Kizz Daniel Apologises, Announces Free Show in Tanzania

 

Singer, Kizz Daniel, has apologized for failing to perform at a show in Tanzania on Sunday.

Daniel, who was arrested in Dar es Salaam over the incident on Monday, however, narrated his side of the story. 

Recall police had arrested him over the incident while the show promoter, Stephen Uwa, had said he paid $60,000 to the music star and pleaded with him for over five hours to no avail.“He only said the airline didn’t bring his bag. That is why he could not perform because his gold chain is not there and he had a gold chain on his neck. He wanted everything,” he said.“I bought him different clothes but he said just because the airline didn’t bring one of his bags, he cannot perform without his gold on his neck,” Uwa had said.

However, in a press conference on Tuesday, the Buga crooner said he and the organisers had decided to make it up to the Tanzanian fans who had shown him so much, love.“The people were already going wild; the fans were going wild, which I know was out of love. So no disrespect to the fans… I was asked to stay back. ‘You can’t go, ‘It’s not safe. So I said ok. I sat down with the team, the organisers, and the promoters; let’s come up with a way to make it up to the Tanzanian fans and we decided to do a makeup show for free. I even agreed to partner with them this time around.

“This Friday, a free show; I will be partnering with Straight Up Vibes to make that happen. I must apologize to the fans. None of this was intentional.”

SANWO-OLU TO NEW ADVISERS: ‘YOUR TASKS ARE DEMANDING, LAGOSIANS DESERVE YOUR BEST’

 

 

  •Governor Appoints 7 Cabinet Members for Improved Governance, Service Delivery

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday, appointed seven members into the State Executive Council to revitalise the administration’s effort towards improving good governance and service delivery.

 

The new members were appointed into the cabinet-ranked of Special Advisers. They were sworn in at an event held in the State Banquet Hall in Alausa.

 

Five of the appointees are newcomers, who filled in vacant positions, following the voluntary resignation of previous occupants. Two, who previously resigned from the cabinet, were returned to take back their positions.

 

Sanwo-Olu said his government considered seamless continuity in governance important, as he charged the new cabinet members to hit the ground running in delivering more electoral promises of the administration to the residents.

 

The Governor said the new cabinet appointment further reinforced the established tradition of diversity and inclusiveness, stressing that the choice of the appointees was informed by capacity, accomplishments, commitment and proven track record of hard work and professionalism in their previous endeavours.

 

Sanwo-Olu said: “Today, we are bringing in new Special Advisers to replace those who voluntarily left the State’s Executive Council in previous months to pursue their political ambitions. As cabinet members, you join a small but privileged class of people whose ideas and decisions go a long way towards impacting the lives of millions of Lagosians on a daily basis.

 

“Your appointment is a testament to your capacity, your accomplishments and your track record of hard work, commitment, dedication and professionalism in your private and public endeavours. Your role, as you might have imagined, is a demanding one, requiring intense levels of hard work and dedication. You are expected to hit the ground running, especially considering that we are in the final year of our first term in office.”

 

The Governor reminded the new cabinet appointees of the need to get themselves familiarised with their assigned portfolios in order to sustain and improve on the tempo of their predecessors, noting that their entry into the Council came in the last lap of the administration’s first four-year mandate when the State was consolidating on the programmes across the T.H.E.M.E.S areas.

 

Sanwo-Olu praised the State’s legislature, led by Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, for granting an accelerated approval for the appointment of the new members.

 

 The Governor said: “Let me remind you all that this appointment must not be seen as an opportunity for self-service. While you discharge the responsibilities that will be assigned to you, you must imbibe our culture of transparency, accountability, fairness and value for money. You must show exemplary leadership as the necessary virtues needed to achieve the greatness we desire for our State and to deliver the prosperity our people deserve.”

 

Sanwo-Olu assigned portfolios to the new cabinet members, appointing a former member of the eighth Assembly in the State’s legislative arm, Hon. Sola Giwa as Special Adviser on Transportation.

 

Until his new appointment, Hon. Giwa was the Senior Special Assistant in Central Business District (CBD) to the Governor.

 

The Governor reappointed Princess Aderemi Adebowale as Special Adviser on Civic Engagement, the position she previously occupied. 

 

Also, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka was reappointed as Special Adviser on Housing.

 

Other appointees are Dr. Olajide Babatunde (Special Adviser on e-GIS and Planning Matters), and Engr. Abiola Olowu (Special Adviser on Commerce and Industries), Mr. Robert Bolaji (Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs) and Mr. Olufemi Martins (Special Adviser on Tourism).

 

Benson-Awoyinka, who delivered the acceptance speech on behalf of the new appointees, appreciated the Governor for his faith in the appointees’ ability, pledging to work with Sanwo-Olu to deliver the Lagos of citizens’ dream.

