Voice of Nigeria ... boosting music and drama quality with new facilities

By Yemi Olakitan

WITH the commissioning, last Friday, of its ultra-modern Music and Drama Studio, the Voice of Nigeria (VON) is providing a platform for stakeholders in marketing communication and entertainment industry to produce their TVC and jingles in the country. Producing television commercials off shore, especially in the United Kingdom and South Africa, has become a common practice among the advertising agencies in the country. The reason has always been that the facilities available in the country do not offer the high quality demand of most advertisers.

But the new facilities including a new drama production and editing studio will also serve musicians and moviemakers better. Also commissioned was the Pent House to address the accommodation challenge of members of staff who are always on shift duty to open the external radio station of the federal government as early as 5a.m. However, the new facilities, according to the Director-General, Mallam Abubakar Jijiwa, are geared towards realizing the 24-hour transmission target of the radio organization in the nearest future.

The event featured Information and Communication Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili and some former bosses of the external broadcasting outlet as well as the veteran broadcaster, Ambassador Segun Olusola among others.

In fact, the facilities were named after two former Directors of Voice of Nigeria. The Pent House was named after Alhaji Yaya Abubakar while the Music and Drama Recording studio was named after Aremo Taiwo Alimi; both were former Directors- General of the Voice of Nigeria. The Music and Drama Production studio was named after Professor J.O. Uruku who was represented by her daughter, Eno Uruku. The studio is an extension of the Taiwo Alimi recording studio, which is tagged Studio 9.

Prof. Akunyili thanked the VON Director General for what she termed "kind demonstration of true leadership" in recognizing the contributions of the past Directors General of the radio organisation and naming the facilities after them.

According to her, the facilities will enhance broadcasting at the Voice of Nigeria. Akunyili was happy that VON had identified with the re-branding project of the information ministry. She stressed that in rebranding the nation, efforts must be made towards re-branding key institutions in the country. She said when key institutions are re-branded, the nation's rebranding efforts would become tremendously fruitful. The new facilities, she said, underscored the fact that "Voice of Nigeria has fully re-branded itself."

The Minster insisted that the new facilities were the best in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to her, when all the facilities (including the new transmission studio in Abuja) are commissioned, VON will become a force to be reckoned with not only in Africa but also in international broadcasting.

Akunyili expressed satisfaction about the feedback she has been receiving concerning VON. "I receive commendation letters from different countries of the world on your services and it shows you are doing a great job because documents don't lie,'' she said.

She thanked the management and members of staff of the radio station for their hardwork and dedication to duties, which have inspired such international outpouring of commendations from across the world. Her words: "Only a selfless leader will honour his predecessors the way the present Director General has done."

Commenting further on Mallam Jijawa, she described him as a good leader. "We have a Director General that says my predecessor conceives an idea and I am going to actualise it and name it after him, such an attitude is rare. It is a true sign of good leadership.''

While commissioning the facilities, especially the Pent House, Akunyili urged the staff to use the tools to send out positive messages about their country. "We must tell the world the true stories about Nigeria because most of what you hear from foreign media are negative reports about the nation. "Nigeria is not the most corrupt country in the world; neither do we have the highest incidents of rape. We must tell the world the positive stories about our great country.''

She congratulated the duo of Alhaji Yaya Abubakar and Aremo Taiwo Alimi for the great honour bestowed on them.

Earlier, in his address of welcome, Jijawa had described the commissioning of the Musical and Drama Recording Studio, the 10 Compartment Editing Studio and the Penthouse as well as the state-of-the-art editing and news gathering gadgets, the mini museum which displayed some of the awards received by VON over the years as the results of massive renewal, renovation, regeneration and rehabilitation process embarked upon by the organisation in the last four years.

The rehabilitation of the Pent House, he said, became necessary "because of the shift-staff would need a place to stay when they work odd hours in order to meet up with the 24 hours broadcasting regime of the station, as they will have to resume at 5.a.m everyday.

