Curator

http://ift.tt/2rYB6Vh Author of Taduno’s Song, Odafe Atogun (left); moderator, Isabella Akinseye and author of Stay With Me, Ayobami Adebayo at Revolving Art Incubator reading, Silvebird Galleria… in Lagos * Ouidah Books offers scholarship for students Two writers, who just burst onto the country’s literary scene with their exciting works, Odafe Atogun (Taduno’s Song) and Ayobami Adebayo (Stay With Me), which is shortlisted for the 2017 Bailey’s Prize for Literature, have challenged Nigerian publishers to believe in the works of local writers so as to give them a voice rather than allow outsiders to do so first. In a subtle manner, the duo challenged what has become the norm over the years, where local publishers wait for Nigerian writers to get published abroad first before adding them to their to-do list. The two writers, who are published in Nigeria by Ouidah Books, publishing arms of the organiser of Ake Arts and Book Festival, Lola Shoneyin, read to an intimate gathering of ...

http://ift.tt/2rdpi4p Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun The interview by the Chairman of the Labour Party in Ogun State, Mr. Arabambi Abayomi, published last Sunday in The Guardian, was reckless vitriol.Indeed, the Labour Party man fouled the public space with overtly libelous statements, mostly a product of lack of information or knowledge of what constitutes a libel. It was a worse case: his declamations were gross half-truths and outright fabrications. An Ogun State government official will surely have his day with The Guardian to put the record straight. He will not descend into joining issue with Mr. Arabambi and his libelous concoctions. He will put the lie to the unsubstantiated allegations in the interest of some innocent readers who might have been misled by Arabambi’s pack of taradiddles. But it suffices to give a teaser. Mr Arabambi claimed that each of the world-class model schools constructed by the Ibikunle Amosun administration could only accommodate 300 student...

http://ift.tt/2q5HkSd The strength of UNFPA is on rehabilitation of survivors, who have gone through this type of violence. I have mentioned the three-pronged approach, which we use for the rehabilitation. We are not experts in how to get them released, but we are truly happy to have them released. And we are hopeful that the remaining girls will be released. Eugene Kongnyuy is the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Deputy Representative in Nigeria. He spoke to journalists on how the UN Agency is helping in medical, psychosocial rehabilitation and livelihood support for the released Chibok schoolgirls, as well as efforts being made to ensure they proceed to the university. Nkechi Onyedika-Ugoeze was there. Some Chibok girls are back in Nigeria. How traumatic was their experience? The truth is that these girls went through violence. Their rights have been violated. They are violated physically, emotionally, sexually and the likes. They have been traumatised, and they lost ...

http://ift.tt/2pPJtjW Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Says Appointments Were Irregular The recent appointment of three principal officers for Sokoto State University by Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has drawn the ire of Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, (AVCNU), which described it as irregular. In a letter to the governor, a copy of which The Guardian obtained, yesterday, the Secretary-General of AVCNU, Prof. Michael Faborode, said the exercise fell far short of laid down procedures in the appointment of Vice Chancellors, as enunciated in the amended Universities Miscellaneous Act, to which all universities were duty bound to follow. Tambuwal, a lawyer, had on May 6, 2017 approved the appointment of Prof. Sani Dangoggo, erstwhile Director, Sokoto Energy Research Centre, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto, (UDUS), as the new Vice Chancellor of the Sokoto State University, following the expiration of Prof. Nuhu Omeiza Yaqoob’s tenure.  A statement...

http://ift.tt/2rqLHrr Vice President Yemi Osinbajo Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has declared that Nigeria will remain indivisible, even as he urged all Nigerians to embrace peace and unity.Apparently referring to the ultimatum issued by some Northern youth groups to the Igbo to relocate from the region by October 1, Prof. Osinbajo noted that the country’s greatness lies on its unity in diversity, saying that all Nigerians should work towards ensuring the unity of the country. The Acting President spoke at the wedding ceremony of the daughter of the former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Bisi Akande, Wuraola and Dr Olawale Solabi in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital yesterday. The Acting President said nations with different ethnic nationalities are in a form of marriage, pointing out that quarrels and agitations can come up at any time, but insisted that the most important thing is for them to give peace a chance and work in unity. Addre...

