MUSING ON THE BALCONY

I was on my way to the NTA Headquarter office in Abuja for an unscheduled interview with the newly appointed General Manager of NTA Plus, Mr. Fred Jonathan when I received a call from Mallam Denjah Abdullahi with whom we had agreed to go see the Jos Repertory Theatre’s presentation of ‘No Exit’, asking if I would want to attend a literary gathering at the ActionAid office called ‘Balcony Muse’.

It did not take me much time to confirm my attendance, which I think will serve as a good prelude to the French Cultural Centre event because, while I am aware of all literary gatherings – Abuja Literary Society, ANA Abuja, Guild of Artistes and Poet, Abuja Writers Forum and Just Doodles - in the city of Abuja, I have not heard of Balcony Muse and so would want to go and see what it is all about. So I make a quick detour to Denja’ office.

A quarter of an hour later, I was sitted on an expansive balcony at the ActionAid wing of the NAIC Building from where you can for sure catch a good glimpse of some part of the capital city and get . The ambience at the balcony no doubt reminded one of the famous ‘Abe Egi’ (under the tree) at the National Theatre, a popular spot where writers, artistes and literary enthusiasts in Lagos thronged to almost on daily basis to answer the call of the muse amidst plates of amala and assorted bottles of drinks. Over the years, this spot has provided the right kind of ambience and opportunity for Lagos Writers and visitors to horn their creative talent.

In his opening address at the fun-filled 90 minutes gathering, Tunde Aremu, communications Officer pf ActionAids Nigeria, Abuja explains that Balcony Muse was conceived last year and the first edition held sometime in November 2008 “to contribute to the expansion of opportunities available in Abuja for a virile literary culture.”

The gathering, dedicated to Nigerian women in commemoration of International Women Day (March 8) and Mother’s Day (March 22) was kick-started with a reading from an article, Over Cognac written by the late May Ellen-Ezekiel which expresses the intrigues behind her departure from Quality Magazine where she was the Editor then and her life general – the expectations, failures and success stories.

Prior to his reading from the book Abuja Nunyi, Mallam Denja Abdullahi (the Secretary-General of the Association of Nigerian Authors) commended the initiation and the initiative. “Abuja is an emerging city as far as literary culture is concerned. Balcony Muse is a good addition to those already in existence and I you would agree with me that the there is the need to encourage such gathering for the betterment of our society” he said before going to read ‘Gbagyi Woman’ and ‘Zone 4’ from his collection of poems on Abuja.

More readings dedicated to the women-folk were taken and these includes Eugenia Abu’s ‘To My Little Sister’, Valente Makagatanza’s ‘Woman”, Emem’s ‘Strength of the Woman’, Helen Reid’s ‘I am a Woman’, Dr. Tonia Ekpa’s ‘Lament from Womanity’, ‘Journey of a Thousand Years’ and ‘I Got a Flower’, a tragic poem by an unknown poet read by the in-coming Country Director and Oboh, a staff of ActionAids respectively.

According to the conveners, Balcony Muse will come up quarterly with the next edition schedule for June 12 with the theme CRY FREEDOM.

Mr. President, VP, Governors and Others Needs to do more Reading- Dr. Jerry Agada

It is no longer news that President Umaru Musa Yar’adua
probably spent most of hi time during his recent vacation engaging in reading activities as made public by his spokesperson, Segun Adeniyi. In this interview at a recent literary event, Dr. Jerry Agada, the immediate past Minister of State I for Education who was also the Chairman of the ministry’s National Action Committee on Read Campaign provided so insight to the President’s action.

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Recently, the news of Mr. President’s decision to spend his vacation reading took the nation by surprise. Are you surprised?

Surprise? No! I am not surprised. Instead, I was actually very happy when I read the report and I felt vindicated that what we started doing through the National Action Committee on Read Campaign is beginning to yield result. Mr. President was actually schedule to read to the nation during the Read Campaign Dinner but that was not to be as it was the Minister of Science and Technology then who represented him at the dinner and read on his behalf. Besides, it is not just our own President that is reading but other great personalities and world leaders. Recently, I watched a documentary titled ‘Obama Everywhere on CNN where President Obama of the United States went with his wife to a school. It was reported that the school authority did not have any idea of his coming because they just walked into the school to read to a class of second graders, an equivalent of primary two in Nigeria. So you can see that there is nothing new or surprising about the President decision to read. He is simply keeping up with what is expected of people of his status.

What type of book would you suggest to Mr. President to read during this reading vacation should you have the opportunity to advice him?

Mr President is well read. Prior to his becoming President, he was a University lecturer and so you can imagine the number of books he must have read. So to talk of prescribing book for him may not be a wise thing to do. For him to decide to want to spend his vacation reading, I am sure he knows the right type of books to read. If I must add then, I would think that since the essence of his vacation is to rest, he would not need books that will further strain is brain but one that will put him in a very relaxed mood. I think he should read a lot of poetry because I once read somewhere that if you are tensed, picks up a piece of poetry, read and you’ll feel relaxed. On the other hands, if he requires books that will task his intellectual capability, he knows which to choose, such that by the time he returns from his vacation he would be reinvigorated to face his duties of leading this great nation. I must confess to you that the task of leading this nation is not an easy one and so, the President needs a lot of intellectual exercises to do which reading will help him accomplish.

You popularized what is today known as I READ, I LEAD, NIGERIA READ, NIGERIA LEADS. In view of this slogan, what is your concept of reading?

What this is simply saying is that a good reader is a good leader and to become a good leader, you must be a good reader as well. This concept that I popularized has reflected in our President’s action during his vacation. Therefore the feeling that this slogan is intended to instill is that once you engage in extensive reading, you can be sure that you are on the right track because reading refreshes your mind, re-focuses your mind, builds your intellectual ability and puts you on the alert such that you are always well articulated and organized in whatever you do.

What would say is the significance of Mr. President’s reading?

Reading makes a man. Reading prepares a man, shapes him and help focuses his mind to achieve whatever he is set to achieve. In other words, to be well read is to be well informed. So for Mr. President to have decided to read, I can be sure he is looking to achieving one of the objectives above.

How can Mr. President help contribute to the development of the reading culture?

My greatest pleasure will be to see Mr. President, his Vice, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, our governors, legislators and other government functionaries and celebrities pay unscheduled visits to schools like President Obama did and read to the children as a way of encouraging them to take reading seriously. For Mr. President in particular, I don’t think it will be out of place to include in his schedule of activities to visit any school of his choice in a month to read with the pupils/students of that school. That will go a long way to boost their moral as it will have a long lasting on them. An easy way out of it is for the President during his state visits to the 36 states of the federation to include in his activities, visitation to at least 3 schools (one each fro the three tiers i.e primary, Junior Secondary and Senior Secondary Schools) in the state.

ART SHOULD NOT BE FOR ART SAKE...Dr. Ayo Daniels

(Dr Ayo Daniels is the creator and convener of ‘Just Doodles’, an annual literary festival in Abuja. With JERRY ADESEWO in this interview, he recounted the journey of the event which has been on for twelve years.)

You recently hosted this years’ edition of the annual gathering of creative minds in Abuja known as Just Doodles. What is Just Doodles all about?

