24022020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

46 — Vanguard, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 OSA MBONU-AMADI 08070524223 BIC as brush, medium and palette: An innovation of Art Masters By Osa Amadi, Arts Editor C an the ball point pen and the ink that flows from it serve as brush and medium in art? Absolutely! The BIC Arts Master Africa Competition proves it. The ambience was cozy as guests arrived and were ushered into an average-sized conference hall in Ikeja. It was obviously not an allcomers affair, but a special gathering of the masters. It was not a day for speech making. The faces of the four young men who came for serious business were stiff, making the atmosphere thick and tense. To ease the tension, the host smiled, shook hands with them, and said jokingly: “Relax guys. It’s not an exam.” It was an occasion for celebration of four Nigerian master artists who were among the top ten entries in the last BIC Arts Master Africa Competition – the first was held in South Africa in 2017. It was limited to the South Africa but with the success recorded in South Africa, BIC decided to expand it to other Africa countries. So, all African artists were given opportunity to enter for this continental competition. Initially, according to Guillaume Groues, Area Development Manager, BIC West Africa, the plan was to recognize only the top three winners in that competition, but it was increased to ten, following the huge response across the continent. The competition, which aims to foster local creativity, called for African talents to create artworks using basically the BIC® Ball Pen as their medium. Over 5,200 entries were submitted by 2,400 artists with each submitting two pieces of artworks for the prize of BIC Art Master Africa Champion. Interestingly, over half of the works came from Nigeria. The platform was also open for a month to the public to vote for their favorite artwork. According to Guillaume Groues, the competition’s champions were selected by a panel of experts including Ghanaian artist and sculptor, Enam Bosokah; professor and designer, Hein Liebenberg; renowned artists and interior designer, Valerie Manouvrier; professional curator and art advisor, Herve Mikaeloff; and avid art enthusiast and collector and member of BIC’s founding family, Geoffroy Bich."BIC Art Master was born from our connection with art and creativity with the objective to create a platform that recognises local talent around Africa," said Grouse. The first two winners were from, Benin Republic and they received USD 1,000 dollars (N362,500) cash prize, a personalised digital gallery space, and a chance to be featured as part of BIC’s art collection, La BIC Collection. There were other range of prizes for other winners. One ‘Lucky Influencer’ winner, among those that posted about the competition on social platforms using the #BICArtMaster hashtag was also selected and rewarded with a cash prize. Grouse explained that BIC’s connection with art is as old as the brand and it spans more than 60 years, as the brand has provided platforms for artists around the world to find great inspiration in creating portraits, designs, sculptures, and installations from the brand’s iconic products. He also explained that the brand regularly works with artists, designers, curators, and institutions around the world on creative projects and expositions. Grouse also mentioned that not too long ago, BIC hosted in Paris an unprecedented exhibition with 250 BIC collection works by internationally recognized and upcoming artists, which captured the art community and took its audience on an immersive display. Guillaume Groues, also explain that BIC is not just about pens but there are other products like lighters, shaving sticks, pencils, markers, colouring products, etc. He reveled that BIC will be branching out of their partnership with CFAO following the acquisition of a company called Lucky stationery Nigeria Limited. "We will engage the market deeper with more product lines and distribution outlets as well as manufacturing centres, just like what they do in South Africa, Tunisia,Kenya and a You can be here in Nigeria and link up with galleries all over the world and sell your artwork in Australia or Norway and make good money few other places in Africa," he said, explaining that the BIC in France will be the same manufactured in Lagos. But brands like BIC crystal is produced only in Nigeria. He thanked all the Nigerian winners and encouraged them to take their art careers higher, promising that BIC will always be there for them In his comment before receiving has prize from BIC, David Olatoye, who was picked as the lucky influencer revealed that he has close to 30,000 followers on Instagram and he sees art as an escape route from his very crowded world where he can live out his dream. He started professionally in 2011 although from childhood he has been a lover of art and a passionate artist. His preferred tool for work is BIC ball pen because, "the brand brings out that shade in me. Most times I walk in the dark so BIC draws out that desired light and helps me to express what is within, in a fashion that is loud and bold." He sees the Bic Art Masters as a laudable programme and he would want young artist to consistently look out for opportunities like this. "I have learnt a lot from embracing BIC. Now I can paint faster using 6-10 pens at a time. It gives me a lot of freedom as one can't make mistake and erase it. The traffic is straight so your creativity is greatly sharpened. It is the kind of capacity that has impacted massively in all my art endeavours''. Olatoye took time out to showcase some of his artworks and displayed his dexterity in using nine pens to paint with one hand. In less than 4 minutes he painted a masterpiece of BIC luxury pen to the admiration of the audience and other artists. For, Eze Tonugo Ebuka from Enugu who came 7th in the competition, this performance will help take his art career to the next level. His experience with BIC was