Enjoy!
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
 |
| Ada Dike |
Thursday, 20 June 2013
Different faces of Ada Dike (Me and my humble self)
After the day's work, I decided to share some of my pictures to my fans and friends.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
KCee, now MTN Ambassador
Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as KCee has joined other A-list stars as an ambassador for telecoms giant, MTN. The Limpopo crooner signed a one year endorsement deal with MTN today.
Former Member Of KC Presh before he went solo. His singles Okpekete Master and Limpopo surely wakes anyone that is reluctant to shake head to jump up and dance wherever these songs are being played. Congratulations to KCee!
John Mikel Obi moves to Galatasaray from Chelsea
 |
| Obi |
Nigerian international footballer, John Mikel Obi is will soon move to Galatasaray from Chelsea. The Super Eagles mid fielder revealed this to Sabah, a daily Turkish newspaper that the Turkey football club made an offer that he's very pleased with and is looking forward to life in Istanbul.
My life revolves around Art -Nike Okundaye
 |
| Nike |
ADA DIKE met Chief
Mrs. Nike Davies Okundaye’s who has devoted her life to provide an opportunity for aspiring artists,
craftsmen, women to explore their talents.
============================================================
When Chief Mrs. Nike
Davies Okundaye set out to learn how to dye cloths and weave fabrics, she
didn’t know what it would result to in future.
Born on May 23, 1951, she
lost her mother at the age of six and went to live with her grandmother who
died the following year so she went to stay with her great grandmother who was
the head of fabric weaving association in their village in Ogidi Ijumu in Kogi
State. From there, she learnt how to weave and dye fabrics (Adire).
She recalls
how she became the originator of Batik in Africa. “One day, there was no
electricity at night, so I lit a candle I got from our church while preparing a
fabric I wanted to dye. A melted wax dropped on my fabric, so that part came
out brighter and beautiful. That was how I started using wax to do batik. From
there, I started drawing designs on the fabric which I used to do on the floor
using a broom. I also used a needle and crochet thread to knit table cloths
which reverend sisters bought at six kobo each and put in the altar of a
Catholic Church in my village,” she said.
Life was
indeed tough for her, but the woman with cool and calm demeanour knows how to
turn every situation in her favour. “I was doing a labourer job of using planks
to carry sands and we licked the sandy water that was dripping from the sand
and used it as a chocolate. I later got a job as a baby sitter for an Indian
family because I passed the test of cleaning their house which I learnt from
home using cow dung to scrub our mud house to avert dust. I was paid one pound
per month from which I fed, bought dresses and paid my sibling’s school fees.
“The Indians
made a blouse for me to wear and I had to bathe three times in a day so that I
won’t stain their baby. I enjoyed that job because I became clean and healthy. From
Kogi, the Indian family I was living with took me on a tour and took me to
Osogbo, Osun State, though one of my mother’s sisters was living there as tie
and dye (Adire) maker who I also learnt a bit of Adire from when I lived with
her for some time.
“Out of
curiousity, one day, I went to Osun Groove to look at the river and fell in
love with the work of Mama Susanne Wenger of blessed memory. I told myself,
“This is a place I belong. If a white woman could do this, why shouldn’t we?” I
approached her and told her that I want to learn from her but she told me that
art is not what one can use the other person’s hand to draw. She welcomed me
and took me through the rudiment of practical art. From there, I expanded and
set up my workshops and gallery,” she explained.
 |
| Nike with some women |
Though she did not have
formal education, she has two doctorate degrees from schools in the United
States of America –one for planting a tree in her compound in 1995 which has
grown and it is giving shades around her house. The second is on performance
art. “I am also a singer and dancer too.”
Her vision for opening art
centres in Osogbo, with branches in Lagos, Abuja and Ogidi Ijumu is to promote
artists, empower rural women and provide training opportunities for those
interested in learning the practical aspect of art. “Artists are happy to see
their works displayed in my gallery. Each artist works with a spirit that
drives him. We don’t see what they are seeing till they are through with their
works.”
She adds: I
also encourage children to discover their talents. School children from
different schools do visit my gallery every Monday and I normally give them
pencils and papers to draw designs of their choice. Sometimes, from 100
students we may get 30 students who can draw well. So we focus on the art inclined ones
from the age of nine and give them materials to work with till they become
experts.”
