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.

Campaign for mother tongues, Wa Thiong’O tells Africans

Campaign for mother tongues, Wa Thiong’O tells Africans
  By Prisca Sam-Duru 

Kenyan literary icon, Professor Ngugi Wa Thiong’O, has advised Africans to resist every effort by their governments to criminalise Africa native languages. According to him, preventing people from speaking or writing in their mother tongues is the easiest way for them to lose their identities. Professor Wa Thiong’O gave the advice while sharing his prison experience at the 2016 Ake Arts and Books Festival at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta, Ogun State.



 Speaking on the topic, Prison Stories and Literature of Resistance, the famous writer, who disclosed that he discovered his ability to write in his mother tongue, Gikuyu, during his incarceration by the then Kenyan President, Jomo Kenyetta, condemned the idea of preventing children from using native languages in school. He said: “The time has come for Africans to campaign against criminalisation of our native languages. This was a strategy used by the colonial masters to control their subjects. “They started by imposing their names and languages on their subjects to destroy their naming system, discon-nect them from their names and languages: this is a practical means of mental subjugation.” 

USAID Unveils Nigeria’s First Ultramodern Polio Modular Laboratory

USAID Unveils Nigeria’s First Ultramodern Polio Modular Laboratory 

 by Prisca Sam-Duru

 In a bid to  improve the efficiency of polio diagnosis in Nigeria through reliable environmental sampling, the United States Government, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) have inaugurated a state-of-the-art polio modular laboratory at University College Hospital, Ibadan. 

 While examining the ultra-modern amenities with representatives of the Federal Government, U.S. Consul General John Bray observed that the new facility, which cost an estimated $400,000, exists alongside a World Health Organization (WHO) accredited polio laboratory in Ibadan, but is the first one in the country equipped to detect the wild polio virus from waste water.

 According to Consul General Bray, “This new facility will enhance Nigeria’s ability to respond to polio outbreaks quickly, by promptly diagnosing polio from samples received from the 48 environmental sewage sites across the country.” adding that “The eradication of poliomyelitis will be accomplished only when polio laboratories provide convincing diagnostic evidence of the absence of wild poliovirus infections in humans and prolonged circulation in the environment”  

 More than 70 participants attended the event, including Nigerian government officials, representatives of donor agencies, UN agencies and Rotary International.

 To help Nigeria tackle its high mortality rates, USAID helps increase access to quality family planning and reproductive health services, immunizations, polio eradication, malaria prevention and maternal health services. USAID also provides technical support to immunization campaigns through social mobilization, and other activities.

Ritualistic performances rock 2016 Lagosphoto festival

Ritualistic performances rock 2016 Lagosphoto festival 
By Prisca Sam-Duru



FOR the seventh consecutive time, the first international arts  festival of photography in Nigeria, LagosPhoto, has succeeded in its determination to reclaim public spaces, by showcasing world class photography at every available space in Lagos. ADVERTISING inRead invented by Teads • One of the images on display at the ongoing LagosPhoto festival in Lagos Themed “Rituals and Performances”, this edition of the festival opened to the public on October 22, 2016 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos while satellite exhibition venues in arts and cultural spaces throughout the city extended to Omenka Gallery, Africans Artists’ Foundation, Centre for Contemporary Art, Lagos, Goethe Institute, A White Space Gallery, Red Door Gallery. It features exhibition, workshops, screening, artists’ presentation and large scale outdoor installations in Lagos. Viewers at the grand opening were obviously delighted at the introduction of performances to the festival. The performances by Jelili Atiku attracted many of them to his stand as he thrilled them with various displays of some ritualistic moves involving the use of calabash and other local objects. Winners of the Etisalat Photography competition also emerged during the grand opening. As announced by the CEO Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Wilsher, for this years Etisalat Photography Competition, Maxwell Aigborga took the third position for his entry titled Lagos Traffic, 2nd position went to Oluwatobiloba Amusan (Celebration of Love) while Abidemi Iromini took the top position for his entry, Lonely Walk. They got an iphone, Samsung phone and  canon camera respectively. Contemporary photography LagosPhoto presents photography as it is embodied in the exploration of historical and contemporary issues, the promotion of social programmes, and the reclaiming of public spaces. It features 42 photographers spanning seventeen countries and aims to provide a platform for the development and education of contemporary photography in Africa by establishing mentorships cross-cultural collaborations with local and international artists. The Curator, International Projects, LagosPhoto Foundation, Maria Pia Bernardoni, said they decided to explore the act of repletion to enact the idea and it becomes like a ritual. ”We looked at the repetition that shapes gender, image identity, social agency, power and social constructs in contemporary society. The repetitive acts imbued with belief become coercive and normative, it shapes our general idea of what is true and African image, gender, beauty, religion, social class and so forth.” Rituals and Performance explores the role of acts of repetition that shape gender, image, identity, social agency, power and social constructs in contemporary society. The repetitive acts imbued with belief become coercive and normative. It shapes our general idea of what is true in determining an African image, gender, religion, beauty, social class and so forth. Contemporary visual representations directly affect the cultural meanings associated with image construction and interpretation. Throughout the duration of the festival which draws to a close on November 21, works by the thirty photographers from seventeen countries covering areas of exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations, discussions, screening, and large scale outdoor installations in congested public spaces in Lagos, form subjects for debates and conversations.

US SUPPORTS SAVING MOTHERS, GIVING LIFE (SMGL) TEAM BUILDING 

 Last week Saving Mothers, Giving Life (SMGL) Initiative concluded a productive week-long, global team-building meeting, sponsored by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Calabar, Cross River State.

The five-year, $18 million USG initiative is a public-private partnership that addresses the three primary delays associated with maternal and newborn health: the delay in seeking services, the delay in reaching care, and the delay in receiving high-quality care at a health facility. In 2014, Nigeria became the third country to adopt the initiative after successes were reported by the program in Uganda and Zambia.

The meeting, organized by the Cross River State Government in partnership with USAID, brought together national and regional partners and key stakeholders to share updates on the progress of activities in Uganda and Zambia and guide inputs on expansion in Nigeria. The U.S. Consul General, John Bray, USAID Acting Mission Director, Aler Grubbs, and the Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Benedict Ayade participated in the opening ceremony. SMGL team members worked together to provide solutions to problems, share lessons learned, and lay the groundwork for increased collaboration and technical assistance.

“Health challenges in Nigeria are not always a result of limited access to facilities, but access to enough skilled professionals and quality services within those facilities.  Saving Mothers, Giving Life Initiative is helping reduce both maternal and neonatal mortality. We will continue to support and encourage the Cross River State Government in its efforts as we look to expanding the program into other areas in Nigeria,” said Consul General, John Bray.

A woman dying from pregnancy and childbirth related complications is a major challenge in Africa and reducing maternal mortality has become a global priority. In Nigeria, the probability of a maternal death occurring is 1:13. In partnership with host countries and non-governmental organizations, the U.S. Government has been working to not only reduce, but also end preventable maternal and newborn deaths globally.