Category Culture & Tourism

By Taiye Olayemi

A play on the life and instances of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, is to be staged in January, in keeping with Ola Awakan, the playwright.

Awakan, on Tuesday, mentioned that the play can be staged by Artswax Communications and the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) in Abuja, Bauchi, and Lagos.
Awakan mentioned that the household of the late prime minister had endorsed the play.

According to him, the endorsement was given throughout a courtesy go to by the manufacturing group of the play to the household home of the late prime minister in Bauchi.

He mentioned the courtesy name was to hunt the blessing and endorsement of the household on the venture.
“The visit to Bauchi was to see the family members of the late prime minister and inform them about our intention to bring on stage the life and times as well as legacy of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.
“We went to get the endorsement of the family as we also embarked on some research exercises to enhance the accuracy of the story we want to tell.
“And we were warmly received and project endorsed,” he mentioned.
According to him, the group was acquired by the sons of the late prime minister, Yakubu Tafawa Balewa, Usman Tafawa Balewa and Haruna Tafawa Balewa.
Yakubu Tafawa Balewa counseled the initiative by Artswax Communications and the National Troupe of Nigeria, to make use of dwell theatre to inform the story of his father.
He mentioned that the play would make good reference materials sooner or later.
“It is a good thing for reference. For the future, it is going to be of great importance. The project will enlighten people more about who he was.
“The family is glad that you are embarking on the project and we are in support,” he mentioned.
Also, Usman Tafawa Balewa mentioned that the venture was a lovely concept as many individuals can be enlightened concerning the legacies of the late prime minister.
“In the play to be staged, there are many aspects about the late prime minister that people do not know. People watching the play will get enlightened and the young ones might imbibe what they have learnt there,” he mentioned.
The final male baby of the late prime minister, Haruna Tafawa Balewa, mentioned:”It is a really laudable programme that we’re actually in assist of.
“This is like an awareness. This country needs people like you to bring back the history of our past leaders for this generation to know about them and learn from them.”
The group additionally visited the Ajiyan Bauchi, Alhaji Bala Ajiya, a senior Councilor on the Bauchi Emirate Council, who applauded the venture and gave his endorsement.

By Taiye Olayemi

Diplomats throughout Africa and stakeholders within the tourism and hospitality trade on Saturday converged on the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort in Lagos State to declare the maiden version of ‘Ipada Carnival’ open.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) stories that Ipada Carnival is a cultural celebration honouring the return of individuals of African descent and lovers of the tradition to their roots.

The carnival is holding from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8.

The nine-day carnival started in an electrifying ambiance the place the Brazilian Descendants donned of their vibrant carnival apparel carried out to the thrill of revellers.

The carnival showcased the wealthy cultural heritage of Africans that includes numerous vary of actions, together with conventional music and dance performances, elaborate costumes, and mouth-watering native cuisines.

Revellers had been handled to a stunning show of color and power. The air was stuffed with the sound of drums and laughter, as contributors and spectators alike immersed themselves within the pleasure and pleasure of the event.

Speaking, Mr Wanle Akinboboye, Convener of Ipada Carnival and Chief Executive Officer of La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, mentioned the carnival was a type of enticement for Africans within the diaspora to retrace their roots.

Akinboboye mentioned the essence of this was to allow them contribute considerably to the financial growth of Africa.

“Today is all concerning the Ipada Carnival, the idea is all about bringing again individuals of African descent again to their roots.

“We have 32 million diasporans within the Caribbean, 66 million within the United States of America, 120 million in Brazil, about 9.6 million in Europe. We have to entice them again to come back and add worth to the complete continent of Africa.

“You know no nation can develop with out the diasporans. So, Ipada is mainly presenting the complete continent of Africa in a basket. We are creating an African shopping center. The concept is to allow the diasporans to go to all of the international locations within the continent.