If you check the dictionary meaning of doodling you will get an idea of what just doodles is all about. The term doodles could be applied to absent-minded or spontaneous playing of musical notes, drawing or scribbling. If you travel outside the country, in England for example you find doodles (generally referred to as graffiti) on walls on the roadsides. These are in form of paintings, writings etc. Some of them actually turn out to be very beautiful. Similarly, when you play series of unrehearsed notes on a guitar, that may also be referred to as doodling.

Now, talking specifically about the annual Just Doodles I host, it is a way of encouraging people to bring out the creativity in them and at the same time getting a relief from the stress of life. I believe that every individual has some creative talent. So, during just doodles sessions you are encouraged to express your creative talent as the ‘spirit moves you’ - that is just coming and doing whatever creative art comes to mind. Though I am a trained scientist I recognize the importance of the arts in life. My friends and I, in my younger days, often got into debate trying to characterize God as a Scientist or an Artiste. I remember advancing argument in support of God being an Artiste before being a Scientist. Consider the beauty of nature. Look all around you at the work of creation, the colours, and the balance in everything. Consider the singing birds and the blue ocean. Look at man - the curves and the symmetry. Please note that I am by no means trivializing the scientific contents of nature.

What is the origin of Just Doodles?

The idea of gathering artistes started when I was in the University of Lagos. I started a club with some friends called Inner Vision. Initially, people did not understand the concept of the club. In fact, some thought it was another cult group springing up. I was faced with the challenge of explaining the name Inner Vision. You see, I believe art works are physical manifestation of the vision within - the way we think, the way we perceive things. The club Inner Vision had four departments. There was the music department headed by Alex Irene, literary department headed by Kudo Eke, drama department headed by Dotun Tokun (gifted actor whom I am surprise is no longer in drama), and fine arts departments headed by Bolade Apampa. They were all undergraduate students while I was a postgraduate student then. We had performances in various places, most of them within UNILAG but some were held outside the campus. Within the music department of Inner Vision, I also put together a music band called The Zenith. We played in the campus and occasionally in Night Clubs where we made extra money. I switched between playing the bass guitar, lead guitar and keyboard. I tried singing but soon found that wasn’t my strength. In the course of event we all parted ways.

In 1984 I joined Lagos State Polytechnic as a lecturer in the School of Engineering and set up a group called Utopia. Most of the membership of Utopia was drawn from my engineering students who were highly talented artistes. Utopia was a sort of carry over of Inner Vision from University of Lagos. We had presentations of drama, music and fine arts and all. Just the same concept of Inner Vision. Let me briefly take you back to my undergraduate days at the University of Lagos. I am sure you know Abayomi Barber, a fine artiste and Bode Osanyin, a playwright and dramatist. Both of them encouraged me. Abayomi Barber in terms of my painting and Bode Osanyin in the area of writing and drama production. I recall , with glee, 1977, when I earned my first substantial salary in life by designing the stage/set for one of Bode Osanyin’s plays, Kubura. This was during Festac ’77 when UNILAG organized a mini Festival to complement the major Festival. I also composed music for some of the productions. I am currently working on the music I composed for Exception and the Rule. – One of Bode’s productions to release it as an album.

You have probably heard about Writers Resort in Ijoko-Ota, on the outskirt of Lagos. That was Bode Osanyin’s concept. On a monthly basis he hosted writers in critique sessions. The Association of Nigerian Authors played prominently role in these sessions. My troupe from Lagos State polytechnic was a major support for the writers resort. We presented drama sketches and dances as side attractions. Usually a Guest Writer was featured every month. Both established and up-coming writers wer featured. I remember that Kole Omotosho once feature at the Resort. I was also featured. He also featured Tope Ashade (Now Mrs. Olaifa). Her play, a cut too deep which I produced for that session has been acclaimed as a masterpiece.

When I left Lagos State polytechnic I lost the luxury of using students to produce my plays so I focus more on my paintings. But the concept of Inner Vision and Utopia was still burning in my mind. When I came to Abuja I tried to get involved with the University of Abuja theatre but found activities were in low gear and of course the distance to town wasn’t encouraging. After that I went to the Abuja Council for Arts and Culture with the desire to get involved in art, literature and cultural activities in the city but there was low level of activities as well. So I came up with the decision to start inner vision in my house and that was when the idea of Just Doodles came up. That was in 1996. I bought some basic musical instruments – drum set, keyboard, electric guitars and amplification units. I went to Sheraton, invited some of the musicians I had met with when I use to go to Sheraton with my family to spend the evening. It started as a quarterly gathering but when I got too busy with office work I decided to host the gathering annually. The beauty of just doodles is that you don’t know which artistes will be featured. Though we have some regular guest artistes like Francis Duru, Chuka Ugwu, Oma Oma. We have at some time had Onome, Ayuba, Aladin, Julietta, Patrick Otoro, and Aladdin, Cappo, Ada Jesus and many others. Other lesser known artistes also get to express themselves. A lot of times the Guest Artiste don’t even get to perform as such because we have a lot of people wanting to use the opportunity to express themselves. Today, there are so many of those who had performed at Just Doodles that had gone ahead to be professionals. Just Doodles was just like a rehearsal ground for them then. Altogether, Just Doodles has been on for the last thirteen years.

Obviously, you have a long history of presence and experience in the art, literary and cultural sector. What exactly is your own background?

I have BSc and Phd in Chemical Engineering from the University of Lagos. I have always been torn between art and sciences. I will tell you a small story. After my O’Level my literature teacher wanted to register me for French, Literature and Fine Art while my science teachers registered me for Mathematics, Biology and Physics. My father had preference for science even though he never forced it on me. I was saved the trouble of choosing when I was admitted to University of Lagos for prelim Chemical Engineering. The consolation was that studying Engineering did not stop me from expressing my artistic talents. The truth is that I am also interested in engineering and if I had studied the arts it would have been difficult for me to actualize my interest in engineering and science.

What is in Just Doodles for you?

What is in it for me is satisfaction. I don’t expect any back. I will tell you a joke. At a point in time we had a function that required us buying clothes at what I considered ridiculous amount and I told my wife that we were not prepared for such expenses. She there and then calculated the cost of instruments I bought for Just Doodles and wondered if we were prepared for that kind of expenditure. She won the argument and so I allowed her to buy the cloth. Of course I didn’t buy for myself. What I am trying to say is that a lot of my personal earnings go into it. There has been a lot of suggestion from people that we should turn it to a club or commercialize it. I am afraid that doing that will negate the objectives of the concepts. You see, in all sincerity I consider myself a very lucky person because I had scholarship all throughout my education from secondary school through my Undergraduate and postgraduate studies. I had job offers from more than one organization on graduation and I can’t remember not being able to get what I need at anytime. So I can afford to give back to the society. That is my own philosophy. I am not saying this for political reason. I don’t have interest in partisan politics. I look at people who had given themselves and their life to this country and I admire them. People like Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and the rest. I admire there courage and wished I can do what they are doing for the society but may be I am not cut out for that role so I try to play the role I believe I can play effectively. I try to give similar support to sports, especially basketball as well.

Are you in any way worried about the lack of support for the art in Nigeria?

