“24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos”- National Museum of African Art launches Global Presence in Lagos

The first NMAFA event under new director, Ngaire Blankenberg whose strategy is a 21st Century Global African Arts Museum had its first stop in Lagos, Nigeria on November 6.

Held on the 6th of November 2021, “24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos” was a collaborative interactive art experience in partnership with Art X Lagos, the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF) and David Adjaye designed venue Alára to bring together the international, Nigeria and African diaspora through the worlds of film, art, photography and fashion with “Taste! 24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos”

Taste! Curated by former Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow Temitayo Ogunbiyi, it is a multisensory, participative art experience which involves the use of sound, photography, and food by sound artist Emeka Ogboh, New York based photographer Iké Udé and Temitayo Ogunbiyi in collaboration with chef Renèe Chuks.

Kicking off with Taste! Mystique, on Friday, November 5, Iké Udé held a masterclass for a group of Lagos-based photographers in collaboration with the African Artists’ Foundation. A select group of young artists were tutored by Udé in his signature style, mystique at the intersection of harmony and the unexpected. The participants then took portraits of Nollywood actor, producer, and creative entrepreneur Enyinna Nwigwe next to evocative “props.”

The NMAFA board reception followed on November 6, hosted by Ghenga Oyebode at Nok. He expressed his excitement that this was the first Smithsonian experience in Africa, with Lagos as the first stop.“This is the very first Smithsonian event on the continent, proud for Lagos to lead and excited about what lies ahead.”

In the same vein, Director Ngaire Blankenberg spoke about their plans for new collaborations across Africa to create and build new immersive art experiences.

The “24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos” main event was held on Sunday November 7 featuring the Taste! Transformation, Taste! Mystique, Taste! Sound and Taste! Memory experiences. Visitors, influencers, Nollywood stars and artists including Noble Igwe, Enyinna Nwigwe, Saga Adeolu, Emmanuel Oyeleke, Ugonna Ibe, and others were able to visit and, participate in Taste! held simultaneously at the David Adjaye designed venue Alara.

Emeka Ogboh’s ‘Sounds of Lagos’ playlist ushered in visitors with a mix of upbeat, soulful and melodic sounds inspired by the streets of Lagos.

This was followed by the Taste! Mystique portrait exhibition by Iké Udé featuring dynamic portraits of muse Enyinna Nwigwe by young Nigerian photographers from the previously held masterclass.

The Taste! Memory experience featured locally grown botanical bites prepared by Chef Renee Chuks and Temitayo Ogunbiyi reminiscent of their childhoods in Lagos.

The Taste! Transformation panel discussion featuring Azu Nwagbogu, Director Lagos Photo Festival, and AAF; ArtX founder, Tokini Peterside; AFRIFF creative director, Chioma Onyenwe; and director Ngaire Blakenberg.

The Art experience wrapped up with The African International Film Festival Opening Cocktail Party. At the cocktail event, new, and established talents of the Nigerian cinema such as Sharon Ooja, Enyinna Nwigwe, Kate Henshaw, Denrele Edun, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ini Dima-Okojie, Diane Russet, Ojy Okpe, Colette Otusheso and others  took part in the Tableau Vivant created by conceptual artist, Iké Udé featuring regal models in ensembles by the Nigerian Grand Dame of costumes, and Chief Nike Okundaye-Davies as an addendum to his Nollywood Portraits.

“Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits” will open at the National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. February 5, 2022.

National Museum of African Art To Present “24Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos”

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is partnering with Art X, the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the African Artists’ Foundation and Alára to bring together the U.S., Nigeria and African diaspora through the worlds of film, art, photography and fashion. “24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos” will feature “Taste!” a multisensory, participative art experience at Alára Sunday, Nov. 7, from 12h00-18h00 WAT (7 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST). “24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos” comes during an ongoing explosion of creativity in Lagos and Nigeria and helps mark the end of Art X and the beginning of AFRIFF.

Curated by former Smithsonian Artist Research Fellow Temitayo Ogunbiyi, “Taste!” will include experiences by sound artist Emeka Ogboh, photographer Iké Udé and Ogunbiyi in collaboration with chef Renèe Chuks. Using sound, portraiture and food, the three artists question assumptions concerning culture, geography and identity. The experience will culminate in a living installation in which many of the celebrities featured in the upcoming exhibition “Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits” and others become works of art by posing for photographs alongside Udé’s exuberant sets at the opening night of the African International Film Festival. 

