Stephanie Linus, Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, Brendan Fraser and other Stars at 2023 Tribeca Festival

Stephanie Linus with other members of the Jury and Robert De Niro and other VIPs.

Nollywood diva, Stephanie Linus joined Hollywood icon, Robert De Niro, Tiffany Chen, Brendan Fraser and other top stars as the 2023 annual Tribeca Festival started on Wednesday June 7 in New York.

"It is such an exciting festival with many voices amplified, especially women’s voices. It has given a platform for both new and seasoned filmmakers to showcase their works. I am having a great time reviewing the shortlisted films and recommending winners for the 2023 Tribeca Festival, " said Stephanie Linus, the famous Nollywood star who is a member of the Jury.

Robert De Niro is being celebrated with a three-day event later this year to honor his 80th birthday. Mayor Eric Adams presented him with a key to the city. He founded Tribeca Film Festival in  2002. Photo of Robert De Niro from the Tribeca Festival. 

The stars were at the premiere of "Kiss The Future"  at the Tribeca Film Festival that runs from Wednesday, June 7 through Sunday, June 18.

A stirring testament to art’s enduring ability to cast light even in the darkest of circumstances, Kiss the Future follows an underground community that worked and created throughout the nearly four-year-long Siege of Sarajevo.

Sensing that a larger voice is needed, an American aid worker makes a longshot pitch to U2 to help raise awareness about the Bosnian capital’s plight. The band immediately agrees and begins a series of live satellite interviews with local Sarajaevans during their 1993 ZOO TV Tour in an effort to highlight the direness of the situation on the ground. After those mid-concert interviews end, the band pledges to play a concert in the city once the conflict comes to a close. And when U2 arrives to perform a long-promised concert, the show becomes a monument to the strength and resilience of the people of Sarajevo, and art’s capacity to inspire and unite.––Jason Gutierrez

The 2023 features program includes 109 feature films from 127 filmmakers across 36 countries. The lineup includes 93 world premieres, one international premiere, eight North American premieres, one U.S. premiere, and six New York premieres. There are 43 first-time directors and 29 directors returning to Tribeca with their latest projects. 41% (45) of all feature films are directed by women and, for the first time, more than half of competition feature films are directed by women at 68% (19). Additionally, 36% (39) of feature films are directed by BIPOC filmmakers, including two indigenous filmmakers.

This year’s Festival also includes a notable number of films directed by actors: world premiere of First Time Female Director by Chelsea Peretti; world premiere of Maggie Moore(s) by John Slattery; world premiere of Bucky F*cking Dent by David Duchovny; world premiere of Downtown Owl by Lily Rabe and Hamish Linklater; world premiere of Eric LaRue by Michael Shannon; world premiere of Fresh Kills by Jennifer Esposito; North American premiere of The Listener by Steve Buscemi; New York premiere of Shortcomings by Randall Park; and more.

There are 53 documentary features across all categories including the world premiere of Marvel’s first original documentary Stan Lee by Tribeca alumnus David Gelb as well as world premieres from Academy Award winners and nominees including Julie Cohen, Waad al-Kateab, Morgan Neville, Sam Pollard, Rob Epstein, and Jeffrey Friedman. As an activist festival rooted in the foundational belief that art can inspire change, the 2023 Tribeca Festival showcases numerous documentary features that shine a light on the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the silencing of artists in Iran.

For the third year, the Tribeca Festival continues its commemoration of Juneteenth through the “Expressions of Black Freedom” program, sponsored by Indeed, which includes a festival-wide celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the world premiere of All Up in the Biz, a documentary about New York hip-hop legend Biz Markie, and the world premiere of Cinnamon, directed by Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. and starring Damon Wayans and Pam Grier.

The 2023 “Spotlight+” category includes a series of live events that bring the film experience to life following each premiere. A performance from She Is The Music artists, curated by Alicia Keys, will follow the world premiere of Uncharted; Sara Bareilles will give a special performance following the world premiere of Waitress, the Musical - Live on Broadway!; the one and only Gloria Gaynor will perform following the world premiere of Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive; a conversation with Peabody Award-winning news anchor Dan Rather and director Frank Marshall will follow the world premiere of Rather; Gogol Bordello will perform following the world premiere of Scream of My Blood: A Gogol Bordello Story; a songwriting masterclass by Indigo Girls will follow the New York premiere of It’s Only Life After All; a musical Q&A with Marc Rebillet will follow the world premiere of Songs About Fucking; and a group of dancehall legends will perform following the world premiere of Bad Like Brooklyn Dancehall.

