It is going to be a real showcase for South Africa’s and the continent’s fast growing and vibrant contemporary art economy as the 2nd edition of the Cape Town Art Fair kicks off in South Africa. And in line with its mission of ensuring sustainable presence for African art within a global context, one of the leading art gallery in Nigeria, Omenka gallery will from February 26 to March 1, participate in the Art Fair scheduled to hold at the Avenue, V & A Waterfront, Cape Town.

Much as year 2015 is expected to witness great stage performances, theatre lovers are billed to witness what can be described as the mother of all drama as an international theatrical ensemble Hamlet Globe to Globe from United Kingdom hits the city of Lagos with William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. The Hamlet Globe to Globe tour which opened at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, on 23 April 2014, is scheduled to tour every single country on earth for over 2 years, now berths Nigerian soil on 4th and 5th March 2015 at the Muson Centre, Onikan and St. Saviour’s School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Africa’s Triple Heritage thesis first proposed by Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah but given its strongest advocacy by late Prof. Ali Mazrui resonates with a forcefulness that speaks to Africa’s and Nigeria’s postcolonial development quandary. According to the thesis, Africa’s future lies within the framework by which she is able to traverse the dynamics of her Euro-Christian, Islamic and traditional heritage.

With an unwavering commitment towards the promotion of diverse rich cultural heritage of the different ethnic groups in Nigeria, on-air personality, media trainer, and accomplished civil servant, Mrs Funke Durodola presented to the public, her book, Memories of Grandma. The book presentation which took place last week at the Freedom Park, Lagos, attracted a mixed audience which includes, journalists, politicians, academics as well as the religious.

But then, we know that Nigeria is far from being the country of the dreams of our founding fathers, nor that of we the contemporary generation. That accounts for why the book is called ‘The Pains of a Country.’ Yes, Nigeria is in pains, indeed paroxysms, and in the throes of despondency and disillusionment. But is it all hopeless, “a thoroughfare of woes,” as Godfrey Chaucer would call it? The relief Odivwri brings is that he not only identifies problems, he also recommends antidotes, charts the path forward.

The journey of life and rise to stardom is always determined by many factors, while some made it to the top because they were born with the silver spoon, others were not so lucky, but were able to make it by a stint of hard work and dedication. Which class does Engineer Guy Eboe Otobo belong, how did he handle his challenges of birth and upbringing to become a top class civil servant? These and other issues were what the Government College Ughelli old boy penciled down in his autobiography entitled “Engineer Guy Eboe Otobo , A Life On The Roads”

BY MOSES NOSIKE Chief Solomon Ogbonna is one Nigerian that can’t do without art, culture and tradition. He advises governments to draw the world to Nigeria for tourism and economic boost through the trio. His vision and passion for artistic invention was an ancestral heritage from the art loving family of late Chief Aguene Nwinyinya […]

AFTER its successful hosting of 2014 MUSON festival and in line with one of its core mission of developing talents and giving them a platform to express themselves, the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) is set to dazzle its teeming fans, especially lovers of jazz, chambers, classical and pop with a new concert series titled ‘New Horizons’.

The vision of the organisers of The Vision of the Child (VOTC), the visual angle of the Lagos Black Heritage Festival is gradually being realised as more sponsors have joined the major sponsor Diamond Bank to ensure that the programme continues to promote creativity among the children.

Prof. Adebayo Yusuf Cameron Grillo is one of the founding fathers of contemporary Visual Art in Nigeria. A visit to his Ikeja, Lagos home and studio indicates that the octogenarian and famous Master of Masters is still very much agile, full of life and ready at all times to discuss contemporary art.

When Professor Sam Ukala, Nigeria’s renowned playwright picked up his pen to write Iredi War, he was clear about what he wanted- The Nigerian Prize For Literature. As a goal-getter well focused on his priority, Prof. Ukala was said to have turned down the offer to be among the panel of judges for the 2014 Prize. Instead, he submitted his book Iredi War to compete with 123 others.

As part of its commitment towards the preservation and promotion of rich cultural heritage of the Igbos through acknowledgment of laudable achievements of Igbo sons and daughters, Igboamaka, an Igbo socio-cultural organisation, held its 2014 Igbo Person of the Year Award.

When Professor Sam Ukala, Nigeria’s renowned playwright picked up his pen to write Iredi War, he was clear about what he wanted- The Nigerian Prize For Literature. As a goal-getter well focused on his priority, Prof. Ukala was said to have turned down the offer to be among the panel of judges for the 2014 Prize. Instead, he submitted his book Iredi War to compete with 123 others.

The Federal government has said that it was reviewing the current National Policy on culture to reflect the provisions required for effective safeguarding of the 2003 Convention on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) in the country.

A good diplomatic smile and handshake can arrange, yearly exhibition of our art works. Dance, Drama, Sculpture, Photography etc. every Ambassador could organize different programmes every year.