with his former bosses, Mr. George Pudney and
Mr. Paddy Kelso, best exemplify the time honoured truth that no one on the face
of this earth can make you feel inferior without your permission. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>After he was rebuked for poor merchandising,
Ohiwerei settled down to work at the end, he and Pudney shook hands and ‘no
complaint’ statement was registered for him in his performance appraisal
sheet.<span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>But more than the work, the author follows
Ohiwerei to where he found Janet, his wife.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">THE third part,
which looks at the retirement years, reveals the disciplined qualities of the
man.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">
How he overcomes the challenge of post-retirement years without having to
‘soil’ his hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>The biography possesses
inner warmth, with very apparent motive of coaching the reader to a life of
success.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> <span lang="EN-GB">And this suggests why
the fourth and fifth chapters have been devoted to such purpose.</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">W</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">ritten in lucid, academic language that
is devoid of any form of flowery or praise, t</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">he book makes ideal supplements for
building a good brand in business environment where ethics and values are
essential for success. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Times;">As a ‘motivational’ book,<span style="color: black;"> it is a
balanced profile that considers both Ohiwerei’s accomplishments and failures,
very infinitesimal, as an individual and a corporate player.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>More than the story of
Ohiwerei, it is the story of a self-made man triumphing over adversity,
tragedies of great magnitude. It is an honest account detailing the life of
‘Mr. Transparency’ in the boardroom. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Times;"><span> </span>It is a mix of motivation
and biography rolled into one. Suffice it to say, the book is a call for more
ethical way of doing business.</span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"> It </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Times;">inspires you to
follow the honest, disciplined and hardworking path for a satisfying life. </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: Times;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-83744212166003836202012-06-21T08:08:00.001-07:002012-06-21T10:21:16.952-07:00‘Dangerous lifestyles contribute to poverty of health in Nigeria’<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "Times";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> BY ANOTE AJELUOROU</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Dr.
Abimbola Silva is a Family Medicine Fellow. The best graduating student at the
West African College of Physicians in her set, Abimbola is currently campaigning
for a healthy lifestyle among Nigerians, as a way of raising the low life
expectancy in the country to an appreciable level. She speaks more on the
project. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hHooeZptZamBvaRdQV9lou9vq-W6m-KN1tJ7ll4d1h6y4LMxlEYB0QhU_djG37uI33q6vOsax1nRpVd8TO6EWZPF1aF2r2N9yrb-KQC3o2mZQPr0F4p056hd8SBSqJS5Vdb1BO6gq7M/s1600/DSC_1006.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hHooeZptZamBvaRdQV9lou9vq-W6m-KN1tJ7ll4d1h6y4LMxlEYB0QhU_djG37uI33q6vOsax1nRpVd8TO6EWZPF1aF2r2N9yrb-KQC3o2mZQPr0F4p056hd8SBSqJS5Vdb1BO6gq7M/s640/DSC_1006.jpg" width="376" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">You are a Family Medicine Fellow, what
does that mean? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">
Being a Fellow of the West African College of Physicians (WACP) in Family
Medicine means that I am trained to be able to cater for the health needs of
all family members irrespective of their age, sex or nature of illness. It
means I am qualified to treat a baby, teenagers, mummies, daddies, grandpas and
grandmas. Included in that training is the ability to recognise my limitations
(no one doctor knows everything) and refer promptly and appropriately to other
specialists when required. This is what particularly differentiates me from a
‘General Practitioner’ (GP) who may want to do all, for everyone, to please
all. Of course, some GPs are also learning to know their limits in these days
of litigation.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> My
specific roles to the family include information and education to promote their
good health and prevent illness as much as possible, prompt and effective
management of acute illnesses including emergency, life-saving operations,
management of long term illnesses to prevent or reduce complications as well as
continued support and palliative care in cases of terminal illnesses. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">How healthy would you say the
Nigerian family is? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> To
answer that, I’d like to use the term ‘life expectancy’. It is an estimate of
the average number of years a human being is expected to live in a particular
society. It has been said to be associated with available opportunities in the
society, the public health as well as diet. It varies in every society and it
changes as these indicators change. In Japan, in 2011, life expectancy was
estimated to be 82.6 years while in a country like Nigeria it was said to be 51
years in 2010 but now 47.8 years in 2011. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> It
is no secret that the Nigerian society is more ‘Westernized’ today than 20 or
30 years ago. This is more so in the urban areas than in the rural areas. So
while people would normally have eaten pounded yam and vegetable soup for
breakfast, lunch and dinner, today, eating friend rice and fried chicken is
more fashionable. People who would have walked 10 kilometres to the farm in the