See full program on 
https://tribecafilm.com/press-center/festival/press-releases/tribeca-festival-announces-2023-feature-film-lineup

Happy Birthday President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

 

Happy Birthday to His Excellency, President-Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,the cofounder and national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the national ruling party of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He holds the highly esteemed traditional leadership titles of the Asiwaju of Lagos and the  Jagaban of Borgu kingdom in Niger State, Nigeria.

We wish you many happier returns for the day with all thanksgivings to Almighty God for beautiful long life and more prosperity.

Cheers!

"Asiwaju Bola Tinubu's feats are bold and exceptional; from business to governance and politics ... a true hero of democracy, a light that cannot be concealed!" - Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, Speaker, 8th Assembly, House of Representatives, Abuja

"Asiwaju Tinubu has become a political pillar and leader, not only in Yoruba land but in Nigeria." - Gov. Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State (2003-2006 & 2014- ), Ado-Ekiti

"Asiwaju's pragmatism in politics are his very good sense of judgment in identifying and nurturing exceptional leaders. Tinubu's leadership role is a guide to the young and old." - Vice President-Elect Kashim Shettima, Governor of Borno State (2011-2019) , Maiduguri.

Asiwaju Tinibu was the 12th Governor of Lagos State from May 29, 1999 – May 29, 2007.

On his assumption of office as Governor of Lagos State in 1999, Asiwaju Tinubu inherited a state that was practically bankrupt. The country’s commercial nerve centre was one of the worst victims of the previous one and a half decades of military dictatorship and neglect.

Public infrastructure had disintegrated abysmally. Delivery of social services had collapsed in virtually all sectors. The environment was in chaos as Lagos was routinely described as one of the dirtiest cities in the world. The state was largely dependent on insufficient financial allocations from the centre as she lacked the capacity to generate adequate revenue internally to meet her numerous challenges.

The public sector was demoralized and ill-equipped, psychologically and logistically, to effectively perform its functions and achieve set objectives. While the citizenry was alienated from the state and thus demotivated from paying taxes or the ones they paid being stolen making the state technically bankrupt, the organized private sector had little or no incentive to partner with the government in meeting the immense developmental challenges of the Mega City.
Assembling a team of accomplished technocrats, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration drew up a Ten-Point Agenda, which it began to systematically implement for the re-vitalization and re-invention of the state. The total budget size of Lagos State at the inception of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration in 1999 was a little over N14 billion,  while the state’s Internally Generated Revenue was approximately N600 million monthly. Yet, the monthly public sector wage bill was N800 million. The implication was that Lagos state was entirely dependent on allocation from the Federal Government, which was grossly insufficient to meet the huge challenges of re-building a state that had been neglected and allowed to decay for over two decades since the federal capital was moved to Abuja in 1991.

Eight years later under Asiwaju’s astute guidance, Lagos had become financially viable and autonomous of the federal government; lives and property had become more secure; public infrastructure was being aggressively modernized and expanded; there had been a dramatic improvement in the quality and efficiency of public health care, education, the environment, water supply and public transportation; Lagos was attracting new investment in diverse sectors on a daily basis despite the depressing national economic climate.

 The new Tinubu Square.

Lekki - Ikoyi Link Bridge.

The Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration from inception drew up a clear and focussed Action Plan for the state in conjunction with critical stake holders including the Organized Private Sector, civil society groups and the public service. The result was the evolution of the Ten-Point Agenda focussing on Education, Health care, Job creation/poverty alleviation, Power and water supply, Public transportation/Traffic management, Physical Planning/Environmental renewal, Infrastructure renewal, Justice/Law and order, Food security and public sector reforms.

