What a hell it takes to get PhD in Nigeria

What a hell it takes to get PhD in Nigeria

By Prisca Sam-Duru

Since her second novel, What It Takes, was published, Dr Lola Akande has not stopped receiving commendations from colleagues and readers. At the moment, at least five universities have recommended the book for use in their schools. 

Recently at the Faculty of Arts Auditorium, University of Lagos, UNILAG, Lola was honoured with a reading session which celebrated her for lending a voice to call for complete revamping of the Nigerian educational system. The author, a lecturer at the English Department of the University of Lagos, explained that What It Takes is basically about challenges Nigerian students go through to obtain higher degrees in schools.

“It is a product of my imagination and chronicles the experiences of a female PhD candidate, Funto, at the National University of Nigeria, NUN. It is told from the first person narrative point of view and strictly from the student’s perspective.” The unfortunate adventure as the book narrates, begins with a shocker – PhD candidates are to get their own supervisors. Funto’s painful tale continues from one frustration to the other. The readings were rendered in three parts which covered the core areas of the novel. First was from page 26. Page 34 followed after a musical interlude by a guitarist, Aka Abassey, and lastly, Dr Akande read from page 106. Responding to the question of how much of the author is represented in the heroine’s experience, the author disclosed that she couldn’t have been able to write the story in such a believable manner if she didn’t have a PhD. “I will be lying if I say that my experiences and that of other PhD candidates didn’t form part of the story. This is not to judge any character but the book was written in order for readers to learn from the characters.” The essence of What It Takes, Akande hinted, was to concientise the lecturers, make them understand the dept of pain they inflict on their students who are coerced into sacrificing more than necessary to realise their academic dreams, adding that it is also aimed at telling them to apply caution while going about their duties. The book also attempts to speak to school authorities, regulatory bodies, Nigerian University Commission and the government. If they get to know some of the problems undermining the university system as the book attempts to explain, they can take good steps to salvage the educational sector. “Funto’s story is enough to draw tears from the eyes of readers.”, the book reviewer, Samuel Olatunji said. He saluted the author’s ingenuity at penning down the ugly incidences ravaging the educational sector. “There’s an interplay between facts and fiction and I commend the manner in which the story is crafted and its closeness to reality.” “I am happy that we have beautiful story tellers in the English Department who export our narratives to the international scene,” the Head, Department of English, University of Lagos and former Commissioner for Education, Delta State, Professor Hope Eghagha said. Prof Eghagha stated that the celebration was not just about Dr Akande but also for the department of English, for the achievements recorded so far through the monthly reading which has become a tradition in the department. “This has been going on since 1985 and we started with drama productions. We have featured so many writers in the diaspora. And this time we decided to celebrate a writer in our department. This is how English department should go and we aim at encouraging creativity.”

Between Expansion of Time and eternal images

Between Expansion of Time and eternal images

By Prisca Sam-Duru

 We are always late but arrive when expected.” These are the words of multiple award winning artist, Wura-Natasha Ogunji, which sums up the  subject of Expansion of Time, an exhibition of 33 paintings and a mixed media installation that opened the 2017 art season at Temple Muse, Victoria Island, Lagos. The works, adorning the walls of Temple Muse, are creations of Ogunji and Raoul Olawale Da Silva, two multi-ethnic contemporary artists, artistically exploring connections, history, improvisational flow and most importantly, the concept of time. Expansion of Time, curated by SMO Contemporary Art which is sponsored by UBS, the Swiss International bank and Luxury House Moet Hennessey, runs till April 28th, 2017. The two Nigerian artists in the diaspora decided few years ago to explore possibilities in their home land – Nigeria. Ogunji, a recipient of the prestigious Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship, spent her formative years in the US. 


