Soyinka family announces burial date for Iyetade Soyinka

The family of Nobel laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, yesterday, in a statement, announced the burial date for  their daughter, Iyetade Soyinka.
The statement revealed that she will be buried on Friday, January 10, 2014, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Furthemore, the statement has it that a short service of songs would be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday 9.
The late Iyetade "will be laid to rest on Friday January 10 in Ibadan, after the funeral service at the Chapel of Resurrection, University of Ibadan at 11a.m.," the family's statement revealed.
The late Ms. Soyinka died on December 28, 2013 at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, after a brief illness.
According to the statement, Iyetade's death had brought "great sadness and an overwhelming sense of loss" to the family.  Ms. Soyinka is survived by two children, a daughter, Oreofe, and son, Adeoto.
Daily Newswatch gathered that the deceased's volume of poetry, Stars, Fill My Skies, was scheduled for release at the end of 2013.
Ms. Iyetade, according to Soyinka family, was a fervent Christian who "cared deeply and generously for those shunned by society," "scorned the vain," "discarded hypocrisies, rejected the limelight and sought to live a life of depth and truth."
The statement described her as one who "fought fiercely for those she loved and she touched our lives with her heart, her incredibly creative mind, her dreams and her wit."

Political thriller author makes his Nigerian debut

Nigeria’s first true political thriller has finally makes its long awaited debut on Nigerian soil.

Titled: ‘Operation A-men’ by Henri Yire, it’s published in the United States of America by the renowned establishment of AMV Publishing US. It is a convoluted master plot of conspiracies in high places set in a fictional African setting with characters that jump out of the pages and twisted plots that keep you guessing and turning pages.

With a collage of breathtaking reviews and an impressive acceptance so far on New Books Nigeria, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, amuwoodofin.tv, Pulse Nigeria and from Professor Marie Linton Umeh of John Jay College (SUNY) New York, Operation A-men, according a reliable source is primed to be a thriller volume worth reading.

According to a release made available for Daily Newswatch, Yire has also committed to funding a fully equipped reading room at Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, where he currently resides when his book Operation A-men sells more than 100,000 copies.

 “…an action-packed plot with well-rounded, realistic characters. The author knows his subject matter and he executes great knowledge of information technology and human nature,”- said Marie Linton Umeh, Professor of English, John Jay College (SUNY) New York.

He became fascinated with political thriller when he realized the book genre was being neglected in Nigeria. When he’s not reading thriller volumes, or encouraging others to, he’s listening to an inordinate amount of radio programmes, attending entertainment events of any kind that piques his fancy and drinking obscene amounts of coffee. He writes about a varying amount of unconventional topics on a weekly platform he calls ‘Monday Musings’ at www.henriyire.com and can be found on twitter @henriyire  and on facebook at Facebook.com/Henri Yire.

Pop-Up Theatre: Unique way of doing art

ADA DIKE

In recent times, there have been tremendous movements in the world of theatre in Nigeria. As the year 2013 was rounding off, Pop-Up Theatre was officially opened in Lagos.

As the popular saying goes, “Give me a space and I will turn it to a theatre.” A visit to the old Federal Government Press located at No. 9 Broad Street, Lagos, would make one marvel at the sudden change inside the building which was hitherto left without anything happening there.

On the opening day, there were beehives of activities as young men and women, smartly dressed and known as tour guides gave guests warm welcome and took them round the building.

A young man called Mr. Taiwo Jacobs, one of the tour guides took this writer round the building beginning from Guess Where It Is- Game, where a table was displayed with more than 20 photographs consisting of pictures of the National Arts Theatre, Lagos and some pictures of the Palace of Sports and Culture, Varna Bulgaria. He asked guests to search and pick out pictures of the National Arts Theatre separately and pictures of Varna Bulgaria. Not a single person got it right because the two edifices look alike, except that, the National Arts Theatre, Lagos is bigger in size and a close look at the pictures would show some trees around the Palace of Sports and Culture, Varna Bulgaria which cannot be found in Nigeria.

After the brief puzzle or game about the National Arts Theatre, Lagos and the Palace of Sports and Culture, Varna Bulgaria, guests went to the pop-up stage where some artistes performed and thrilled the audience.

Guests were shown The possible futures of the National Arts Theatre, which were flyers suggesting what could be done in the National Arts Theatre apart from stage play. Those flyers were designed by Ayodele Arigbabu and Hunter and Gatherer. (Manual by Shvartzberg, Fabian Faltin). Some of the flyers had pictures of mall and station, documentary of Africa, Not a regular exhibition but under construction and so on.

On the floor of the hall were Depository Memory and Time. Renowned artist, Ndidi Dike used some of the materials within the printing press to create a sculptural installation that engaged the audience in participation and dialogue on the issue of archive and memory.

On the wall were three LCD televisions for three-channel-video section called The Discursive Theatre of Nigeria by Constanze Fishbeck and Daniel Kotter.

In a welcome address delivered by the Head of Department (Mr. Anthony Onoluju) of Federal Government Press (Liaison Office), he said the project was a manifestation of a concept that is now translated to a product.