Tinubu’s visionary adminisration re-structured the machinery of government creating new ministries such as Housing, Physical Planning Sports and Youth Development as well as Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation for more effective policy implementation. Asiwaju Tinubu brought seasoned and accomplished technocrats into government as Commissioners and Special Advisers in their areas of expertise. Through meticulous planning and disciplined implementation, the Asiwaju Tinubu Administration grew the budget size of Lagos State from N14.200 billion in 1999 to N240.866 billion in 2007. It is significant that at no time under Tinubu’s stewardship did budget implementation performance fall below 60%. In a similar vein, the Tinubu Administration consistently maintained an annual budgetary ratio of at least 60-40% in favour of Capital over Recurrent expenditure to ensure rapid infrastructure development.

The futuristic Eko Atlantic City under construction on Victoria Island.

A first class financial strategist, Asiwaju Tinubu, through creative and innovative financial engineering, took Lagos from a yearly Internally Generated Revenue of N14.64 billion in 1999 to N60.31 billion in 2006. By March 2007, the state had achieved a monthly Internally Generated Revenue of N8.2 billion.

This impressive revenue performance achieved by the Tinubu Administration in Lagos State did not happen by chance or luck. It was due to carefully thought out and effectively implemented policies such as the introduction of the Electronic Banking System/Revenue Collecting Monitoring Project, computerization of the revenue collection process, introduction of Electronic Tax Receipts, re-organization and professionalization of the former Board of Internal Revenue now the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, tax administration reforms and the creation of robust data base of tax payers.

Lagos State under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu became a pace setter in sound and innovative public sector financial management. In September, 2002, for instance, Lagos State was the first government in Nigeria to raise funds from the Capital Market for infrastructure development. This was in recognition of the fact that long-term funds were necessary for long-term projects. The state raised a N15 billion Floating Rate Redeemable to prosecute such development projects as roads construction, millennium housing, water works, construction and rehabilitation of courts, waste management projects and millennium class rooms among others. The bond has since been fully redeemed and other states and even the federal government have copied the Lagos State model. Again, in 2003, the Tinubu Administration invested N3.84 billion in Celtel (now Airtel) and by the time the state divested from the company in 2006, a surplus of N19 billion had been reaped, which was invested in the provision of infrastructure. As a result of its financial ingenuity, prudence and discipline as well as extensive public sector reforms for improved service delivery, the lasting legacy of the Tinubu Administration in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007 are still there for all to see.
They include:
Massive roads construction, dualization and modernization across Lagos State such as Kudirat Abiola road, Oregun; Awolowo road, Ikoyi; Akin Adesola road, Victoria Island, Adeola Odeku road, Victoria Island; Agege Motor road; Ikotun-Igando road; Yaba-Itire-Lawanson-Ojuelegba road; LASU-Iba road, Ojo; Ajah- Badore road, Eti-Osa; Oba Sekumade road, Ikorodu; Adetokunbo Ademola road, Victoria Island and the ongoing expansion and modernization of the Lagos-Epe Expressway as the largest concessioneering project of its size and compexity in Africa among several others.

Reconstruction and upgrading of the Lagos Island Central Business District including the modernization of 16 roads in the area and the historic Tinubu square.

Upgrading of the buildings and facilities at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) to world class grade; expansion and rehabilitation of old General Hospitals in Lagos, Gbagada, Epe, Isolo, Ikorodu, Badagry, Agege and the Island Maternity; building of new General Hospitals at Mushin, Shomolu, Ibeju-Lekki and Isheri-Iba as well as upgrading of existing health centres to full fledged hospitals at Ijede, Ketu, Agbowa and Agege among others.

Provision of free health services for children under 12, the aged above 60 and free ante-natal care for women; Free eye screening, eye treatment, eye surgery and provision of free eye glasses popularly known as ‘jigi Bola’, free treatment for maleria, tuberculosis and leprosy, free Limb Deformity Corrective Surgery, free Cleft-Lip Corrective Surgery and the introduction of the Quarterly Eko Health Missions that provides free medical services including free heart surgeries to local communities.

Elimination of mountains of refuse that used to deface and disgrace Lagos through the introduction of community-based Private Sector Participation (PSP) in refuse collection and disposal, expansion and modernization of land –fill sites, construction of Transfer Loading Stations, establishment of waste-to-wealth facilities in Ikorodu as well as re-organization, modernization and re-equipping of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

Massive construction of new drainage channels as well as the creation of Drain Ducks as well as the Emergency Flood Abatement (EFAG) to clear existing drains and respond to flooding.