 

PICTURES: GOV. SANWO-OLU SWEARS IN SEVEN NEW MEMBERS OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL AT LAGOS HOUSE, ALAUSA, IKEJA, ON THURSDAY, 04 AUGUST, 2022

 

Princess Aderemi Adebowale (Office of Civic Engagement); Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka (Housing); Dr. Olajide Babatunde (E-GIS and Planning Matters); Hon. Sola Giwa (Transportation); Engr. Okanlawon Olowu (Commerce and Industries); Barr. Femi Martins (Tourism, Arts and Culture) and Mr. Robert Bolaji (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs) taking their Oath of Office as Special Advisers in the State Executive Council, presided by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat watches as  Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presents the Oath of Office to Princess Aderemi Adebowale as Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement during the swearing-in of seven new cabinet members at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

 

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat watches as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presents the Oath of Office to Hon. Sola Giwa as Special Adviser on Transportation, during the swearing-in of seven new cabinet members at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu presenting Oath of Office to Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka as Special Adviser on Housing during the swearing-in of seven new cabinet members at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu presenting Oath of Office to Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka as Special Adviser on Housing during the swearing-in of seven new cabinet members at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

Special Advisers, Barr. Femi Martins (Tourism, Arts and Culture); Engr. Okanlawon Olowu (Commerce and Industries); Princess Aderemi Adebowale (Office of Civic Engagement); Hon. Sola Giwa (Transportation); APC Lagos Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi; Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Jaji; others Special Advisers, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka (Housing); Dr. Olajide Babatunde (E-GIS and Planning Matters) and Mr. Robert Bolaji (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs) during the swearing in of seven new cabinet members at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday, 4th August 2022.

Don't Gag the Media, Sanwo-Olu Tells Politicians, Public Officers

 

 • As Nge Urges Journalists to Uphold Ethics, Ensure Quality Content

 

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged politicians and public office holders not to gag the media, saying press freedom was important in a democracy. 

 

He made the appeal on Thursday at a workshop organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), themed: "Journalist and Digitalisation: the imperative of Good Corporate Governance" at Ikeja, Lagos State.

 

Sanwo-Olu, who was the Special Guest of Honour to declare the workshop open, said ensuring good corporate governance and self-regulation of the digital space would completely eradicate false and fake news.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who assured that his administration will continue to promote Press Freedom and good corporate governance as well as enabling environment for journalists in the state, urged media practitioners to always regulate their activities in the digital space.

 

His words: “I stand with you (media practitioners) in solidarity; to say that, indeed, your profession is not just a noble one, but it’s the one that gives the general public an independent assessment; holding our governance and government accountable at all times. And so, we need to be very careful as politicians and public officers that we do not gag this profession (media) and do not unduly stifle the free press. 

 

“Our government understands and appreciates that press freedom is the way in which we can hold government accountable. But it is also the responsibility of all of us here to ensure that we understand the thin line; and also self-regulate our activities. 

 

“ I cannot agree less with the President of the NGE that says that the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission should not only be independent, it should be equipped with men of impeccable character and integrity that can work like the Oxfam of this world and indeed sanction erring people but give freedom for all of you to do your work.”

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu while stressing the need for media practitioners to self-regulate themselves, urged them to work towards the complete eradication of fake and false news. 

 

“Regarding my view about corporate governance, it is also to ensure that in the digital space we eradicate completely within the profession false news and fake news. People sometimes rush to post something without doing proper due diligence to verify what they are posting and ask themselves what damage would I do if they found out what I posted is not completely true. 

 

“You must be a bit more circumspect and know that once information is out there, you cannot retrieve it. That in itself puts a lot of professional pressure on whoever that is posting any report,” he said.

 

Sanwo-Olu also seeks continuous support from the media for his administration. “I have enjoyed working with all of you and I am looking forward to enjoying more in the remaining part of my four years tenure. And if all of you feel so compelling during the election, I will also not mind being your governor again for another tenure,” he said.  

 

Speaking earlier, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mustapha Issa, said the media would not succumb to pressure from the government to determine the people’s right to information.

 

He said the situation where the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) that reports to the Minister of Information would also be the one to unilaterally impose fines on broadcast stations for unfavourable reports was tantamount to gagging the media.

 

The NGE President, who urged media owners to embrace good corporate governance and accountability, said the role of scrutiny of the media should not be that of the government alone, adding that the media should not be threatened.

 

Issa said digital technology has provided room for journalists to become competitive and open sources of income.

 

Also speaking, a veteran journalist and the Chairman of the occasion, Mr Lanre Idowu, said digitalization had brought more opportunities to journalism but has equally brought to the fore the need to uphold ethics, and quality content.

 

He said journalists must decide whether to embrace digital platforms or be out of business.

