August Inmates...Iweka’s approach to ending corruption

August Inmates...Iweka’s approach to ending corruption

By Prisca Sam-Duru

Corruption, greed and unpatriotism will make perfect storyline any time, any day in any African narrative, for as long as her leaders remain insensitive to the need for total transformation of the continent.

In Chidubem Iweka’s latest offering to literary firmament; a 64-page drama titled, August Inmates,the above issues and more, echo the priority of changing the African narrative by no other than Africans themselves.
Published by Krafts Books, Ibadan, Oyo State, August Inmates is an exquisite book that exposes the levels of corruption in an imaginary African country as well as how to deal with the perpetrators of this unholy act.

Written as an Exposé of how men who are entrusted with the task of transforming the nation, end up leaving it comatose, Iweka's play is a conscious and concerted effort to bring about a revolutionary change in politics. It also brings to the fore, what corruption has done to African countries such as Nigeria, how bad eggs in the police force either connive with some top government officials or turn a blind eye to their excesses, how government spends trillions awarding contracts which are never executed as well as the menace of what the author calls Black on Black apartheid.
And as it is customary for the author, putting his best foot forward, he begins with vivid descriptions of his characters which are well chosen and developed. The description accorded each of the 12 major characters, gives the reader a glimpse of what role he ends up playing. The author maintains his expertise at comparing very contrasting descriptions to drive home his point. This is especially evident in his description of the journalist, Obi Akoli. One wonders why a journalist who is clever and learned 

August Inmates by Chidubem Iweka,

 published by Kraft Books Limited, 

Ibadan, pages 64, 2015.

and also has the ability to deal with situations confidently, could still appear as shabby as the author paints him. And worse of it all, is lice infested. Wait until you savour Akoli’s narrative.August Inmates, a stinging satire on African politics, begins and ends in an unknown holding in an unknown location and for unknown reasons, at least initially, to the captives who are a mixture of different personalities and with different designations.
There is an element of suspense as readers/audience get anxious to know about the inmates’ plans to break out. Thought of impending shameless death, makes Chief VIP Okoli, a man of timbre and calibre, reveal startling amounts he looted and stashed away in foreign accounts. Their time together in holding, opens up cans of worms harbouring ills such as promotion of tribalism and poverty in addition to the plights of journalists in spite of the existing Press freedom.
Somehow, towards the tail end of the drama, readers are lured into thinking that August Inmates has the subject of campaign against military junta in Africa but it goes beyond that. This, the author drives home through issuing out death sentences on the inmates without fair trial as well as death sentences for cases that require jail sentences. These are actions typical of dictatorships.
The play criticises Africans who ill treat their fellow blacks the same way foreigners do. These people look down on fellow blacks once they attain a considerable height in life. This is expressed in Act Two Scene one. The different characters of the three major tribes in Nigeria also play out here. Okoli as a core Igbo man, is fearless, takes risks and dabbles into what even an Inspector-General of Police, Adebayo is sore afraid to do. Adebayo is an epitome of cowardice. Fate brings the main acts together with a condemned criminal, Ojemba Ntubari. This creates an opportunity for Ntubari to criticise other inmates, especially, IGP Adebayo who is accused of being the worse armed/pen robber since he, Adebayo robs millions of people while himself, robs only a few people.
At this juncture, the author clearly accuses environment, peers, poverty, necessity and habit as responsible for breeding miscreants who have rendered the polity insecure.
The author makes caricature of situations and individuals as portrayed in the scenes. Obi Akoli acts like a real society watch dog that he is supposed to be as he opens up cans of worms of the corrupt government officials. He poses in the drama as the proverbial wind that exposes the anus of the fowl. A very honest and shrewd journalist who acts as the conscience of the prisoners.
A brilliant blending of humour and serious issues with action, and with a cover page aptly illustrated to suit the title, August Inmates is written with a touch of mastery, borne out of the author’s brilliant imagination. The content also portrays Iweka as a concerned citizen who has spent his life in a country bedevilled with corruption, hoping that some day, someone as patriotic as Obi Akoli will make a difference as a president.
The plot is tightly controlled such that even while spicing up serious situations with humour, there is no room for non-essentials. As appealing and as interesting as the drama is, Chidubem Iweka will never cease to wow the battalion of fans he has earned for himself. And hey, he tricked his readers a great deal, kudos for doing that successfully!
The author’s choice of a simple plot and use of everyday language, makes assimilation easy for all ages.

Adejoke’s poetry collection of blazing hope speaks for Nigeria

Adejoke’s poetry collection of blazing hope speaks for Nigeria
By Prisca Sam-Duru

L-R: Mr Sikiru Bakare, Mrs Adejoke Ajibade-Bakare and Navy Commodore Mufutau Ajibade (rtd), at the book Launch in Lagos.