“There are 55 African international locations. So, we’re not solely promoting Nigeria, we’re simply saying that the diasporans can come into the continent of Africa by means of Lagos, by means of Abuja.

“And we created for those that felt that they have left on slave ships, we’ve created for them what we call ‘slave ships to cruise ships” in order that they will land right here in Lekki.

“From Lekki they can go to our airport here in Lagos and then fly to any part of Africa they want to fly to. So, basically we’re putting the entire continent of Africa in one basket,” he mentioned.

Akinboboye mentioned that an enormous variety of Africans within the diaspora had been in a position to retrace their steps already.

“This is only a celebration. This is the Ipada Carnival however we have now the Ipada Initiative that occurs every day.

“Over 40 African-American Mayors have been brought back, a platform has also been established to assist them to come to Africa, about 300 are coming next week, we have about 500 coming back in February and more,” he mentioned.

Earlier, The Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Christophe Bazivamo, lauded the Ipada Carnival and initiative.

He mentioned that the nation appeared ahead to participating the service of a DNA professional to assist in figuring out Rwandans within the diaspora.

“We discover it essential that Rwanda is current amongst different African international locations right here, and Rwanda as a pan-African nation is opening its doorways to all Africans to come back again dwelling.

“As you’ll be able to see, we’re displaying our espresso, tea, pepper, clothings and extra. We need everybody to know that Rwanda is secure for enterprise with hospitable people.

“We are second when it comes to ease of doing business,” he mentioned.

Marinho Olayemi, President of the Brazilian Descendants Association in Lagos, relayed how the Brazilian descendants had contributed to the expansion of Lagos state.

Olayemi urged all Africans within the diaspora to retrace their roots.

Also, Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, National President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), expressed pleasure on the final result of the carnival.

Mustapha mentioned the affiliation labored actually exhausting in advertising the carnival on the lately concluded World Travel Market in London.

She mentioned that for subsequent editions, the affiliation would look into creating extra merchandise to draw extra individuals within the diaspora.

She known as on the Nigerian youths to embrace the Artificial Intelligence (AI) workshop, within the the course of the carnival.

She mentioned this entailed empowering the youths to have the ability to market Africa as a alternative vacation spot for tourism through AI know-how.

“We are very glad to accomplice with La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort for this lovely initiative.

“We are changing the narrative, from slave ships to cruise ships,” she mentioned.

Mrs Uloma Egbuna, Managing Director of Tour Brokers International, described Ipada competition as a lofty initiative.

Mr Gbenga Sunday, a vacation spot promoter, famous that the carnival would entice numerous fortune for the African continent.

By Taiye Olayemi

VFS Global has inaugurated a brand new Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Nigeria to boost visa utility expertise for travellers.

Mr Marc Owen, Director for Visa, Status and Information Services at UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), disclosed this in a press release on Sunday in Lagos.

According to Owen, VFS was just lately awarded the contract to offer UK visa companies in 142 nations worldwide.

“VFS Global is proud to announce that residents of Nigeria, travelling to the UK can now guide appointments to submit their visa functions by VFS Global’s new state-of-the-art Visa Application Centres (VAC).

“These are situated in Abuja; Ikeja and Victoria Island in Lagos. The centres have commenced operations from Nov. 19 2024.

“The opening of our new VAC in Ikeja marks an thrilling milestone for UKVI and VFS Global within the provision of a world-class UK visa service right here in Nigeria and elsewhere throughout Africa.

“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225 thousand UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all applicants,” he mentioned.

The British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, mentioned, “I’m delighted to witness the opening of the biggest visa utility centre in Africa.

“Nigeria remains one of the UK’s most important partners, and we hope that VFS deliver ever improving services for those applying for visas to the UK.”

Also, Mr Alok Singhal, Head, Sub-Saharan Africa, VFS Global mentioned, “We are excited to embark on this new journey with UK Visas and Immigration right here in Nigeria.