http://ift.tt/2pOM1Bv The Editor of the Guardian, Mr. Abraham Ogbodo Last week, the movement for the restructuring of Nigeria got more converts from an unlikely quarter. Some 16 youth groups in the North rose from a meeting late on Tuesday to declare the unwillingness of the North to continue in a Federation that has the Igbo as part. The groups, which met in Arewa House, somehow the symbolic throne of the Northern establishment and which gave the meeting added significance, were actually more far-reaching. As if they were the appointed deciders of the fate of Nigeria, which has been hanging precariously on a balance for more than a century, they gave till October 1 for every Igbo man, woman and child in Northern Nigeria to leave for the ‘Republic of Biafra’. Next day, some Northern elders including Governor el-Rufai of Kaduna who said they were taken aback by the action of the youths dissociated themselves from the quit notice and even called for the arrest and prosecution of mem...

http://ift.tt/2pMKjlw Sir: Recently, the call for restructuring has begun to win new converts. But whether they know the meaning and import of the crusade is very important. However, we shall excuse that discussion for now.While it is not in dispute that restructuring along the lines of true federalism is an essential ingredient for successfully managing a country of diverse ethnic nationalities like Nigeria, it is very important to alert Nigerians to beware of false prophets who are wolves in sheep clothing, lest they lead many astray. For our information and education, some of the loudest voices for restructuring are elements with political undertone who have been displaced economically by the new order and are thus latching unto restructuring as a means of restoration of the old order. Some of these persons and groups are not genuinely interested in restructuring for the collective good of all, but just as an avenue to return to the status quo where their personal interest and co...

http://ift.tt/2t0gnQ2 Goddy Uwazurike The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) and the think tank of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Aka Ikenga, have called for a swift action against sponsors and arrowheads of the eviction notice currently raising concerns in the polity. Both groups yesterday described the declaration as reckless, asking the security hierarchy to fish them out and sanction the backers to serve as deterrent to others. In a statement by its Director of Programme and Projects, Dr. Bode Fasade, CDHR condemned the threat, describing it as unguarded, myopic, reckless and most provocative. According to the rights group, the remarks did not only threaten the security and peaceful co-existence of Nigeria as a single geo-political entity, but were also treasonable as they contravened sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The President Emeritus of Aka Ikenga, Chief Goddy Uwazurike, said the ultimatum should be given utmost attention by the security agencies...

http://ift.tt/2q9Mf6R Telecommunications operators in the country once seen as flourishing are today battling to survive due to unfavourable economic policies been implemented by the government. The situation has forced some of them to rationalize staff; some have moved their Network Operating Centres (NOCs) to India; while some are faced with difficulties in meeting with their creditor obligations. It would be recalled that what telecommunications operators are facing today is how it started with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) operators which cumulated in distress of all the operators in the subsector of the industry. When it started, stakeholders cried out to government and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for intervention in order to save the operators of imminent distress to no avail. Today, the situation cut across all operators both Tier 1 and Tier 11, with challenges including inability to access foreign exchange to expand their networks for improved qua...

http://ift.tt/2t0hRtH Tuface Music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, has pledged to donate the proceeds from his song to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Nigeria, to assist Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Tuface, who is the Chairman of the Tuface Foundation, made the pledge on Thursday when he visited the UNHCR office in Abuja. He said that his foundation would donate 60 per cent of the proceeds from his music dedicated to Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Tuface said that the song, which would be launched in commemoration of the World Refugees Day on June 20, is part of his contribution to alleviating the plights of the IDPs. “I have decided to dedicate my time, resources and my voice to support the UNHCR in this massive endeavor of alleviating the sufferings of displaced persons. “On the June 20th which is the world refugees’ day, I am going to be commissioning a song and this song will be monetized. “60 per cent of the ...

http://ift.tt/2oufRvW IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu (left) with Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose (right)and others outside the court. PHOTO: LUCY LADIDI ELUKPO The first Yoruba man to show the type of unmitigated and unprecedented love Governor Ayodele Fayose just showed to Nnamdi Kanu was Professor Wole Soyinka. Soyinka literally died that the Igbo may live. Soyinka told the world the truth about the persecution and pogrom meted out to the Igbo. This Nobel Laureate was apprehended and imprisoned for speaking truth to power. How many Igbo governors and high-ranking assembly men from Igbo land (other than distinguished Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe) can lay down their honour and ambition for the sake of a hapless and helpless victim of absolutism Nnamdi Kanu, the way Fayose did? It was a pleasant surprise in Igbo land, that there is a Yoruba man who prepared to die that a young and budding Igbo man, Nnamdi Kanu, may live! It is on this substratum that I want to anchor my comment on ...