“24 Hours of the Smithsonian in Lagos” is the launch of the National Museum of African Art’s global presence under newly appointed director Ngaire Blankenberg.  

“Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits” will open at the  National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2022. 

About the Artists

Iké Udé  

Udé is a Nigerian American conceptual artist who has been creating work since the 1990s that complicates notions of identity and perception. He uses photography to draw attention to how individuals portrayed in highly posed “performances” can reveal more truth than contrived poses that aim to be natural. Udé’s work is in the permanent collections of Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, the National Museum of African Art, Sheldon Museum, RISD Museum, New Britain Museum of American Art, Minneapolis Institute of Arts and many private collections. His forthcoming solo exhibition “Iké Udé: Nollywood Portraits” will open at the National Museum of African Art Feb. 5, 2022.

Emeka Ogboh 

Emeka Ogboh uses sound and gastronomy to create installations that have included music, soundscapes, limited editions of artisanal beer, sculpture and collaborations with chefs. He increasingly uses these works to examine how visual art can catalyze conversations about the environment. Having exhibited at documenta 14 (2017), the Venice Biennale (2015) and the Dakar Biennale (2014), he is an internationally acclaimed artist with works in major collections worldwide, including the National Museum of African Art. In September 2020, Ogboh presented a medley of his installations capturing Lagos at the Élysée Palace in Paris to mark the close of Afrique 2020. 

Renèe Chuks  

Chuks is a culinary innovator and entrepreneur specializing in combining local and diasporic ingredients to support more sustainable and empowering food chains. She is the cofounder and CEO of Aldente Africa, an artisanal food and beverage company, an executive academic director and lead chef instructor at the Umami Center for Culinary Arts. Chuks trained as a classical French chef, graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin, Texas.  

Temitayo Ogunbiyi 

Ogunbiyi creates works on paper, paintings, sculptures and ambitious installations. In addition to exploring plants as they live around her, she also aims to record the socioeconomic conditions that exist within and how they are transformed in a wide range of culinary traditions. Ogunbiyi has received a 2020–2021 Digital Earth Fellowship, a 2018 Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship and a 2014 Ford Foundation Fellowship. Her artwork has been exhibited at the Madre Museum in Naples, Italy, the 2019 Lagos Biennial, the Pulitzer Arts Foundation and the Centre for Contemporary Art Lagos, among other venues. She is also a director of Yinka Shonibare CBE’s Guest Artist Space Foundation.

About the National Museum of African Art 

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art is the only museum in the world dedicated solely to the collection, conservation, study and exhibition of Africa’s arts across time and media. The museum’s collection of over 12,000 artworks spans more than 1,000 years of African history and includes a variety of media from across the continent. For more information, call (202) 633-4600 or visit the museum’s website. For general Smithsonian information, the public can call (202) 633-1000. Follow the museum on Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

WildFlower PR and Company Bags Award for Most Reliable Quality Strategic Communications Company of the Year 2021

  • Wildflower-pr-and-company-bags-award-for-most-reliable-quality-strategic-communications-company-of-the-year-2021

WildFlower PR and Company has won the award for the most reliable quality strategic communications company of the year at the National Award for Excellence and Achievement 2021 organized by the National Quality Conference.

The event, which was held on Monday, 11th October, 2021, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos had in attendance several brands and top industry leaders. The NQC used the event   as an avenue to celebrate companies for their resilience in constantly innovating and delivering outstanding products and services to their highly esteemed customers in spite of the harsh global economic realities, the international shut down occasioned by Covid-19, and national security.

Wildflower-pr-and-company-bags-award-for-most-reliable-quality-strategic-communications-company-of-the-year-2021

The award for the most reliable quality strategic communications company of the year was presented to WildFlower PR and Company by the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Femi George in recognition of its effort in providing quality and innovative services to its highly esteemed customers.

 “At WildFlower PR and Company, innovation, quality and attention to detail are our watchwords. We believe there is always a fresh angle to every strategy. Our keyword is quality and we have our eyes focused every step of the process and will never relent in providing quality services to our customers.” Founder and Principal Consultant WildFlower PR, Oma Areh said represented by, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwuanyi.

