U.S. Ambassador Unveils First State-of-the Art American Space in Nigeria

U.S. Ambassador Unveils First State-of-the Art American Space in Nigeria

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. W. Stuart Symington today opened Nigeria’s first state-of-the art Priority American Space hosted at the Yaba offices of technology incubator, Co-Creation Hub (CC-Hub).

At the event attended by technology leaders, Ambassador Symington explained that the space, which is equipped with cutting-edge digital technology, is a center for Nigerians to develop innovative ideas, learn about the United States and its people, explore possible study at U.S. universities, enjoy U.S. cultural programs and also interact with U.S. exchange program alumni.

“At the Priority American Space in Lagos, we are investing in technology and programs to unleash the creativity of Nigeria’s burgeoning community of innovators. We are pleased to partner with Co-Creation Hub, a leading force for incubating social entrepreneurship and technological advancement,” Ambassador Symington said. 

The Centre, now open to the members of the public, comprises a MakerSpace –– a tech area designed to promote digital skill building; a workshop space equipped with the latest laptops and tablets for internet learning; a conversation space for small group meetings and research and a meeting space that supports innovation and creative collaboration.

With a rich array of programs and trainings, the Priority American Space which is the tenth of its sort in Africa, will promote ingenious ideas, critical thinking and reasoned discourse. Worldwide, there are 67 Priority American Spaces.   

The Nigeria Prize for Literature: 184 poets chase $100,000

The Nigeria Prize for Literature: 184 poets chase $100,000  
By Prisca Sam-Duru 

The 184 entries selected to compete for this year’s edition of the prestigious Nigeria Prize for Literature, sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited, NLNG, were handed over to the Advisory Board of the prize.



NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke and Chairman of the Advisory Board,  Professor AyÍ BanjÍ, during the hand-over ceremony in Lagos.


The entries for 2017 edition which focuses on poetry were formally handed over to the Board on Tuesday at a ceremony in Lagos. The hand-over of the entries to the Advisory Board, chaired by Professor Emeritus Ayo Banjo, marked the take-off of the judging process which is expected to climax in October 2017 when a winner will emerge. Other members of the Board include Prof. Jerry Agada, former Minister of State for Education and Professor Emeritus Ben Elugbe, former President of the Nigerian Academy of Letters. While handing over the entries, NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations, Dr. Kudo Eresia-Eke, disclosed that since the inception of the prize in 2004, it has inspired about 1,630 books of which 533, representing 32 per cent, were submitted in the poetry category. “The number of entries for the 2017 edition exceeded the 2016 numbers, showing a six percent rise in the number of entries received and increasing interest in one of the biggest literary prize in the world. This has been the trend since 2005. “We believe that the prize has inspired writers to want to deliberately win the prize. This has led to the proliferation of books and increased the quality of books. The spiralling effect of this is the boost to literacy and education in the country, the foundation of cultural and socio-economic revolution. The impact of the prize is easily discernible and we believe that it supports our vision to help build a better Nigeria,” he said. The entries will be judged in respect of their merits of excellence in language, creativity and book quality. And from Prof Ayo Banjo, the entries were in turn, handed over to the panel of judges led by Professor Ernest Emenyonu, a professor of African Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint. Other judges are Dr Razinat Mohammed, an Associate Professor of Literature at the University of Maiduguri and Tade Ipadeola , a poet and lawyer who won the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2013 in the Poetry category with his third volume of poetry, The Sahara Testament.    

2019 polls: Youths strategise to take over power

2019 polls: Youths strategise to take over power 

by Prisca Sam-Duru
 Youths under the aegis of First Massive Literati, FML, have vowed to unseat the current crops of politicians, by ensuring young Nigerians take over power come 2019 general elections. The youths who gathered at the Creative Arts Theatre, Faculty of Social Science, University of Lagos, with representatives of youth organisations from all the states of the federation in attendance, enjoined youths to avoid being deceived by any political party or politicians but should ensure that come 2019, young Nigerians are elected at every level of government. FML founder, James Useghan, who disclosed that the group will be holding its first national convention later in the year, lamented that “for the past 57 years, Nigeria has never produced a president who is less than 50 years. We are not to be associated with any form of violence. We believe in peaceful revolution, and it is high time we seized power from old generation of politicians who have succeeded in messing up the polity such that most youths run away to foreign countries in search of greener pastures but end up dead or worse of.” 