I won’t say I am worried. We have the same complain about engineering, we complain about education, sports and other sectors. The fact is that Nigeria is Nigeria and a developed country is a developed country. What we are spending on science and technology in Nigeria is peanut. And no country can grow like that. The problem with Nigeria is multidimensional. We have lots of differences. We have political, religious, ethnic and of course individual differences. I must tell you at this point that I don’t envy the President because there is a lot for him to think about and manage. If you build an art center in Ibadan, you have to build one in Kaduna and Enugu. Same with stadium, you cannot build one in Enugu and stop there; you have to balance it by building in Kano and Ekiti as well. These are some of the challenges we have. Nigeria is not as rich as people believe. We don’t have basic infrastructure for anything we want to do. So there is competing needs for funds. So Art is not considered an immediate necessity. If the question is asked ‘why should I listen to music?’ you’ll probably get a response such as ’music sooths the heart’. This is not as tangible as putting food on the table. So, let’s not burden the government further. It is the art that should organize and sponsor itself. For instance, is it government that is driving comedy shows? Is it government that is driving fashion show? Anything that you see that is thriving, it is the people behind it that are responsible for its success. It is the people. It is what they want. I will tell u something about Just Doodles. The initial concept was modified a little bit. It was supposed to be a creative session but when people come in they want to dance and we have to give in to them. Personally, I would prefer to feature more of classical music, jazz and their likes, but it’s the popular demand we have had to give in to. The people of Lagos have made some appreciable stride in promoting the arts. Abuja is a civil servants and contractors town. It is only recently that more creative people are coming in. I can see a gradual change but it’s still going to take time before Abuja can host, on regular basis, the kind of events that take place in MUSON Center in Lagos.

Tell us about the most memorable and challenging point of Just Doodles

Most memorable is when I see a star on the television and remembered that they had once been at Just Doodles. The occasional challenge is funding. I must say we have a good number of friends who support with drinks and other food. Another challenge is space. When we started it was just fifty but this year we had over 300 people. We also have the challenge of managing people and parking space. There have been suggestions that I move it out of my house possibly to a garden or a hotel. While I am giving that a thought, I am worried people may become more inhibited if it takes place in such public places.

What is your assessment of Nigerian Literature in the outgoing year?

I came across quite a number of new books and I will like to commend the efforts of the authors. However, you find grammatical and spelling errors in some of the books while others can at best be seen as series of disjointed sentences. These were in the minority but they are enough to cast doubts in the minds of any reader about Nigerian books. This is where I believe bodies like ANA can come in. ANA could take it upon itself to review books published in Nigeria and possibly rate them along some clearly defined criteria – for example style, plot, grammar, spelling and so on. Such reviews should be published in a magazine and given wide circulation – especially for non-technical books written for children, pre-teens and teenagers.

Should art be for art sake?

Art for art sake does not last. When art has a message it stands the test of time. In history, even when the message is not understood critics struggle to find meaning to the art. Take for example Mona Lisa – painting by Leonardo Davinci or Christiana’s World by Andrew Whyet. Apart from the beauty of these paintings, what have kept men discussing them are the messages behind the paintings - the various interpretations.

Consider Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Yes, I admit the music is good but the major reason Fela’s music is still fresh in many people’s mind is the message – voice of the oppressed; hope for the poor; liberation for those who seek to be free from conventional life style. There were some excesses with Fela but you must agree that he had a message. We have heard more melodious music from other artists but because they didn’t have strong message they faded away.

Years after Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart it is still being celebrated. It is classified as a novel but it is also a documentary of a sort – a history book.

Wole Soyinka did not win the Nobel Prize just for writing nice stories in good English. If anyone doubts this he should read ‘The Man Died’.

The same thing can be said about drama and movies. Sound of Music is just a story but it has a message hence it has passed from generation to generation. Some of us remember, with nostalgia, ‘Village Headmaster’. These days, when I stumble upon Nigerian films, usually when somebody else is watching, I have no difficulties in predicting what will happen next. Many of them have a single message – ‘don’t trust Nigerians, they practice voodoo and occultism, they are con-men etc!’ Is that the message we should be sending to the world. Of course, I have seen some good ones too!

Which Nigeria author have you read of recent?

I have not read much in recent times – I have been following the American politics – reading the two books by Obama – ‘Dreams from my Father Land’ and ‘Audacity of Hope’. I have just read Wale Okediran’s book – ‘The Weaving Loom’ – simple book but loaded with message. I didn’t discuss it with him but it sounds like the story of Nigeria. I have also been struggling to review Tope Olaifa’s collection of poems.

Any plan to publish any of your own writings?

I published a book in 1996 titled “Just Doodles”. It’s a collection of short stories, poems and works of art – drawings and paintings. Some of these are also on my personal website ayodaniel.net. You see, the internet is taking over and if your primary aim is to give people access to your work then internet is a good place to go. It’s cheaper to publish on the internet and you reach a wider audience. It is however less financially rewarding.

Your opinion about the Nigerian publishing industry?

Because readership is not much there isn’t much profit in publishing with the exception of gossip and fashion’s magazines. Thus publishers do not invest enough in production with the result that final products are often not attractive and, as earlier said, full of errors. I have seen some good ones though. For example, those from Cassava Republic are impressive.

How in your opinion can the reading habit be improved?

We should look in the direction of electronic publishers. Obama won the American election by exploiting technology. We can exploit technology – specifically electronic publishing to win the war against aparthy to reading amongst our youths. I don’t know exactly how but I know we need to go digital. For example, all our folk lores should be produced in electronic forms – multi colors and distributed on CDs and possibly directly to computers and cell phones.

Where do you see Just Doodles in the next five years?

In five years I see people traveling from across the globe to attend “Just Doodles”. Some of my friends come from various parts of Nigeria – especially Lagos for Just Doodles - second Sunday of every December. My daughter is already playing with the idea of parallel sessions of Just Doodles in America and England – she’s only ten but then … who knows!

INDIA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS 0F BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WITH NIGERIA

INDIA CELEBRATES 50 YEARS 0F BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP WITH NIGERIA

It was celebration galore yesterday, Monday 26th January as the Republic of India, through its Embassy in Nigeria commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of its bilateral relationship which predated Nigeria’s independence.

Mr. Mahesh Sachdev, the Host and High Commissioner of India in his address at the reception which also marked India’s 60th Republic Day who describe the relationship between India and Nigeria as ’50 years of fruitful friendship’ explains that the establishment of a diplomatic relation between India and Nigeria was a gesture of the Indian government to support Nigeria’s aspirations for national independence which was realized two years later.

“In the last fifty years, we have shared a vibrant and evolving relationship. Today, we are Nigeria’s second largest trading partners while Nigeria has become India’s first and major source hydrocarbons. There has also been rapid growth in people-to-people contacts and so the need to mark this strategic partnership” he added as he proposed a toast to the cream of diplomatic corps, Nigerian government officials and other guests.

One of the activities marking this half a century of Nigeria’s cordial bilateral relationship with India is the presentation of a special publication ‘India-Nigeria in focus’ by the Embassy and presented to the public by Alhaji Rilwanu Lukman, Nigeria’s Minister of Petroleum and former OPEC Secretary-General who was Special guest at the event.

Representing the Nigerian government is the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili who in her remarks before declaring open the photo exhibition, expresses the gratitude of Nigerian government and people to the Indian government revealed that India which had during her tenure as the DG of NAFDAC undertook the training of NAFDAC officials in India on drug regulation has also promised during a courtesy visit to her office earlier in the day to train staff of her Ministry in ICT. “It will be difficult for Nigeria to be one of the best 20 economies in the world in 2020 if we don’t embrace information and communication technology in which our Indian friends have grown to become a force to reckon with and so have promised to help Nigerian youth actualize their potentials” she said adding that the government of India has concluded plans to establish an ICT University in Nigeria.