According to him, the Music and Drama studios will be used for musical recordings. VON will be able to escape all the copyright issues that accompanied musical usage by composing its own music and recording them through the use of its digital studio. The studio will also be available for musicians and moviemakers.

Speaking further on facilities, Alhaji Jijiwa said all desks and offices in VON could now boast of modern computers with Internet facilities. He used the occasion to announce that VON has contracted and is now test running the largest most modern and digitally compliant radio transmitting project in Africa at Lugbe, Abuja, which is 98 per cent complete.

He also disclosed that the media organization had acquired the rotating antenna technology. Alhaji Jijawa said this technology allows VON to rotate its antenna and beam signals to any region of the world with the touch of a button.

He also said the VON would add more languages to its list. Right now the station broadcast in eight languages: Arabic, English, French, Fulufude, Swahili, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba. But efforts, he stated, were being made to add Portuguese, German, Mandarin, Chinese and Hindi.

In an emotional speech in response to the honour done to him, former VON Director General, Alhaji Yaya Abubakar thanked Mallam Jijiwa for remembering his contributions to VON. He however said the honour was not meant for him alone but for all the past Directors-General of VON who were not present at the occasion. His words: "We must remember that all of them have contributed in one-way or the other to the success story of VON."

Chief Taiwo Alimi on his own part said he was socked to hear the news that the studio would be named after him. He expressed gratitude to Mallam Jijiwa, management and the staff of VON who have considered it worthy to honour their past leaders. He concluded that those who honour others would themselves be honoured. He thanked the Minister of Information, Prof. Akunyili for her support for VON. Also, he had kind words for the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information for what he termed "his dedication to the development of the media sector in Nigeria."

EKO ATLANTIC CITY: HOW FEASIBLE?

By Yemi Olakitan  

The proposed Eko Atlantic City has had everyone babbling or talking since the Lagos State Government announced its plan to transform the Bar Beach areas into a mighty city within Lagos state. The huballoo created by the project is to be expected, judging from the experiences of residents along the Bar beach vicinity who have suffered persistent ocean surge along the Bar Beach coastal areas until the former state Governor; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought succour to the people by building a lengthy dam that permanently ended the relentless Ocean surges.

Many are excited about the Eko Atlantic City project. Some are sceptical. While some people have lauded the plan as a good step in the right direction, others have criticised it and looked at it like a white elephant project that might not be attainable. Some have even described the project as a possible gateway to disaster such as the much publicised tsunamis and hurricane Rita of the United States. No matter how experts have tried to explain the enourmous benefits of the project, some are still fearful, doubtful or disapproving.

The sheer magnitude of this project has left many people in wonderment. Some commentators have even said that government would soon abandon the idea.

The City is among other things, expected to have residential structures, first Class hotels, restaurants, architectural edifices that might serve as tourists’ destinations for the rest of the world. It is expected to boast of numerous commercial, financial and holliday havens; making the city a hot cake for the property and investment market in the country. This is however, the 21 st Century and Nigeria is catching up fast with the rest of the world, so there is every possibility that the project is attainable like the Tunapa project of Governor Donald Duke.

In a chat with news men on the various concerns of critics and commentators; Lagos state Commissioner for Lagos State Water Front and infrastructural Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru gave assurance that there would be no negative environmental effects as a result of the project. He said; all scientific calculations and investigations have already been concluded. The commissioner said the state Government has also worked on the Environmental Impact Assessment, (EIA) because of the size of the project. The Commissioner hinted that the Eko Atlantic City will be as big as the present day Victoria Island. Speaking further on the project; the commissioner said the city is targeting 250,000 residents and 200,000 commuters flowing to the island on a daily basis for work or relaxation. The commissioner said, if such cities can be built on deserts and seas in other parts of the world, it is possible to achieve the same in Nigeria.

The benefits of the projects are innumerable to mention. One is the creation of thousands of jobs for Lagosians and Nigerians as a whole. The City when completed will also attract businessmen and tourists. It will bring investment to Lagos state and create opportunities for the citizens. The Lagos beaches are presently being used for criminal activities; prostitutes, miscreants, pickpockets and the likes have made the beaches their dwelling place. A project such as this will eradicate its present status and turn our shores into a place of recreational beauty, promoting business and noble objectives.