 

 

Ayoola Oluwaseun Omovo : Art On ‘‘Spotlight’’

Yemi Olakitan

 Ayoola Omovo is a dynamic silhouette painter and part-time visual art instructor at Lycee Francais Louis Pasteur( French School, Lagos, Nigeria) Her differentiating painting approach of utilizing Black and White’’ ink form is noteworthy for the vibrant expressive artistic outcomes. As it also creates enjoyable nostalgia that comes from the early stages of photography development in her paintings.

She is presently the Vice Chairman of the society of Nigerian artists, (SAN) Lagos Chapter. She is the previous coordinator for the southwest zone of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) among other reputable art associations. Ayoola artworks have been displayed in several exhibitions including, ‘Expressions Kambani London Art, Silverbird Gallery, Lagos, May 2006.

Ayoola was on Spotlight, a two weeks exhibition at Nike Arts Gallery in Lagos.

For a fortnight, her works were on display to various guests and visitors at the gallery. She spoke with Yemi Olakitan on the exhibition, why it is important to her and Mama Nike Okundaye’s contribution to Nigerian arts.

Yemi: What’s this exhibition about?

Ayoola: Spotlight is a series of exhibitions that were created by Mrs Nike Davies Okundaye, fondly called, Mama Nike. This exhibition is about giving a platform for all the artists whose works are showcased at Nike Arts Gallery. It is about all the works that Mama Nike has collected. This means each artist will have two weeks to showcase his or her works to the public. I am the one on Spotlight at the moment. My show will run for two weeks at the gallery and I have the privilege to invite my friends, collectors and colleagues to come, see and buy my work.

It is the first of its kind in Nigeria and the space is absolutely free for the artists. This is so important because it will encourage the artists to grow. Spotlight helps to show all the works of the artists in one piece.

When I put my work together on display even Mama Nike was surprised to see them. She has seen the works so many times, piece by piece but she has not seen all the works at once on display.

This is what an exhibition does for visual artists. One is able to appreciate the works of the artists more because of the variety on display. I am so grateful that Mama Nike gives me the opportunity to showcase my works at the largest art gallery in Africa. I am humbled.

Yemi: Let’s talk about the works on display, the titles and what they mean

Ayoola: ‘‘Yet I Rise” This is one of my works, here at the gallery. It is a storyline about children. It talks about giving them a chance to explore life, sometimes. If you give them the chance to explore, you will be surprised at what they will bring to light or put it in another way, you will be amazed at what they will discover. The picture, I painted was actually my brother’s son. His name is Oluwatobiloba Odupitan.

The second work is, ‘‘The Three Jolly Friends’’ The painting talks about an important lesson of life which is that three young friends cannot play together and stay together forever. Friends don’t stay together forever. At some point, they depart.

‘‘Beyond the Ordinary’’ is a painting of Mama Nike. She has helped many people in the sector. She has opened this place for young artists free of charge. She has been a ladder of success for many Nigerian artists so I painted one of my favourite pictures of her. She is a great woman, full of love, and an inspiration to all.

‘‘Art Therapy’’ is another work of mine on display and it is very dear to me because of the message. Art is therapeutic. It is a healing tool. I remember one time, I painted the children's ward at Lagos State University Teaching University, (LUTH)

It was reported that many of the sick children forgot their pain in the wards. There was a particular child that was reportedly dying of cancer.  When the parents brought her to the ward, her spirits lighted up and she was full of joyful smiles throughout her stay, although, we eventually lost her. Her last moments were not sad or sorrowful as she was dying of cancer. She passed away, happy. 

You can imagine if she had arts in her life long before then, it was possible that she would have lived and would not have developed cancer at all, in the first place. So, this work talks about the therapeutic value of art to humanity. We should have arts in all the hospitals. 

The lady with beads is Titled: My Culture my Heritage, 

Yemi: What message will you like to live behind

Ayoola: Let us protect our culture, let us be proud of our heritage, let us speak our language and teach our children our Culture so that we don't lose our value in the future.

Out Culture is rich and speaks volumes, let's embrace what is ours. Never looked down on any Artist because they are great people. 

Art is Life.

Yemi: Can you mention some of the places you have worked? 

Ayoola: I have spoken in different schools, like Lagoon School Lekki, Caleb British international school Abijo, to mention a few to motivate both the students and parents in other to give the children a chance to explore, buy art materials or colouring books for them, you will discover a lot in them and Arts help to open up their thinking cap and helps in other subjects as well.

At Caleb British international school Abijo, I gave Basil (a pupil )one monthly workshop scholarship on Art when I see his passion and skills in Art during their Art Exhibition 2021, under Adedoyin Bello studio.

Yemi: Who are you grateful to

Ayoola: I am grateful to my parents who have always been my great pillars of support(The Christopher ODUPITAN  family)! and my husband. 

Tee Mac Makes U-turn, says He Was Misquoted

Former President of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli has made a U-turn, saying the APC Presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is competent to lead Nigeria.