Guest Speaker at the event, Mr. Patrick Okechukwu highlighted continuous improvement of skills, quality appraisal, and ability to strategize and improve quality of service in the Covid-19 era as the basis for celebrating companies at the event.

He stressed on the importance of quality management in an organization; “An organization is as strong as its strongest unit, and as weak as its weakest unit,” … Therefore, For every organization to achieve quality the whole organization must see it as a way of life. The whole organization must be integrated,” he said.

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About WildFlower PR and Company

WildFlower PR and Company is an award-winning public relations, communications and media firm, with expertise in customized strategic campaigns in the areas of personal publicity, development communication, entertainment PR, new media PR, specialized corporate communications and reputation management.

WildFlower PR is a fully integrated agency that prides itself in a blend of innovative solutions and proven result-oriented methods when addressing clients’ goals.

The agency represents leading entities in Telecommunications, Energy, Aviation, Government, Technology, Entertainment and Non-profit. Their client base ranges from global corporations and government agencies, growing businesses to some of the biggest entertainment personalities on the African continent today.

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Wildlife preservation in focus as Glo-sponsored African Voices airs

    As the Glo-sponsored CNN African Voices Changemakers goes on air this weekend, the issue of wildlife and the importance of preserving them will be discussed by two conservation enthusiasts.

    Kenya’s Sheila Funnell and South Africa’s Marumo Nene are the two guests on the program who will be talking about the need for the protection and preservation of the African continent’s animal life.

    Funnell is a research manager at the Grevy’s Zebra Trust who dedicates her time to the protection of zebras as she believes that the conservation of the animals will help sustain the livelihoods of the people. Grevy’s zebras are important in the Samburu culture where she hails from as they lead the way to water during droughts, alert herders and livestock to the presence of predators. They also believe that their presence signifies the coming of the rains.  

    Similarly, Nene works with South Africa’s Wildlife ACT team and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife as part of an Alien Plant Removal project in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve.  She completed her Community Guide Training, worked as an assistant on the African Wild Dog monitoring project, and as a Community Environmental Educator.

    African Voices Changemakers will be on air on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. on DSTV Channel 401 and on Sunday at 3.30 a.m., 6.30 a.m., 11.30 a.m., and 6.30 p.m. The last repeat edition is at 4.30 a.m. on Monday.

    Glo-sponsored African Voices brings back Mo Abudu, 2 others in compilation edition

    The compilation edition of African Voices Changemakers, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme of the Cable News Network (CNN), this week brings back to viewers media mogul, Mo Abudu, and two other talents who are positively affecting the African continent.

    The two others are 30-year-old Elijah Amoo Addo, a Ghanaian chef and food stylist who has become a social entrepreneur through his creation of “Food for All Africa”, and Karabo Poppy Molestane who in 2019 made the Forbes list as one of Africa’s Foremost Under 30 CEOs.

    Abudu hit the limelight with her talk show, Moments with Mo, on which she brought many issues to public attention through interviews with top personalities, the needy and citizens with mental health issues. In 2006, she founded her own TV channel, Ebony Life Television, which is received by viewers in over 49 countries across Africa, the UK and the Caribbean.

    Ghana-based Addo uses advocacy and a food-sharing mobile phone app to feed thousands of vulnerable children through food recovery and redistribution. In collaboration with local restaurants, supermarkets, food distribution companies and rural small-hold farmers, Addo’s organization collects leftover food or unwanted food that is close to its ‘use-by’ date and redistributes it to disadvantaged children in orphanages, hospitals and low-income schools.

    Born in Vereeniging, South Africa, Molestane is a multi-award-winning Illustrator, graphic designer and street artist who is committed to the preservation of her cultural heritage. She is renowned as a Nike shoe designer and basketball court murals artist who has equally worked with the Wall Street and on Netflix’s Strong Black Lead season.

     African Voices Changemakers shows on DSTV CNN Channel 401 on Saturday at 9.30 a.m. and 12.00 p.m. Repeat broadcasts will be aired on Sunday  at 4.30 a.m.,   7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m., 7.30 p.m. and on Monday at 12.30 a.m. and  5.30 a.m.