She showcases stunning works titled Follow the Sun, 8 Ife and Orchids, Catch a Breathe, You must Learn to Walk on Water etc., that portray deeper meanings in cases of identity, feminism and cross continental memories. Her love for Africa is expressed in hand-stitched drawings, made on very delicate architectural trace paper through which she references the daily interactions and frequencies that occur in the city of Lagos, drawing on dreams, reveries and imagination. She uses strong iconic symbols of African civilisation such as the Ife head sculptures which are inserted into modern conversations and spaces, thereby connecting the past and present. Raoul, on the other hand, prefers to express his creative voice through works that are inspired by his passion for surfing, skateboarding and environmental activism. With a conscious abandonment to intuition, “Raoul’s experiments with powerful brush strokes, attempts to defy the passage of time through depiction of flashes from memories and dreams presented on paper, canvas and skateboards. The powerful and colorful abstract paintings on paper and canvas are perfect counter-point to Ogunji’s delicate, small and precise drawings. Raoul’s intricate and symbolic works have a truly universal appeal, making him one of Nigeria’s most exciting contemporary abstract painter.” Interestingly, his works are all untitled, giving viewers  the freedom to interprete each work according to how it appeal to them. In line with this, the curator of the exhibition, Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, said “Expansion of Time tells their story from the outside, looking in: two creative souls exploring, seeking, sometimes even battling, to come to terms with cultural anomalies and political incongruity – always attempting to rise above the clutter, constant hum, noise, and over-saturated “Eko-for- Show.” “My works are the result of interchanging factors such as intuitive and impulsive approaches, set against reflection and exploration. This form of encountering through the creative act engages improvisational awareness and reflexive sensibility,” Raoul stated, explaining that the introduction of the skateboards emanated from his decision to “repurpose these Skateboards as objects, and use their form, shape and surface for painting, drawing, collage assemblage, installation and performance….There is a precision that manifests when the skateboard becomes an extension of the skater’s extremities. Images are captured as one seemingly flies by. The soul of skateboarding transcends to a surface for projection of identity into spaces of observation, interaction and reflection. I see the world as a moving canvas and the skateboard as a body of resonance.” “My obsession with the Ife head first came from a very aesthetic experience of just feeling like this. It’s so beautiful”, Ogunji said about the Ife head which has become a recurring feature in her works. She added that “Thinking about time travel and my own cosmology and spirituality and religious systems, and this idea of reincarnation or return, or if you believe in the significance of biology and ancestral family, I had these questions: are those souls returning to the world? The drawings tend to be more about black people. Most of the pieces according to Ogunji were made when there was a lot of shooting of black people in the US. Rather than dwell on the tragedy, she decided to think about the power of transcending. “This particular one, you must learn to walk on water, is really about being super human, which is unfortunate but true if you understand the power of it. You can jump over the limitations of so called reality.” She explains. While Catch Your Breath also references the murder in the US where the police suffocated Eric Garner, Follow the Sun, shows a lot of things going on in Ogunji’s mind. “When I was making the lines, I realised that the lines were similar to lines in some of my drawings I made 8 years ago, which I thought was so cool.”

Unraveling the history of Lagos Brazilian Quarter

Unraveling the history of Lagos Brazilian Quarter
By Prisca Sam-Duru

 Atlantic Triangle, an  exhibition of artworks organised by the Goethe Institute, Lagos, is set to tell  the historical reconstruction of the conditions of exploitation through timely configuration of cultural dynamics and interdependence of the Brazilian Quarter in Lagos. 
The exhibition which is  part of a larger project that includes shows at Saracura Art Space (Riode Janeiro) in June, 2017, and the 11th Mercosul Biennial in Porto Alegre (Brazil) in April, 2018 will feature these artists; AbdulrazaqAwofeso (Nigeria), George Osodi (Nigeria), Karo Akpokiere(Nigeria), Ndidi Dike(Nigeria), Andréas Lang, Germany , Mario Pfeifer, Germany, Iris Buchholz Chocolate, Germany-Angola, Arjan Martins, Brazil, Dalton Paula, Brazil, Vivian Caccuri, Brazil and Jaime Lauriano, Brazil. Also to be exhibited areselected works of traditional Nigerian sculpture from the Femi Akinsanya collection, Lagos.


Speaking of the exhibition, Director of Goethe Institut, Mr Hug Alfons disclosed that “the Goethe-Institut, Lagos, is located right in the middle of what is known now as the Brazilian Quarter, a district reminiscent of the old towns in Rio de Janeiro or Salvador-Bahia, constructed in the 19th century by a group known as the Retornados. To the Retornados called Amarôs or Agudas in the Yoruba language, Africa represented a promise of a return of history and of mercy. Constructions by Brazilian master-builders such as Water House, Ebun House,  the Shitta BeyMosque, and other landmarks in old Lagos, now scarred by the ravages of time, clearly cling to a past that is in danger of being swept away by the megalopolis and its 22 million inhabitants. On the far side of the Atlantic, in Rio de Janeiro, construction work for the Olympic Games unearthed the foundations of the former slave market at Cais do Valongo, where more than one million slaves were sold between the 16th and 19th centuries.” added Goethe Institut director.