In what appears to be the high point of the evening, guests at the dinner which includes the former Chairman, Board of Trustees of the People’s Democratic Part, Chief Tony Anenih among other top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps were treated to a classical and contemporary India music and dance by a 10 years old girl Sai Gargi who thrilled the entire audience with her scintillating dance steps and body movements.

KADA 2009 WILL ECLIPSE EXISTING RECORDS...Deputy Governor

Every disappointment as they use to say is a blessing in disguise. If this aphorism is true, then the postponement of the 16th National Festival tagged KADA 2008 from November 2008 when it should have held to February 2009 is indeed a blessing to the Kaduna State government, the organizers of this year’s edition.

While the postponement may not have augur well for the nation’s sporting calendar, it has ensured that the organizers are able to within the time given, pull their acts together not just to put up a hitch free sporting festival but one that will remain memorable for a long time as it is set to showcase the best of Kaduna’s rich culture nay Nigeria.

A visit to the Government Girls Secondary School, Kawo reveals that there are about 1000 Artistes from Benue, Plateau, Abuja, Niger, Kano and Kaduna State council for arts and culture in camp preparing rigorously for the opening and closing ceremonies. “We have been here for the past three weeks and I am sure with experiences of all the people here the opening ceremony will be superb. It will be an avenue for us to showcase the best of Kaduna and Nigeria’s cultural heritage.” said Olugbemiga Aluko, one of the five instructors in the camp.

Zara Yuku, a choreographer from the Benue State Council for Arts and Culture who is the camp commandant confirms that the artistes are in very high spirit and are set to eclipse existing opening and closing ceremonies record in the history of the National Festival. “I can assure you that this will be one of the best opening ceremonies you have ever seen. We are set to re-enact the Beijing Olympics in our own little way. We are working very hard” He said emphatically amidst heavy panting, having just been dragged out of a mind-numbing rehearsal session.

In the same vein, not less than 2000 school children drawn from schools across the state are in camp sweating it out to produce another breath-taking calisthenics display. The opportunity to serve their nation is the oil that propels these agile and talented kids. “We will shock the world with our display” Said Nafisat Bature, one of the kids in camp.

Alhaji Yahaya Dangana, the Consultant and Artistic Director for the opening and closing ceremony reveals that Kaduna is poised to set a record that will be difficult to beat easily by subsequent hosts. “KADA 2008 is going to set a new pace for the sport festivals in Nigeria. You are going to see a perfect synergy between sport and art. There will be performances by some of the best artistes that we can boast of from this part of the country and other parts of Nigeria.” he said.

The opening ceremony with the theme Leadership, People and Glory will witness a spectacular display tagged Innovations from the Roots – an epic stadium theatre which will depict the historical, social, cultural and political standing of Nigeria, nay Nigeria.

The Nupe born dramatist who was a member of the Abuja All African Games opening ceremony committee revealed further that there will be solo performances at the games village and other part of Kaduna city throughout the festival period but refuses to reveal the name of the artistes that are billed to perform. We however gathered from a very reliable source which pleaded anonymity that the legendry Auta Yakubu (popularly known as Mama Gwari), Tar Ukor, Zakky Azzay, Sanni Musa Denja and the current Finest Girl in Nigeria, Ochenya Jessinta Ebute are some of the artistes to expect.

The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State and Chairman local organizing committee of KADA 2008, Mr. Patrick Yakowa who paid a working visit to the camp to inspect the artistes and calisthenics kids, reiterated what others have said as he responded bluntly when asked if he is satisfy with the level of preparation for the festival and especially the opening and closing ceremonies. “I am satisfied with our preparation. You should expect a spectacle when KADA kicks of February 15th. Nothing short of a spectacle. I can assure you as you can see here too. Spectacle”

Indeed, if what is on ground at the rehearsal camps is anything to go by, I am sure that, sportsmen, tourists and others will be treated to a sumptuous cultural cum sporting activities that may surpass what was witnessed at the COJA All African Games in Abuja in 2003.

Nollywood’s Rating as Third Largest Film Industry in the World is an Amusement

Bimbo Manuel is a Nigerian actor, playwright and Director. Jerry ADESEWO caught up with him in Abuja during the shooting of a new drama series title Purple Plaza. He bares his minds on various issues relating to the project and the film industry.

Tell us about yourself

There is nothing extra ordinary about me. I am human. I am male. I am Bimbo Manuel.

Who is Bimbo Manuel?

I am a Yoruba man. Unrepentantly so. And I am a Nigerian by virtue of my being a Yoruba man.

There has always been this issue of actors been born or made. Where do you belong?

I have always tried to avoid getting entangled in such definitions of how actors get into existence because it can start from wherever as far as I know. You can grow from training and diligence. You can also be naturally gifted. If you are gifted but do not work at developing that yourself to enhance that talent. It soon fades away. Gift alone is not enough. You need training. There are technicalities to it. It is science as much as it is an art. It is not just a thing you walk on the stage and start doing it or you walk in front of a camera and you start to do it. There are principles. There are technicalities to it. It is a science as much as it is an art. Yes, very high art.

When and how did your sojourn into acting as a career started?

It has been a while. I actually started out radio as a broadcaster. That was at Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation in the late 70s and 80s. Then I decided to further my education. I study Theater Arts under the late Ola Rotimi, majoring in Directing at the University of Porthacourt. The way we were trained. Even if it was stage management you are doing, you are required to be proficient in order areas of theatre. So, as a director especially, you were trained with the consciousness that if you don’t know an aspect of theatre, you can’t direct people in it. So you were required to know everything about theatre as a director. I guess that was where it all started from. When we left school there were not very many directing jobs available then so we were sharing our times between working as director small-small projects and acting. Acting became the main thing that was putting food on the table and I guess that was why people have grown to know me more as an actor. And ofcourse there is the hedge of you standing in front of a camera. Many people don’t know who the directors are. Most people don’t. So that is basically how it all started.

Can you record which your first movie was?

When we went into the electronics. We started out on television. And that was of course on NTA because that was the only place it was happening then, you know. We were been paid between N20 to N40per episode. Pink paper and they will owe for a long time. A think that was the way it started but if I am to define how it started for me in films. I would say its Hostages. We shot Hostages when there was no film industry but it came out as home video. It was initially shot for the television by Tade Ogidan. If we were defining in terms of time I will say its Hostages but film…film being a video feature. Can I really remember now? It was when it all started for everyone else. Home video, Em…92-93 or thereabout. There was Glamour Girls. There was something Millionaires…I can’t really remember now.

Beyond acting and directing…how much of writing have you done?

Haa…(laughs) I have done quite of writing. I write comedies. When you say comedies, we’ll be defining a broad genre of creative writing but the type that I like to do is more is more dialogue content driven not the Ha-Ha slapstick type. I have never been really been a fan of those. I have done Mama Grace, a couple of video feature scrpts and now Purple Plaza. I have done quite a bit.

That rings us to why you are here in Abuja. What is Purple Plaza all about?