purely accidental. "My pencil box was stolen and my inability to replace everything made me move to ball pen, and BIC was the dominant brand in Enugu. That accident made me discover that I was indeed a pen artist.” That has been Ebuka’s strength since that time. He feels patience, staying power and possibly a good location are what the artist needs besides other factors to propel his growth as an artist: "If you stay in Bauchi where survival is the core issue for 99 percent of the population, as an artist you can only survive in selling your works online. Even those who appreciate arts there will not have Four art theatres for young talents in Lagos The Lagos State government on Wednesday, February 12, 2020, disclosed that it has completed four art theatres aimed at helping to nurture young creatives. According to the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat AkinbiIe-Yusuf, who disclosed this during the handover ceremony of the four Lagos Theatres by the project contractor, Terra Kulture Studio Limited, at Alausa, Ikeja, said “These theatres now provide a place for grooming our young talents and upcoming artistes. By giving these younger ones a place to display and showcase their talents, we are indirectly contributing to the growth of their careers and areas of interest.” As the state takes charge of the four arts theatres which were built in different locations across the •Hassan Jamiu’s work done with BIC state, it was declared that the theatres were built to provide a befitting place for young and upcoming artistes and performers to nurture their talents, as well as compete favorably with their global counterparts. The commissioner also stated that the choice of Terra Kulture Studio Limited for the construction works was as a result of the impeccable track records of the company among other household names in the art and culture industry. “It is our belief that the huge investments in the tourism sector by this present administration, including these new theatres, would further reinvigorate the good old days of theatre performances and rendition of indigenous music that would increase the interest of the international communities in Lagos State”, she said While promising that the state government would continually explore the tourism potentials of the state and enhance its economic gains for the benefits of its entire residents, the commissioner added, “Entertainment and tourism are receiving due attention by the state government considering its exponential tendencies of producing a spiral effect on all other sectors of the economy. “The theatres have been built to suit the indigenous use of residents of the state and also meet international standard and this has further reaffirmed the resolve of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure that no ongoing projects in the nooks and cranny of the state is left unattended to including those initiated by his the capacity to negotiate profitably." Ebuka also showcased his famous "Ojulegba" artwork presentation that elevated him to the top ten team of the BIC Art Masters Africa. He said the work took him almost 30 days to complete. Oscar Ukonu, a Lagos based architect and artist who was 6th in the competition, feels his field of study, architecture and arts overlap to a great extent with art sharpening his architectural design remarkably. He declared his determination to pursue both powerfully because art is very lucrative. "You can be here in Nigeria and link up with galleries all over the world and sell your artwork in Australia or Norway and make good money. So, you should not limit your aspirations at all," he said. Oscar also displayed his hyper realism piece, "blue boy" that gave him the sixth position in the competition. From the 5th best entrant, Ikorodu-based Jamiu Hassan, who is the Highest Placed Nigerian, it was the parents that encouraged him to take part in the competition. He was also motivated to turn to BIC by the works of some of his Instagram mentors because he wanted to be like them. Since that time, he has never had any reason to regret the switch. Jamiu's piece, "Ethiopian woman" that gave him the 5th position drew a lot of interests and cheers from the audience. Various gifts like premium quality cellphones, BIC products, bags, etc., were presented to the winners from Nigeria at the media event. Speaking after the presentation of gifts, Yemi Ojo, Business Development Manager- Nigeria, said the response from the 2019 competition revealed that it was not a mistake for the brand to expand the competition to continental Africa, saying that the 2020 edition will be quite massive and will form part of the plan to expand their CSR. He also said that the brand is partnering with Enactus – an NGO that trains young people – to use what is within their environment for survival and sustainability. On the expansion of their market presence through the acquisition of Lucky Stationery Nigerian Limited, Ojo said the Nigerian market and indeed the entire West African market will experience massive presence of diverse quality products: "It will be different from the time we had it only with CFAO. It will really be a win-win business for all as more job opportunities will be there, more capital flow and related businesses will also flourish,” he explained. predecessors in office.” Speaking also, the Commissioner for Finance, Rabiu Olowo, who said that the new theatres would contribute significantly to the revenue or the state, affirmed that the project was executed to specifications of the state government. He stressed that the four theatres had been inspected and certified fit for public use. Managing Director, Terra Kulture Studio Limited, Bolanle Austen-Peters, thanked the state government for its commitment towards making the project realisable and delivered on time. In furtherance, she expressed the hope that the construction of the four theatres in different locations across the State would help decentralize tourism focus from the Lagos Island to other parts of the state.