    Telling Untold Stories: Streaming service ‘Hissbox’ launches with a grant of $25,000 for young filmmakers

    A brand-new streaming service Hissbox, is set to launch on the 11th of September 2020. With a focus on ‘telling untold stories,’ the streaming service offers over 400 pieces of content including world-class originals, blockbuster films, series, documentaries and much more.

    According to the Nigerian born, Los Angeles based CEO Chinecherem Eze, “The concern with streaming services today is that despite an extensive volume of offerings, there is still a lack of diversity in available content. We are very excited to say that Hissbox is here to fill this gap.” She said.

    “Our focus from inception has been a platform where everyone can find content that reflects their uniqueness. We are telling, sharing and searching for exceptional stories from every corner of the world; there is a waiting audience for those stories and Hissbox will reflect that reality.” She added.

    To kick off their search for ‘unique stories’ across the world, Hissbox has also announced ‘The Hissbox Grant’, funded by the Hissbox Diversity Film Fund (HDFF) which gives producers up to $25,000 in funding for the production of TV series, Feature Films and Documentaries. The HDFF looks out for filmmakers from diverse backgrounds with emphasis that stories are expected to be exceptional: stories with creative risks, which inspire dialogue, and are rarely seen on public media. More information about the grant can be found on https://www.hissbox.com/.

    Starting with free 1 month access on the platform, Hissbox provides a tiered offering that gives subscribers broad access to Hissbox across web, mobile and connected-TV devices. Hissbox is also very pocket friendly with monthly subscriptions from $3.99 only.

    About Hissbox

    Founded by Nigerian born, L.A based serial entrepreneur Chinecherem Eze, Hissbox is a streaming platform, film production and distribution company primarily focused on projecting untold, neglected and less told stories. The platform aims to change the narrative of how stories are told by funding original content, collaborating and networking with industry leaders, filmmakers and relevant organizations. It is supported on all devices including connected Television screens Desktop, Laptops, Tablets and on Mobile devices.

    Nigerian musician, two change activists on Glo-sponsored African Voices Compilation edition

    The compilation edition of African Voices Changemakers, Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on CNN, airs this weekend. It will feature two Nigerians, ace musician Mr. Eazi and an equal-opportunity agent, Orondaam Otto, as well as South African beauty queen, Zozibini Tunzi.

    Banku music exponent, songwriter and music star, Oluwatosin Ajibade, popularly known as Mr Eazi, will acquaint viewers with the story of how he pioneered Banku music, a collage of Nigerian rhythms and Ghanaian highlife.

    A Mechanical Engineering graduate of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana, Mr. Eazi started his musical career in 2012 with his rhythm and blues single titled “Pipi Dance”. He has had collaborations with other A-list acts including  Ghanaian R&B star, Sarkodie;  Lil Kesh,  and Burna Boy who are both  successful Nigerian music  merchants. His hit singles include “Leg Over” and “Tilapia”

     The second feature on the programme is 32-year-old Nigerian, Otto, a Human Anatomy graduate of University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria who is committed to seeing an African continent whose potentials are maximized and one which will be celebrated for the innovations and uniqueness of her people. He is also focused on seeing that every African Child gets good education.

     A social reformer and development enthusiast, Otto leads as executive director, a team of 40 managers and hundreds of volunteers at Slum2School Africa which provides equal opportunities for disadvantaged children in every nook and cranny of Nigerian slums.

     Lastly, Zozibini Tunzi, South African model and beauty pageant who is the current   Miss Universe, has a National Diploma in public relations management from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The 26-year-old teaches and encourages young girls and women to assume leadership positions in order to extend their frontiers of influence in South Africa’s national life.

    The 30-minute magazine programme comes up on CNN on DSTV Channel 401 on Saturday at 9.00 p.m; Sunday at 4.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 12.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m with a repeat broadcast on the same channel on Monday at 5.30 a.m

    Global malaria partnership urges countries to act during ‘window of opportunity’ to save lives from Malaria and COVID-19

    Geneva, 23rd April 2020 – Ahead of World Malaria Day on 25th April, the RBM Partnership to End Malaria is calling on countries to act now to save almost 400,000 additional lives from malaria as the world grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The RBM Partnership to End Malaria, along with global and regional partners, including World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, is urging leaders of malaria affected countries to take advantage of the critical window of opportunity they now have, before the rainy season, to save lives and prevent over-burdening health systems.