It is the brain child of the management of NTA Plus. I was brought in because they had seen something that I did. They wanted something like Mama Grace. They were coming from somewhere. They were coming from Area 11 which I learnt was a very successful local comedy drama. They wanted to go to the next level with it to fill some of their drama slot in the week. That was how we got together and started to discuss it. We conference it and started to write the script. We have started shooting and it’s looking good. It’s been fun for me because I am getting to meet very new and fresh faces and very gifted too. Especially in a place like Abuja here. The general assumption has always been that all the stars are down south but it is amazing the kind of talents I have found here.

Some of the characters I have seen in this play, are they a depiction of some living character of a product of your own creative ingenuity? What exactly do they represent as far as this play is concerned?

Each of those character, I created by myself. I was not looking at anyone who is alive or dead. I was not even looking at characters or individual. I was looking more at situations. I was looking at people who function usually in situations like that. I was looking at scenarios and the people who play themselves out in scenarios like that. I was also looking to working the undercurrents of my own convictions as a person into some of those lines that they say and some of the attitudes of the characters. We have people like Musa and Uche for instance who are from very diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Yet they are in the market selling individual things. They are selling totally different things. They are friends. They are constantly quarrelling and constantly making up. Nothing last. They work to understand each other. For me, it’s depictive of the Nigerian society. For those who are able to see beyond the laughter, they would be able to ask the same question that we are raising if truly that is how we live on the street and we don’t remember the tribe where the other person come from. We are we forever killing ourselves bothering about religion and tribe while in reality we live and work in the same place. You see, Nigerians really don’t care which religion or tribe you belong. People want to eat. They want wake up in the morning knowing that there breakfast is guaranteed; they can look forward to supper and lunch is taking for granted. That they can ride on the road without anybody chasing them down. That they can aspire for greatness. That’s all people want I think. I may also be willing to admit that I may be living in Kukuland, in Uthopia. What’s wrong with that? (Laughs)

How do you think Nigerians will connect to the situations you depict?

People are always going to be able to find themselves in the different characters you find in Purple Plaza. There are the good, the bad and the ugly. Nobody deliberately set out to be evil. Even the good people are not committing themselves to goodness. There are things that come to us as human being naturally. There is a goodness that we need to work hard at because it is more difficult than being bad. So people are going to be able to find themselves in such situation. You see, we don’t laugh. We are not able to laugh at ourselves. Maybe if you find something of yourselves in pieces like that you will be able to hit the pillow in rib cracking laughter (laughs) and say waoh! That looks like the same kind of thing I did the other day. We also will be able to also pick up little nuggets of lessons and wisdom. In that same environment of stupidity and fun and crime and so on people are still working hard to be their individual selves. Musa wants to be Musa. Uche wants to be Uche. They all have aspirations. They are chasing something. Mama Philo is there. Wireless has her goals. Asppapy has objectives. It is about objectives. All of them are chasing their goals. They are traveling somewhere but how they get there is different person to person. That’s also the strength.

How long is this series intended to last?

Infinity.

What is your opinion of remunerations artists between then and now?

Oh no! (Laughs) Those time, don’t even go there now o! In fact, you must not think about it. You know that apart from stage, NTA was the only employer of acting labour. And you know they are free then to choose what they pay anyone. Why they pay people what they pay, people like us may never know. May be relative to their budget. In relative to the importance of those project to them. You can’t compare what happens those days to now. People earn more decent fees now and we thank God for that. It has made it a lot more interesting for people. That does not imply by any stress of imagination that artistes are getting their dues. No! Not in 2008. There is no reason why anyone should offer you N10,000 even as a lowly actor, an extra which we call waka pass. What kind of money is that? But then we are going. It is not what it uses to be in the 80s or the 90s. It is far better.

What is the future of live theatre in Nigeria?

We need to first ask what the future dramatic writing for stage in Nigeria is. What happen to the generation of writers, dramatists that seems to be fading away now. Dod they leave any children behind? No. What has Wole Soyinka led behind to fell his shoe? Who has Ola Rotimi left behind to write like him? Who is taking over from the Osofisans of this world? The Niyi Osundares, Amos Tutuolas, Zulu Sofolas. Who is taking over from them? We don’t have. And if you are not writing, you are not raising the bar in art, it will die naturally because it starts from there. Unless you are going to be recycling the same old plays and very soon every body will see it. That is number one; the other reason is that the society is not safe anymore. People can’t take their children to the theater the way it use to be. There that those people are no travelling theatres like they use to bring it to us our school then. It doesn’t exist anymore. Even in the universities where they have Dramatic Arts Department, how many productions are happening? And you see, we like to use film and home video as the excuse for the reason why theatre is dying or are dead. I think theater killed itself because theater did not recreate itself. It did not rejuvenate itself. It did not move with the tides in Nigeria, There are no new things happening. It’s sad really because our professionals must feed so naturally they will migrate to radio and film and television because theatre cannot guarantee their earnings. You tie an actor down for three months, rehearsing one piece and he ended up performing only for one night. For one Kabiyesi, Governor and the President who probably do not even understand what the story is saying. What is the use as a dramatist? There are jobs that have been playing for generations and they are still active. On Broadway, Westend, everywhere. If you get a project that plays for one month, it’s exceptional. How do you feed the people, the stage manager, the actors, the set man, the technical people and the director? How do you feed them when you have only one show in a month? After that one he doesn’t know what happen because you cannot keep them in the job. Theatre is dead and I think theatre kill itself.

Nigeria’s film industry is rated the 3rd largest in the world. What is your take on this considering it side by side with Hollywood and Bollywood?

That is an embarrassment. I have always found that statement as a major amusement. Is it the proliferation of crap that they are using to define the size of the industry or what? We may be growing horizontally but are we growing vertically? Are we growing in intellect? Are we growing in capability? Are we building capacity in that industry? How are we travelling? Are we able to enter places where true film makers enter with our projects? For me that is what will define our status. Bollywood is not saying they are the second largest because they produce the greatest number of films but because after Hollywood they are probably the best producers of films. And it will be fair for them to label themselves as such. China is there. China is producing. Hong Kong is there producing. Is it because we don’t hear there numbers? Who is giving us those titles now? That is how we go about the world parting ourselves on the back with these awards and that award. Awards that Nigerians are giving to Nigerians and we call them International awards. What have we won on the true global film stage? What have we won with our films? Tutsi has won. Cool Running from Jamaica has won. What has Nigeria won in Quagadogou? Nothing now! In FESPACO, what have we won? Not things won by Nigerians in Europe but those won by Nigerians here who are producing films.

Your last word

It is well.

SALAMANDER CAFE: Abuja' Literary Cafe

Whenever you find yourself in the nation’s capital and needs a place to feed the stomach and the brain at the same time, Salamander Café will probably top the list of options that will be made available to you.

Established 6th June 2007 as a café cum restaurant. According to the proprietress, Mrs. Sal Gbajabiamila, the primary idea was to sell coffee “You know the economic climate in Nigeria will not allow you to rent a place and sell just coffee. You may not make any money at all so we decided to add food service and now we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at any time of the day you want” she said.

The beautiful thing about Salamander Café is that it did not just end at selling coffee and food for the stomach but foods for the brain with the services of a bookstore, which has in stock some of the best and current titles. As further explained by Mrs. Sal, the idea is for you to come eat, wine and probably be tempted to buy one or two books. The internet café with a 2 wifi enabled HP laptops offers a complimentary service to customers who may want to check their mails or surf the World Wide Web for information.