Another question on everyone’s lips is how the state Government will fund such a big project? Is the Lagos State Government counting on the federal Government to fund this ambitious project? The face off between the Federal Government under the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and the former Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the local government fund is still fresh in memory.

The Lagos state Government however said the project will be financed entirely by private initiative.

Eko Atlantic City will be sponsored and promoted by the Chagoury Group. The Chagoury group is the leading Construction and Property Company in West Africa. The group is heavily involved in dredging, land reclamations and infrastructural developments. It is the owner of the biggest Hotel in the state; Eko Hotel and suites and has experienced architectural, building and construction Engineers and Scientists, who are well trained on such projects. The Chagoury Group are not new to such projects, currently, the group are reported to be involved in the development of two major projects; Banana Island in Ikoyi which is a residential complex on reclaimed land of approximately 1.8 million square meters and Eko Akete, an infrastructural development of approximately 400 hectares and 30 km from Victoria Island. The Chagoury Group seems to have the right credentials and experience for the enourmous Eko Atlantic City project.

On the modus operandi, Honourable Commissioner for Lagos State Water Front and infrastructural Development, Prince Adesegun Oniru said, the sand on the beach will be taken back to where it was formerly in the 50s and 60s about 5km back into the ocean. The commissioner said as soon as the land is reclaimed both foreign and local investors will be invited for allocation. He added that the investors will be given a deadline to develop their land because failure to do so within a given timeframe will lead to forfeiture of the allocated land. The project, as reported, will be carried out in phases. Structures on the land will be available in the next five to seven years as planned by the state government and its private developer.

Media reports said the design of the Eko Atlantic City includes protective breakwaters on its outer perimeter to provide shelter from the oceans waves. According to the Chagoury Group, the breakwater will be designed as a submerged and immerged wall utilizing advanced X-blocs which are enourmous X shaped concrete blocks designed to dissipate energy from the waves. The land itself will be reclaimed through a sand filling, concrete and rocks filling that will create a strong foundation for the structures that will be put in place.

Eko Atlantic City, instead of being a potential disaster as many thought, will keep the Bar Beach Ocean surge permanently eradicated and turns the beach into a paradise city. On this note, The Lagos state Governor, Babatunde Fashola has began promoting his new dream for Lagos state. The state Governor was reportedly present at “This Day Special international Summit’ which was held in New York, USA. The Governor led the drive for investors’ participation in the Lagos of his dream at the summit which was titled: Nigeria Meets the World: Turning Challenges into Opportunities. Reports say, the issue of the Lagos Mega City project was discussed and investors were encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.

Eko Atlantic City is part of a bigger project; the Lagos state Mega city Project. Part of which is the development of Badagry and the creation of a link between it and the rest of the state. This will include a modern transportation system. The Mega city Project also includes the provision of infrastructure, mass housing, creation of employment and tourism as well as the creation of Eko Atlantic City.

In the final analysis, great economies are been run today through private participation and involvement. The state and the Federal government do not have all the resources nor the expertise to transform a developing economy into what it should be or what it can become. They may have the idea and the concepts. It is only through the involvement of the private sector that goals and visions can be achieved and fully realised. A government that claim a monopoly of knowledge and resources can not do well in the new generation of advanced economy and development. By involving private investment it is most feasible that the Lagos state Government will achieve its lofty objectives of transforming Lagos state into and haven of business opportunities and tourism.