Her Lagos art gallery has
become a tourists’ centre. “We do inventory every year. At present we have more
than 7000 artworks in my gallery in Lagos but not all of them are for sale. A
lot of them are displayed for Nigerians and tourists to see the creativity in
Nigeria just like in museums abroad. People pay money to enter museums abroad
but we do not collect money in my gallery because it is a foundation and it is
a dream that came to fruition,” she revealed.
Their prices
are cheap. “With N500, you can buy something from us. Buyers determine the
price of an artwork.”
Okundaye is
keen to point out that she does not make money in Nigeria. “I actually make
money outside Nigeria. I do workshop in many countries. This year, I have been
to Austria, France and Spain, that is the only way I succeed with my work, but
I derive joy and satisfaction of doing it in Nigeria. I want to leave the
gallery as a legacy after my death. I have tried my best to involve government
but it seems that art is the last thing that they would want to pay attention
to because it does not bring money immediately. They don’t know that it is a
long term investment.
“In South
Africa, artists have a strong association. They are financed and supported by
their government. I really want government to come in and help us so that
tourists will be attracted to come here and see our rich heritage. I want the
Federal Government to help us in the maintenance of the gallery. Tourists that
visit Nigeria may not want to see a shopping complex or five star hotel but
creativity. I want the Federal Government to put money in the ministry of Art
and Culture so that we can have street art and heritage sites like Adire site
in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Indigo site in Osogbo, Osun State and bigger dye pits
in Kano,” she appealed.
 |
| Nike |
When asked
if she faces challenges due to the enormous work she does, she quips: “I pay
heavy tax for my gallery despite the fact that it is a foundation to help
artists and art lovers. I work here with my husband, daughter and cousin
because I don’t have enough resources to pay other staff. I hired a security
man, driver and a cleaning firm but we do all other jobs by ourselves to
minimise cost.
“Travelling
every weekend to Osun State to bring in new thing and tutor people on
industrial training is also challenging. I provided accommodation for them and
ensure that whoever comes to learn have a good stay. We also need sponsors to help
us to print books so that we will distribute them to children in schools. It
costs me a lot of money to do that.
“Funding has
been my major challenge so I hereby appeal to individuals, private and public
organisations to come to my aid. I know that government cannot do everything
for us but I want them to assist us in any way they can.”
When she was
asked to predict what art as a profession in Nigeria would be like in the next
10 years, she cuts in: “With the help of the Ministry for Arts and Culture,
Nigeria will be known as African art depot in the next 10 years. We have about
30,000 registered artists in Nigeria which is quite intimidating compared with
other countries. I am sure that the unregistered artists are more in number
than the registered ones.”
Despite the
challenges she is facing, what has proved interesting to her is people’s
appreciation and encouragement which drive her on. “Special people and
organisation that have been very supportive to my work include Omooba Yemisi
Shyllon, Mrs. Ajoke Murtala, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and so on. I derived
my inspiration through the happiness people exhibit when they have an encounter
with me or appreciate what I am doing. This gallery enables Nigerians to learn
and develop their cultural heritage.”
 |
| Nike with some women |
Concerning her
future plans, she wants to turn the training centre at Osogbo to a school. “I
want more women to join in this job because it is interesting and you can stay
in your parlour or backyard to do it. I need an art school in Osogbo and Lagos
but the fund to set up these schools is not available.
“I feel disappointed when I am asked to pay
the same tax with companies that are making millions of Naira per month. They
are some weeks we don’t even make up to N50. 00 here despite high cost in
maintain our generator and other things.”
Nike cites the likes of Mama
Susanne Wenger and her late ex-husband, Prince Twins Seven Seven, born Prince
Taiwo Olaniyi Oyewale-Toyeje Oyelale Osuntoki among her influences. She was
mentored by her great grandmother who pioneered her training. “In her time, art
was done as a hobby and for pleasure and that is what I take it to be.”
Despite her
disappointment, her greatest achievement is the present conditions of many
women and artists who have passed through her centres from the 1970s till date.
“Some of them have trained their children to university levels, live in their
personal houses and are now rich. I am happy to see them becoming successful
and rich. It can be likened to turning an ash to treasure.
“I am glad that I changed
the dressing pattern of many artists in Osogbo who where hitherto dressing like
rastafarians, leaving their beards
bushy and rough.”
She points
out that: “Artwork is a therapy. If you see a work in which a mother is
carrying her baby, it means love and warmness. If you look at an artwork, you
would forget your problem. I am surprised that people have a belief that there
is a spirit in an artwork, especially, the sculptures. Someone can give a dog a
bad name in order to kill it.”
 |
| Nike |
Nike is happily
married to a retired commissioner of police, Mr. Okundaye, who she met in Osun
State and they are blessed with a child but she has children from her previous
marriages. She described her husband as a very supportive and caring man.