Rehabilitation of primary and secondary schools in all Divisions of the state through the Schools Rehabilitation Programme, massive construction of school furniture and equipping of laboratories; provision of free education in all public primary and secondary schools including payment of WAEC/NECO fees as well as all internal examination fees to ensure that indigent children do not drop out of school.

Construction of 6,000 housing units such as Abraham Adesanya Estate, Ajah, Ibeshe low income housing scheme, Oba Adeyinka Oyekan Estate, Lekki, Ayangburen Phase II, Ikorodu, Gbagada Medium Housing Scheme, Amuwo-Odofin Housing Scheme, Abraham Adesanya Estate, Phase II, Ojokoro Millennium Housing Scheme, Alaagba low income housing scheme as well as the Oke Eletu and Oko Oba low income housing schemes among others.

Massive construction of rural roads as well as rural electrification and water supply schemes; construction of micro water works at Onikan, Ikeja, Iwaya, Igando, Oworonsoki, Atan, Bariga, Isolo, Shomolu and Iponri among others to improve water supply in Lagos state.

Construction and equipping of new High Courts, computerization of court registries, enhanced welfare for judicial officers to stregthen the rule of law, establishment of the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to provide free legal services to indigent persons and the establishment of the Citizen Mediation Centre as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

Establishment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for enhanced traffic management; establishment of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) to plan and manage an integrated transportation master plan for Lagos; initiation of the revolutionary Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme that has transformed the face of public transportation in Lagos State; construction of 55 bus stop shelters; construction of 25.9km of median barriers to enforce lane discipline and improve travel time on major high ways; fabrication and installation of 50,000 units various types of traffic signs to improve road safety; installation of at least 63 functional traffic lights at major road intersections among others in the transportation sector.

Initiation despite stiff opposition by the federal government of the first successful Independent Power Project (IPP) by any state government generating 260MW of electricity from Ikorodu to the National Grid.

Completion of such abandoned projects as Teslim Balogun Stadium and the new Government House at Alausa as well as finding a permanent solution to the erosion and perennial flooding of the Bar Beach by constructing an enduring shoreline defensive barrier.

Creation of 37 new Local Development Council Areas bringing the total number of Local Government Areas in the state to 57 in order to accelerate grassroots development. He successfully sustained and nurtured them to maturity despite the fierce opposition of the Federal Government that illegally withheld N24 billion of the state’s Local Government Statutory Allocation for two years despite a Supreme Court directive to the contrary.
In 2007, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu successfully handed over the mantle of the state’s leadership to Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) who has continued to build on the firm foundation laid by his predecessor. In the just concluded general elections, Asiwaju Tinubu’s influence was a critical factor not only in his party’s retention of power in Lagos State but also its success in recovering the states it had earlier lost in the South West in the 2003 and 2007 elections.
For his excellent performance as the Executive Governor of Lagos State of Nigeria (1999 – 2007), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu received several awards.
These include

Best Governor in Nigeria for Y2000 by the Nigerian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce;

Y2002 Best Practices Prize in improving the living environment, awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works and the UN Habitat Group;

Y2000 Best Computerized Government in Nigeria Award by the Computer Association of Nigeria.

Citation by the New York based World Trade Association on June 12, 2002, as the symbol of progress in Nigria. The only other recipient in Africa was President Nelson Mandela of South Africa.

Y2003 Green Crystal Award for enhancing the value of the environment by Clean Up Nigeria

Winner of the Health Care Award for Y2002 as the producer of the best health service in Nigeria

Presidential Merit Award for technological development by the Nigerian Society of Engineers

Y2001 National Literacy Award for outstanding contribution to mass literacy in Nigeria

Y2005 and Y2006 World City Awards for exemplary performances in health care delivery, environmental renewal and youth development.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has won several awards for exemplary leadership qualities and commitment to humanity. Among these are:

One of the ten winners of Y2002 Outstanding Alumnus Award of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC); He was the first African outside North America to be accorded this honour