The seminar featured key speakers, Olakunle Fapohunda and Mr Ken Etete who sensitised the youths on the need to be involved in governance of the country since the elders have failed to build a government that will provide quality life for the citizenry. Speaking on the topic, ‘Youths, the Future’ Etete said, “The strength and beauty of Nigeria is Nigeria. The fact that certain individuals have mismanaged Nigeria is not an excuse for us to destroy the Nigerian vision. I will consider politics in Nigeria and Africa as a moving trailer that has lost its brakes. Young Nigerians desiring to make a change must understand the importance of being practical to solve a problem by identifying the problem and finding a solution that will solve the problem and not just assuming the solution. The youths have to start thinking of solutions on how they can move the country forward and not as a confrontational force that wants to create problems in the country.”

Unraveling histories, lineage and heritage of ubulu kingdom

Unraveling histories, lineage and heritage of ubulu kingdom 
By Prisca Sam-Duru 

The Story of Ubulu Kingdom:  A Historical  Documentary of The People of Ubulu, written by  Esther Nwogwonuwe Wright, is one historical masterpiece that has already sparked off discussions and debates about the origin and identity of Ubulu kingdom in Aniocha South, Delta State, Nigeria. Information on Esther’s book was made known to the press at an event held last Wednesday at the Terrace Green Hotel, Lagos. The book will be presented to the public on April 15, 2017  at Viva Palm Hotel, Ubulu-Uku Aniocha South, Delta State by  12pm. 



L-R: Representative of Ozubulu, Chief Emmanuel Udedike; Author of the book, Mrs. Esther Wright Nwogwonuwe, and representative of Ubuluisiuzor, Onowu Afred Obi Mbanaso, during a press conference in Lagos.  



 Published by Opelsey Ventures Nigeria, the  historical 324 pages with 8 Chapters,  documents   the history of Ubulu Kingdom and the people of Ubulu scattered all over the southern part of Nigeria. The work, according to the UK-based Delta State born author and filmmaker, was originally intended to be a documentary film of the people of Ubulu Kingdom, but as events unfolded, “I realised that a one- hour documentary film viewed on television would be a disservice to the understanding of the complex interwoven political, economic and socio-cultural developments of the Ubulu Kingdom and of the Ubulu people as the research later revealed. After over a decade of thorough research, What I discovered and verified was far weightier. I decided, therefore, that only by producing this information first in a written form would one be able to explain and appreciate the findings, as well as tell the story of the Ubulu Kingdom.” Explaining further on what triggered the documentary, she said:  “I was consumed by the fear of our nation’s fast disappearing cultural heritage, then, the need to preserve my people’s cultural heritage became uppermost in my mind. I therefore set out from Lagos to my hometown, Ubulu-Uku, in 2005. What stood naked before me was the reality of the total disregard of the core values in our cultural heritage and the speed with which these cultural values were slipping away and being replaced with borrowed cultures or none. Bringing together the Ubulu people, a people with common ancestry and affiliations on one platform of sustainable movement as Ubulu descendants, remains the focus of the book. It’s also aimed at assisting in correcting the erroneous impression that being civilised means detaching oneself from cultural practices, burning artifacts, and destroying what was left behind by our ancestors. In The Story of Ubulu Kingdom: A Historical Documentary of The People of Ubulu, the Introduction covers such areas as the location of Ubulu communities; the language they speak; habitat and climate; Seasons; Occupation; Ubulu calendar; Market days; Market arrangements; Currency and Religion. Also speaking, the Onowu of Ubuluisiuzor, Chief Afred Obi Mbanaso, representing Ubuluisiuzor said “What the work started in 2005 by Esther has succeeded in doing is putting our collective history in a book that would speak for us now and in the feature. The work has also succeeded in bringing Ubulu descendants back to the home of the original tree ‘Ubulu’ that gave Ubulu its name.   All sons and daughters of Ubulu would gather to celebrate the story of Ubulu Kingdom and the birth of a movement, the Ubulu descendant’s movement.”  

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.