The cool and
calm woman who is on a mission to reposition Nigeria and indeed Africa’s rich
culture in people’s minds advises young artists in Nigeria: “Be honest in
anything you do. Whatever you are doing, do it well. Let your work advertise
your name. Market yourself in a good way. When you make money, save for the
rainy day. Divide it into three parts-for your needs, family, then save the
third part for your future. Above all, pass the knowledge to your children.
Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo Picasso was not a millionaire before he
died but his works are now in many countries.”
I feel fulfilled -Ara
 |
| Ara |
Over the years,
Aralola Olumuyiwa has mastered the skills and expertise of playing the talking
drum. Popularly called Ara, the amiable and energetic entertainer has added
more feathers to her crown by acting in movies and soaps recently. In an
encounter with ADA DIKE, this songwriter, choreographer, singer, producer and
businesswoman talks about her career, failed marriage and other sundries.
----------------------------
‘Ara’ means "mystery or wonder" - a
name given to her by her grandfather at birth. Aralola Olumuyiwa was born in
Lagos to Alhaji and Alhaja Olamuyiwa from Ondo State.
The first
female talking drummer was quite popular when she was growing up so she knew
that she would make it in life but did not know how big she would be.
Aralola started her musical career when she
was very young. The moment she knew her left from right, everything around their
house was a drum to her and she used to tell her mother that she wanted to be
like Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
In her words: “I
started composing music when I was seven years old. Then, my father got me a
keyboardist who was playing for me. When
I was 12 years old, I took ill and was admitted in a hospital. After I spent
two weeks in the hospital without improvement, the doctor that was treating me
asked my parents to take me home. My father then reminded me on my sick bed
that, “If you die, you cannot become Michael Jackson.” Miraculously, it became
a turning point for my life. Here I am today, 25 years after, I am still
running. My father who was then a Senior Manager of United Bank for Africa in
Akure, Ondo State fulfilled his promise by contacting a producer of a Radio
programme, ‘Talent Hunt’ and I participated in it. I also appeared on a
television programme and later did about four songs. I rehearsed with a church
band then and used to perform for UBA staff every end of the year.
“I tried my
hands on different types of music including afro-beat. In the late 1990s, I got my breakthrough as
an Afro-beat artiste from Femi Lasode’s Even Ezra Studios in Lagos. In the year
2000, I joined Atunda ENT, an artiste management company in Nigeria which I
worked with until 2007.
I have taken my
music across the world and have played in many African countries, the
United Kingdom, France and many states in the United States of America. I have
performed before the Queen of England and have also performed alongside
big names in the global entertainment industry including; Wyclef Jean, Wesley
Snipes and the legendary Stevie Wonder,” the drummer said.
There is a
belief that women are forbidden to play a talking drum in public, what inspired
you to be a female talking drummer? She was asked: “I started with a
traditional drum like konga. I was
the head of our cultural group right from my primary school days, always
singing or drumming. The talking drum came afterwards and it was more of
fascination because I was more like a tomboy when I was growing up. I am number
seven out of nine children- five males and four females. My sisters were away
so I grew in the midst of males, I was rebellious, troublesome and the CNN of
the house.
“My brothers
loved Rhythm and Blues, my uncle loved juju and my father would ask me to dance
for them and he would spray me money. With my cousins, we used to do dancing
competition in our house and I always won.
As time went
on, I became interested in South African music and my exposure to Ogunde’s
music also helped me. The interest on the talking drum came along the way and I
decided to play it. It was difficult for me to get people to teach me. I bought
some compact discs and listened to them. That was it!” she explained.
The genre of
her music is Gongofusion. She talks about it: “It is a new genre I
created, trying to export talking drum. Though, it has already been exported
but the angle of a female drummer is going to be taken in a different form and
it simply means that whatever genre of music I find myself in, the talking drum
must take the lead and must be highly recognized.”
Asked how she copes
with challenges that go on in musical career, the first female drummer said: “Everyone has got one or two
challenges. I am a go-getter. If I want to get something, I get it without
looking back. The challenges normally come but I always overcome them.”
She does not feel challenged by the emergence of other
female talking drummers because “I
am a pacesetter. I started it all. The well of creativity that I draw from is
unique. I keep reinventing myself. They can’t be me. For example, Ayanbinrin
does the traditional aspect of talking drumming while mine is cosmopolitan.