    The call comes in response to a new modelling study from WHO, which suggests that severe disruptions to insecticide-treated net campaigns and in access to antimalarial medicines due to COVID-19 could lead to a doubling of malaria deaths, potentially resulting in up to almost 800,000 malaria deaths in 2020. According to last year’s World Malaria Report, approximately 400,000 people died from malaria, the lowest level ever in almost 20 years.

    Countries urged to ‘move quickly’

    Whilst the ongoing pandemic places extra burden on low-resourced health systems, particularly in Africa, which carries 90% of the global malaria burden, as well as parts of Asia and Latin America, the malaria community is calling for these countries to safely continue life-saving malaria interventions that accelerate diagnosis and treatment at the community level. These interventions include the distribution of long-lasting insecticide treated nets and preventative treatments for pregnant women and children, who are most at greatest risk of dying from a mosquito bite, and integrated community case management as part of essential health services.

    Dr Abdourahmane Diallo, Chief Executive Officer of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria, said: “As COVID-19 spreads across the globe we must ensure that efforts to contain the virus do not compromise access to life-saving malaria prevention, diagnosis and treatment services. In 2018, investments in the malaria fight saved almost 600,000 lives and prevented nearly 100 million new infections each year compared to 2000 levels. Divert this funding or place holds on malaria interventions that could be safely carried out now and we could see an exponential increase in deaths from malaria this year. In the face of COVID-19, countries must act now to save lives, protect hard-fought progress, and strengthen health systems—our first line of defence against existing and emerging threats to public health.”

    Early diagnosis and treatment of malaria at the community level is vital to preventing cases from becoming severe, which often require hospitalization and lead to death. In 2018, children under five accounted for nearly two thirds of all malaria deaths worldwide and 1 in 3 pregnant women in sub-Saharan Africa were infected with malaria.

    Global investments in the malaria fight have helped to save 7 million lives and prevent more than 1 billion cases of malaria since 2000 – gains which are now under threat from COVID-19. These investments also helped build the health care capacity of malaria burdened countries, enabling them to fight malaria and other diseases and new threats like COVID-19, by:

    • training tens of thousands of health care workers to conduct early diagnosis and treatment and integrated community case management of people with malaria/fevers;
    • increasing access to life-saving treatments, rapid diagnostics and preventive interventions;
    • building data systems to improve real-time surveillance of infectious diseases;
    • improving supply chains and availability of effective medicines and medical equipment; and
    • building in-country lab capacity.

    Countries mobilize in response to COVID-19

    Several countries have already heeded the call to continue their planned malaria programmes while taking precautionary measures against COVID-19, including Benin, Chad and Niger, which are going ahead with their mass distribution campaigns of insecticide treated mosquito nets, as well as Kenya, Malawi and Ghana, which are continuing to immunize children against malaria through a pilot malaria vaccine programmes announced on World Malaria Day last year.

    Meanwhile, several countries in the Asia-Pacific region are approaching elimination. Amidst COVID-19 outbreak, Malaysia, which has registered zero indigenous malaria cases since 2018, provided a guidance on tailoring malaria response in the country to avoid resurgence. The Pacific nation of Vanuatu has brought its national elimination targets two years forward, to 2023. Meanwhile, M2030 Private Sector Partners stepped up to respond to COVID-19 and mitigate impacts to existing malaria programmes in Myanmar and Indonesia.

    Relapsing malaria (P.vivax), which can reappear without warning, is the predominant form of malaria in the Americas, where it causes 75% of cases. Globally, four countries, including Brazil, have now approved the first single-dose radical cure for P.vivax that eliminates the dormant form of the parasite in the liver, which will be crucial to achieving malaria elimination. Furthermore, Haiti has put in place a COVID-19 response plan and is working to secure adequate resources and ensure that malaria activities are not interrupted.

    World Malaria Day goes online

    With the theme ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’, this year’s World Malaria Day reaffirms that it is everyone’s power and responsibility – no matter where they live – to ensure no one dies from a mosquito bite. The theme aims to remind citizens everywhere, and particularly in malaria burdened countries, of the personal responsibility we all have to protect communities from the disease and hold governments to account for ending this preventable disease.

