With Exquisites, Orhonor finds a voice for pots

By Yemi Olakitan
Published in The Guardina Newspapers
Friday, December 18th 2009

ALTHOUGH she is not trained in the art of pottery, her love for this genre of sculpture makes her an emerging name in the business of decorative pot.

The art promoter, Lovett Orhonor, recently held another exhibition titled Exquisites at the Moor House, Ikoyi, Lagos, where pots of various sizes and designs were on display to the admiration of art lovers, who visited the show.

Speaking about her new set of pots, Orhronor said her inspiration comes from a sense of deep respect for arts and culture, adding that her team of potters assisted in producing the pots.

She was hopeful that all lovers of creative art would find their choice in the body of work on display.

According to her, this work can be used to beatify public places, homes, hospitals, hotels, schools, and offices. They are especially relevant in the Christmas seasons because they can be given out as gifts.

"Sometimes, you want to stand out from the crowd in the season of goodwill, and there's no better way than with unusual Christmas gifts. If you're looking forward to pleasing a person you love, you need some unusual gift ideas for your Christmas shopping list and there are plenty of unusual Christmas gifts to choose from right here at our exhibition of Exquisite Decorative Clay Pots and Designs.

"The best gifts are those that serve as a memorial; last beyond the seasons in which they are given. This is one area the African spirit of excellence and beauty has been expressed," she said.

She noted,''hampers and the regular gifts have become very boring. A lot of people and organisations can't find gifts worthy as presents for friends, family and clients. Thus the best gift is an artwork that speaks creative languages.''

Orhonor said the pots were made of total clay as the raw materials were imported from Ghana and Togo, arguing that Nigerian clay is sandy and salty and cannot be used for such creative arts. "They cannot be used to produce high quality pots. Some of the raw materials include radia and cowries shells."

Orhonor is a graduate of Mathematics from the University of Caliber and worked with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for about seven years before she quit the job to work in the arts business.

This was as a result of her passion for the arts. She has staged similar shows in Port Harcourt, Abuja and in several venues in Lagos.

She was invited by the Nigerian Tourism Development Commission (NTDC) to showcase her works at the presidential Villa, Abuja alongside other notable Nigerian artists.

The exhibition in Port Harcourt, she recalled attracted an impressive art collectors from various works of life because of the uniqueness of the presentations.

Other past exhibitions were at the IBB Golf Club and the DiDi Museum, Terra Kulture Victoria lsland, Lagos.

She hoped that her company Honeycomb Resource Services Limited would do more shows in the future.

For the entertainment industry, Kennis Music partners Ben TV

For the entertainment industry, Kennis Music partners Ben TV

By Tony Nwanne and Yemi Olakitan
published by the Guardian Nespapers
Thursday, November 12, 2009

KENNIS Communication, the parent company of Kennis Music, has entered into a partnership with United Kingdom-base Bright Entertainment Network (BEN TV). According to the Chief Executive Officer of Kennis, Kenny Ogungbe, the synergy between the two outfits is aimed at placing Nigerian artistes on international platform, as well as showcasing culturally inclined activities.

"With this strong initiative, most of our contents here will be broadcast live in UK, so that Nigerians in the diaspora will feel our local contents over there too. Different genres of songs that depict our cultures will be played through Kennis music on BEN TV for UK viewers".

From being credited as the major catalyst that bridges the gap and keeping the African communities informed of issues and events in the continent, BEN TV, today, has become a media force to reckon with in the UK.

Under the agreement announced recently in Lagos, the London based music channel would broadcast content from Kennis television for more than four hours every day. The new arrangement would provide Kennis with the opportunity of marketing and distributing their products across Europe. On the other hand, Kennis would also provide windows for the broadcast of the TV station's content on terrestrial and cable stations across Nigeria.

Speaking on the partnership, the CEO of BEN TV, Alistair Soyode said, "along with an extensive co-production deal, the two companies would also distribute, market and see to each other's affairs in the country where they are individually based. BEN TV will co- produce with Kennis Europe, content, and manage concerts and events, while Kennis will represent BEN TV in collaboration with the Lagos office in Nigeria in the aspect of marketing, production and Events."