Coincidentally, I and Ayanbinrin are from the same Ondo town. She did her
awards and stage show late last year while I was abroad and honoured me with an
award. I appreciate her the way I am being appreciated.
"I feel
fulfilled. I feel so honoured knowing well that after I started playing the
talking drum, other women picked it up. It is legendary and I feel happy that
my name has gone into the history as the first woman to do this,” Ara explained.
Her perception
about Nigerian music industry proved that it is fast evolving.
“Even though we
have a lot of people singing and recording video today, we know those who are
musicians among them. Musicians are doing well while the upcoming ones are also
good. It is just a matter of time. It is high time organizations who can manage
talents take over the industry.”
In terms of
re-branding, “I am doing a lot of
things at the moment, so expect something new. I am currently working on
rebranding my image not only as a performer but as an entertainer of
international standard. It’s a big
possibility if I want to release two albums at once but because my very loyal
fans have waited and stood by me all this while, we will bring out something
that will make them happy.
“I am
recording, and of course, everybody knows that and they are asking: “When is
the album going to be released?” I am tired of saying it is coming out at this
point in time, I am assuring them to expect it soon because I am celebrating my
25 years on stage very soon. I also have a seven-track gospel album I recorded
during my trying period and these songs will bless a lot of people.
“Presently, I
am into a lot of things. I am a businesswoman, I recently opened a boutique at
Ajao Estate, Braids clinic along Isolo-Mushin Road and I am working on my bar
and restaurant in Lekki, all in Lagos. I
have employees working for me. I eat out a lot often. As a good cook, I always
like to experiment what I ate outside so that my customers will enjoy it. I divested
to secure my future. The production of my first movie has commenced. It is titled
Osun Funke, which means “River Goddess has given me a child to care for.”
Asked if she
has any relationship a river goddess, she laughed and said: “No, I don’t
worship a river goddess, but people refer to me as a goddess because they
believe that what I do is beyond natural and they believe that my ancestors
sent me to impact my world and empowered me with some spiritual powers which I
am yet to see. People assume a lot of things when they don’t know anything
about you.
“I choose Osun
Funke as the title for the movie because
the movie is centered on the sight and sounds of Osun State, especially its
arts, culture and tourism. It is based on the story of Arugba, a ceremony that takes
place during the Osun Osogbo festival. Osun Funke hailed from the prestigious
Arugba family, unfortunately for her, she was raped so she could not carry the
sacred calabash that year and her younger sister carried it. The story goes on
from there.”
This kind of movie
will cost multi-million naira. The
graduate of English from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, said: “It
is a joint venture between Osun State Government and me because they believe in
Ara as a talent and as a person. They also believe that I can help to promote
culture and tourism of their state. Hopefully, the movie will be premièred
before this year’s Osun Osogbo festival and we will be travelling with it to
Europe, America and Asia. There will be ‘Ara in Concert’ during the première of
this movie. From there, it will be available at the cinemas across Nigeria.
Done in Yoruba Language, the movie featured many popular Yoruba actors
including Odunlade Adekola, Saheed Balogun, Alhaji Kareem Adepoju a.k.a.Baba
Wande, Peju Ogunmola and so on. Initially, we wanted to work with Ramsey Nouah
but could not due to his busy schedule.
“I
planned to make more movies. I wrote the story of Osun Funke and I am playing the lead, that is, the river
goddess. It was scripted by Tunde
Babalola. After Osun Funke, I also have two other movies and a television
series to be released. The TV series is about an Ondo girl who came to Lagos,
started from the scratch and gradually climbed the ladder of success. We Ondo people are articulate but stubborn.
This particular one is a character to behold, she is influential but not as she
claimed to be. It will address a lot of societal issues including politics,
marriage and school. I am playing the lead role of the local girl with a heavy
accent,” she revealed
She mentioned
rape in Osun Funke, so she was asked if she has been raped before. “Rape is
something that is rampant in our society. It is a sensitive issue and we are in
an environment where the woman who is the victim is blamed for being raped and
the man who perpetrates this heinous act goes unpunished. I want to use this
movie to address the issue of rape. I know I can’t fight it alone but in my own
way, I want to do something about it. It happens every day, especially in the rural
areas. A lot of young girls are being raped including boys. I will speak
elaborately about rape in a book I am writing.”
 |
| Ara |
Many women
find it very hard to cope with career and motherhood. On what drives her on,
Ara said: “Aside my busy schedule as a single mother,
I have to be home to take care of my son so I balance it all very well. I get
my motivation and inspiration from the spiritual realm because everything that
happens around me is spiritual. I get inspiration from God, nature and the happenings
around me. I also get inspired by my five years old son. I see a lot of things
from his eyes and it’s a privilege to learn from a child.