The Guardian wins Newspaper, Editor of the Year

The Guardian wins Newspaper, Editor of the Year  Monday, November 23, 2009 - Lawrence Njoku (Enugu), Wole Shadare, Debo Oladimeji and Yemi Olakitan

THE Guardian's leadership position as Nigeria's flagship in newspapering was re-affirmed on Saturday night by the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) Foundation which named it the best newspaper of the year 2008. It is the newspaper group's umpteenth win in that category. The newspaper's editor, Mr. Debo Adesina, also beat two other nominees, Steve Ayorinde of The Punch and Simon Kolawale of ThisDay Newspapers to emerge the Editor of the Year. A Senior Correspondent of the newspaper, Chukwuma Muanya, also bagged the Ernest Ikoli Prize for the Best Newspaper Reporter of the Year after beating two other nominees, who included his colleague in The Guardian, Debo Oladimeji and Dipo Kehinde of Punch Newspapers. But the event, which took place at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu, was nearly marred by the long delay in its take-off as the organisers waited for the arrival of the Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, to no avail. There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media. Other winners were Olushola Fabiyi who won the Abubakar Imam Prize for Features Writer of the Year, the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the year was won by Lateef Ololade of Punch Newspapers while the News-Photographer of the year was won by Lukman Ajisegiri of Tell Magazine. The UBA prize for Money Market Reporting went to Salife Adejoko of National Life Newspapers. Editorial Writing of the Year award was won by The Punch while Louis Odion of National Life bagged the Columnist of the Year award. The Telecommunications Reporter of the year awards, which was sponsored by MTN, went to Seun Igbalode of IT and Telecom Digest. The Agriculture Reporter of the year award was given to Stella Sawyer of TELL Magazine while the Oyinlola Prize for Culture and Tourism went to Sina Fadare of Champion Newspapers. The Bashorun MKO Abiola Prize for Sports Reporter went to Okereochi Chikodi of Broad Street Journal and the Capital Market Reporter of the year went to Emmanuel Uffot. The Political Reporter of the Year award was given to Anayochukwu Agbo of TELL Magazine. The Environment Reporter of the year award went to Temitayo Sanyaolu of TELL Magazine. The banking and Finance award went to Raymond Mordi of Broad Street Journal. Sola Alabadan of Daily Independent received the Insurance Reporter of the Year award. The Cartoonist of the Year award went to Azeez Sanni of The Nation. Wale Alabi received the CRS Reporter of the year award. The Business Reporter of the year award went to Manuaka Tony of BSJ while the energy Correspondent Reporter of the year was Chucks Isiwu. Other major awards in the electronic section include Radio Production of the Year, which went to Shola Solanke, Radio Programme of the Year went to Abiodun Bannola. The Radio Station of the Year was Rhythm 93.7 while the Television Reporter of the Year was given to Deji Badmus. This year, the media sector in Africa celebrates 50 years of television broadcasting in Nigeria. Channels Television took the Television Station of the Year award. Most of the award winners went home with computer laptops, cash prizes, and a book-- Democracy Watch-- written by former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh. The NMMA was inaugurated in December 1990 to celebrate and reward media excellence. The objectives of NMMA have been sustained and achieved through the years. Lagos was the official host of the awards in the early years. It was later decided that the yearly award ceremony should go round the various states of the federation on the advice of the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the Grand Patron of the NMMA. Guests were seated at about 6.00 p.m. when the event was billed to begin and waited till 10.30 p.m., when members of the committee decided to call off the opening ceremony activities to go into the award presentations. Attempts by government officials present, including Secretary to the State government, Martin Ilo, Chief of Staff, Ifeoma Nwobodo and some commissioners to stand in for the governor were rebuffed by the organisers. When finally the event started, some guests had left. Announcing the awards at the 19th edition of the NMMA held in Enugu, Chairman of the 2009 Award Nominating Panel, Prince Tony Momoh, one of Nigeria's foremost journalists, lawyer and renowned media manager, said The Guardian's in-depth reportage, fairness and reach marks it as the best in the country, stressing that the paper had truly lived up to its name as the leader in the industry to win the Babatunde Jose Prize. The newspaper, he said, had maintained high standards, stressing that it met the requirements and satisfaction of the 25-man nominating committee for this year's award. Describing Debo Adesina as a high-profile editor, who had in 2005 and 2006 won the Dele Giwa Prize for the Best Editor of the Year, Momoh said that Adesina has continually distinguished himself since he became the youngest editor in the country then at the age of 27, just about four years after joining The Guardian stable in 1988. Board Chairman of NMMA, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, a newspaper columnist of note, popularly known as Allah De, while explaining the activities of the organisation so far, said the event was created to promote excellence in the Nigeria media and foster unity, stressing that despite all odds, it had been sustained.