At a time when the country is experiencing harsh economic realities, the encouraging words from guests and launchers at the public presentation of The Sun Shall Soon Shine, a collection of poetry written by Offa, Kwara State-born Sociology graduate, Adejoke Ajibade-Bakare , were enough to assure Nigerians that in spite of living in one of the most crucial moments in the history of the country, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

The well attended event held Thursday at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Conference and Exhibition Centre, Ikeja Lagos was not just a book launch, but it largely turned out as an occasion embellished with just what Nigerians needed at the time; soul inspiring words. The seventy-two page book which contains a total of sixty-two poems embodies life in its different phases and faces. It is a representation of the dreams individuals nurse from womb to childhood, as individuals and as a nation while hoping for brighter future.
“The title is a tongue twister and its deliberate.”, the Master’s degree holder in Marketing and Advertising from Coventry University in West Midlands, UK began saying about her book. “In the process of trying to say it you could make mistake and then laugh, its all about bringing happiness and hope for a better tomorrow. If you look around us there’s a lot of negativity and its a reflection of the society and everyday struggles of Nigerians. It sends the message of hope from the womb to childhood, to individuals and the nation as well as the entire world. Amidst all trails and challenges, there’s hope for our nation.” Adejoke said.
The author further explained that the collection was published with the clear and concise vision to positively impact the minds of readers towards becoming the best version of themselves, appreciating and understanding life for what it truly is. She added that the book needs to get to every youth so as to empower and expose them to the rising realities of everyday life, knowing that in them lie lessons and opportunities.
“Poetry found me as a form of expression and I found it as a means to let out my emotions. Poetry has a lot to offer to Nigeria in terms of opinions and I encourage people to support Poetry by reading.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Rear Admiral A A Oshinowo, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Lagos, said the book is targeted at the youths in order to get them empowered and exposed to opportunities in life. Oshinowo who was represented by Commodore Nesiama noted that, “In every problem there is a solution and an option. Things have gone too bad such that the youths are derailing, oblivious that they have a lot of options and solutions to their challenges. The author despite her prowess in the academic field and being gainfully employed is able to find time in another profession- Poetry. This is a motivation to the youths who are discouraged due to joblessness.”
While reviewing the poetry collection, Mr Bambo Oguntoyibo described the book as a classic material which encapsulates journey from the womb to the tomb, as well as things that matter to us in Nigeria are all documented in the collection, insisting that the book is not meant for the youths alone but would inspire adults to be optimistic about life. 

Bob -Nosa, addresses societal ills with Protest Art

Bob -Nosa addresses societal ills with Protest Art

By Prisca Sam-Duru

For over four years, one of Nigeria’s finest painters, Bob-Nosa Uwagboe has been working on a body of work titled “Shorning life without Armour”. This is part of his kind of art known as the Protest Art. With this body of work, Nosa aims to address the consequences of bad leadership on the common man, a situation that births illegal migration, refugees, inhumanity, human trafficking, child labour etc. Interestingly, he was selected to exhibit part of the work in ‘That Art Fair’ taking place in Cape Town South Africa on from 17 February, 2016.

In spite of few major successes he has recorded, the Auchi Polytechnic graduate believes that his art is yet to receive the desired acceptance owing to how vibrant it is meant to be.

He describes this form of art as “Social and political commentary which I refer to as The protest art. It is the art that speaks for the oppressed, the art that kicks against bad leadership, the art that condemns inhumanity in our society.”\

Bob-Nosa’s paintings are more of a testament to his voice. Most of his paintings shocked his viewers who believe them to be thought provoking, radical, unique as well as life changing. One wonders why these works would not be easily collected or displayed in galleries. The Niger Delta-born creative artist supplies the answer to this mind boggling question. “My most challenging encounter as an artist is acceptability by family members and the society at large. I had to pursue my art career against my fathers’ wish and due to the nature of my art, the society finds it difficult to accept my form of art as “ART” rather they see it as being rebellious against what they term the usual. So I was not allowed to participate in some very important art exhibition but with the intervention of Signature Art Gallery and Catherine Pittet of Gondana Art in Cameroon, my art enjoyed mass appeal and my initial rejection became the tool that launched me into the international art space, though sometimes I still feel imprisoned being a protest artist in a country Bob -Nosa, addressing societal ills with Protest Art

“ You hardly find my works in galleries. It is not because I want it that way but because of rejection. It is only Signature Beyond Gallery in Ikoyi that has my works on display. People don’t appreciate this kind of art because it fights against corruption, and you know most people are corrupt. So, the galleries don’t collect my works because they feel it is working against those who should patronise them. Its like putting their mirror before them. I’m from the Niger Delta and I like to use my art to confront the issues plaguing the region. As well as issues affecting mankind. For instance issue of migration. There’s one piece I titled “The Floating Dead Bodies”. This piece captures the ugly incidences of migrants perishing in the Mediterranean sea while attempting to flee their countries due to war and poverty.”

On how he became a protest artist, Bob-Nosa noted that “I never had the opportunity to decide whether I want to be an artist or not, I found myself in Art right from childhood and also served as an apprentice in few private studios before I started full operation of the Protest Art Studio.”

While many would have called it quits owing to such daunting challenges such as Nosa experienced, he maintained that he chose to stick to art since it is the only thing he must continue to practice adding that he had reason to regret.
“I have no regret being an artist. Art has been a blessing. I have been able to move my art practice forward in spite of challenges because of my strong believe in Art.

Nigeria is the best place for me as an artist to practice. Nigeria is a huge material deposit site for me as a protest artist especially in terms of idea generation.”

“Art is serious business and I would advice that people don’t engage in it with the intention of just making money. I celebrate any person that shows interest in my work because it is not easy.

The artist frowned at neglect of the art sector by the government stressing that the government has a lot to do to promote art in the country. “Ive been to some African countries and I discovered that they have support from their government. Cameroon for example, once you are 50 years and above as an artist, you start receiving pension. This makes the artists to practice without fear of retirement. And this is why I strongly advise artists to use their art as their voice, to speak to the government, to make demands and to correct ills in the society. Many are just painting landscape, beautiful portraits but art is not just something we must use to decorate apartment. We can use it as a weapon against bad government, that was what Fela did as a musician. Visual artists can do likewise even though they may label you it doesn’t matter with time, you will be accepted.”