Situated on Aminu Kano Crescent of the serene Wuse II area of Abuja, Salamander Café also offers its facilities for independent arts exhibitions, lunch meet, and a weekly film show and discussion forum known as Sunday Salon where films are screened and then discussed.

This social enterprise which only recently opened a second branch at the National Assembly provides a relaxed ambience for Nigerians and foreigners to unwind when necessary has played host to several book reading and signing sessions, book presentations and creative gathering. “The atmosphere is comfortable and that has impacted on patronage a lot. I think the people love the idea” affirms Mrs. Gbajabiamila.

IWU IS NOT THE PROBLEM... Chekwas Okorie

The clamour for the removal of Professor Maurice Iwu as the Chairman of INEC was reiterated by the Comrade Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole in the course of his paper during the Trust 6th Annual Dialogue held in Abuja recently. Meanwhile, when Jerry Adesewo caught up with Chief Chekwas Okorie, the National Chairman of All People’s Grand Alliance (APGA) has a different opinion. This is what he has to say:

Chekwas Okorie:
If you remember that the recommendation submitted by the electoral reform committee is that future Chairman of INEC should be a retired Justice, you will agree that Iwu is not qualified to be the Chairman of INEC. So, why is everyone asking for Iwu’s head as if Iwu has committed some impious offence? Those who appoint him should take the blame. Does Iwu hire tugs? No! Who is the person that refuses to release money at the appropriate time so that materials will be available? Does Iwu bribe INEC officials? Politicians are to blame for 75% of our political hiccups. The Executives take 15% for manipulating the electoral body by not releasing funds early to ensure adequate preparation. And the electoral body takes the remaining 10%. That is my own assessment.

The solution is an electoral reform that will empower the electorate and make INEC truly independent, so that you can hold somebody responsible. And then don’t forget that in that report there is now a recommendation for an Electoral Malpractices Commission, like EFCC that will now begin to prosecute people who have the tendency to break our electoral laws. This has never happen before in our history. When people rig elections through others, they go to the church to do thanksgiving and celebrate and leave the Umpires to face the people. So, it is pedestrian to talk about Iwu all the time instead of facing the real issue as 2011 approaches.

OUR SYSTEM IS EXPERIENCING EXPLOSIVE COBWEB... Chukwuemeka Ezeife

Chief (Dr.) Chukwuemeka Ezeife is a former Governor of the old Anambra State. He was one of many notable Nigerians, especially of Igbo extract who came turned up at the Transcorp Hilton on Monday 19th January 2009 where he bared his mind on such burning national issues in an interview with JERRY ADESEWO.

What is your opinion of the Umaru Musa Yar’dua Administration?

Many people thought the administration is slow. I agree up to a point that it is slow. My thinking is that, inactivity of sort may be better than negative activity. We may be complaining but things are a little bit more convenient because things are not happening as it uses to be that breaks people’s heart. There is convenience in the economy. Nobody holds the life of the other. All of us are alive and in the hands of God. So, we should not be over skeptical.

What is your opinion of recent alert by some people that the government has been hijacked by the Northern mafia?

No group in the country gains from making themselves too comfortable while others are not. If it is true that the North is ever thinking of hijacking the government, it is going to be counter-productive. They will suffer pinfall. You know pinfall in a wrestling match. If you achieve a pinfall, to sustain it you have to hold the person down. You are down too and you don’t get up until you release the pinfall. So, neither the East nor the North, South or West gains when Nigeria is loosing. We need integrated confidence and such confidences are not located in one place. So we have to comb Nigeria to achieve it.

Do you think there is actually a hijack or you are saying that it is not proper because we are talking about quota system and federal character is presently dead in this country now as it regards to appointment...

I don’t know how far or well the quota is working. I DON’T KNOW! I am saying that I did not know whether there is or there is any such plan. What I am saying is that the outcome of such plan will be negative.

Is the perceived inactivity of the government good for Nigeria’s economy?

I said and I repeat that dynamic negative activity can be worse than benile activity.

What is your opinion of the Economic Team and its Presidential Steering Committee considering that apart from the CBN Governor, there is no representative from the South Easter part of Nigeria?

It is not just one committee or the other. The south east is disappearing from the government and federal government is disappearing from the south east and something has to be done about. It is not a matter of defending where you come from. Any objective person who looks at things will find out that the south eastern people are not near decision making point in this country.

What should be done about this?

In the interest of the country, the situation should be checked and balanced.

What is your stand on party cross carpeting considering the recommendation of the Uwais Committee which says such should be forbidden in the future?

I am a lay man but my little knowledge and appreciation of the law forbids what happens in Zamfara. If you go like that, you resign. That is what we understood our constitution to say. It is also immoral and so our President should not appear to be too partisan as to seen to condone immoral, illegitimate behaviour.

How relevant is the visit of Achebe to the state of the nation?

I am here for the 50 years celebration of Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. Fifty years ago, he told the world that our traditional system has fallen apart. Today, he returns to Nigeria to see that our entire modern system has fallen totally apart. The Economists have a way of describing things that are coming together as things that are going further apart. They call it explosive cobweb. Our system is experiencing explosive cobweb. That is...disintergrating totally. In our democracy, the people’s votes don’t count. Only arrangees. Only intimidation and guns. Only money. We hope that the arrival of Chinua Achebe today and the statement he will make to us Nigerians and especially the downtrodden or the people who refuse to get up. The Igbos, who fell down years ago and instead of getting up to carry on, they are enjoying where they are. They have fallen. We will listen to him. Nigeria needs to get up. Nigeria looks like a very big wrestler holding some of her people in pinfall but for as long as they sustain the pinfall, Nigeria remains down like the people pinned down.

Purple Plaza 1

A new television drama series entitled Purple Plaza recently hit the airwaves. The drama series, written and directed by Bimbo Manuel, was created by the Management of NTA Plus with the aim of entertaining and enlightening Nigerians in a way they understand.

The television series which replaces Area Eleven Center which shows on the NTA Plus network for more than two years is the story of our everyday as depicted by five outstanding characters, Aspappy, Wireless, Kunta, Uche, Musa and Mama Philo amongst other minors.

“Purple Plaza is all about the people” said the Writer and Director. “We have people like Musa and Uche for instance who are from very diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Yet they are in the market selling individual things. They are selling totally different things. They are friends. They are constantly quarrelling and constantly making up. Nothing last. They work to understand each other. For me, it’s depictive of the Nigerian society. For those who are able to see beyond the laughter, they would be able to ask the same question that we are raising, if truly that is how we live on the street and we don’t remember the tribe where the other person come from. We are forever killing ourselves bothering about religion and tribe while in reality we live and work in the same place. You see, Nigerians really don’t care which religion or tribe you belong. People want to eat. They want wake up in the morning knowing that there breakfast is guaranteed; they can look forward to supper and lunch is taking for granted. That they can ride on the road without anybody chasing them down” he narrated.

Explaining further about the characters in the drama, the University of Port Harcourt trained theater director explains that Purple Plaza is unique and important because people are always going to be able to find themselves in the different characters in Purple Plaza.