“We have enjoyed a long-standing partnership with UK Visas and Immigration since 2003 and look forward to now bringing travellers from Nigeria our best-in-class services.”

Singhal famous that the UK is a well-liked vacation spot for travellers throughout Africa, with Nigeria being within the high 4 nationalities by quantity for UK go to visas, accounting for 5 per cent of the worldwide complete.

He mentioned within the African area, VFS Global would additionally present visa utility centres for the UK in 31 nations.

According to him, visa prospects can now select from optionally available companies supplied by VFS Global, to offer enhanced consolation and comfort.

“These embrace doc add help, prime time for utility submission outdoors of enterprise hours, SMS notifications, doc checking service, and courier return of the passport as soon as a choice has been made.

“VFS Global’s “Keep My Passport While Applying service” permits prospects to maintain their passports as soon as their utility is submitted and biometrics have been enrolled.

“Customers will solely have to re-submit their passport when a choice is reached.
Customers in Abuja may submit their UK visa functions from the consolation and security of their house, workplace, or every other most well-liked location with our On Demand Mobile Visa service.

“Our Premium Lounge service provides personalised submission expertise with devoted employees members.

“These services are completely optional and have no bearing on the processing timeline and outcomes of visa applications.”

Singhal famous that as a associate to UK Visas and Immigration since 2003, VFS Global supplied visa companies in 58 nations earlier than the brand new contract and has now been awarded the contract to offer UK visa companies in 142 nations worldwide.

National Museum of Unity, IFRA-Nigeria trains college students on pottery making

By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju

To encourage curiosity in pottery making in colleges, the Museum of Unity in partnership with the French Institute for Research in Africa (IFRA-Nigeria) on Tuesday organised a one-day Artistic Workshop on Pottery Making.

Mrs Oriyomi Otuka, the Curator National Museum of Unity stated that the wokshop is to showcase the wealthy traditions of pottery-making to the youthful era.

Otuka stated that the artwork of pottery is one among humanity’s oldest inventive expressions, connecting us to our previous.

“While permitting us to mildew the current and picture the longer term. Beyond its inventive magnificence, pottery has purposeful, cultural, and financial significance.

“ It tells stories of communities, preserves heritage, and serves as a medium for creativity and innovation,” she stated.

Otuka stated that the workshop is hands-on, providing contributors the distinctive alternative to not solely observe however to actively interact within the craft.

“ They skilled the whole course of from molding clay together with your palms to creating your individual inventive items.

“This sensible method permits one to totally immerse yourselves within the artwork kind, enriching your understanding and appreciation of pottery,’ she stated.

The Curator, nevertheless, urged the scholars to make sufficient use of the invaluable probability to mix theoretical data with sensible software.

“The abilities and insights you achieve right here at this time could encourage new concepts on your educational tasks, entrepreneurial ventures, or inventive pursuits.

“Deepen your appreciation for pottery and uncover new methods to specific your creativity.

“Remember, each masterpiece begins with a single step, and for a few of you, that first step begins at this time together with your palms within the clay.

“At the National Museum of Unity, our mission goes past preserving artifacts; we purpose to foster a residing connection to tradition and heritage.

“Workshops like this play a crucial role in fulfilling that mission by nurturing talent, inspiring innovation, and preserving traditional crafts for future generations,” she stated.

She appreciated IFRA Nigeria for his or her unwavering help and dedication to selling arts and tradition in Nigeria.

“Their sponsorship of this workshop exemplifies their dedication to empowering communities through education and creativity,” she stated.

Dr Delphine Manetta, IFRA-Nigeria consultant stated that they’re a analysis establishment, and typically they get entangled in tasks for enlightenment and empowerment.

Manetta stated that Mrs Adetunde Adetoro made the workshop reasonable.

“ She’s a scholar of University of Ibadan and she or he enriched the venture. She labored on a few of the objects on the museum and introduced them again to life.