2001 distinguished Alumnai Award by his Alma Mata, Chicago State University

Distinguished Service Award for exemplary leadership by the Lagos State Economic Summit Group (LASEC)

Recognition for distinguished service to Nigerian women by the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS)

Lagos State University MBA Y2001 Merit Award for contribution to academic excellence in Lagos State

Certificate of commendation by the National Conference of Black Mayors

Award of Excellence by the Nigerian Society of Engineers

Silver Jubilee special award by the University of Jos for his commitment to the growth of the university

Exempary award for thoughtful leadership and outstanding public service by the Lagosians Club of Chicago

Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by the Abia State University in recognition of his immense contribution to democracy, good governance and development of Nigeria.

Role Playing in Rehearsal for a Crime Drama

Role Playing in Rehearsal for a Crime Drama

Here I am role playing in rehearsal for a dare devil character for a crime drama. 

I used my cellphone to record it yesterday, Wednesday February 2, 2023. 

I am still looking years younger than my age mates after celebrating my Diamond birthday on Monday, January 30.  Psalm 103:5 is my testimony. Almighty God truly renews my youth like the eagle's to fly to higher grounds of greater heights of triumph.

Cheers!

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Thank Very Much Brother Femi

Dear Brother Femi,
I woke up at about 2.10am on my☀️ 💎birthday to receive the first message on my phone. And I am very glad and grateful to Almighty God for giving me this generous gift from your heart. 

It is more than enough for me to cut my first birthday cake with thanks to Almighty God JEHOVAH JIREH for many happier returns for the day with beautiful long life and more prosperity.

Honestly, heaven knows that every seed you have sown into my life since I have known you has yielded a big harvest in my faith and growth.
For the generous gift of a great man is a blessing for greatness.

Thank you very much.
I am forever grateful.

Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima💓💥🌟🎆🏑📽️🎬📸📺🎻📀🎉

#God #JESUSChrist  #HolySpirit #gift #life #love #Birthday #Thanksgivings #celebration #grateful #greatness #happiness #gratitude 

Happy Birthday Dr. Chika Christian Onu, One of the Founding Fathers of Nollywood

Happy Birthday Dr. Chika Christian Onu, One of the Founding Fathers of Nollywood

Today is the birthday of Dr. Christian Chika Onu, one of the best and greatest filmmakers in Africa. He is famous as one of the Founding Fathers of Nollywood and the author of "The Unusual Story of the Early Years of Nollywood" distributed by Amazon and other booksellers.

Top Nollywood filmmaker, Christian Chika Onu received his PhD in Film Studies from the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State. 

He is famous as the director of the bestselling Nollywood movies "Living in Bondage 2", "Glamour Girls", "Peacemaker" and other popular movies for which he has won many awards in Nigeria and America. He is the co-author of "Nak-ed Beauty", the first Nigerian screenplay to be published and sold as book. The recce for the film production was completed on Bonny Island, Rivers State in 2008, but production has been delayed by the political violence in the Niger Delta. The screenplay is based on crude oil thieves and militancy before the Amnesty for Niger Delta militants, co-written by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, aka "Orikinla Osinachi" after four years research on Bonny Island.

Dr. Christian Chika Onu who also studied filmmaking at the highly esteemed Colorado Film School in Denver, USA. 

Chika Onu has always been an outstanding achiever with numerous awards since he won the first prize in the J. F. Kennedy International Essay Competition in 1973 and went on to excel as President of the Oak Theatre during his undergraduate years at the famous University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where he was also the Associate Editor of “The Muse” Departmental Magazine. In 1979 he won the British Council Award for the Best Creative Writer (University Press); Prime Director Award by Video/Film marketers in 2002; Member, Movie Makers Hall of Fame, Abuja in 2006; Pioneer Director Award Best of the Best (BOBTV) Expo, Abuja in 2008 and many other accolades of which the most recent are the 2014 TV and Film Achievement Award by Los Angeles Nollywood Film Association (LANFA) in August and Life Time Achievement Award in Cinema by Nollywood Africa Film Critics Awards (NAFCA), Los Angeles in September, 2014.

Dr. Onu is also the co-author of Naked Beauty, said to be the first Nigerian Screen play to be published and sold as book.