“There are the good, the bad and the ugly. Nobody deliberately set out to be evil. Even the good people are not committing themselves to goodness. Musa wants to be Musa. Uche wants to be Uche. They all have aspirations. They are chasing something. Mama Philo is there. Wireless has her goals. Asppapy has objectives. It is about objectives. All of them are chasing their goals. They are traveling somewhere but how they get there is different from person to person. That’s also the strength”

Produced by Saidu Ismaila Ahmad, the comedy drama series parades such excellent Abuja based actors as Victor Maji (Kunta), Amaka Agwu (Mama Philo), Jovita Anyanwu-Chukwuemeka, Kalu Agunwa (Uche), Musa Ibrahim (Musa) and Adesewo Fayaman Bay (Otison) with Pa Kasumu, the Lagos based actor as Aspappy.

Purple Plaza which hits the airwaves last Monday will show on NTA Plus by 7.30pm every Monday.

ANA ABUJA HOLDS LEADERSHIP LECTURE...HONOURS ABUBAKAR GIMBA @ 57

As ANA Abuja prepares to hold it’s Annual Leadership Lecture, it is set to use the opportunity to honour a past National President of the association, Alhaji Abubakar Gimba who turns 57 on the day.

Abubakar Gimba is the author of numerous works of literature including Trail of Sacrifice, Witness to Tears, Sacred Apples, Letters to my Children, This Land of Ours, Footprints, Sunset for a Mandarin, Letter to the Muslim Fundamentalist and many more. He is a highly revered writer and public administrator whose works have earned him wide acclaim within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

With this year’s theme: DEMOCRACY, LITERATURE AND JUSTICE IN THE 21ST CENTURY NIGERIA, ANA Abuja hopes to use this lecture to re-open critical discourse on the intriguing interplay between literature, justice practice and the resultant emergence of sustainable democratic culture in our country, Nigeria.

The lecture which is slated for Tuesday 10th March by 4pm at the Cyprian Ekwensi Center for Arts and Culture is expected to have in attendance Nigerians from different walks of life.

The lecture will hold under the tripartite chairmanship of Senator Gbemisola Saraki (Co-chair, Democracy), Professor Dibu Ojerinde, the JAMB Registrar/CEO (Co-chair, Literature), Hajiya Bilkisu Bashir (Co-chair, Justice) while the President for Nigeria’s Senate, the Distinguish Senator David Bonaventure Mark will be the Special Guest of Honour.

This year’s lecture will be delivered by a Professor of Literature from Nassarawa State University, Keffi, Professor Ojima Umelo who is the Dean, Faculty of Arts of the University while the Keynote address will be delivered by the Ambassador of US to Nigeria, Ambassador Robin Sanders.

The event will also feature cultural displays and readings from Alhaji Gimba’s books and other selected writers in attendance to spice up the occasion.

How Not To Treat Our Heroes

Professor Chinua Achebe’s recent heroic visit to his motherland, Nigeria after a decade of absence may have come and gone but the memories of that visit still lingers in our memories.

While I commend the government of Imo State for ensuring that the Eagle on Iroko visit Nigeria this year, 10 years after the last visit which he made 10 years after he left the shores of Nigeria, I will not hesitate to express my displeasure at the way the founding father of the Association of Nigerian Authors was treated.

Association of Nigerian Authors made frantic effort to bring the father of Modern African Literature home last April for the month long celebration of his classical novel Things Fall Apart (which was replicated in other parts of the world) but to no avail. As a member of the organising committee for the Abuja event, I am aware that ANA was better prepared to give him all the best of attention, care and memorable stay than what I saw played out during this last visit. In fact, one of our would be sponsors had promised to bear the cost of giving him all the necessary comfort, even if it mean flying him into Nigeria form the US in a private jet but the aged Groit humbly declined to come on health ground. Many were disappointed but we have to respect his decision. We also made effort to have him speak live from the US to the special reception organized in his honour at the Cyprian Ekwensi Center in Abuja but technology also let us down as we were unable to establish link with him on the D-day.

Thus, when I read a story by Uduma Kalu in the Vanguard Newspaper edition of Sunday 18th that Professor Achebe will be arriving Nigeria the next day by 5.30am for the Ahajioku lecture, I did not believe it because I thought he may not come, until I got a call from my President, Honourable Dr. Wale Okediran later that night asking me to be at the airport to cover his arrival for NEXT. He had invited other journalists as well arguing that “Professor Achebe is too much a personality to be allowed to sneak into Nigeria unnoticed after such a long time abroad, even if he’s arriving at 1 or 2am.” Even when I tried to explain the difficulty of been able to make it to the airport for as early as 5am because of the distance between my place of residence in Kubwa to the airport, he suggested that I relocate to town that night so I can leave for the airport early the next morning and that exactly was what I did.

However, I was served my first dose of disappointment that morning when on arrival there was so much disorganization among the organizers, a situation which immediately angered the first son of Achebe, Chidi who in turn become so over protective of his father and almost did not want anyone to come near him, including the press except for the ANA President who incidentally was the first person to arrive at the airport. The two representatives of the Anambra and Imo State did not arrive the airport early enough to have been accredited to go into the Tarmac to receive their guest because according to them, their driver did not turn up early enough. “Cant they get behind the steering and drive down to the airport?” I was told he Chidi Achebe later apologized for his attitude at the airport but I think that was belated because it was not necessary for him to have been that tempered in the first place because Achebe stopped being his father since he wrote that book in 1958 – he is our father!. But then, why should anyone blame him for being that protective when his father’s contemporary, Elechi Amadi, Author of The Concubine was only recently abducted by militants in the Niger Delta.

As if that was not enough, watching our literary giant been smuggled into one tight lexus gave me cause to worry. I wondered why the organizers did not think it necessary to make provision for special car that will make his movement much comfortable. It took more than ten minutes to figure out how best to get him into the car. That I am sure must have added up to Chidi’s uncontrollable temper, being a Medical Doctor and heir of the Achebe dynasty who knows too well that such car is not convenient for his father because of his condition. I personally spoke to one of the organizers about the inappropriateness of the car. “That type of car you are talking about is not available here my friend” he replied and I chose to let him be because I know that was not true. I am aware that such cars for wheelchair bound patients are available in this country. The national hospital and Abuja Clinic have them. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Madukwe was the first to bring Professor Achebe back home. That was in 1999 during his tenure as Minister of Culture. To ensure his comfort, the organizers make sure that he came in with a special van and medical attendants from the US. To even think that he was subjected to having to be driven through the death traps we call roads in this country, from Abuja to Owerri and them Anambra is unheard of. More sickening is the excuse that they have to take him through the rigour of road travel because they cannot trust any of the airlines for safety. How pathetic?

My next line of disappointment was the fact that we still have not learnt how to honour our heroes in this country. Professor Chinua Achebe is one of Nigeria’s greatest Ambassadors and yet there is not a single top government functionaries say like the President, Minister of Education, Minister of FCT, Minister of Culture, Minister of Information, nor were any of the two governors who invited him home at the airport to receive him. I am utterly disappointed. It remains a fact today that those drawing attention to Nigeria today are those in the field of arts and may be sport. It is people like Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Helon Habila, Chimamanda Adichie, Chika Anigwe, Mabel Segun, Niyi Osundare, Gabriel Okara, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Ahmed Yerima, Teju Cole, Kaine Agary and their likes that drawn the best of positive attention to Nigeria than any politician and yet they are treated like strangers.