Keazor’s Lagos-Hamburg line uncovers Germany, Nigeria business romance

Keazor’s Lagos-Hamburg line uncovers Germany, Nigeria business romance 

 By PRISCA SAM-DURU, PRINCE OKAFOR & VERA  ANYAGAFU
 In recent times, the importance of history as a tool for proper documentation of vital facts, has been emphasised so as to enable people keep good memory of those facts. Historians though a hand full of them are prominent in Nigeria, have made efforts to document facts as well as past events for future purposes while publishing has remained a key method of preserving those useful materials. Recently, one of Nigeria’s brilliant historian, lawyer and 2014 recipient of the African Society of Cambridge University Award for research in African History, Ed Emeka Keazor, gave Nigeria, Africa, Germany and the entire world, what was generally described as a Christmas present in Lagos. It was a book titled, “ The Lagos-Hamburg Line – A Brief History of German Companies in Nigeria”, documenting the history of business relationship between Nigeria and Germany since the 17th Century. The book also traces the tribulations and triumphs of German business in Nigeria during and after the World Wars. The public presentation of  the book  held at Metropolitan Club, V/I, Lagos, courtesy of the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lagos in collaboration with the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria attracted the presence of dignitaries from the German Consulate, delegation of German Industry and Commerce as well as some Nigerian business moguls.


 From left; Hon Justice k k Keazor, (retd), Author Ed Emeka Keazor, German Consul General, Lagos, HE Ingo Herbert; Prof Fabian Ajogwu, Dr Marc Lucassen Head of German Trade Delegation, Nigeria. Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lagos, Mr Ingo Herbert who congratulated the author for his “tremendous and substantial work”, said that “the book not only reflects the manifold history of German companies, but also explains the historic background of the time of engagement in Nigeria and Germany. Not surprisingly, he points out that the business relationship was often closely linked to the overall political and economic developments, with the two world wars of the 20th century as major setbacks. However, Keazor’s research reveals that there was a lot of continuity by companies, due to their established contacts and knowledge of the Nigerian business environment…I’m confident that this book will encourage German companies in their interest to invest in Nigeria and Africa.” “German and Nigeria have enjoyed long business relationship. The book is a wonderful initiative to build more relationship with Africa and the need to get more Germans back into Nigeria business.” Responding, the author appreciated the Germans for being very open and proactive in the process of publishing the book noting that rather than insist on or choose a German to write the book, allowed a Nigeria, “They were very open minded and keen on encouraging whoever that will do a good job.” He said the only thing Nigerians and investors need to do business in the country is an enabling environment, adding that this will boost trade and investment between Nigeria and the rest of the world. Nigeria needs to provide a conducive environment for business to thrive. He noted that his father Justice Keazor who was also present at the book launch, has been a source of inspiration to him. “ He made sure that reading books instead of watching TV, formed part my growing up. I was inspired to write on Germany- Nigeria business relationship after reading books in my father’s library.” Keazor said. Reviewing the book, Professor Fabian Ajogwu, a Professor of Corporate Governance at the Pan African Atlantic University and the Lagos Business School, described the author as a great man. Commending Keazor for his efforts at documenting such important book, Ajogwu said “The book is  written in third person narrative and simple language which makes it readable for all. “This is so much knowledge packed in one book rather than have volumes. We must commend the author  for lighting up a candle with this interesting book that takes readers down memory on the kind of business relationship that has existed between the two countries.”  

Ibrahim's day of glory as he receives $100,000 cash prize from NLNG

Ibrahim's day of glory as he receives $100,000 cash prize  from NLNG

BY Prisca Sam-Duru

It was a day of glory for winner of the 2016 The Nigeria Prize for Literature, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, as the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) Limited on 29th November formally presented The Nigeria Prize for Literature and accompanying cash prize of $100,000 to him, at a Public Presentation ceremony in Abuja.