Craig, ace broadcaster, dies at 60

By Chuks Nwanne and Yemi Olakitan,published in the Guardian Newspapers ONE of Nigeria's foremost sports journalists, Yinka Craig, is no more. He passed on after a long battle with lymphoma, cancer of the immune system, the ace broadcaster, died yesterday at 60.  According to David Olamide Craig, a member of his family, the AM Express presenter on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) died at 6 a.m. yesterday in Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America (USA).  Survived by his wife, Dr. Kehinde Craig, his sons, Olayinka and Olamide and his only daughter, Temilola, the late Craig was a pioneer radio and television broadcaster, sports journalist extra-ordinary and a national icon. Medical experts described Craig's ailment as "cancer of the lymphatic system, which is a network of tubes, glands and organs that are parts of the body's defence against infection. The broadcaster is said to have started the battle with the infection about one and half years ago. His close associates expressed shock over his passage. Femi Jarret, renowned music promoter and actor, exclaimed: "Oh God! I'm just hearing. He had been in the U.S. for treatment and we were hopeful that he would regain his health..." To the head of Creative Arts Department, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Duro Oni, "Craig's passage is unfortunate. No more comments for now." "I'm in shock actually," reacted Bayo Ogori, one of Craig's producers on the AM breakfast show. "Was he sick? I've not been around for a while. This is a great loss to the media profession. Craig was a thorough professional, very friendly, charming and nice person to work with. It is a great loss!" Ogori mourned. In the view of the renowned cinematographer, Tunde Kelani, "it is a terrible loss. Craig was a friend, a colleague and he was very knowledgeable about so many things. Highly devoted and he loved his profession with a passion." The former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Malam Danladi Bako, described Craig's death as "a very great loss. He remains one of the most effervescent, most professional, and most irrepressible broadcasters Nigeria ever produced. He knew a bit about everything and everything about a bit. He could discuss anything from quantum physics to cerebral malaria to David Bwie or Graham Central Station. He remains a quintessential gentleman. I knew him since 1977 at NTA: my office was porter cabin 8A while his was 9A; we were very, very close."  The Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, yesterday described Craig's passage as a great loss not only to the media industry but Nigeria as a whole. Daniel said in a statement issued on his behalf by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Wale Adedayo: "The late broadcaster could be counted among the first 11in doing the nation proud in his chosen profession. "Yinka Craig's passion, professionalism and sense of patriotism in a profession that prides itself as epitome of quality service was almost without equal." The governor prayed that the Almighty God would grant his family, colleagues and friends the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Craig had been diagnosed with cancer since last year; and had been receiving treatment at an American hospital for months. He hailed from Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Craig spent the better part of his 60 years of life in radio and television broadcasting, running oft-innovative programmes - from sports to Weekend Newsline, to morning magazine programmes -warming viewers' hearts with his inimitable style of presentation, genteel humour and a characteristic toothy smile. His 40 years in broadcasting, from the days of the old Western Nigerian Broadcasting Service (WNBS), is almost as old as the history of broadcasting in independent Nigeria, and certainly synonymous with it. Throughout his journalism career, Craig was regarded by many as a mentor and role model. He had numerous admirers in nearly all areas of human endeavour in Nigeria.  His humour and good nature will be missed in many events where the list would not be complete without his name. Younger media men who have worked under him would remember Craig as the man, who helped them cut their teeth, especially in sports journalism. He was amiable and easy-going. His presence was dignifying as he carried himself with so much respect. Former Sports Manager of NTA and Craig's boss then, Fabio Lanipekun, described his death as a great loss. Lanipekun, said Craig was the most accomplished all-rounder broadcaster the nation ever produced. "If he were to be the citizen of any other country, he would be celebrated. "There was no programme he could not handle and he gave joy to millions of people. May his soul rest in peace." Waheed Olagunju, Craig's junior colleague at NTA, believed that his death would give him the needed rest, "it is very painful, very painful indeed. He was my boss at NTA. "It is very sad, but it is also good that he is resting. We just thank God for his life, the last few months have not been easy, but what can we say but to thank God for his life." Akinloye Oyebanji another junior colleague of Craig at the NTA described his death as a serious blow. "He was a thoroughbred professional who was always thinking ahead. "He was always talking about broadcasting, even when he was ill, he has been thinking about programme, which he promised would shake the world when it eventually came out."