My son is my
greatest achievement. He is protective of me and still sleeps on my chest. We
normally discuss a lot of things together. I don’t shun him because I want him
to learn a lot of things from me. He played Bank W in my new video.”
Marriages have
come and gone most especially celebrities’ marriages which have always been in
the full glare of the public and people always like to know what is happening
in their homes. Ara is bold to say that: “I was highly disappointed when my
marriage broke up. I felt disappointed because many things were wrong that
couldn’t be corrected. I was disappointed when I left my former record label,
Atunda ENT. I left without a dime and later discovered how they used me to make
money for seven years I worked with them. Though, I met a lot of good people
through them, but I was down career or financial wise.
On how she has
been coping after she parted ways with her ex husband
Prince Nurudeen
Olalekan Saliu, the amiable lady said: “I thank God for my upbringing and I
thank God that I have a good relationship with God. Temptation has been there
left and right even as a married woman but I did not fail. How much more now
that I am single? I can’t go out there and mess around. I am not saying I have
not dated anyone or I am not dating anyone presently. I am a one man one woman
person, it does not matter what my man is doing.
“If it had been
about my ex dating other women out there, it wouldn’t have been enough reason
for me to quit the marriage but there were other issues. He was battering me.
He has learnt his lesson I think he is a better person now.”
When a
celebrity’s marriage fails, people assume it is due to her popularity and
arrogance. She vividly condemns that notion. “That is very wrong. We manage
success differently. I didn’t stumble on it because my success was predestined.
Due to my upbringing, there is no way success will get into my head. My ex can
attest to the fact that I cooked his meals and washed his clothes. I bent down
as a sign of respect when I served him meals. He is a prince so I treated him
as such. As an Ondo woman, we know how to take care of our men. We are like the
Calabar women in Cross River State, we know how to cook. I can only speak for
myself. I was humble to him.”
Has he come to
beg you to return? She was asked: “He
has apologized to me but I told him that I can’t return because eight months
after we separated, he had a baby boy from another woman. I am told he is no
longer with that lady. He has another wife so there is no way I can go back to
him, though people are persuading me to go back. I would have considered going
back to him because I believe he has learnt his lesson but I won’t. I think he has learnt how to manage his anger
afterwards. Recently, he told me that I am a good woman and he asked me if
there is a way I could accept him back but I refused. We talk because we have a
son. I am vindicated.”
Ara refused to
reveal who she is dating presently or when they are getting married. (Laughs), “I
won’t talk about that. I am dating someone and he treats me like a queen. He
loves me unconditionally, trusts me and allows me to be me, so I am happy. He
also loves my son. We have a lot in common and we both have a good relationship
with God. What more can I ask from him? She queried.
To her, motherhood
is beautiful and she is enjoying every bit of it. “It is not an impediment to
my career. It has inspired me to be better and given me a new reason to live. I
have learnt a lot of things from my son.”
Many people may
be surprised to hear that Ara is not a club or party person; “I only go to
party if I am going to perform there. I don’t like night life but I get pulled
out once in a while. I am happier when I go to a beach.”
She was asked
to choose fame or fortune. “I will
choose fortune because money answers all things. With money I can establish
myself; nobody uses fame to collect money in a bank.”
She carries a
unique hairstyle when performing on stage. She explains how she came about it: “I loved Indian movies when I was a
child. I loved their long hair so the first thing that came to my mind when it
was time for me to choose identity was to be like Sunita. If I had used weavon,
I wouldn’t have got a long one that would fit my taste. That’s why I went for
the very unusual long braid. It takes time and patience but it is worth the
while at the end of the day because my fans love it.
“I use six
packs to make it and the braiding lasts for 20 hours because it’s done by five people.
They come to my house to do it.”
She watches
Nigerian movies and comedy when she is relaxing. Nelson Mandela and Oprah
Winfrey are her role models.
To her fans,
she said: “New opportunities abound.
Believe in yourself. Don’t severe your relationship with your God. Love your neighbor
as yourselves, which is the greatest commandment.”
“Do unto others as you would want them do unto you,” is
her philosophy of life.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)