Ibrahim’s entry, Season of Crimson Blossoms, was chosen out of 172 other entries to claim the prize in October 2016.

Present at the well-attended event, were the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, representing the Federal Government;the Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, represented by the Group General Manager, LNG Investments Services (NNPC), Dr Bola Afolabi; the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright; NLNG Management;members of the Advisory Board; Judges; Lawyer, Poet and previous prize winner Tade Ipadeola, the media as well as invitees from the Nigerian literary community in Abuja.

Tony Attah, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, in his keynote remarks, said“the journey to this day began some 12 years ago in Lagos, when the inaugural edition of Nigeria Prize for Literature kicked off in search of uniqueness and excellence; and looking for our real identity as a people, using the vehicle of literary brilliance and creativity. This journey is similar to that undertaken by NLNG. Over 50 years ago, the idea of this company was muted; but it remained an idea for several decades before eventually coming to life. There were several failed attempts spanning a number of administrations and it sometimes appeared that this idea was jinxed from the word go.

“There was no shortage of opinions, some of which expressed the belief that Nigeria could not achieve the ambition of becoming an LNG producer nation. However, NLNG was eventually incorporated in 1989 and Nigeria’s dream of owning an LNG company and taking a stronger, more central role within the global energy community began to take shape. With several strategic legal and other instruments put in place to make this work, including the NLNG Act, aspiration became reality, and since then it has been one success story after the other.

“My whole point here is that Nigeria LNG has proved that the rightful place for Nigeria and indeed Nigerians, remains as they say, “up there” with the very best, and I say this without fear of contradiction.  Today, twelve years down the road, we are here to repeat our message and demonstrate our core vision of helping to build a better Nigeria,” he added.

The Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his goodwill message urged for more support from the private sector in transforming the creative industry into a creative economy. He said “we have failed to transit from a creative industry to a creative economy because there is no meeting of minds between the private sector and the creative industry. I think it is the government that can provide this bridge.I enjoin NLNG to join hands with government in ensuring that the intellectual properties of all our writers are protected.”

The Group Managing Director of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, represented by the Group General Manager, LNG Investments Services (NNPC), Dr Bola Afolabi, in his remarks commended the leadership of NLNG for sponsoring the prize which has encouraged literary work among Nigerian writers, adding that NNPC is very proud to be associated with prize.

In his acceptance speech, Ibrahim commended NLNG for its sponsorship and support for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, saying"It is certainly a great privilege to have been so honoured with the Nigeria Prize for Literature and the attendant financial incentive, for which I am truly grateful. But the greatest triumph today is the light of belief I have seen kindled in the floundering hearts of those who previously thought there was a glass ceiling over their heads because of their background, because of the sounds of their names or what part of the world they come from. If you believe, the only thing stopping you from accomplishing your goals is you and no one else.”

Ibrahim's writings received broader attention in 2012 when he published his collection of short stories, The Whispering Trees, to critical acclaim. Season of Crimson Blossoms is his first novel. He is a recipient of several prizes and fellowships.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature rotates yearly amongst four literary genres: prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature. The 2016 Prize is for prose fiction and comes with a cash prize of $100, 000. Next year’s prize will be for poetry.

The Nigeria Prize for Literature and The Nigeria Prize for Science are some of Nigeria LNG Limited’s numerous contributions towards building a better Nigeria.

US committed to assisting Nigeria realize economic potential - Bray

US committed to assisting Nigeria realize economic potential - Bray

By Prisca Sam-Duru

U.S Consul General, Lagos, John Bray yesterday said that as a partner and friend, the United States remains committed to helping Nigeria realize its economic potential.

Bray who spoke on the topic “The Challenges and Opportunities of Managing a Recessionary Economy: The American Experience” at the 2016 Hubert Humphrey Alumni Association Annual Lecture held in Lagos, noted that “As the most populous country on the continent and as the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria clearly stands to gain from increasing its attractiveness to foreign investors. As in the case for the U.S. economy, FDI offers much to contribute to Nigeria’s ability to grow its economy and increase its global competitiveness.” Insisting that “There is not a one size fits all solution, based on the American experience of dealing with recessionary economies it is clear there is no simple answer.
Different times, different circumstances require a unique set of fiscal and monetary policies.