Ola Rotimi's Kurunmi comes alive at National Theatre

By Yemi Olakitan

FOREMOST playwright and dramatist, late Prof. Ola Rotimi is set to come alive on stage as the National Arts Theater puts finishing touches for the production of one his finest plays, Kurunmi. Directed by ace theater director and veteran journalist, Ben Tomoloju, the play will be staged on December 22 and would run through January 1 at the National Arts Theatre Cinema Halls.

Tomoloju said the National Troupe is set to provide the best form of theatre entertainment to the Nigerian audience this Christmas season. He said the National Theater had been in the habit of running a series of theatre productions for many years as part of its statutory duties; staging numerous productions for entertainment and enlightenment purposes in order to maintain our national theater heritage.

As part of activities designed for this season, Tomoloju said, the National Theatre and the National Troupe picked the play to maintain and continue this laudable tradition.

Tomoloju is the Guest Director of the production. He has been in the vanguard of promoting arts and culture in Nigeria. He had staged numerous plays and toured various parts with several productions. He has walked in various capacities as an arts journalist and a representative of Nigeria in many international cultural engagements. Reputed to be one of the most experienced theater arts practitioners in the country, he has written and directed plays such as Jankariwo, Askari among others.

The Play Kurunmi is an historical tragedy written by Ola Rotimi.

Kurumi is an African Chief of the18th century Yoruba Kingdom. He was a war General who fought a war to maintain a dying tradition. He refused to allow time to change the tradition of his people in which a prince must die with his father, despite all entities from fellow chiefs. He went to war with the crowned prince and eventually died on the battlefield, losing the war and committing suicide. Kurumi is both a sojourn through our cultural heritage and a lesson in human relationships and peaceful co-existence. Perhaps the lesson in Kurunmi is that change is the only tradition that can stand forever.

The cast and character in the play include Kurunmi, the protagonist, played by renown actor Wale Macaulay, while Philip Okolo is played by Kurunmi's war Commander, Balogun Ogunkoroju, Dokubo plays Balogun Ibikunle of Ibadan, Alji Bello plays Timi of Ede, Albert Akaise plays Bashorun Ibikunle, Victor Oyadiji plays Bashorun Shomoye of Egba. The female actresses are Kehinde Adeyemo; Yemi Adeyemo, a veteran theatre artiste is performing as Kujeyo.

The Director of Production is Mr. Biodun Abey and the stage Manager, Mr. Bayo Bifarin, supported by other members of the technical crew of the National Theater and the National

Troupe.

According to Tomoloju, the National Theatre, who are the facilitators of the production, is sponsoring the project. They handle the costume, sets design, lightings and publicity. He said the National Theatre hopes to use such productions to harness the skills of professional in the Theater and also give young Theater enthusiasts an opportunity to groom their talents. Many interns are part of the cast and crew.

He added that the production has encouraged the process of internship with the use of undergraduates and fresh graduates of the arts as a result of large number of cast and crew required. He said the production could effectively accommodate a 100 cast. While the playwright Ola Rotimi accounted for 50 members of cast in the play, directorial interpretations have found out that some characters are not accounted for. The director said the audience should expect a lot of innovation in the casting, which includes multiple roles and a play on backdrops and sets. He hopes also to integrate the audience and the stage into a community so that what the audience will see will be like a village square performance.