Speaking further on the partnership, Ogungbe said Dr. Sowode has done a lot in promoting Nigerian entertainment abroad. A member of the committee on re-branding Nigeria, Dr. Sowode is passionate about promoting positive messages about Nigerians and de-emphasing the negative reports of foreign media. He said Ben TV gives the most accurate information about Nigeria to the outside world. This information is spread across all aspects of life through news and current affairs, talk shows, documentary, movies and musical videos. ''This partnership would help both companies to take Nigerian artistes to the next level by introducing Nigerian artistes to larger markets.'' he said.

Dr. Sowode, on his part, said both companies would also work together on other areas such as programming. He said the companies have been able to generate numerous ideas since they began discussion. He also said there would also be major concerts across Europe so that the artistes can also be seen on stage in addition to the screens.

One of the most versatile and consistent outfit in the Nigerian entertainment industry, Kennis Communication recently made a loud appearance on Satellite Channels HI TV, and Daar Sat, and has a wide reach which covers more than 15 states in Nigeria.

How graft hurts development, by Gambia's CJ, Soyinka, others

How graft hurts development, by Gambia's CJ, Soyinka, others
From Lemmy Ughegbe (Abuja), Yemi Olakitan and Helen Amajo (Lagos)

TWO principal officers of The Gambian judiciary joined the unending debate on whether or not to expunge Section 308 of Nigeria's 1999 Constitution, which provides immunity from prosecution for the President, Vice President, governors and their deputies.

Speaking with reporters in Abuja on the fight against corruption, the Chief Justice of The Gambia, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Esther Awo Ota, said corruption and embezzlement accounted for the slow pace of development in Nigeria.

The duo, who are Nigerians, blamed Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution for corruption and looting of public treasury as they identified the shield thereof as a big incentive for its beneficiaries to fearlessly embezzle public funds.

In Lagos, Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and others spoke in a similar vein, warning of the dangers ahead if the problem was not sincerely tackled urgently. Soyinka's remarks were made at a ceremony in honour of former EFCC Chairman, Malam Nuhu Ribadu.

Agim said whereas immunity clause was not altogether bad, it should only be in place against civil action and not on issues of crime and corruption.

He said although it would serve national interest best to expunge the criminal immunity, "it is impossible."

He remarked: "Who are those to remove the immunity? The beneficiaries of the immunity themselves. They will never let go of their immunity. So, that they will be vulnerable to arrest and prosecution."

Also, Ota said: "The main problem facing Nigeria in the battle against corruption is the immunity clause provided under Section 308 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999. By that section, the leaders know they are already protected before they go into office and so what is stopping them from stealing public funds?

"The immunity is unnecessary because it places corrupt leaders above the law. It is my view that once the immunity clause is removed from the Constitution, our leaders who hitherto looted public treasury brazenly will be careful about stealing public funds they are meant to hold in trust and administer for the common good of the people. I see no reason why there should be immunity for any public office holder if we are to show that nobody is above the law; the immunity clause clearly show that some sets of Nigerians are above the law and that is not even good for the national psyche."

Justice Ota advised the adoption of The Gambian style of immunity, which she said, had helped the country to combat corruption and reduced it to its barest minimum.

Her words: " Immunity in The Gambia is qualified in that there is immunity from civil actions, but as far as it relates to issues of crime or corrupt practices, there is no immunity as you are made to answer for it immediately."

The Nobel laureate, speaking at the award of the Anti-Corruption Defender Award to Ribadu organised by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism and supported by the Dutch Embassy in Nigeria, said there was a massive wave of cheating and corruption in the country.

Soyinka said all hands must be on deck to check the waves of corruption. He referred to reports that over-aged football players were allowed to play for the national team during the Under-17 World Cup hosted by Nigeria. He said this was another clear signal that corruption was still alive and well.

The professor demanded an investigation into the matter. He said those who are responsible for such display of dishonesty must be punished and made to pay the price for their irresponsibility. He asked: "What message are we passing across to the younger ones and the next generation?

Soyinka also disclosed that the journalist who reported the matter has been receiving calls from Nigerians who accused him of being unpatriotic.

But Soyinka said: ''The question is should we be patriotic in dishonesty?"

The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, Aire C.A. van der Wiel, also spoke extensively on corruption in Nigeria and urged the to people to eradicate the malice which has eaten deep into the national life. He, however, noted that corruption was not an only a Nigerian problem but a problem of humanity.