I feel confident saying that the solution is both inside and outside of Nigeria. I am also confident in saying that the policies do make a difference. They can make things worse, they can make things better.

The lesson learned in the wake of the Great Depression is that economies stand to gain more by being open than by being isolationist.

The United States continues to be the number one destination for foreign direct investment for several reasons, including: the confidence foreign investors have that they will be treated fairly, that they can repatriate profits, that the rule of law is supreme, and that it is relatively easy to do business.

At the Department of Commerce, we work every day to strengthen America’s best assets such as our highly productive workforce and our commitment to innovation to ensure that the United States remains the most attractive destination for investment.

I hope that Nigeria will use the current recession as an opportunity to adopt and implement economic reforms to address challenges that existed before the current recession began but that will still need to be met and overcome after the recession ends, which we all know will happen, in order to set this country on course for long-term sustainable development and help it to bring greater prosperity to all the people of Nigeria.”

Marine platform's mobile libraries breathe fresh air in Northern literature

Marine platform's mobile libraries breathe fresh air on Northern literature 
By PRISCA SAM-DURU

When oil firm, Marine Platform promised to encourage reading from an early stage, by donating books to schools in the North, last year at  the 2015 Ake Arts and Books Festival, many thought it was one of those strategies by corporate organisations to gain cheap popularity. How wrong skeptics were as the company penultimate week in Kaduna, took corporate social responsibility to a truly innovative and positive level when 100 primary schools in the state became beneficiaries of mobile libraries stocked with beautiful and colourfully illustrated storybooks for easy access for pupils. Both at governor Malam Nasir El Rufai’s office at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, LGEA Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Model Primary School, Polytechnic Road, Tudun Wada, Kaduna, Marine Platform, donated 100 mobile libraries containing 100 books to schools in the state. At Governor Malam Nasir El Rufai’s office, with some of his cabinet members present, Mr. Abaji Nyam of Marine Platform presented a sample of the mobile library with the books stocked in it, a proof  of  his company’s intention to boost reading culture among school children in parts of the North, beginning with Kaduna State. 



According to Nyam, “We believe it’s a scalable model and, for us, this is not the end of the cooperation. We will work with the state government in whatever way we can. And we hope that that fire of inquisitiveness will be ignited in the children to make better adults later in life.” Nyam showing off the libraries while Governor El-Rufai and others watch, in Kaduna Earlier, while inspecting the 100 mobile libraries on the lawn of Government House, Kaduna, Nyam gave insight into the project and how he hopes it would inspire other donors to contribute in making books available to indigent children, especially those in public schools that often have the challenge of learning materials like books. He said, “We all agree that our future depends on our children. The whole idea is not just for the children to have books, but for the books to be able to trigger off inquisitiveness, trigger off the desire to learn, trigger off the desire to explore. That is the whole benefit of this project. “Books are very significant to children; they spark off that desire to learn and make them inquisitive. Of course, an inquisitive child is one that keeps asking all the questions. Children want to learn about other places; they want to learn about other people and the society around them.” Nyam told the pupils his experience as a young reader, how books became windows through which he explored faraway places long before he visited them as an adult. Although there are other initiatives Marine Platform has up its sleeves, Nyam said it was his company’s hope that the mobile library initiative would also challenge others to take a cue and offer assistance in areas of educational needs across the country. Responding, El Rufai thanked Nyam and his company, Marine Platform for delivering on their promise and promised to revamp the libraries in Kaduna State and ensure that in every local government area, there is one functioning and well equipped library with triple offering: books, electronics as well as textbooks. “Your contribution is significant and creative. We hope to adopt your model and scale it up. It is sad that young people don’t read any more; they prefer visuals and they love pictures. We have to find ways to make young people interested in reading and have access to libraries and good books. We pray God to help expand Marine Platform’s business so that you can do more for us.” As part of El Rufai’s innovative approach of putting young people first, he has sponsored children twice to Ake Arts and Book Festival so they can be part of the ambience of writers and thinkers. “I actually sponsored children to Ake festival,” he said. “I hope we sponsor more next year to get them interested in reading and writing.” Two pupils, Aisha Abdulwasi’u and Muhsin Adam, sampled the books by reading excerpts to the admiration of everyone present. The entire class took the books from the library shelves and leafed through them, admiring the glossy colours and photographs.