Another look at the Nigerian Media Merit Awards

By Yemi Olakitan,

Published in the Guardian Newspapers of Monday, December 07, 2009   

ALTHOUGH the hospitality rendered by the Enugu State Government during the recently held Nigerian Media Merit Awards, NMMA should be commended. However, one cannot ignore the seemingly uncoordinated reception given to members of the media.

Firstly, it was not impressive to weave such an event around the personality of the State Governor, Sullivan Iheanacho Chime whose absence almost disrupted the event held at the Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu. Similarly, State Government officials should make adequate preparations for such events in the future and ensure that there is always a plan-B.

According to Mr.Yemi Akeju, Managing Director, Ideas Communications, it was important to look retrospectively at the annual event and restrategize. This, according to him, will lead to a better NMMA for all. It is therefore, very crucial to look at the event with a view to learning from it.

Governor Chime was scheduled to attend the NMMA awards and to "preside" over the opening ceremony.

As reported, pleas by the state officials that the deputy governor, Chief Sunday Onyebushi or some other officials be allowed to represent Governor Chime was reportedly turned down by the organizers, who insisted that only the governor could preside over the ceremony.

Scheduled to commence by 6pm, it was delayed till 1O.15pm as organizers waited endlessly for the Governor to arrive. The event later kicked off without the Governor: the opening ceremony was skipped, while some of the guests left; guests waited till about 2 a.m. and witnessed a rushed ceremony.

There were conflicting reports on the state of health of the Governor as many said he could not attend because of his health. There were also unconfirmed reports that he was poisoned at another event. Whatever the truth of the matter was, it was clear that the state government did not plan a flawless event.

Aside the absence of the governor, signs of improper planning started showing on Friday when journalists were taken round the state to have a first hand coverage of the State Government's various projects.

This exercise was cut short when it was discovered that officials at some of the places visited were not aware that such visitors were coming. At one of the venues, journalists were barred from taken pictures. The angry journalists eventually demanded to be taken back to their hotel rooms, as it was apparent that the state government did not inform most of the officials at the designated projects sites about the tour. They were able to visit only a handful of places as against the usual practice.

However, some other parts of the programme went on smoothly. Highlights were Chairman NMMA board of trustees who was also the Chairman of the Nigerian Press council, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, who spoke extensively at the event. He said the aim of the Nigerian Media Merit Awards is to promote excellence in the media and foster unity in the society at large.

Alhaji Odunewu added that despite odds, the organization had successfully sustained the award since its inception. He recalled that the first 10 editions were held in Lagos where there was a large concentration of the media, but that at the investiture of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as Grand Patron of NMMA, he (Obasanjo) suggested that the event should rotate to different states of the federation. Odunewu said Enugu was chosen because of its position as the former capital city of Eastern zone.

Winners of the 19th edition of the award were The Guardian Newspapers, which bagged the Newspaper of the Year as its editor, Debo Adesina, won the Editor of the Year, just as The Punch Newspaper won the prize in Editorial writing.

There were 47 awards in all, 35 in print, six in radio and six in television media. Some of the winners were Olushola Fabiyi who won the Abubakar Imam Prize for Features Writer of the Year; Lateef Ololade of Punch Newspapers, the Olu Aboderin Prize for Entertainment Reporter of the year; Lukman Ajisegiri of Tell Magazine News-Photographer of the year. The UBA prize for Money Market Reporting went to Salife Adejoko of National Life Newspapers; Louis Odion of National Life, the Columnist of the Year award.

The NMMA Chairman congratulated the Awardees and reminded them of one of their roles as the conscience of the nation and leaders and promoters of democracy. He stressed that the media should work to ensure that the election of 2010, move the country forward.

_Chairman of Award Nominating Panel and former Minister of Information, prince Tony Momoh said the panel received 695 entries for the 47 categories of awards for the print, radio and television. He said entries were assessed by 24 subcommittee members before the final recommendations to the board of trustees, and stressed that the board of trustees has the final say on who wins.

Momoh lamented the falling standard of journalism, which he attributed to a drift of experienced professionals. These journalists, he noted like to move to Public Relations, corporate affairs as soon as they make name.