http://ift.tt/2srv5jA Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and his deputy, Mrs Titi Laoye-Tomori, at the official opening of IITA Research and Training Farm, during Osun Farmers Open Day 2017, taged: Odun Alagbinla, at Ago-Owu, Osun State. Two former heads of state, Dr Yakubu Gowon and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo top the list of dignitaries expected to grace the 50th anniversary celebration of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA@50) on July 24, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The two former leaders will be addressing a gathering of more than 1,000 staff, including former and serving workers of the Institute and other dignitaries. According to a statement made available to The Guardian, other confirmed participants include- President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akin Adesina; former President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Dr Kanayo Nwanze; President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Chair of United Bank for Africa, Ton...

http://ift.tt/2srr3ri Irrigation is a major limitation, but we have five pivot irrigation projects going on and it is something that is heart warming. • Lauds Obiano’s Agric Efforts Anambra State FADAMA Programme Coordinator, Mr Chucks Egbue has commended the state government for its demand driven and target to make Agriculture its number one pillar. He said the objectives of FADAMA, which is in line with the agricultural agenda of the state, has made its works easier, adding that farmers in the state through the intervention of the state government and donor agencies are now increasing their yield per hectare by using the best agronomy practise. “In rice, we started by getting three metric tons per hectare, but now we are on five. We are gradually moving to six, seven metric tonnes. And if you match it with what is being produced by other states you’ll see that we are already producing double.” “Government is also providing the support of finances to farmers through Anamb...

http://ift.tt/2sruyOD A scene from Team Nigeria’s Theatre Marathon performance Team Nigeria has set a new Guinness World Record of 85 hours, 15 minutes, 30 seconds for the World’s Longest Marathon Theatre Performance By A Team for Nigeria. Team Nigeria is the largest performing group of young Nigerians set up for the purpose of breaking the existing world record of 76 hours set by Team USA in 2014. The team accomplished the feat at the public performance held at Maryland Roundabout, Lagos, where it set up a 12 by 12 feet stage to put up the 85 hours of non-stop theatre performance. It had thousands of members of the public watching the world record attempt for four days and four nights continuously. Director of the team, Olafemi Olabode George, said the team had 16 months of intense rehearsals to prepare for performance, which took place from May 17 to 21, 2017. In his words: “The preparation period was one of greatest challenges for the team. At a point, we were almost at the b...

http://ift.tt/2qIO8sq Within the APC, the following are associated with possible interest in the Presidency: Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, Danjuma Goje. Constructing Possibilities Of First No matter how you look at it, the present uncertainties over the state of health of President Muhammadu Buhari have left the northern part of Nigeria in a sort of quandary. Speculations and calculations about the 2019 election have been revolving around that factor, among other issues. “Whether he resigns or God forbid, something else happens, we are going to have the balance of Buhari’s years taken over by someone else from outside the zone Buhari comes from…And the only way you are going to resolve the issue is that after Buhari’s administration, you have it zoned to a certain part of the country for eight to 10 years.” That was a recent lofty political brag attributed to stormy petrel, Dr. Junaid Mohammed. And, it is very likely that most of tho...

http://ift.tt/2srAN5a Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Udofia, Primate, The African Church, Worldwide • ‘Men Are Susceptible To Trials And Temptations’ • ‘To Overcome Temptation They Should Avoid Being Alone With The Opposite Sex’ • ‘When A Man Of God Creates A Lacuna In His Life The Devil Sneaks In’ Recently, a number of ministers of the gospel have been involved in sex scandals, one or two of which have gone viral, courtesy of the social media. This, naturally, has raised the issue of credibility among men of God, who are supposed to be role models to their congregations and the society. Expectedly, there is growing concern in some quarters as to what is happening in Christendom, especially as there seems to be an increase in the number of gospel ministers, who have been enmeshed in unwholesome and immoral acts with the opposite sex. Some even claim these things are happening on a daily basis, just that many of them are covered up before the public gets wind of them. Why are men of God ...