    To mark the global awareness day, a series of online activities are taking place to educate the wider health community on the fight to end malaria, including:

    • A “virtual applause”, on April 25th uniting people around the world on social media to thank health professionals working on the frontlines of the fight against malaria, COVID-19 and other diseases.
    • A live takeover of the RBM Partnership social media channels with Dr. Elvis Eze, a Nigerian-born and raised physician who has practiced in the NHS. Dr Eze will discuss the global malaria challenge, his role as an ambassador for the global malaria community, and his experiences suffering from and treating malaria in Nigeria.

    The theme ‘Zero Malaria Starts with Me’ is inspired by the pan-African movement of the same name, which engages and enables political leaders, the private sector, communities, and other members of society to take actions that will protect their families and help communities and countries thrive. People around the world can join the conversation on social media by using the following hashtags: #WorldMalariaDay, #ZeroMalariaStartswithMe, and #endmalaria.

    WE ARE EXCITED! MERCY JOHNSON RELEASES HER FIRST FILM, THE LEGEND OF INIKPI, AS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

    Award-winning actress Mercy Johnson Okojie has announced another milestone in her life as she is set to be a first-time executive producer in the new movie, “The Legend of Inikpi” which is set to hit the cinemas in January 2020.

    The star actress took to her Instagram page to make the announcement. In her words “I have always wanted to tell Nigerian stories, particularly stories about women who did great things and who are even still doing greater things which is why the story of ‘The Legend of Inikpi’ is dear to me.”

    Here’s the teaser of her upcoming historical drama “The Legend of Inikpi” which hits cinemas in January 2020: https://youtu.be/VbGgq3byEwg

    Set in the ancient Kingdoms of Igala and Bini, ‘The Legend of Inikpi’ tells a compelling tale of two kingdoms on the brink of war. When the Oracle informs King Attah of Igala Kingdom of the human sacrifice demanded by the gods, the king plunges into despair; haunted by the ghosts of his past, this is a sacrifice he is not prepared to give!

    Directed by Frank Rajah Arase, “The Legend of Inikpi” features popular Nollywood actors like Odunlade Adekola, Sam Dede, Paul Obazele, Mercy Johnson Okojie, Saheed Balogun and newbie Nancy Ameh. The film is distributed by Silverbird Film Distribution. Media partners include Pulse, Bella Naija, Legit, Ynaija, Naijaloaded, YabaleftOnline, TVC, Goldmyne TV, The Beat 99.9FM, Ameyaw Debrah, African Movie Channel, Sodas and popcorn and Nollywood Reinvented

    The Ben Enwonwu Foundation: Point of View

    The Ben Enwonwu Foundation in collaboration with the Society of Nigerian Artists and supported by Alliance Française /Mike Adenuga Centre Lagos, will on November 22, 2019 present the third edition of its monthly series talks Point of View. It will hold at Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Drawing from other creative disciplines and experiences to take a broad helicopter view of the art scene in Nigeria and Africa, Point of View aims to encourage support and funding for the visual arts through public and private sector partnership while ensuring continuing artist’s professional development and empowerment.

    Conceived as a collaborative platform, the third edition of Point of View titled Museums, Tourism and Urban Development will address key issues, trends and challenges in Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector.

    Leading architects will share their insights on the most innovative construction and design trends, using completed, on-going and upcoming projects as examples. In addition, museum specialists will shed light on improving museum experiences, preservation and conservation activities, as well as the challenges they face while government authorities will highlight investment opportunities and speak on museum development and destination marketing.

    Speakers are; Jumoke Adenowo, Principal, A.D. Consulting will present on Elements of an African Museum; Seun Oduwole, Principal Architect SI.SA, who will talk about the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba History & Culture, Pool & Arcade: A Case for Tourism and Destination Marketing; and Jess Castellote, Director, Yemisi Shyllon Museum at the Pan Atlantic University, who will speak on Yemisi Shyllon Museum: A Study in Innovation, Latest Construction and Design Trends.

    The theme of the panel session is The Cultural Tourism Sector: Funding, Visitor Experiences & Technology. Panellists for the evening are; Aderenle Sonariwo, Consultant to the Ogun State Government on Arts, Culture and Tourism, and founder, Rele Gallery, Lagos; Tosin Oshinowo, Director, cmDesign Atelier (cmD+A) and Omotayo Adeboye, Curator, National Museum, Lagos. Jumoke Adenowo will moderate the session.