“All hands must be on deck to ensure success inspired by the passion to succeed. The Goethe Institut enjoys the services of a hardworking, intelligent and vigorous young man as her director. What we see, experience, talk about, relax with, learn from, empowered by is an epitome of the brain storming of the Director of Goethe Institut in the person of Mr. Marc Andre,” said Onoluju.

In his remarks, the Acting Director of the Pop-Up Theatre, Lagos, Prof. Ahmed Yerima, described the Pop-Up Theatre as an alternative theatre.

 “It is beyond the building. It is not the one people would say the theatre has not been arranged. You need to take the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos into our conscience and look into the future of what theatre it will become and this is one of the creativities. Creativity is from the mind and individuals,” said Yerima.

According to the former General Manager of the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, Pop-Up Theatre was targeted at the young and talented ones and noted that, it lives within our time. “Also, when you look at the programmes reeled out, you’ll begin to identify with them and that is why I am involved. It gives me a chance to see the new materials that are coming up. That is what Pop-Up theatre is all about.”

He urged everyone to go ahead, dream and come up with something good like the Pop-Up Theatre. “So let us create theatres in places that we want rather than gigantic places.”

Powered by the Goethe Institut through the collaboration of Constanze Frischbeck and Daniel Kotter, the organizers hinted that the Pop-Up Theatre would live in various places in Lagos, in the world and in the virtual space.

“It will pop-up on numerous occasions in Lagos, whenever Nigerians are celebrating their creative minds, it will pop-up in the forum Freies Theatre in the German town Dussldorf, in SALT gallery in Istanbul, as collateral event of the Venice architecture Biennale. A catalogue will be produced commemorating the journey of Nigeria’s National theatre from being an architechture towards being an idea, and finally a website, designed by visual artist Mudi Yahaya, will display a growing archive of the real and unreal, the past, present and utopian Nigerian theatre for the Arts,” they stated.

They further revealed that: “the story of this project “Pop-Up Theatre of Nigeria” started more than 45 years ago, more than 8000 kilometres from Lagos in a Black Sea coastal town called Varna in the socialist country of Bulgaria.

“According to communist ideas about theatre and social gatherings, the government was looking for a built structure that could host sports events, concerts, conferences and theatre stagings. The architects came up with a unique and innovative idea: Being one of the first buildings in the world, constructed purely out of hyperbolic paraboloid forms (instead of straight lines and rectangles), the "Palace for Sports and Culture Varna" amongst other features hosted the world's first revolving stage that would turn the amphitheatre with a central stage into a circular arena.

“Ten years later, the Nigerian military government was looking for an architecture that could host the biggest event in African culture to date: the FESTAC 1977. The Nigerian delegation looked for a model of an appropriate building and found The Palace for Sports and Culture in Varna. The Bulgarian engineers were contacted to build a replica of the Bulgarian building in Lagos. Back then, it was the capital of Nigeria.

“While the interior design was identically copied, a few changes were made to the original building: Additional halls were added to host exhibitions, ceremonies and smaller theatre events, the National emblem was attached to the highest point of the crown and the building was given a different name: “Palace for Sports and Culture Varna” became “The National Theatre of Nigeria.”

“While the National Theatre as architecture was perfectly tailored to host a Pan-African festival, the main hall was too large for the needs of the Nigerian society, only. 36 years after its architecture had travelled from Bulgaria to Nigeria, and almost 20 years after the main hall had fallen into disrepair, "The National Theatre of Nigeria" went on a journey again on the 6th of December 2013: this time however, without the ballast of brick and concrete but in the virtual and light form of an idea: The flexible, spontaneous theatre, for a day, popping up in various public spaces in Lagos before finding its temporary home for a week in the former Federal Government Press, Broad Street, Lagos Island,” they explained.

Also speaking, Constanze Frischbeck stressed that Pop-Up Theatre is open to creative people to showcase their talents to the public. She showed appreciation to the artistes that have supported the institute’s projects through their immense collaborations.

Other prominent figures involved in this project among others include: Emeka Ogboh,  Segun Adefila, Jelili Atiku, Koku Konu and Mudi Yahaya. 

The National Pop-Up Theatre, Lagos, which was officially opened on Thursday, December 12, 2013, has been busy with activities including Dj Night With Afrologic and Wura Samba held on December 13, 2013. For one week, they hosted exhibitions, performances, films, talks and discussions in an open space in which everyone contributed to.

How CORA celebrated Clark‘s 80th birthday

Clark

ADA DIKE

As part of numerous events for 80^th birthday celebration of renowned poet and scholar, Prof. John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo, the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA) on December 15, held an Arthouse party on his behalf.

 Titled 'Lyricist of the Riverine Lore', there were readings and discussions which centred around new Niger Delta voices in honour of the distinguished author who clocked 80 on December 12, 2013.

Held at the Freedom Park, Lagos, the event that was moderated by the co-founder of CORA, Toyin Akinosho, was graced by Clark’s relatives, admirers, friend and associates.