In a joint statement, the Centre; Socio-Economic Rights & Accountability Project (SERAP); Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC); Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), and Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), which made up the award jury, named Ribadu as "our own equivalent of Amnesty International's Prisoner of Conscience and individual at risk."

It went on: "This is an exceptional gathering for an even more exceptional man. Today, the world celebrates the International Anti-Corruption Day, and we consider it a special day to celebrate the courage and commitment of a man who despite obvious personal risks, decided to say 'enough is enough', and to give his all to the fight against corruption in Nigeria."

The groups also called "on the Nigerian authorities to immediately withdraw all politically-motivated charges against Mr. Ribadu, and stop using constitutional authority and the machinery of the state to harass, intimidate and victimise him. The Nigerian authorities must publicly guarantee Ribadu's safety and security; and grant him full citizenship rights."

According to the groups: "Mr. Ribadu was chosen for the Civil Society Anti-Corruption Defender Award for leading a courageous anti-corruption drive in Nigeria as a former Head of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and because of the persecution, harassment and intimidation he has endured and suffered and continues to suffer in the hands of the Nigerian authorities solely on the ground of his anti-corruption work. It is fair to say that today, no other individual has been so persecuted, harassed and intimidated.

"Mr. Ribadu provided outstanding leadership in fighting corruption at all levels of Nigerian life. He tracked down high and low-level officials. Mr. Ribadu recorded over 300 criminal convictions in four years, which included governors; ministers; members of parliament; bankers, and former Inspector-General of Police. He has recovered over $5 billion stolen public funds.

"Mr. Ribadu has endured many sacrifices since he was forced out of the EFCC, including two assassination attempts on his life, and his unlawful sack from the police. Persecuted at home, separated from his family; and lonely abroad, Mr. Ribadu is now paying the price for his commitment and his work as anti-corruption defender. But he remains a source of tremendous inspiration for all anti-corruption and human rights defenders in our country. Mr. Ribadu is indeed our own equivalent of Amnesty International's Prisoner of Conscience and individual at risk. As such, he deserves recognition and better protection."

"Every government has the duty to bring to justice those responsible for crimes. But when people are subjected to unjust punishment and unfair trials, justice cannot be served. The unjust punishment Mr. Ribadu has received over the years demonstrates the Yar'Adua government's lack of respect for the rule of law and shows that the government is not genuinely committed to the fight against corruption. It is no surprise that Nigeria has performed very poorly in the Transparency International 2009 Corruption Perception Index, ranking 130th of the 180 countries surveyed."

Born November 11,1960, Ribadu graduated from the Nigerian Law School and was called to the Bar in 1984 before joining the Nigeria Police, where he rose to become head of the Legal and Prosecution Department, Police Headquarters, Abuja. His 18-year service in the Nigeria Police culminated in his appointment as the pioneer Chairman of EFCC by the former President Olusegun Obasanjo government in 2003.

Ribadu has been recipient of several awards, as a police officer, prosecutor and EFCC chairman. He received triple Inspector-General of Police Awards in 1997, 1998 and 2000 and the Special Commendation of the Accountant-General of the Federation for successfully prosecuting some corrupt public servants in 1999. Notable Nigerian newspapers, including ThisDay, The Sun, Leadership, Nigerian Tribune and NewAge, declared him Man of the Year in 2004 and 2005. On April 15, 2008, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) selected Ribadu for the Jit Memorial Award for Outstanding Public Service.

Meanwhile, human right crusaders assembled at the United Nations Information Centre, in Lagos yesterday to renew their campaign against human rights abuse worldwide.

The parley tagged, "Embracing Diversity and Ending Discrimination," was in commemoration of the International Human Rights Day.

In his speech, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon, whose message was delivered by UNIC's Officer-in-Charge, Nosa Osazuwa, said it was saddened to realize that no country was exonerated yet from human rights abuse.

Moon said discrimination is seen everywhere, in many forms, old and new, covert and blatant and in the public and private sectors. He added that discrimination may appear as institutionalised racism, ethnic strife, episodes of intolerance and rejection, or as an official national version of history that denies the identity of some others.

