AS part of celebrations of Nigeria’s 50th Independence anniversary on October 1, OHTV, HITV UK and Hi Nolly have partnered to put together a phenomenal celebration of the most populous country in Africa’s history, unity, diversity and strengths in an inspiration and positive all-day television format for Nigerians in Africa, North America and Europe.

It was home coming for Africans in the continent and the entire black race last week as the Centre for Black African Arts and Civilisation in conjunction with Pan African Strategic and Research Group, (PANAFSTRAG) hosted another successful three day international colloquium, which re- examined black’s pan African agenda reports, McPhilips Nwachukwu

The just concluded two weeks visual arts tour of Nigerian arts, which took place in the two Egyptian cities of Cairo and Alexandria under the auspices of the National Gallery of Arts, NGA was in every sense a fait accompli.

Yesterday at the MUSON Centre , Lagos, the Nigerian art community, again witnessed a flurry of activities as the 3rd edition of the Nigerian International Art Expo kicked off in earnest.

In line with its mission to uphold excellence and ensure the highest professional standards in the practice of Visual Art in Nigeria, The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) Lagos last week opened her maiden exhibition of Water Colours, Pastels and Drawings.

Before the advent of the colonizers, what is today known as Nigeria was a cacophony of peoples and cultures engaged in the art of living according to their peculiar circumstances and destinies. It was Lord Lugard, the first colonial Governor-General of the area, who facilitated the amalgamation of the so-called Southern and Northern Protectorates to create one entity called Nigeria. His very imaginative wife proffered the name Nigeria and composed the first national anthem for the new nation.

Impressed by the turn out of children at the inaugural National Troupe of Nigeria Creative Station project, the management of the troupe has assured that the exercise will be held on a regular basis as a way of developing the imaginative skills of children.

Helon Habila, Nigerian born US-based award winning novelist and first Chinua Achebe Fellow was home recently and took his turn on Abuja Writers Forum’s Hot Seat. The occasion was the Forum’s monthly guest writer’s session for the month of July which held at its usual venue – the Pen and Pages Bookshop on the very last day of the month. Habila, whose new novel is on the Niger Delta conundrum is being keenly awaited by literary buffs, read ‘The Hotel Malogo’, a short story to the packed hall.

The Mazonia Suite of Eko Hotels and Suites was the venue and the event was the second edition of the annual book party organised by CORA. The event which was in honour of the eleven playwrights whose works were short listed for the prestigious $50,000.00 prize instituted by NLNG lived up to its bidding as the literary community once more gathered to celebrate the playwrights despite the non award of the prize to a winner last year.

The great Russian playwright and short story writer, Anton Chekhov, could have died unknown if he remained a medical doctor all through his life. Chekhov is universally known today because of his plays and short stories, ranking alongside Guy de Maupassant as the greatest short story writer who ever lived.

The Musical Society of Nigeria, MUSON, has concluded plans on its Muson Festival 2010 which has been billed to kick off with a Brazilian Samba. The programme according to the chairman of the occasion, Bashorun J.K Randle is in collaboration with the Brazilian Consulate General bringing in eight multi-talented Brazilian musicians and samba dancers who would thrill the audience.

Nigeria is a country that has lost many steps in the direction towards greatness. The dreams of the founding fathers were aborted before they were hatched, and since independence in 1960, things no longer hold as they should. A mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.

As a way of projecting the socio-political and economic well-being of the people as well as bringing them closer to governance, sons and daughters of Ejirin community in Ikosi /Ejirin LCDA of Lagos State last week gathered at the LTV hall 2, Ikeja, for one-day symposium on Ejirin Past, Present and Future Legacy.

Myne Whitman is a Nigerian born and United States based writer, poet and blogger. Recently, she came out with her first novel, A Heart To Mend, a fictional narrative, which seeks to revive the fading romance form in nation’s narrative oeuvre. In this e-mail interview, the novelist, Nkem Okotcha, who prefers to write with the Pen name, Myne Whitman, a transliteration of her real names, brilliantly and critically responds to some engaging issues raised from the deep journey around her narrative universe. She spoke to McPhilips Nwachukwu.

The cavernous hall reverberated with his deep rich voice. In the prevailing silence, you could almost hear a pin drop. Twenty curious faces, full of great expectations, stared back at him as he slowly imposed himself on the scene. His close friend, Mike Jimoh of Sun Newspapers had told me that he had a jazzy voice. Mike was right. Helon Habila’s jazzy voice held us captive with his opening sentence that dewy morning at the serene Grace Point Resort Hotel venue of the 3rd International Creative Writing Workshop organized by Fidelity Bank Plc.