Dr. Chika Onu is a Director of over a hundred Nollywood movies many of which have won Awards and gained popular admiration and acclaim in America, South Africa, Ghana, and Nigeria. Ten of these chart bursting movies include;

Living in Bondage 2 (1994)

Glamour Girls (1995)

True Confession (1996)

Evil Genius (1997)

Karishika (1997)

Ukwa (2002)

Fire on the Mountain (2002)

Peace Maker (2003)

Submission (2003)

My In-Law (2004)

Dogs’ Meeting (2005)

Rings of fire (2005)

Python King (2006)

Sweet Potato (2011)

Great Messenger (2011)

Evil Kingdom (2013)

African Tradition (2014)

My Peace o Mind (2015)

Dangerous King (2016)

To Love a Crippled Prince (2018).

CLICK HERE TO BUY THE UNUSUAL STORY OF NOLLYWOOD

Highlights from the 2022 Lagos Book and Art Festival

 

Highlights from the 2022 Lagos Book and Art Festival

The 2022 annual Lagos Book & Art Festival (LABAF) opened on Monday November 14 at the popular Freedom Park on Lagos Island in Nigeria. 

LABAF 2022 is specifically dedicated to Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, the most phenomenal Nigerian artist and the most published African artist who is famous for his intriguing prints, paintings and sculptures. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C; the Malmö Konsthall in Malmö, Sweden, National Museum and National Art Gallery in Lagos among other places in his illustrious career as an iconic visionary of contemporary art in over five decades since 1957 to date. He celebrated his 90th birthday on August 30. 

Onobrakpeya spoke about his life and works as a artist during an exhibition of his installations.  A short documentary film on his popular Harmattan Workshop in his homeplace, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State was screened and Co-founder of CORA and LABAF, the polymath and patron of the arts, Toyin Akinosho spoke on how Onobrakpeya has been part of LABAF from the very beginning.

There was a symposium on "Our Inheritance: What I Took From Bruce" by Barret Akpokabayen, Kunle Adeyemi, Juliet Ezenwa, Oguchukwu Ejiofor and Nse Abasi Inyang.

Later famous veteran artist and administrator, Pa Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi and Prof. Ebun Clark spoke about the early years of Onobrakpeya from being one of the "Zaria Rebels" at the Ahmadu Bello University whilst studying fine arts to the later years moderated by Mufu Onifade, artist and arts writer.

 

LABAF 2022 on the theme of "Pathways to the Future" runs from November 14-20 at the Freedom Park and virtually via Zoom and on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. 

Acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker, Tunde Kelani's "Saworoide" and "Lift"  by young filmmaker, Abraham Amkpa were screened on the opening day. Kelani was present for the Q&A interactive conversation with the audience on his political film produced in 1999.

LABAF 2022 is the 24th edition of the hybrid international book fair and art festival founded in 1999 by the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), as a literary and visual festival for “freedom of creative expression to herald the rebirth of Democratic governance in Africa’s biggest nation”. There are over 50 books in focus with over 60 independent sessions of literary conversations, visual arts (fine and applied arts and crafts); performances in poetry, drama, dance, music and sociocultural interactions with participants in Nigeria and other countries. 

The Curator/Director, Jahman Anikulapo, said the discourse around "Pathways to the Future" is meant to “figure a way out of the ‘State of Flux’ which led us to a ‘Fork in the Road. See the programmes on https://www.lagosbookartfestival.org.

Yoruba Cultural Troupe in Live Performance

 

Yoruba Cultural Troupe in Live Performance

Saturday evening, July 23, 2022.

Lagos, Nigeria

The celebration of the 9th birthday of Omogbolabo, aka "G-Boy", the first first born of Dr. Omoayena Odunbaku, the popular author of "OMOH" was an unforgettable evening of felicitations, thanksgivings and live cultural performance by a Yoruba troupe at the Agip Recital Hall of the Muson Centre in Onikan on the Lagos Island. The birthday party attracted hundreds of people as parents came with their children and other guests. The occasion concluded with launching of the comic book adaptation of her book by her son. For a 9-year-old, the drawings are outstanding and look as good as comics done by professional artists of Marvel Comics.