morning, would now be driven in cars, take a bus or <i>okada</i> to work or school. Instead of taking a stroll in the evening
to fetch water in the stream, now we would pump water from our well while
watching our favorite programme on a television that we would not even get up
to tune, thanks to the remote control! </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">
Today, it is generally fashionable for our children to snack on biscuits and
chocolates rather than oranges, pawpaws, bananas and tangerines. So, our
healthy, fibre-rich vegetable and fruit-rich diets are being replaced by
oil-laden, low fibre meals with little or no fruits. Also, our exercise or
physical activity levels are reduced to the barest minimum. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> In the absence of strict laws against tobacco
and alcohol use in Nigeria, advertising companies have tried very hard (and are
still trying) to make cigarette smoking and alcohol use as attractive as can be
to our youth. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> They desperately need to get the children and
youth ‘hooked’ on these harmful substances so that even in the face of
reasonable evidence to declare the harm that the use of tobacco and excessive
alcohol cause, these youth may find it difficult to say ‘no’. All these
contribute to the poverty of health in the Nigerian family today.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> If I
were to say what is lacking and the remedy, it would be that we must return to
those fibre rich, low salt, low oil, vegetable and fruit-rich diets. This was
the diet and lifestyle that kept some of our old people alive till up to 100
years in those days. This is also the type of diet that keeps the life
expectancy so high in a civilised society like Japan. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> They have somehow remained traditional in
their lifestyle irrespective of the so-called civilization and development.
They are known to walk, exercise and cycle a lot of times. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> We (Nigeria) must take a cue from them and
learn to ignore as a matter of choice some of these machines that are supposed
to make life ‘easier’ for us. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> Many of them make us more laid back and the
lack of exercise promotes ill health. In addition, our laws on use of tobacco
and alcohol as well as how they are advertised, must be much tougher so that
people are well informed about what they are exposing themselves to.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">You are campaigning about healthy
lifestyles. What exactly does that mean? </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> A
person’s lifestyle determines his state of health. If culture is the way of
life of a people as we were taught to define it in primary school, then we can
definitely say a person’s culture determines their state of health. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> A healthy lifestyle is one that in totality
would enhance good health. It would include eating a healthy diet, which
contains the following:</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Carbohydrates,
especially a lot of fibre, which aids digestion of food so that food passes
along the food canal freely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> Proteins should be mainly plant-based as in
beans and its products. For animal based protein, we should choose more of
white meat such as chicken and turkey (without the skin) as well as fish over
and above red meat (such as beef, pork or goat meat). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> Scaly fish are generally better as they have
less oil but fish oil also contains Omega H-3, which contains the ‘good
cholesterol’ that helps to remove ‘bad cholesterol’ from the body.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Fats and oils should be those with low cholesterol such as
sunflower oil, soybean oil or olive oil. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> These contain more of the good cholesterol that
is needed to remove bad cholesterol from the body. The bad cholesterol is
tagged ‘bad’ because it helps to form clogs inside the small tubes that carry
blood around the body. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> As we all know, the heart is the organ that
pumps blood around the body. Most of the tubes that carry clean blood all carry
clean nourishing blood away from the heart to nourish the body. Only very few
tiny tubes carry clean nourishing blood to nourish the heart itself. A major
problem occurs when the tiny tubes that supply blood to nourish the heart
become clogged up because of this bad cholesterol. Portions of the heart may
become technically ‘dead’ and the person then may have a heart attack.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">Fruits and vegetables consumption should be encouraged among
our growing children and adults alike. If eaten fresh, vegetables provide
vitamins that help the body to fight illnesses. Eating at least one type of
fruit a day is a good way to start. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> It is good to note that the nourishment in
vegetables are only available to us if the vegetable is eaten fresh or raw in
the case of some that can be eaten raw like cucumbers, carrots, lettuce. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> If vegetables have to be cooked, we should
try to cook it in a way that any water that comes out of it remains inside the
meal. This is because many vitamins inside the vegetable are water-soluble. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> This means that if you boil your vegetable and
throw away the water you used to boil it, then you are only eating useless
leaves. So you should either boil with little water that you can add to the
soup or not at all, or steam it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> This further means that you must wash the
vegetables very well many times under running water if possible to make sure
that it is free of germs once you put it in the soup. <b></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> Minerals are usually
needed in only small amount and are found in many different types of foods in
the small proportions the body needs. One important mineral is salt (Sodium
chloride). It is advised that we eat this in very small amounts and to never
add extra salt to the meal on the table. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> A healthy lifestyle apart from the healthy
diet must include regular physical activity. Regular physical activity means
healthy exercise that would cause you to sweat like walking, running, swimming
etc. This should be done for at least thirty minutes a day for three to four
times in a week. Some other activities can make one sweat e.g. carrying heavy
loads, but it is usually those ones that are not done on the same spot that are
more beneficial to the heart. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">
Exercise helps the heart to get used to pumping well under pressure so it helps
to reduce blood pressure. It also helps to maintain proper weight and to lose
weight for those already overweight and obese. Obesity generally is very
dangerous to health. Unfortunately, some people ignorantly see it as a ‘sign of
good living’ when they become pot-bellied or fat. Obesity worsens a person’s
chance of having hypertension or diabetes. It increases the chance of heart
failure. It also increases the risk for Osteoarthritis, which is a disease that
causes pain in the joints. These joint pains reduce the ability to move around
well.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> Also
habits like taking alcohol should be reduced to the acceptable minimum. For men
2 units of alcohol and for women one unit of alcohol per day is said to be
acceptable. One unit of alcohol is about a small glass (125mls) of ordinary
strength wine while a large glass of red wine is about 3 units. About 250mls or
half a pint of beer is one unit while one pint or 500mls of lager beer is about
2.5 units. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">
Smoking must generally be stopped without any negotiation. Its effects are too
harmful for negotiation. It is not only harmful to the smoker but also to
anyone around them. Third-hand smoke, which is the smoke from the end of a
cigarette stick, that people around a smoker are exposed to, is known to cause
lung cancer in non-smokers. Even when they are not smoking, the residue or left
over particles on the hands and clothes of smokers are dangerous to people’s
health especially children.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">So this is
what I mean by healthy lifestyle.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> I
believe the increasing number of people who are dying ‘suddenly’ nowadays
drives my passion for this. WHO reports that the incidence of death from non-
communicable diseases (that is diseases that are not contacted from person to
person) is increasing at an epidemic rate. It was found in 2010 that worldwide,
17 million people died from heart-related diseases (or cardiovascular
diseases), 7.6 million died from cancers, 4.2 million from chest (respiratory)
diseases and 1.3 million died from diabetes mellitus.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v7xR6qJP9v2vRdH4xFi6uSnzrQyArhMXyVUdP2Qvf5QpqLarImPoanomerVp3jwGKD3nmx8lXI1yqj90V255XDwm6xX14CwZT4F64LQBJghmvLcxo13-Y1bGttwNiQ7Bmt9hdM2kljE/s1600/DSC_1010.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v7xR6qJP9v2vRdH4xFi6uSnzrQyArhMXyVUdP2Qvf5QpqLarImPoanomerVp3jwGKD3nmx8lXI1yqj90V255XDwm6xX14CwZT4F64LQBJghmvLcxo13-Y1bGttwNiQ7Bmt9hdM2kljE/s640/DSC_1010.jpg" width="424" /></a><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> The
very important part of the story is that all these four groups of diseases have
the same things that ‘cause’ them make people likely to have them. The things
that make people likely to die from these diseases - cigarette smoking of any
quantity at all, not having enough physical activity, harmful use of alcohol
and poor diets. To make matters worse, so many things have been discovered and
written about these diseases and how they can be prevented but the average
Nigerian would not go about reading all those wonderful researches. So there is
a great gap between available information that can help people make responsible
decisions about their health and the common man. This is the thrust of our
campaign. We hope to help break down information to a level that everyone can
understand and appreciate. We hope to express the most recent and beneficial
research findings in the simplest terms that the common man can identify with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"><b>
</b></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">How can the culture of medical
check-up be enhanced in the country?</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> The
most important thing that may enhance a culture of medical check-up in this
country, I believe, is when medical care becomes readily available and
relatively free to the masses. I’m inclined to think like this because of the
exposure I have to clients on the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). I’ve
noticed that it is mostly people who do not have to pay cash for their health
care (like NHIS clients), are those who would come to hospital when they have
no particular symptoms or illness. This is really the idea behind ‘Medical
Check-up’. It is when people come to hospital when they don’t have a disease so
that they can be checked or screened for risk factors (things that increase a
person’s chance of having a disease).</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> They
may not yet have the disease but they may develop it later in life if they
continue a bad lifestyle or if they fail to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Presently in Nigeria, coming to hospital has mainly been on account of illness
and many times when the disease has already gone far with many complications.
Very few come for medical check-up before they become sick. It goes without
saying that the best time for a medical check-up is when there are no signs of
the illness yet. Unfortunately that is rarely the case in Nigeria For men
especially those above 45 years, they should do Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA)
and a scan of the Kidney, Urethra, Bladder and Prostate. Everyone should do
their HIV screening especially young people engaged in risky sexual behaviour.
Everyone should do their blood pressure check regularly, diabetes screening and
cholesterol checks. People who have hypertension and those who have diabetes
should have regular checks for their kidney function (a blood test), their
cholesterol levels as well as their heart function (an electrocardiograph).
Anyone who passes blood in their stool or who passes out black faeces without
taking iron tablets should come to hospital to be properly checked for colon
cancer. Anyone coughing for over three weeks should come to hospital for a
proper check up. </span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">
Also, when there are certain types of illnesses in the family, like
hypertension, diabetes, breast cancer, nose and throat cancer children and
siblings in that family should check themselves for these things as much as
possible. These are just a few examples of screening tests as well as some
symptoms that may be pointers to some diseases.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">How can awareness be generated for
such people?<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> It is not
only illiterate members of the society that go to hospital when it’s too late.
Literate people also do so and I think literacy may not be the only reason for
this unfortunate occurrence. A person’s beliefs or ideas of the possible cause
of their problems affects where they would go to first when they find
themselves in trouble. The spiritual or religious nature of the average Nigeria
causes him to usually try to deal with his medical problems first on the
‘spiritual’ level before coming to hospital as the last resort.<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;">What approaches are you adopting to
drive awareness for your project? Whose help might enlist to get to your target
audience?<br />
</span></b><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 14pt;"> Well,
the approaches we’re adopting to drive awareness include this type of newspaper
interview, which we hope would go a long way for those who read. We would also
have jingles on the radio describing in simple terms some of the things we have
been discussing about diet, physical activity etc. We give health talks in
religious houses, association meetings of market women, motor parks, engineers,
mechanics etc. We are making arrangements with authorities of some companies to
deliver lectures to their staff. Also, we are in the process of making comic
books on this topic so as to attract the youth and the young at heart. We need
the help of journalists, media people, artists and the heads of the various
groups described to make all these possible.</span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8512965364017997138.post-57785557770818259272012-06-21T07:50:00.004-07:002012-06-21T07:56:11.414-07:00Westmills, Busybees teach peace with International Day<style>
@font-face {
font-family: "MS 明朝";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria Math";
}@font-face {
font-family: "Cambria";
}p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria; }.MsoChpDefault { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Cambria; }div.WordSection1 { page: WordSection1; }
</style>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">By Omiko Awa </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMPhRk_may8WMGu9MS4q1e6-rItHmz4aPGeCo7v9hoyYwfXDVdEhET8SmuptkNlG_pVtRljxnpHQwukcUSyB8V7SyQKozF-epXUk1QcBNqqhulizoNOPvaifq7kDSWkUNmoTTskB2EEE/s1600/IMG_9573.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMPhRk_may8WMGu9MS4q1e6-rItHmz4aPGeCo7v9hoyYwfXDVdEhET8SmuptkNlG_pVtRljxnpHQwukcUSyB8V7SyQKozF-epXUk1QcBNqqhulizoNOPvaifq7kDSWkUNmoTTskB2EEE/s400/IMG_9573.JPG" width="400" /></a><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">IT</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> was like a mini-global carnival with parents and children
from over 10 countries donning their traditional attires converge at Westmills
and Busybees British School, GRA Apapa, Lagos, to celebrate the school’s
International Day. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Organised by the school’s authorities in
collaboration with its Parents Teacher Association (PTA), the colourful event
showcased the dances and culture of the different nationals that make up the
school.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mb7wxb-dnQtxdZKIYJZw_BPozL5oqoN_R23umkfp6pk8_6SMdT551gszSKpPbCloV2uyZ_2BG-y1DBgmStNkRiotKTbWdbERiUQb4FuIVNms53mMIHrHrtmU6fQmBGfwrWAyE-xV9pQ/s1600/IMG_9836.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> With the theme, <i>different Country, Same People, </i>the gathering witnessed the students from
different country recite their national anthems; tell their countries’ history,
projecting its role international politics and reasons it must be a destination
for other nationals.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pv6SxvDT9T3kL9XMhAHQq_Ip-_MTrstf_UfN4ZUhI25Iu534x7B1m5XA7VcWtIHR9uD2waRMu7XoanjWDUs7qfgGf0DdBmuLMkf7laNqjH-7MTOjmXGEoLF54ZMXo7vMVMWH1HAxQ-w/s1600/IMG_9930.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pv6SxvDT9T3kL9XMhAHQq_Ip-_MTrstf_UfN4ZUhI25Iu534x7B1m5XA7VcWtIHR9uD2waRMu7XoanjWDUs7qfgGf0DdBmuLMkf7laNqjH-7MTOjmXGEoLF54ZMXo7vMVMWH1HAxQ-w/s400/IMG_9930.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Spicing the event was a mock trip to the
various countries, which was in the school’s classrooms. Right from the
school’s gate guests were issued travellers’ passport and visas, specifically
designed for the event, to enable them visit the various countries’ stand. Like
the normal visa, the document duly stamped by students acting as Immigration
Officers enabled parents, visitors and non-indigenes of a particular country to
go to countries of choice unmolested. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Each class aside from being decorated in a
particular country’s colours, had students speaking the language serve visitors
different delicacies, talk about their natural resources and tourism sites.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> According to the PTA chairman, Mr. Nwaji
Jibunoh, “the event apart from being educative serves as avenue for parents
made up of different nationals to mingle, chart a way forward for the school
and instill the spirit of unity in our children.” </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mb7wxb-dnQtxdZKIYJZw_BPozL5oqoN_R23umkfp6pk8_6SMdT551gszSKpPbCloV2uyZ_2BG-y1DBgmStNkRiotKTbWdbERiUQb4FuIVNms53mMIHrHrtmU6fQmBGfwrWAyE-xV9pQ/s1600/IMG_9836.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9mb7wxb-dnQtxdZKIYJZw_BPozL5oqoN_R23umkfp6pk8_6SMdT551gszSKpPbCloV2uyZ_2BG-y1DBgmStNkRiotKTbWdbERiUQb4FuIVNms53mMIHrHrtmU6fQmBGfwrWAyE-xV9pQ/s400/IMG_9836.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> On the reason for the day, the school’s
head, Atinuke Aluko, said, “we decided to do this to make our children, who
come from different parts of the world to understand the concept of diversity
and how to relate with each other and irrespective of our coming from different
countries, we are one people.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> She added, “the event is a way of teaching
global love, acceptance and peace. In our school, we treat everyone as one, we
don’t care where you are from; we treat everybody alike. We relate to each
other as one and we are working very hard to achieve this in the children,
because they see us model our behaviours to what we teach.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcrMg9tRXVEPiTtT2CuoRgXHoY4yQRPKeYEhBY346IRyNkluwgqyhTd3tHcU586Ry7RSvM3VpspJ9vg4eNhAKvu_WAKD1TD4RLp2VxA-SXoL_DVLTIKoUAM0MNTURCxPBTqAxmZCZwyc/s1600/_MG_9708.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcrMg9tRXVEPiTtT2CuoRgXHoY4yQRPKeYEhBY346IRyNkluwgqyhTd3tHcU586Ry7RSvM3VpspJ9vg4eNhAKvu_WAKD1TD4RLp2VxA-SXoL_DVLTIKoUAM0MNTURCxPBTqAxmZCZwyc/s400/_MG_9708.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Advising parents and policy-makers Aluko,
said, “it is a good thing we begin to teach the children of the world how to
relate with each other so that when their generation grows up, hopefully by
God’s grace, they will begin to make a difference, maybe not to the whole
world; but if we all make a difference in our environment, you never know how
far-reaching we may get.” </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> “So, it is very crucial that parents and
educators model the kind of behaviour they want their children to portray. We
as a school understand that we are in charge of tomorrow’s leaders because we
believe many of them will grow up to lead their countries and as such, we are
very particular to teach them about leadership and how to conduct themselves in
public,” she noted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Speaking on what she had learnt from the
programme Malak Mroue, said “ I have come to understand that we should live in
unity by tolerating each other; though we may look different, somehow we are
all connected. I think, it’s time the world realises this and live as one.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>OMIKO AWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16569663449719933662noreply@blogger.com0