Vanguard, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020 — 47 OSA MBONU-AMADI 08070524223 osaamadi@yahoo.com Ola Rotimi’s protégé, Femi Branch and his maiden Playfest •Prince Olusegun Adeniyi, Daniella Ayeyemi, Portia Ogbuja, Osaretin Daniel and Morenike with their 3D recycle artwork. Need to celebrate outstanding art teachers: The CBIS example By Osa Amadi Nigerian is a country where teachers are rarely celebrated. But Caleb British International School (CBIS), courtesy of the Director, Dr. Ola Adebogun, recently presented half a million naira to Prince Olusegun Michael Adeniyi, recipient of thePresident’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award, BEST SCHOOL TEACHER (Private Category) 2019. It was presented by Mrs. Adeniyi of Lagos State Ministry of education at the Accolade Assembly, CBISSPort Arena on January 29, 2020. On the same ground, at the Caleb Group of Schools andUniversity Gospel Musical and Award night held onNovember 30, 2019, Prince Adeniyi also won the Outstanding Staff Award. Before then, on October 5, 2019, during the World’s Teachers Day celebration, Adeniyi also received the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award, BEST SCHOOL TEACHER (PrivateCategory) 2nd Runner-up, presented by the Executive Directorofthe Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Professor Josiah Oluseg- NASS commends IGP, Runsewe The National Assembly has commended the concerted efforts of the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and Otunba Runsewe Director- General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), for ensuring the protection of public utilities. Members of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism led by the Chairman, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama, denounced the situation where private individuals convert government property for personal use. They extolled the IGP and Otunba Runsewe for securing the permanent site of NCAC in Abuja. Hon. Ihama said both men have remained unwavering in their commitment to un Ajiboye, on behalf of the President ofFederal Republic of Nigeria. The award further confirmed the Outstanding School Award presentedearlier in the year to Caleb British International School by Office of Education Quality Assurance,Ministry of Education, Lagos State. Prince Adeniyi has spent over two decades giving children access to the best, most-stimulating and most-rewarding artistic engagements. He was trained as a teacher at the Federal College of Education, Osiele. He graduated in year 2000 with Best Graduating Student Award in Fineand Applied Arts. He bagged Bachelor of Arts Degree (Fine and Applied Arts) in 2006 from the University of Benin, Edo State and Master of Arts in Visual Arts(Arts Education) in 2017 from the University of Lagos, Akoka. Adeniyi is a Certified Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert/Trainer; Wakelet Ambassador; Teach SDGs Ambassador; Certified Teacher, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria; an active member of International Society of Education through Art (InSEA) and Society of Nigerian Artists, Ogun. Earlier recognition of his hard work and commitment to art education includes: Inspirational Teacher of the Year Award 2019;The InspirationalTeacher of the Year Award in May 2019 (runner-up) with half a million cash prizespresented by Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo, Commissioner for Education, Lagos State, at the Inspirational EducatorAward (INSEA) 2019, organized by the Meadow Hall Foundation; and Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert/Trainer 2019/ 2020. He also won Award of Stewardship for his contribution to art education in Nigeria during the2019 UNESCO International Arts Education Week by Greensprings School, Lagos; Global Teacher Award 2018; AKS Education Awards, India on September 16, 2018; Competition Coordinator and Leadership Award, presented by CBIS, 2016/ 2017 Academic Session; Teacher of Distinction, Outstanding Club Award (Art & Craft Club and Green School Club),presented by Caleb British Academy, 2015/ 2016 Academic Session;and Certificate of Achievement, presented by NNPC/Chevron JV in partnership with the FederalMinistry of Education in 2015. Director-General, NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe (2nd left) taking members of the House Committee on Culture and Tourism led by the Chairman, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama (3rd left) on an inspection tour of the Art and Crafts Village, Abuja. protecting government property, citing the Arts and Crafts Village belonging to NCAC, as an example. According to NASS members who visited the premises on an inspection visit, the National Assembly By Prisca Sam-Duru What many do not know about Nollywood A- list actor and film maker, Chief Femi Branch, is that he was first a theatre veteran before the screen overshadowed that passion. He is also a poet with published poetry collection to his credit as well as a prolific dramatist trained by one of Africa’s legendary classical authors, Professor Ola Rotimi. Chief Branch turns golden in May 2020 and this, according to him, calls for a huge celebration. Interestingly, he is not partying but is using this golden opportunity to give back to the society through mentorship. The