`She made the objects converse and discuss to us whereas simply taking a look at them. We are geared at selling new dialogue round these heritages, which is a norm across the Nigerian populace.

“Today’s pottery workshop was an summary concept to start with, and I’m glad it got here to move. The younger ones are studying from somebody with huge data of pottery, and that’s an excellent strategy to affect data.

“He made he younger ones be taught and know in regards to the uncared for heritage, which is pottery,’ she stated.

A 16- 12 months outdated Lekan Fatai of Samfort Group of Schools stated he’s conversant with pottery as he used crimson clay to mildew issues.

Fatai stated that he does molding for enjoyable and has no plans to earn a living from it.

“ What I simply made us a cup that had cowl and an deal with. It was enjoyable doing this and I intend making many extra issues,’ ‘ he stated.

A 16- 12 months outdated, Favour Okiye of Ibadan Grammar School stated she’s not been doing pottery works however she’s pleased to be a participant of the workshop.

Okiye stated that at this time was her first day of creating one thing with clay.

“ I like artworks at this time is my first time in a pottery class and I’m pleased to have my palms on clay.

“ I made a chair, tea cup that has handle and throw pillows . I hope henceforth I will be happy to lay my hands on clay so as ro make more things,” she stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) experiences that no fewer than 200 college students from each main, secondary and better establishments attend the workshop.

Some of the faculties are : Amazing Grace Model School and College, Ibadan Grammar School, Glorious Kings and Queens College, Samford Group Of Schools, University Of Ibadan, The Polytechnic Ibadan and Leadcity University.

NAN experiences that Akinkunmi Oyelere a ceramist popularly referred to as AkinPotter skilled the contributors. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

By Taiye Olayemi

The organisers of the ASWAD Film Festival say plans are underway to showcase the Black American, European and African $50billon movie market and amplify the black voices in cinema.
Chukwuma Njoku, Chairman of ASWAD Film Festival, stated this in a press release, on Friday, in Lagos.
Njoku, who can also be an African expertise and leisure entrepreneur, stated that the maiden version of the competition is slated to carry in Dubai from January 24 to January 26, 2025.
He famous that the competition aimed to showcase the richness and variety of storytelling in Black American, European, and African cinema.
According to him, this might be carried out by means of a programme that included screenings of 12 movies, business roundtables, panels, workshops and networking occasions.
Njoku stated “Aswad is not just a film festival; it’s a celebration of our stories and our culture. We aim to create a platform that amplifies Black voices in cinema while fostering connections within the industry.
“The Black American, European, and African film industries are experiencing unprecedented growth, and it’s time we had a world-class festival to showcase our talents.”
According to him, ASWAD will concentrate on 4 key pillars: artistic and business sustainability; cross-continent and world connectedness; reasserting African management of their very own tales within the new anti-DEI world, and the celebration of Black excellence.
He stated these pillars underscored the competition’s dedication to not solely showcasing Black American, European, and African cinema but additionally empowering filmmakers and business professionals to thrive within the world market.
He famous {that a} latest information underscored the competition’s relevance in at this time’s leisure panorama.
He stated it was revealed that within the United States, movies with casts that have been 31per cent to 40 per cent individuals of color have been essentially the most profitable on the field workplace in 2023.
He defined that there was nonetheless work to be carried out as Black actors play solely 11 per cent of main movie roles, regardless of making up 13.4 per cent of the US inhabitants.
“With ASWAD, we’re creating a space where filmmakers, industry professionals, and cinema lovers can come together to celebrate and elevate black voices in storytelling.
“We’re not just showcasing films; we’re building bridges and opening doors for collaboration on a global scale.
“At the festival, attendees can look forward to live music performances, a glamorous red carpet event, and a gala dinner, culminating in an exclusive yacht excursion.
“As we embark on this journey with Aswad, we are not only celebrating black voices but also paving the way for future generations of storytellers.
“This is more than just a festival; it’s a movement that invites everyone to be part of something truly special,” he stated.