Tee Mac said he was quoted out of context over his private conversation with a Facebook acquaintance, named, Yemi Olakitan, a journalist who announced his support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Facebook.

Tee Mac had alleged that Tinubu was 86 years old and not 70 and would be too old to lead Nigeria in 2023. The post went viral on social media. Tee Mac, in a statement, said his attention had been drawn to a post that has gone viral on Social Media regarding a private banter with a Facebook acquaintance on the eligibility of Tinubu for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“While it is regrettable that such a private conversation went viral from a Facebook Account, let me state that the conversation was taken out of context.

“In the first instance, I have high regards for the person of the APC Presidential candidate; a two (2)-Term Governor of Lagos State, and a revered leader of the APC. I have lived in Lagos since I relocated from Switzerland, and I can attest to his transformational impact in the state.“More significantly is his ability to identify and engage exceptionally committed technocrats who believe in governance. Asiwaju has led with tangible results over time and maintains relationships with such technocrats, and others across the board. This, I believe will be replicated if he is given the opportunity at the Federal level,” he said. According to Tee Mac, Tinubu’s all-inclusive style of governance has seen people from other states, ethnicities and faith take up appointments in Lagos, serving meritoriously too.

“Consequently, his competence is not in doubt. I only expressed my fear of the rigours of the office.

“I believe anyone can choose any candidate but must ask themselves if they have chosen rightly. This is a pertinent question for everyone. I simply admonished a friend to vote by his convictions,” he said.

Tee Mac added that his only grouse, which he still stood by was that Tinubu sold Buhari to the nation in 2015, and the candidate underperformed, contrary to all expectations.

“The above notwithstanding, I neither have a personal grudge with Asiwaju nor would pursue a path of acrimony with my cousin, Remi Tinubu, whom everyone adjudged pleasant and supportive. Tinubu remains a man I admire regardless of what sycophants have tried to make of my comment,” he added.

SANWO-OLU: WE MUST USE NAFEST 2022 TO GALVANISE, UNITE NIGERIA

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged Nigerians to use the forthcoming National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) Festival as an opportunity to galvanise Nigerians and project unity in the country.

 

He implored Nigerians to see their diversity, ethnicity and religious tolerance as an opportunity to unite without allowing politics and other things to divide them.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the appeal when the National Technical Committee of the National Festival of Arts and Culture led by the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, paid him a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja on Thursday ahead of the NAFEST Festival holding in Lagos in November.  

 

He said: “We believe that bringing the NAFEST Festival to Lagos at this very difficult time in our country would be used as a means to galvanise the country. The NAFEST 2022 in Lagos by the grace of God will be used to heal this country. It will be used to bring together our diversity in unity.

 

“If sports can bring us together, arts, culture and entertainment can do better. And if we do it and package it very well before we go into the general elections in 2023, we would have used that platform to heal the country. We would have used it for people to see that we don’t have any other place to go to. We have a responsibility to fix it (Nigeria).

 

“We should see the NAFEST not just as a festivity but as an opportunity for us to come together, heal and project unity for our country. And ensure that if we can go into next year with all of the tribulations and fears that we have; we will suppress them, surpass them and have elections that will be free, and peaceful, and we can build a better and bigger nation that would be the envy of the world. That is what I am looking forward to.

 

“Let us see our diversity as an opportunity to unite us. Let us see our ethnicity as an opportunity to unite us. Let us see our religious tolerance as an opportunity to unite us. We should not allow politics and other things to divide us. I am a strong believer of arts, culture and entertainment as a unifier and simple language that knows no tribe, ethnicity and religious bias.”

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos will continue to be a pride for all and a rallying point for Nigeria. “For us as a government, it is really about ensuring that we can use every breath that we have to better the lots of our people; that we can use the opportunity God has given us to recreate a tomorrow for citizens and we can only do that by ensuring that everything that has to do with good governance is the things we are doing.

 

“Lagos will open its arms to ensure a spectacular and hitch-free event and most importantly ensure that we can heal our country; we can stop the bleeding in the country and we can use it (NAFEST festival) as a platform to unite Nigeria,” he said.  

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu also disclosed that Lagos State apart from hosting the NAFEST Festival in November, will also commission the biggest and best African museum, the JK Randle Museum for Arts and Culture and host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and art exhibition in November.

 

Speaking earlier, Runsewe commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to promoting tourism, arts and culture, noting that the decision of the government to make Entertainment and Tourism a fifth pillar in the six-pillar THEMES developmental agenda for Greater Lagos is commendable.

 

Runsewe, who noted that no development could take place in Nigeria without Lagos State, called Nigerians to join hands with Lagos to move the country.

 

He said the NAFEST Festival taking place in Lagos in November will be used to unite the nation and preach love among all the citizens of the country.