    This event is supported by Business Day, Hundids Magazine, Connect Nigeria, WildFlower PR, Society of Nigerian Artists, The Sole Adventurer, Onobello and Omenka.

    ILLBLISS AND WIFE SHARE THEIR EMOTIONAL JOURNEY OF 7 YEARS OF CHILDLESSNESS ON MERCY’S MENU EPISODE 7

    One of Nigeria’s finest rappers and musician, Illbliss and his wife, shared the story of their journey towards getting a child on Mercy Johnson Okojie’s kitchen talk show ‘Mercy’s Menu’.

    According to Munachi, the wife of rapper Illbliss, “At a point, I had to ask him, are you sure you want this? I felt the pressure more during my pregnancy that during the moments I was without a child”.

    Watch video here: 

    The couple, who are currently married for 10 years, said that for 7 years, they were without a child and they advised couples that tests should not be only for the woman, but the man as well. “You must be there (be her support system), and then you have to approach God as one team, as one family”, Illbliss said.

    Speaking on the challenges with In-laws, Munachi explained that she was lucky to have a good mother-in-law who was understanding and supported her during the years. She is now a proud mother of a beautiful baby girl.

    Mercy’s Menu is a kitchen talk show by award-winning actress Mercy Johnson Okojie where she cooks and talks to different guests about life issues over a pot of food. Mercy’s Menu airs every Saturdays on Africa Magic Showcase by 5.30pm (WAT).

    LOLO TALKS LOVE, MARRIAGE AND BEING A SINGLE MUM IN EPISODE 6 OF MERCY’S MENU

    In the latest episode of Mercy Johnson Okojie’s kitchen show, Mercy’s Menu, Omotunde Adebowale David, popularly known by her on air personality name Lolo1 and her role in Jenifa’s Diaries as Adaku, shared her opinion on marriage, love and domestic violence.

    She said this while making the “Black Soup”, a food popular to the Uromi people where Mercy Johnson Okojie’s husband hails from. The actress told the host that she “would not describe marriage as hard, I would rather describe it as challenging, because when you have challenges you can work on it and surmount it; you have your victories and failures”.

    Watch episode here: 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNxi1B0HQME

    The mum of four who is a divorcee explained that her life revolves around her children, she advised young girls going into the institution to “know yourself and shine your eyes. Marriage is like a school you never graduate from”, she explained. She also stated that being a single mum was challenging and spoke about domestic violence and other issues.

    Mercy’s Menu is a kitchen talk show by award-winning actress Mercy Johnson Okojie where she cooks and talks to different guests about life issues over a pot of food. Mercy’s Menu airs every Saturdays on Africa Magic Showcase by 5.30pm.

    WOMEN TAKE THE LEAD ON DAY 2 OF THE US CONSULATE DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL

    It was a day of intense emotions, crying, laughing and sharing of different experiences as different groups of people especially women came out to share their stories on body shaming, mental illness, the need for inclusion of all people, and human trafficking on the second day of the US Consulate Documentary Film Festival which held on the 20th of August 2019 at the Silverbird Cinemas in Lagos.

    The women who were the major players in the discussions for the day had a lot of emotionally filled messages and insightful discussions to relay to the audiences. The stories ranged from loving your body no matter the size and shape in Jenny Macquire’s documentary film, ‘Straight/Curve’, to human trafficking and child abuse in Mary Mazzio’s documentary film, ‘I am Jane Doe’.

    The first screening of the day was Jenny Macquire’s documentary film, ‘Straight/Curve’, immediately followed by a panel session featuring Dija, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Jane Michael Ekanem, Alice Kingsley, Matthew Gordon, hosted by Latasha Ngwube. The all women and one man panel discussed issues of mental health and how the stereotypes about body sizes affected each individual especially women. An awareness was created about the need for designers and Africans to love all shapes no matter what size and to create the appropriate clothing for all sizes so that whether you’re big or skinny, you can fit in to the fashionable world without fear or shame.