That evening of poetry, prose and drama reached its crescendo when author, poet and actress Iquo Eke and an award winning author of Yellow Yellow, Kaine Agary read excerpts from Clark’s work.

Also, Ogaga Ifowodo, while reading from his collection of poems, The Oil Lamp, gave credit to Clark, whom he said his style of writing, influenced him.

Many people including discussants comprising Kaine Agary, Iquo Eke, civil rights activist and poet Dagga Tolar, film producer and director, Tunde Kelani and so on eulogized the poet.

Kaine Agary began by saying that she was from Ijaw and reiterated that there was a time she visited Prof. Clark in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and asked herself: “When this generation goes, what then happens to the Ijaw culture?”

There was no dull moment at the event as Iquo Eke sang in Efik Language and also recited a poem. “I am simply amazed by the simplicity of Clark. It is beautiful how he applies simple words without being verbose. It gives me strength to feel that with simplicity, one can still pass a message across,” Eke said.

In his speech, renowned cinematographer Tunde Kelani said: “I was here last Sunday for this discussion but was told that it was on the 15^th. Clark was one of the best writers and playwrights in the world. I have never written a poem in my life, I don’t know why. But then, I am confident,” he said.

Kelani thanked Clark in appreciation for his works.

Also speaking, renowned poet, Odia Ofeimun suggested that some of Clark’s works be translated into Ijaw.

In his response, the celebrant said he didn’t care about critics’ views on his works and noted that: “Let talent and time find each other. I can speak for my colleagues. We came in early and at a good time. We have created a body of works for posterity. Yet it seems that things are getting worse in this country than they were 60 years ago. It seems that other writers and I have not affected the growth of the country. But then, we are only writers and we have no gifts to make the politicians wise,” Clark said.

Clark was born in Kiagbodo, in Delta State, to Ijaw parents. He had his early education at the Native Administration School and the Government College in Ughelli, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of Ibadan, where he edited various magazines, including The Beacon and The Horn. He graduated from Ibadan in 1960 and worked as an information officer in the Ministry of Information in the old Western Region of Nigeria, as features editor of the Daily Express and as a research fellow at the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan. He served for several years as a professor of English at the University of Lagos, a position from which he retired in 1980. While at the University of Lagos he was co-editor of the literary magazine Black Orpheus.

He founded the PEC Repertory Theatre in Lagos In 1982, with his wife Ebun Odutola (a professor and former director of the Centre for Cultural Studies at the University of Lagos),.

In 1991, he received the Nigerian National Merit Award for literary excellence and saw the publication, by Howard University, of his two definitive volumes, ‘The Ozidi Saga’ and ‘Collected Plays and Poems’ between 1958 and1988.

Some of the poetries he wrote include: A Reed in the Tide, London: Longmans, 1965, A Decade of Tongues, London: Longmans, 1981 (also in Braille), State of the Union, London; Longmans, 1985, Of Sleep and Old Age, Lagos: Crucible, 2003, Once Again A Child, Ibadan: Mosuro, 2003, Still Full Tide Collected Poems, 1958-2012, including Cruising home: University press, Ibadan, 2012 and so on.

Dramas: Song of a Goat, Ibadan; Mbari, 1961, The Bikoroa Plays: The Boat, The Return Home, Full Circle, London and Ibadan: Oxford University Press and University Press, 1985, All For Oil, Lagos: Malthouse press, 2010, Collected Plays 1961-2000, Ibadan: University Press, 2010 and The Twilight Plays: The Hiss, The Smile, The Two Sisters, The Abuse of a king, Ibadan: University Press, among others.

Essays: Poetry of the Urhobo Dance Udje, Nigeria Magazine, no. 84, 1965, The Example of Shakespeare, London: Longmans, 1970, The Hero as a Villain, Lagos: University of Lagos Press, 1978, The Burden Not Lifted, Nigerian National Order of Merit Award Winners’ Lecture, Abuja, 2001 and The Example of Shakespeare and Other Essays, Ibadan: University Press, (in press 2012).

Documentary Films: Tides of Delta (With Frank Speed), 1974, Oil at the Bottom, 2007 and so on.

Music: Songs from The Ozidi Saga in three long-playing records.

LASU ASUU threatens to go on strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) chapter, said on Monday it will call for strike if the university management does not meet their demands.
It said the motion for the strike will be decided at their congress slated for early January, if no tangible progress is made. This was disclosed by the Chairman of ASUU-LASU, Dr. Adekunle Idris, at a press conference held at the university campus.
Idris said the national body of ASUU is aware that the issue had been there before the national strike commenced on July 1. He accused the university management of not being sensitive to the situation on campus, saying ” at all press contacts during the national strike, it always impressed on stakeholders to intervene so that students can enjoy uninterrupted school calendar after the struggle, which they fail to do.”
On the demands, he said the governing council must implement the universities (Miscellaneous provisions) amendment act 2012, passed by the Federal Government, for the effective running of universities, which the Lagos State Government had agreed to implement.
Other demands are – the immediate regularization of appointment of academic staff currently on temporary appointment and recall of all academic staff on temporary appointment who were disengaged unjustly.
Source: Hot Naija News