Excuses they say are the nails used to build the house of failure. I heard someone saying in defence (though his own opinion) that the Federal Government should not be blame as they possibly are not aware of his visit. My immediate response to that is why? How possible is that? Even if we agree that they were not officially informed of this impending visit, don’t they read papers or watch television? Without prejudice to the organizers, especially Imo State Government and Governor Ohakim, there was enough publicity of the Ahajioku Festival. The FCT government for instance should have without prompting from the organizers or any other quarters mount a guard of honour for him for the simple fact that he is passing through Abuja and is meant to stay here for two nights before moving on to the east. FCT should have (like it used to do for some elements of lesser commercial value to Nigeria and some institutions whenever they hold conferences in Abuja) undertake to sponsor a dinner in honour of this great son of the soil. I was at the reception in honour of Professor Achebe by the organizers was held in one obscure corner of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The Sokoto room venue of that reception is meant for only 20 persons. The Journalist alone at that reception numbered up to sixty. So much so that other guests hardly have a place to perch.

While I don’t want to talk about the Ministries of Education and Culture for not thinking that it was necessary for them to be part of Achebe’s visit even though to some extent he falls within their purview more than every other person. I will want to say that I am utterly disappointed too that my ‘Nigerian Female Government Official of the Year’ the former DG of NAFDAC, Professor Dora Akunyili’s Ministry of Information and Communication did not also find it necessary to accord Professor Achebe some state respect. This is a man you don’t see often. He’s not the Professor Wole Soyinka that is always available. He comes in when he likes and leaves when he pleases. Not to forget that since he left the shores of Nigeria twenty years ago in the event of his accident he has only visited twice, ten years ago and this year (making his visit a ten yearly routine) and only God knows when next to expect him before he answered the glorious call. To think that the Heart of Africa Project of the Ministry had Achebe’s pictures on their website, buses and other public places as one of Nigeria’s literary icon and yet are busy doing nothing that they could not cease this great opportunity to give honour to whom it is due. Dear Professor Akunyili, I wish to therefore suggest to you that to make up for this unpardonable offence, your Ministry should get in touch with the Association of Nigerian Authors to start making plans to bring Professor Achebe (and other Nigerian Writers and Artistes in Diaspora) back to Nigeria as part of activities marking Nigeria’s half a century years of Independence from the brutish British colonial rule in October 2010. Failure to do this will amount to gross misplacement of priority on the side of the Ministry and its Heart of Africa Project if consideration is not given to the real image makers.

Even though it was obvious that the author No Longer at Ease is very happy to be back home and very willing to speak to the press, he was not allowed to and the journalist and other well-wishers who had defied sleep to be at the airport almost revolt but for the timely intervention again of Dr. Wale Okediran and veteran broadcaster, Eugenia Abu of the NTA. Though it is the Igbos that invited him home but I wish to say here with all sense of Nigerianess in me that Achebe has gone beyond the Igbos. Since that day in 1958 that he picked up his pen and papers as propelled by the muse to tell that unique African story which has been translated to over fifty world languages, he has ceased to be that ‘Igbo’ boy given birth to in Ogidi, Anambra State. He has since become the soul of Africa nay Nigeria and that the Igbos should learn to live with.

Perhaps, my greatest disappointment should be the attitude of Mr. Peter Obi and his entire Anambra State government to the Achebe visit. I cant understand what on earth Governor Obi sat back in Awka doing that he cannot in the company of his commissioner for education and other top state functionaries come to keep vigil at the airport to await the arrival of them gem of our fatherland. It is almost unbelievable to think that Professor Achebe is from that state and have been so treated. This reminds me that in 2006, when the ANA celebrated 20 years of Wole Soyinka’s Nobel Prize, in the absence of the Governor, the Deputy Governor was at hand to receive Kongi while the Alafin of Oyo sponsored a dinner in his honour. Though, unlike Achebe, Wole Soyinka has always been around and quite accessible to Nigerians, there was stiff competition for him. The state government wants to accommodate him, so is the Alaafin. To settle the matter Professor Wole Soyinka opted to stay right in the campus, according to him, “to mix up with the people who have come from all over the world to honour him”

Governor Obi’s sin was no just his failure to show up at the airport but for allowing the ‘fast thinking’ governor of Imo State to take the glory of Achebe’s visit off him. What this implies is that if Governor Ohakim and his advisers or whoever was responsible for the idea of bringing home Achebe for the Ahajioku festival had not taken up this challenge or ‘hijacked’ it as an image laundering project for the state, we would not have had the opportunity to see our Achebe. Rumours actually have it (this is not hard to believe considering the Governor’s disposition to release of funds for activities. He possibly must have seen this as avenue for some people to line their pocket) that it was difficult getting Governor Obi to release funds for some of the activities planned for Awka as part of the visit thus preparing ground for Imo State to take all the glory. It is important to remind us that Ogun State last year wrote to ANA and insisted they want to be part of the ‘TFA @ 50’ celebration. They requested for one of the activities lined up for celebration to be held in the state because they know what that meant to them because of the person of Achebe and not because they don’t know what to do with the money they would have spent on such activities.

I don’t have much to say about Governor Ohakim except that I think he should also have been at the airport to welcome his guest. If the President or his Vice or some other political bigwigs were to be visiting Imo State, I can be sure that the Governor, his wife and other top officials will be falling head over heels to be at the airport to pay there ‘eye service’ Achebe is far much more than that.

Surprisingly too, in spite of the kind of concern shown by reporters who besieged the airport and the reception held in honour of Achebe later in the evening. None of the papers gave the report a pride of place. No paper gave the Achebe visit front page coverage. This of course has become a worrisome trend for a long time now as art and literature has found it extremely difficult to make the front page in Nigerian dailies for a long time now as it use to be in those glorious past. Politics has become the order of the day. If a politician coughs, it will dominate the headlines the next day. I had expected that the visit of Professor Chinua Achebe would make the difference but that was never to be, instead we promote mediocrity over unequalled excellence that Professor Chinua Achebe represents.

In rounding up this review, I wish to say here that Professor Chinua Achebe deserves much more than we gave to him on his recent visit to Nigeria. We do not have to wait till our heroes are dead and gone before we start appreciating and honouring them. Such attitudes only show us as being anti-intellectuals. Achebe is an institution which deserves all we can give to him in appreciation of what he has done and the honour he has brought this country, much more than the hundred of sycophants, politicians, pretenders and jokers that we sing their praises and immortalize for raping our future. That this living legend is living outside the shores of this country and only come home once in ten years, is in the first instance an embarrassment to this nation. The government of Nigeria or any of the states in Nigeria can afford to, as the Bard College is doing put Professor Achebe in any of our higher institutions, not to teach but to serve as inspiration for millions of young Nigerians who have read his book or heard about it.

Professor Chinua Achebe, 79 (born November 1930) is a hero, our hero and should be treated as such appropriately and not half hazzardly as was done during this recent visit to Nigeria. This is an ample opportunity we have missed and if care is not taken we may not have the opportunity of seeing him again or lets say until another 10 years when he would have advanced further in age (he will be approaching 90 years of age by 2019 and 100 by 2030) and coupled with his health condition may not be disposed to another visit. Should he accepts to I am afraid the children may not approve of it.