occasion of his 50th birthday celebration has been planned to, beginning from 3rd April through 21st June, hold five plays- ‘Po’, ‘Shalanga’, ‘Jungle Justice’, ‘Ankara committee’ and ‘Kunme The Musical’; in ten cities vis a vis; Ife, Akure, Ado Ekiti, Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode, Ikorodu, Badagry, Benin and Abuja; featuring one hundred actors. This according to the actor, also holds as the maiden edition of the annual Femi Branch Playfest, a celebration of his theatrical writings. “When I turned 40 in 2010, I celebrated by publishing my first anthology and so, this is 50 years and it is going to be the biggest show I’ve done so far. The festival tour begins with ‘Kunme the Musical’, it will take a week break in Lagos from Monday 25, till Sunday 31st May, for the festival proper which shall feature performances by different selected troupes of other plays- ‘Po’, ‘Shalanga’ and the others. The tour resumes on Friday 12 and ends on Sunday 21st June in the city of Abuja. In addition, Master classes will hold for the different troupes and young acting talents as well as writers, selected from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.” He hinted. Considering how much theatre has suffered since the advent of home videos, and the need to fully revive theatre going culture of the people, Chief Branch noted that, “The Playfest is also in continuation of my drive to promote live theatre through seasonal commercial performances was pleased with efforts made so far by Otunba Runsewein refurbishing the Arts and Crafts Village which has the capacity to generate thousands of jobs when completed. The legislatorsalso harped on the need to secure and maintain such places as the NCAC cultural site which was almost taken over by some self-serving individuals for selfish gains until Runsewe, upon assuming office, decided the party was over. They expressed full support to the federal government as the council seeks to reopen the village for the benefit of Nigerians. Otunba Runsewe, with his team of management, conducted the lawmakers around the village, explaining that no stone will be left unturned in a bid to rebuild the place to meet with international standards. •Femi Branch of plays. You will agree with me that there has been a rebirth of live theatre from high profile productions such as ‘Kakadu’, ‘Queen Moremi’, ‘Fela And the Kalakuta Queen’, etc. The problem in Nigeria is always about who will start something and others will follow. Most of us started when there was no money in the profession. So, what we are doing now, is a continuation of what we have been doing.” Wondering what Kunme is all about and why it was chosen as the Festival play, he explained that “’Kunme the musical’ is the story of Queen Esther retold. I saw some things in the story that got me interested in it. Aside the gallant efforts of the young queen towards liberation of his people, there are lots of humour especially with the King who was power drunk. But then, this play is set in Badagry with Egun names as cast. It was chosen as the Festival play to celebrate my mother whose name is Kunme and she’s from Badagry. The play is also looking at women/girls empowerment. I mean, look at Queen Esther, a young girl who laid down her life for her people. Her story celebrates our women folks and let me say this, we are deceiving ourselves if we still regard women as the weaker sex.” For Branch, all this, is a way of giving back to the society and building a legacy. “We will witness a rebranding. As you know, actor never grows old. So, I will never stop acting. Stage is my passion and background, and I strong know that that passion will never die. At the moment, I’m looking back at where I am coming from and I’m being more conscious of legacy. You know when one is young, you could be carried away by distractions but at this point in my life, I’m concerned about the legacy I’ll leave behind. I’m grateful to God for how far he has brought me so, I want to be remembered for impacting the young ones. It’s like a gift. It’s not always about money but training and this is the best one can give to aspiring individuals in the creative industry. You hear me talk about Ola Rotimi all the time it’s because he developed time for me, that’s why every opportunity I get, I celebrate him. So I’ll like to be remembered by these mentees in like manner.” On why the ten cities chosen to be toured are in the South West region of the country, except Abuja, the actor explained that the cities chosen “Are significant in my life. Experiences that shaped my life and career, took place in those cities. However, there are plans to take the annual tour round the country as long as fund is made available.”
Page 1 and 2: Banks' lending rates defy crash in
Page 3 and 4: Vanguard, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Page 9 and 10: STATE OF THE NATION Vanguard, FRIDA
Page 21 and 22: FINANCIAL VANGUARD Vanguard, MONDAY
Page 25 and 26: FINANCIAL VANGUARD The North has al
Page 27 and 28: FINANCIAL VANGUARD A new policy on
Page 39 and 40: :Vanguard :@vanguardnews :@vanguard
Page 45: Vanguard, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2020
Page 53 and 54: Fury destroys Wilder in heavyweight

24022020

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?