    The second screening of the day was Mary Mazzio’s documentary film, ‘I am Jane Doe’, immediately followed by a panel session featuring Mary Mazzio, who joined in via Skype, Comfort Sanni, Tobore Ovuorie, Chioma Afe, Mary Joseph hosted by Kemi DaSilva-Ibru. The panel was very emotional as the women discussed issues of human trafficking, rape, murder and child abuse especially as it affects women in the society. Two women shared their stories of their experience in the hands of traffickers and how the trauma had affected them such that it had a lasting effect. The message passed was that the traffickers may come in disguise and promise all sorts of bogus claims to get people to leave the comfort of their homes to travel for a better life; however what is out there may be worse and can lead to severe suffering or even death. It was decided that there is a need to continue the conversation and the Nigerian government was called upon to intervene and help aid in preventing the prevalence.

    The film festival runs from the 19th to the 22nd of August at the SIlverbird Cinemas in Victoria Island, Lagos. It is presented in partnership with Ascend studios and supported by MTV Base, WARIF, IMagneto Dance company and WildFlower PR.

    US CONSULATE KICKS OFF INAUGURAL DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL IN LAGOS

    The US Consulate in Nigeria launched its inaugural 4-day Documentary Film Festival from the 19th to the 22nd of August 2019 in Lagos. The festival brings award-winning contemporary American documentaries, independent narrative films, and storytelling know-how to its audiences in order to highlight the value of film in fostering understanding and cooperation.

    Declaring the event open, the US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Russell Brooks stated, “Film offers a powerful tool for people to people engagement. We hope that these films help us to recognize that what we share in common is so much stronger than that which attempts to divide us.”

    The first screening of the festival was Robin Hauser’s documentary film, ‘Bias’, immediately followed by a panel session featuring Debola Williams and Dr Maymunah Kadiri-Yusuf hosted by ‘Oma Areh.


    Dr Maymunah Kadiri-Yusuf , Debola Williams and ‘Oma Areh

    Speaking on the event, the festival director, Inya Lawal, said, “We are excited to bring this to Lagos. “These stories all have elements of social familiarity across different cultures from the USA to Nigeria.  The audience should expect to laugh, cry, be moved and get motivated from the exceptional stories these films will tell” she added.

    The inaugural launch had in attendance, media partners as well as prominent guests including Debola Williams, Group CEO Red Africa; Dr Kemi Dasilva-Ibru, Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Dr Maymunah Kadiri-Yusuf, founder of Pinnacle Medical Services Limited; Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Nigerian Film Maker and Managing Director of Brickwall Communications Limited; Chef Fregz, Nike Majekodunmi and a host of others.

    The film festival runs from the 19th to the 22nd of August at the SIlverbird Cinemas in Victoria Island, Lagos. It is presented in partnership with Ascend studios and supported by MTV Base, WARIF, IMagneto Dance company and WildFlower PR.

    WOULD YOU STAY IF YOUR HUSBAND CHEATS? OMAWUMI DISCUSSES MARRIAGE, IN-LAWS AND HER OUTSTANDING CAREER IN EPISODE 4 OF MERCY’S MENU

    Award winning singer, Omawumi, revealed that she was not going to leave her home if her husband cheats on her, in the recent episode of Mercy Johnson Okojie’s kitchen talk show, Mercy’s Menu.

    The musician made this known while cooking a delicious meal of “Ukodo” and discussing with Mercy Johnson Okojie about marriage and the issues concerning the institution. “I can’t leave because of one error”, she exclaimed.

    When asked if she would prefer if her in-laws tell her about her cheating spouse or educate her partner, she explained emphatically, “They have to educate him about cheating, because if they tell me, I will kill him”

    Watch Episode here: 

    Omawumi who has been married for 5 years revealed to Mercy Johnson Okojie that she had issues with communicating in the past and she has since then learnt how to overcome it. The star further stated about cheating “You will not want me to cheat on you, so why would you cheat on me? Because if you cheat on me again, you can be sure that I will cheat on you”.

    Omawumi recently launched a PR firm, Hermanes Media, with partner Waje, following their foray into movie production. The singer spoke about her career and business on this episode of Mercy’s Menu.

    Mercy’s Menu is a kitchen talk show by award-winning actress Mercy Johnson Okojie where she cooks and talks to different guests about life issues over a pot of food. Mercy’s Menu airs every Saturdays on Africa Magic Showcase by 5.30pm.