According to him, discriminatory attacks are usually launched at individuals and groups that are disabled, women and girls, the poor, migrants, minorities, and all those who are perceived as different.

Moo said these vulnerable people are frequently excluded from participating in the economic, political, cultural and social lives of their communities.

Enters, Nigeria: The future I see

published on Tuesday, November 17, 2009,
The Guardian Newspapers

Enters, Nigeria: The future I see
By Yemi Olakitan

LESS than a month after it was announced, African Artists Foundation (AAF)'s second national art competition has been receiving responses across the country.

This development, AAF Chairman, Mr. Azu Nwagbogu, said shows that Nigerian youths are aware of their artistic potentials and ready to explore them.

The competition, which is being organized in partnership with the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc "is reaching out to schools, art organisations, and international bodies nationwide."

To ensure that Nigerian youths make the best of this opportunity, Nwagbogu said: "some of the winning artists of last year's competition are also on a mission to spread the word in different parts of the country. One of AAF's curators Zainab Ashadu is currently at Abuja to meet with schools, organisations and the media."

The competition is opened to artists who are 30 years and below. The young artists are expected to submit an artwork inspired by the theme: Nigeria: The future I see.

These works are to be taken from four genres: new media, photography, painting and sculpture. They are to be submitted at any British Council office nationwide.

These works may also be submitted at Alliance Franaise and any Nigerian university campus. The artists are to ensure an acknowledgement is received after dropping the entry to ensure their entry is not lost. "All entries must be on CD/DVD formats," he said.

The competition carries a cash prize of N750, 000 each for four winners and instant catapult to fame would open up the four to numerous opportunities in the art sector across the nation and in the international community.

He said the foundation had concluded arrangements that would ensure that the winners derive the utmost benefit from wining the competition. One of them is a two weeks training workshops in which winners of the competition would be exposed to fresh ideas and techniques in creative art.

Project Coordinator, Chineye Olugazie said the NB Plc and the AAF are truly committed to making the competition national by assembling the best talents around, which is one of the major objectives of the AAF.

Mr. Vivian Ikem of NB Plc., traced his company's involvement in the competition to its determination to be socially responsible.

Ikem said the company is also involved in education, sports and culture sppnsorships.

While declaring that NB Plc is committed to sustaining the growth of arts and all artistic expressions in Nigeria, he noted that such sensitive areas are not left entirely in the hands of Federal and state governments.

"Only the private sector can effectively reach the grassroots and develop human resources and potentials to enviable standards,"

He added that the Nigerian Golden Pen Awards, which was organised for journalists, was designed to develop creativity and professionalism in the country.

At African media forum, experts push for improved content, structure

By Yemi Olakitan
Publishd in the Guardian Newspapers,
November 23rd, 2009

RECENTLY, more than 100 media practitioners gathered in Lagos under the umbrella of Africa Media Initiatives (AMI) to discuss issues concerning media development in the continent.

The forum, which attracted delegates from 48 countries, held at the Federal Palace Hotel and the Civic Center, Lagos.

Keynotes at the forum were by the famous ABC Nightline anchor, Mr. Ted Koppel; Co founder of Huffinghton Post in the US, Arianna Huffinghton and publisher of the Next Newspapers, Dele Olojede, as well as the Dean of Medil School of Journalism, John Lavine.

The forum built on the outcome of the first, which, among other things, called for the development of a charter structure to guide the work of African Media Leaders Forum.

It also reflected on the commitment of media owners to seek common ground on problems and prospects of the industry.

The platform also looked at common problem solving methods, alongside high profile advocacy for an enabling macro-economic and socio political environment in which media institutions could thrive.

Some other issues discussed include the possible future and the practice of journalism in Africa in an age of radical media and technological change, drawing examples from other parts of the world.

While it envisioned and pinpointed new media business models, the forum considered the evolving media development and possibilities of financing the ventures it engenders. It also linked the overall governance agenda in Africa to the media, including its merits and demerits as a fourth estate of the realm. It analysed the implications of monetising content for the development agenda and also explored the African Media initiative as strategy for an improved media landscape.

Hosted by THISDAY and attended by media owners and practitioners from the continent, the forum urged the industry in Africa to hold their governments accountable.

Speaking before the first session, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, who is the founding chairman of AMLF, said the forum was designed to create a new experience to chart the course of development on the continent.

Obaigbena said the second forum became imperative to build on the outcomes of the maiden conference in Dakar, Senegal last year in such a way that it would be beneficial to practitioners on the continent.


In his remarks, Mr. Eric Chinje, Co-President AMLF and Manager, External Relations of the Africa Region of the World Bank, said the forum was aimed at critical reflection and common problem solving along with concerted high-profile advocacy for an enabling macro-economic and socio-political environment where media institutions could thrive.

Chinje said the African Media Initiative (AMI) was expected to generate support for the continent, adding that media owners are better positioned to talk about issues involving them.

The Co-President AMLF and President, All Africa Global Media, Mr. Amadou Mahtar Ba, said each delegate represented a powerful voice from their respective countries.

Ba urged the delegates to work together to present African views to the rest of the world.

In his keynote titled: What are the Possible Futures of Journalism with the Experience of New Media," Koppel said new technology of Internet cannot kill the newspaper industry. He added that he does not want the continent's media to become obsessed with the new technology.

He said the polarisation of news had drawn a lot of people back to the traditional media, which they had discovered carry verifiable news.

He said the Internet conveys millions of facts everyday, but it does not mean that those facts are true.

On Media and Governance: Myths and Realities of a Fourth Estate, Huffington said the evolvement of the new media was very important to the industry.

Huffington cited the instance of U.S President Barack Obama, who won his election on the strength of the Internet.

She said another advantage of the new media is its ability for instantaneous correction especially as it relates to the polarization in the mainstream media.

Also speaking as a panelist, Chairman, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa, advocated an interface between the old and the new media in the practice of journalism.

Jijiwa said the future of democracy in Africa depended on how the media engaged the new and old media in presenting information to the people of the continent.

Jijiwa also talked on the relevance of community radio in the emerging African democracy. He was of the opinion that community radio is the most effective media in Africa, as it cannot be hindered by illiteracy.

He called on African leaders and policy makers to embrace community radio, as this will help the continent immensely in its quest for effective information dissemination.

There was also a session on "Media Development: Financing Media Ventures," moderated by CEO Africa International, France, Marie Roger Bilos, where the hurdles faced by media entrepreneurs in securing loans for their projects were highlighted.

The forum was rounded off with the third plenary discussing "Media Development: Financing Media Ventures". On the panel were Tayo Aderinokun, Group Managing Director, Guarantee Trust Bank; Ncube; George Twumasi, CEO, African Broadcasting Network, UK and Kate Senye, CEO, Southern Africa Media Development Fund, Namibia.

Marie Roger Biloa, the CEO of Africa International, France, moderated the plenary.

There was also a gala dinner night hosted by the Governor of Kwara State and Chairman of the country's Governors Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki at the Civic Center, Lagos.

The forum ended with a call on owners and operators of media organisations in Africa to embrace the digital revolution for seamless information dissemination on the continent. It also provided opportunity to present a draft of AMLF's charter.

The forum had Trevor Ncubde, Executive Vice Chairman Mail and Guardian South Africa; Linus Gitahi, CEO Nation Media Group; Kenyan Pius Njawe; Cameroun's Keneth Best, publisher of the Liberian Observer, Robert Kabushenga; CEO New Vision, Omar Ben Yeder, Publisher, IC Publications, UK's Marie Roger Biloa, publisher Africa international; France Mathatha Tsedu, among others in attendance.

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At 20, APCON strategises for future, confers honorary fellowship on Babangida, others
By Yemi Olakitan,Monday,
Published in the Guardian Newspapers
November 16th,2009

WHEN in 1988, the former Military President of Nigeria, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, signed into law, a decree establishing the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria, he possibly did not know that he was making himself an integral part of the history of advertising practice in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

He possibly too, did not realise at the time that he had mid-wifed the birth of a child, who would grow to become a great man and also give birth to other great men.

This child is the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria. A council that has since then, taken advertising to a greater height, making it one of the most advanced sectors of the Nigerian economy; yielding billions of naira in revenue every year, employing hundreds of professionals and training a handful of practitioners yearly.

These were some of the reasons for the gathering of stakeholders in the marketing communications sector, guests and Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island Lagos on Thursday, November 12, to celebrate 20 years of robust growth and unprecedented achievements in the advertising sector and to honour those, who have been a part of the success story of APCON such as Badamasi Babangida, past Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola and his counterpart then, Prince Tony Momoh (Information).

APCON was established by Act No 55 of 1988 and revised by Act No 93 of 1992 to regulate advertising practice in Nigeria.

The event, which started with a cocktail and the rendition of the National Anthem by an orchestra of violins, had Prof. Akunyili on the high table with the chairman of the occasion, Chief John Nnia Nwodo Jnr, Prince Ajibola, Alhaji Farouk Usman and Mr. Bayo Atoyade.

The Chairman of APCON, Mr. Christopher Awusa Doghudje, in his welcome address, congratulated the three eminent persons who were conferred with the Honorary Fellowship Awards of the council.

These people, he said were the ones who brought advertising to the forefront in Nigeria. The chairman said without them; APCON would not be celebrating its 20th anniversary. According to him, it was an honour well deserved.

The chairman said the former President, who was represented by Alhaji Bala Adamu Aliyu, ensured that the council had a legal footing by enacting a law that backed it up.

Doghudje, who at an earlier media briefing took stock of the progress recorded over the past 20 years, said APCON, has succeeded immensely in professionalising and regulating the practice of advertising in Nigeria.

Other Nigerians who were also honored included Professor Charles Okigbo, who was the first chairman of the council, Dr. May Nzeribe, who was honoured for being the third chairman and Chief Olu Falomo, for being the second. They were conferred with the APCON Special Recognition Awards.

Falomo, in his remarks, said through the 14 years that he served; he knew that the council would go places. He expressed gratitudes for the honour done him and his colleagues.

He said the awards was not for any individual but for all those who worked as a team to bring APCON to a fine peculiarity with international advertising organisations all over the developed world.

A number of distinguished practitioners also became fellows at the event. They were Mr. Yinka Adepoju, and Mrs. Bunmi Oke, who became the first female practitioner to rise to such a level in the industry. Mr. Rufai Ladipo of Angel Communications and Feyijimi Awosika of Insight Communications were also honoured as fellow.

Speaking at the event, Professor Akunyili enlightened advertising practitioners on relevance of the national re-branding effort of her ministry to national development.

According to her, advertising is a major stakeholder in re-branding Nigeria project. She said the project is about changing the negative image of Nigeria and Nigerians in the international circles.

"We have allowed others to tell our stories for us," she noted. "We are not treated well at airports around the world, once they see the Green Passport, you will be asked to stand aside. This is as a result of our battered image, many foreigners who come to Nigeria have discovered that what they see is far different from what they were told in their countries.ÕÕ

She continued, "when I came to the office as the image-maker of the nation, I felt strongly that the negative image of Nigeria should not be left alone. We studied the situation and came up with the re-branding project. We also came up with a slogan for re-orientation and attitudinal change with the aim of imbibing the spirit of patriotism: ÔNigeria, Good People, Great CountryÕ

"We have people that have excelled in their various fields of endeavour and achieved international acclaim. Nigerians are very hardworking people and honest. Our nation has spearheaded peacekeeping operations in many parts of Africa. We were at the forefront in the struggle against Apartheid. Many Nigerian civil servants donated their salaries to fight the Apartheid regime in South Africa. We have helped in bringing peace and stability to many countries but we have allowed other people to define who we are. We donÕt talk about our contributions to global peace, stability and progress. We have allowed a few criminals to define who we are as a country. We must make a statement and we must make strong impressions that our nation will not continue to be defined in negative information. Nollywood is the second most vibrant film industry in the world. We must say these things loud for all to hear."

She added, "we are working with over 17 millions Nigerians in the Diasporas. We are going to establish units in schools to encourage the spirit of patriotism in young people. Re-branding will complement infrastructure and economic development. It is important to national development it does not stop it."

The celebrations, which started on November 11, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, with an advertising career seminar for undergraduates and fresh graduates continued at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers on Friday, of November13.

The event attracted members of the governing council who are from the key stakeholders in the advertising industry and other interests.The stakeholders and interests such as Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria, Outdoor Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, Advertisers Association of Nigeria, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, Federal Ministry of Health and Tertiary institutions offering advertising related courses.

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."