Soyinka: 81 hearty cheers to literary icon

Soyinka

Nigeria’s most influential author, poet, essayist and the first African to win the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1986,  Prof. Oluwole Soyinka, clocked 81 years today, July 13, 2014. 

Happy birthday Prof!!!

I was exposed to music by my family and church - Ebele The Flutist

Ebele The Flutist

         The first female flutist in Nigeria, Ebele Ezeamakam, with a stage name Ebele The Flutist, in this interview with ADA DIKE, speaks on her passion for playing flute.

=====================

Can you give us an insight to your family and educational backgrounds?

My name is Ebele Ezeamakam. I am from Anambra State, but I grew up in Benin City, Edo State.

I read accounting in the university, but music was my hobby that became my passion and today it’s my career.

Where did you learn how to play flute?

I was exposed to music by my family and church.

How long have you been playing flute?

I started playing the flute at age 14, but professionally, I have been into it for about five years.

PRESIDENT BUHARI APPOINTS NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND NSA

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments:

1. Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin - Chief of Defence Staff;
2. Major-General T.Y. Buratai - Chief of Army Staff
3. Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas - Chief of Naval Staff

4. Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar - Chief of Air Staff
5. Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan - Chief of Defence Intelligence
6. Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) - National Security Adviser
The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.

Sola returns with ‘Orobaba’

Sola

Fast rising singer, Sola, who released a single ‘Ragabomi’ early this year, is back with a new, hot, hip, fun and - yes – addictive single ‘Orobaba’.
From the moment the celebrated neo-soul artiste dropped the mic on her brand new single ‘Orobaba’, it's been described enthusiastically as 'addictive'.
Produced by DreSticks of Beverly Records, ‘Orobaba’ is Sola's follow-up to ‘Ragabomi’.
No newcomer to music lovers, Sola has had previous hit tracks such as ‘Fall in Love’, ‘Iya’ and the more recent, ‘Ragabomi’. Sola has worked with notable hands in the industry like Cobhams Asuquo, TY Mix, Jeremiah Gyang and veteran Diran Olajoyegbe.
Now Sola brings her signature sultry-sweet voice and passionate fun appeal to make her brand new single ‘Orobaba’ a must-listen, must-love and must-share hit.
‘Ragabomi’ was produced by Netto of Cisum Productions and the video was directed by award-winning music director Akin Alabi, who’s made videos for prominent musicians like  9ice, Ayuba, Timaya, Paul Play, Julius Agwu, Onyeka Onwenu and so many others.

MTN-Foundation/ MUSON music graduating students thrill guests at concert

BY ADA DIKE

Over 40 graduating students trained under MTN Foundation-MUSON Music Scholars Programme performed at a concert, a night before their 8th Graduation Ceremony at Agip Recital Hall of the Music Society of Nigeria last Monday evening.

The concert, organized by MTN Foundation and the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) which attracted people from all walks of life was an avenue the students used to showcase their expertise in playing different musical instruments such as; saxophone, piano, talking, pot, drum,  trumpet, double bass and so on.

They thrilled the audience with classical music, opera with their renditions in a mellifluous manner.

The concert reached its crescendo when about 44 cutely and stylishly dressed graduating students returned to the podium and entertained guests with songs in both English and Nigerian languages such as; “Love Changes Everything”, “Iran Lowo Mi” (My Helper) and ‘Teta’ (Wake up).

5th Lights, Camera, Africa!!! Film Festival holds from Sept 30

Having successfully hosted four editions of The Lights, Camera, Afirca!!! Film Festival, its organisers has announced dates for the fifth edition.

With the theme: ‘Future Forward’, according to a statement made available to Newswatch Times, “‘Future Forward’ is an assembly of bold and energetic pieces of African and independent cinema that portray the intrepid spirit that characterises the force that propels us and feeds our imperative to go forth, with certainty and to succeed,” said Ugoma Adegoke, the managing director and co-founder of Life House alongside her husband, Dayo, revealed.

Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange Project 2015 begins on July 12, focuses on Storytelling and Youth Development

Prof Soyinka

All is set for the 2015 edition of the yearly Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) project which is scheduled to hold from July 12 through the 14^th.

Antie Noma on set

The annual programme was initiated in 2010 and debuted on the 76^th birthday anniversary of the Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka as the “quintessential artist and symbol of our humanity”, according to the promoters of the project, Nigeria-based ZMirage Multimedia Company and US-based GlobalNewHaven.

According to the Producer, WSICE 2015, Haneefat Ikharo, unlike previous editions in which activities held in Lagos, Ogun and Osun State, events for this year’s edition will hold exclusively in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where the Nobel laureate resides. Remarkably too, the organisers plan to concentrate the activities in the neighbourhood of the Ijegba Forest Residence of Soyinka, and at the Ogun State Cultural Centre, Kuto.

Everything about me has been artistry -O’Chris

A quintessential world class painter, sculptor and art teacher, Mr. Chris Nwoke also called O’Chris, whose works are being celebrated indifferent parts of the world visited Nigeria recently.

In this interview with AD DIKE, he speaks on his works and career within and outside Nigeria.

==========

“African art will rule the world” was a statement Mr. Chris Nwoke popularly known as O’Chris made many years ago before he thought of travelling abroad.  Today, that inspirational and prophetic statement has come true in his life as he is continuously being celebrated as one of the best visual artist and teacher in many parts of the world including Africa, Asia, Europe and North America.

Anioma Association USA, awards scholarship to students in Nigerian University

In a determined effort to support the human capital development of Delta State and to challenge the youths of Anioma to positive and constructive exercises, a US-based non-profit organisation, Anioma Association USA, Georgia Chapter has awarded scholarships to three students of Anioma extraction studying in Nigerian universities.

Now in its second year, the scholarship scheme is one of the several projects earmarked by the association for the purpose of sustaining human capital development in Anioma and Delta State in general. More importantly, it aimed to help alleviate the burden of students and parents in payment of school fees.