#Birthday #GBoy #Lagos #book #comics #Omoh #Marvel #music #Nigeria #Yoruba #people

Marcelina Ekwutosi Omagie: Celebrating 100 Years of Doing Good

Marcelina Ekwutosi Omagie: Celebrating 100 Years of Doing Good

- By Chief Ingram OSIGWE

When you look at Mrs Marcelina Ekwutosi Omagie aka Nwaezebuona (daughter of a king is precious jewellery ), you don't just see a woman who is one of the rare persons to have lived through a century. No! Her cheerful mien and sharp wits belly her age. Rather, who you see is a beautiful soul, a strong, resilient woman who, every day,  inspires you to endure and overcome every trial and tribulation of life.

Yes, Mrs Omagie is a centenarian. Not many, especially in this part of the world with short life span, are blessed with longevity. But she is. Mrs Omagie will be 100 on April 9. God has been good to her, she enjoys good health and uninterrupted grace in her 100 years on earth.

As mama turns 100, her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren will be rolling out the drums to celebrate a woman whose longevity is seeped in quality of life for according to Martin Luther King Jnr, "the quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important"

Though mama has no biological children of her own, she has spent the better part of her 100 years on earth mentoring the young and old and contributing tremendously to the goodness of humanity, growth of the Catholic church and tranquillity of the society.

It is, therefore, no surprise that a plethora of individuals, groups and organisations who have benefited richly from her fountain of love and who see her as a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great grandmother will be celebrating Mrs Omagie's 100th birthday 

One of such organisations is the Stella Maris Catholic Church (outstation), Onitsha.

According to snippets from  Mrs Omagie's chequered life history, a time came when she immersed herself in the work and worship of God and then discovered that life and everything therein was all vanities. Mama thus decided to bequeath all she owned, including the land on which Stella Maris Catholic Church now stands, to God and the betterment of mankind.

On the day the church was dedicated, the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha, Valeria Maduka Okeke declared that even though mama has no biological children all members of the Stella Maris family are her children and would always celebrate her as their matriarch.

This explains the elaborate birthday events the church has lined up for her.

Born on April 9, 1922, in Onitsha, Anambra State, to the family of His Royal Highness, the late Eze Timothy Williams Obiosa Ibuaka and late Catherine Ibuaka from the present-day Delta state, mama, as a kid, spent much of her time in the service of God through membership of various societies in the church including the Block Rosary and Mary League.

This was after her baptism at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Onitsha, now Basilica of the Most Holy Catholic church.

Her dedication to the church and things of God was to lead her to insist on becoming a nun.

However, her mother thought otherwise and persuaded her to get married. Thus on December 26th, 1944, mama sacrificed her desire to become a nun for a married life when she tied the knots with Solomon Omagie.

The marriage did not produce children and following a series of challenges arising from that, mama travelled abroad where she combined the work of God with furthering her studies.

In Rome for example, mama served the pope for many years as an altar girl. She was also active in the choir where she was noted for her exceptional appearance in African apparel.

In the field of education, Mrs Marcelina Omagie was one of the pioneer Nigerian lecturers at the then University College, Ibadan, now the University of Ibadan. She was in the employ of the University till 1975 when as a Senior Lecturer,  the then Nigerian leader, General Yakubu Gowon pleaded with her to proceed to the fledgeling University of Maiduguri to help solidify its formation.

The elegant, flowery chapters of mama's life, especially her contributions to the growth of the Catholic faith in Nigeria, will not be complete without mentioning her role in the formation of the Catholic Women Organisation, CWO.

She was one of the Catholic women in Nigeria who in 1964 met and birthed the CWO.

April 9 is indeed a date to keep for mama's birthday will be a celebration of a salutary life well lived and still living in the service of God and humanity.

The commercial city of Onitsha will come alive as all roads will be leading to Stella Maris outstation, Onwugbenu street, GRA, the venue of mama's 100th birthday celebration.

According to organisers of the event- Nneoma Lady Maria Ihionu, Dr Dorathy Ezenwanne and Barr. Lizzy Anyaonu- mass to herald mama's birthday celebration will be officiated by His Grace, Archbishop Valeria Maduka Okeke, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha.