US honors 5 Nigerian women

US honors 5 Nigerian women 

 By Vera Samuel Anyagafu and Prisca Sam-Duru 



The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington (r) with the talented women

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/06/us-honors-5-nigerian-women/
IN her commitment to building the capacity of Nigerian women who in various fields have remarkably contributed to the Nigerian communities, the US government recently honoured five Nigerian women making waves in the science and technology world. The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington (r) with the talented women Making reference to some African-American women who also have contributed to growing their communities through their expertise, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Stuart Symington said that Nigerian women are talented like American women while US and Nigeria were enjoying very friendly diplomatic relationship. The US ambassador spoke as he explained a movie titled ‘Hidden Figures.’ Prior to screening of the movie at Genesis Cinemas, Abuja, Nigeria, in honour of Nigerian TechWomen, he explained that the movie details the story of three female African-American mathematicians employed by NASA in the 1960s. According to him, the three women worked then as human computers but were denied recognition and or promotion, yet, went on to play crucial roles in the American space programme. “It is an amazing story of women who found something that they love, and before there were computers and the Internet, these women made it possible to put the human race in outer space. You too, can reach for the skies,” the U.S. Ambassador said, as he introduced Carolyn Seaman and Damilola Anwo-Ade, two of five Nigerian women who are selected to participate in the 2017 TechWomen exchange programme in the US. Also on the list are Olamide Ayeni-Babajide, Ijeoma Vincent-Akpu, and Petra Nnamani. It is interesting to know that Carolyn Seaman is using technology to empower girls through her Girls Voices Initiative, while Damilola Anwo-Ade is mentoring the next generation of coders, including young women, through her initiative CodeIT.

Soyinka’s play relived on MUSON stage

Soyinka’s play relived on MUSON stage 

By Prisca Sam-Duru 






Students of Childville School performing ‘Death and the King’s Horseman,’ by Wole Soyinka


The Yoruba cosmology (belief in the living, the dead, and the unborn) was the focus of The Childville Schools’ annual drama performance held Friday 16 June at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, when it re-enacted Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, directed by Mr. Gboyega Biletan Jerome. Students of Childville School performing ‘Death and the King’s Horseman,’ by Wole Soyinka The play, which is one of Prof. Soyinka’s tragedies, is based on a real incident that took place in Nigeria during British colonial rule. It presents the Yoruba worldview. The drama focuses on the element connecting the three worlds according to the Yoruba Cosmology, which is transition. Transition according to this view, is regarded as the pathway on which members of the different worlds meet and interact. The king has just died as curtain opens on the play. Preparations for the ritual ceremonies are in full gear for his burial and we see Eleshin Oba known as the king’s Horseman, who is destined to commit suicide to ensure a peaceful passage for the king. Eleshin Oba, acted by Damilola Akanni, is attired in glorious robes. He enters the village market place in a majestic dance procession followed by Olohuniyo the praise singer ( Opeyemi Ogundimu) and dances till he goes into a trance. One wonders at this juncture why a person on his death trip would be rejoicing in such majestic manner. But then, it’s all about a people’s culture. His enthusiasm to fulfill what he considered to be a big honour – to die along with his king – is however truncated by the intervention of the British colonial district officer, Mr. Simon Pilkings.  Mr Pilkings, acted by Daniel Eta, sees the proposed ritual suicide as barbaric, senseless, and in order to prevent Eleshin Oba from killing himself, arrests him. Eventually Eleshin Oba’s son Olunde (Iniubong Ini-Inyang) comes home from England where he is studying to become a doctor. Surprisingly, he tries in vain to get Pilkings to understand the importance of his father committing the ritual suicide. Out of shame for his father’s failure, he kills himself. What happens next to Eleshin Oba is better seen or read than imagined. Those who are familiar with Prof. Soyinka’s works can testify that they are usually not easy nuts to crack. “I’ve been acting in the school for 5 years now but this was very difficult. You know how Prof. Soyinka’s plays are. We had to learn the words first to be sure we understood what he meant so that we can act it out. Thank God it all went well,” Damilola Akanni stated. The Artistic Director Mr. Jerome expressed excitement that the children performed above expectation considering the technicalities of the play. “Trust Prof Soyinka’s works, we had our dictionaries beside us while rehearsing and some words were replaced by simpler ones to help the actors get into the characters,” Mr. Jerome said.

U.S. Awards Micro-Grants to Support Children Orphaned by HIV/AIDS

U.S. Awards Micro-Grants to Support Children Orphaned

by HIV/AIDS

The U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria on Friday announced a N2.9 million micro-grant to 50 women caregivers to support the economic well being of their families, particularly the vulnerable children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in five local communities in Apapa local government area of Lagos.

Under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program, a local non-governmental organization, Blissful Life for Women and Children, will provide training to the beneficiaries of the micro-grants in the areas of business and vocational skills and trade mentorship, and will receive trade articles and supplies.

Ten older orphans and vulnerable children whose parents are living with HIV will also benefit from the training. Blissful Life for Women and Children is one of 27 local organizations that have received funding under the U.S. Ambassador’s PEPFAR Small Grants Program in fiscal year 2017.

At an event held in Lagos and attended by senior local government officials, health, and community leaders, Acting U.S. Consul General Will Steuer said, “The people and government of the United States continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Nigeria and Nigerian families in the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic."  

“Today’s event highlights the importance of supporting families, especially children who are affected by HIV/AIDS through programs that not only support treatment for the infected, but also to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of families affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as the PEPFAR Small Grants Program seeks to do.”

Beneficiaries of the various training programs are expected to empower themselves and their families by building small businesses that will create more reliable income flows and improve their standard of living.

The U.S.-Nigeria partnership on HIV/AIDS began in 2004 through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).  From 2004 to 2016, United States support for HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support programs in Nigeria has totaled more than 4.3 billion U.S. dollars in support of the Nigeria HIV/AIDS response.

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.”