This year, the media sector in Africa celebrates 50 years of television broadcasting in Nigeria while Channels Television took the Television Station of the Year award. Most of the award winners went home with computer laptops, cash prizes, and a book-- Democracy Watch-- written by former Minister of Information and Culture, Prince Tony Momoh.

The NMMA was inaugurated in December 1990 to celebrate and reward media excellence. The Enugu edition was the 19th edition. The NMMA have been hosted by numerous state Governments in the past. Some of them are Kwara state,Osun state, Bauchi state, Rivers state, Kano state and the federal capital territory.

MEET IHUOMA, THE NEW INSURANCE QUEEN

THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY FURTUNE ON APRIL 10, 2009
POSTED UNDER: NEWS, culled from the Guardian Newspapers,Lagos,Nigeria

Meet Ihuoma, the new insurance queen
By Yemi Olakitan

THE recently celebrated 50th anniversary of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), which was held amidst pomp and pageantry, also witnessed the crowning of Miss Insurance 2009.

The beauty pageant, which was part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the institute, was a gathering of who is who in the Nigerian insurance sector.

The event, which was held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, was designed to identify the insurance sector with fashion, beauty and entertainment. Organisers of the event hoped that the pageant would make positive statements and remove much of the mystery behind insurance. It was also a way of celebrating the achievements of the insurance sector in Nigeria.

Contestants who participated in this year’s pageant were from different insurance companies in the country, with Miss Brenda Ihuoma Nwakama of Scib Nigeria Limited emerging the winner.

A native of Abia State, Ihuoma is a graduate of Public Administration from the Enugu State University of Technology. She is an Account Executive with Scib Nigeria Limited in Lagos.

Ihuoma, who joined Scib as a member of the National Youth Service Corps in Abuja, was later posted to Lagos as a staff of the company.

Speaking in an interview, Miss Nwakama said she was elated to have won the competition. She said she had always known that she would become a beauty queen one day, but did not suspect that it would be within the insurance industry. She expressed her deep appreciation to the staff and management of Scib for their moral and financial support, which enabled her win the competition.

Speaking further on her celebrated victory, Ihuoma said she will use her tenure as the new Miss Insurance for the year 2009 to pursue her pet projects, which include; creating awareness concerning the numerous insurance policies within the Nigerian insurance sector by partnering with members of the print and electronic media. She also wished to use her reign to promote corporate governance, also known as due process within the insurance sector.

She said she would endeavour to sensitise the insurance community on their social responsibility to the less privileged, the motherless and the poor in the society. Ihuoma plans to work together with all stakeholders within the sector. She hoped to work with the Insurers Association of Nigeria, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria with support from her company Scib Nigeria & Company.

This queen is not new to the beauty pageant sector, having participated in various competitions in the past. She participated in the Prettiest Girl in Nigeria pageant organised by Phemy Concepts, an entertainment company in Lagos. She was also the winner of Miss Rotaract Nigeria 2005/2006, organised by the Rotary Club of Nigeria. Ihuoma was also Miss Rotaract, Enugu State University of Technology. She was also the district winner of the pageant before she went ahead to win it at the national level. Ihuoma was also, Miss Scib; a competition she won at her company’s new year party held in Lagos last December.

Ihuoma went home with the grand prize of a Kia Picanto car as the winner of the Miss Insurance beauty pageant. The car was donated by Goldlink Insurance Plc.

Speaking on the relevance of the pageant to the insurance sector and Scib Nigeria & Company Limited, Head, Human Resources Department, Miss Adeyemi Aderemi, said the pageant is a vehicle for youth development, growth and opportunity. She said it was important for the insurance sector to identify with other areas of human endeavour such as fashion, beauty, and entertainment because insurance is related to all aspects of human life.

She said Scib was proud to be the winner of this year’s competition, having emerged second runner up in last year’s competition.

Scib Nigeria & Company is an insurance broking and risk management firm based in Lagos. The company, which has been operating in the insurance sector for about 30 years, is a partner of Willis, an insurance firm based in the United Kingdom.