Back and Better: Resurrection Laughter Season 3

The Catholic Youth Organization of Nigeria (CYON) Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Pro-Cathedral in collaboration with Bluetooth Entertainment once again presents RESURRECTION LAUGHTER ON EASTER DAY, a night of comedy, music and dance. featuring the best, fresh and sizzling talents and materials Uncut – and censored, with the hilarious McBluetooth (HOST COMEDIAN )

Tickets are selling out fast so grab yours as soon as probable.
DATE; 5th of April 2015
Red carpet; 4pm prompt
VENUE; The parish Hall Area 3 catholic church Garki Abuja Nigeria
Tickets
Regular- 1,000 naira
VIP (Table of 5)- 10,000 naira

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Femi Amogunla Drucker Challenge Finalist Needs Your Votes!

Hey there art lovers! Poet and friend of the African Renaissance Femi Amongula is a finalist in the Drucker Challenge and HE NEEDS YOUR VOTES!

The Road to the Adventure

The Global Peter Drucker Challenge is a yearly essay and video contest for students and professionals organized by the Peter Drucker Society Europe. The contest aims at raising awareness about the works and ideas of Peter Drucker among young people – the new generation—in order to build on a management philosophy that puts the human being at its centre. Earlier in the year, there was a call to submit an essay and/or a video on the theme “Lost in Digital Wonderland – Finding a Path in the Global Knowledge Society” – with emphasis on personal insights and forward looking perspectives that have the potential to inspire others.

After a thorough screening, fourteen videos were selected across the world. These videos were again reduced to eight after a keenly contested first round. Among these last eight is Femi Amogunla, a brilliant and inspiring young Nigerian who NEEDS YOUR VOTES for his video Letter to the Future Manager to emerge as a winner.

About Letter to the Future Manager

The world is fast becoming a village, thanks to the internet! The internet presents us with a new wonderland, of opportunities and challenges. Come to think of it, in a highly digitalized world, where everything is connected, you work with your properties and then with who you are. How will the future manager manage their life, their time? Will there ever be a way out of this wonderland called internet in the years ahead? These questions and more are explored in this three minute video!

How do I vote?

Voting is as easy as Jackson Five song – A-B-C.

First, sign into your social media accounts—Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin—on different window Tabs.

Second, sign up as Jury on the Peter Drucker website.

Third, open Femi Amogunla’s video Letter to the Future Manager to watch. Add it as a favourite. Then, use the share buttons the video to share on your different social media platforms.

Share the video with family and friends. Hey you can even get your own discussion going on. You can share the video every 24hours.

The deadline is on August 28, then winners will be announced on August 29. So let’s get sharing! Let’s come together, show love and support to a brilliant young man doing his country proud.

Femi Amogunla Drucker Challenge Finalist Needs Your Votes!

Hey there art lovers! Poet and friend of the African Renaissance Femi Amogunla is a finalist in the Drucker Challenge and HE NEEDS YOUR VOTES!

The Road to the Adventure

The Global Peter Drucker Challenge is a yearly essay and video contest for students and professionals organized by the Peter Drucker Society Europe. The contest aims at raising awareness about the works and ideas of Peter Drucker among young people – the new generation—in order to build on a management philosophy that puts the human being at its centre. Earlier in the year, there was a call to submit an essay and/or a video on the theme “Lost in Digital Wonderland – Finding a Path in the Global Knowledge Society” – with emphasis on personal insights and forward looking perspectives that have the potential to inspire others.

After a thorough screening, fourteen videos were selected across the world. These videos were again reduced to eight after a keenly contested first round. Among these last eight is Femi Amogunla, a brilliant and inspiring young Nigerian who NEEDS YOUR VOTES for his video Letter to the Future Manager to emerge as a winner.

About Letter to the Future Manager

The world is fast becoming a village, thanks to the internet! The internet presents us with a new wonderland, of opportunities and challenges. Come to think of it, in a highly digitalized world, where everything is connected, you work with your properties and then with who you are. How will the future manager manage their life, their time? Will there ever be a way out of this wonderland called internet in the years ahead? These questions and more are explored in this three minute video!

How do I vote?

Voting is as easy as Jackson Five song – A-B-C.

First, sign into your social media accounts—Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin—on different window Tabs.

Second, sign up as Jury on the Peter Drucker website.

Third, open Femi Amogunla’s video Letter to the Future Manager to watch. Add it as a favourite. Then, use the share buttons the video to share on your different social media platforms.

Share the video with family and friends. Hey you can even get your own discussion going on. You can share the video every 24hours.

The deadline is on August 28, then winners will be announced on August 29. So let’s get sharing! Let’s come together, show love and support to a brilliant young man doing his country proud.

Interview with a Photographer: Jtimdal on Photo Naija

Friend of the African Renaissance and all-round great guy Timothy Aideloje had an interview with Photo Naija. So, what did he have to say about his passion – photography?

PROFILE

Company Name / Trade Name
Jtimdal Photography

Name of Interviewed Photographer
Timothy Aideloje

Photographer’s Website
http://www.kaine.pro/test (site under construction)

Photographer’s Phone Number
+2347031806932

Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/jtimdalphotography

Twitter Handle
@jtimdal

Photography Specialty and background
Landscape, Portrait, Weddings, Events, Theater, Travel, Fashion etc.

Your Location and Coverage Area as A Photographer?
Lagos and Abuja

How long have you been a Photographer?
3 years

When did you first become interested in photography?
From a Young age I’ve always been fascinated by Cameras and Photography.

Who were the first artists who inspired you?
Kelechi Amadi Obi and Shola Animashaun.

What do you love most about being a photographer, and what do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the job
Being a Photographer has been a wonderful experience for me as it has taken me to places and made me meet people of different tribes and most of all made me understand and appreciate the values attached to various cultures. The most challenging part of Photography for me is the ever growing need to buy gear and equipment which in most cases are very expensive and sometimes not so easy to lay hands on, another challenging aspect and I believe most Photographers can relate to this and which is trying to strike a balance with a client to pay for your services.

Do you think about Photography in todays society, and what do you think the Industry’s near future looks like?
Photography in today’s society creates an atmosphere for Photographers to express themselves through their works in terms of how they portray their immediate environment. The Industry’s near future looks very bright for the present and future generation to come due to the rapid rise in demand for photography coverage in the everyday aspect of life and style.

Any words of wisdom for the up-and-comers?
Never limit yourself, Explore all options.

Would you like to take up a Photography Apprentice?
Yes

A.R.T’S INTERVIEW WITH CATHERINE LABIRAN

So we threw some questions at Catherine Labiran and the always delightful poet, author and activist shared thoughts on her new book of poetry titled Ayisat and her life as an artist. Check out the interview below.

Give us an insight into the creative journey of Ayisat.
The poems in Ayisat were written across my teenager years, so each poem gives the reader an insight to my experiences and what I was going through at that particular time. I have been fortunate enough to travel quite a bit and this reflects in different cultural references documented in the book. When I put this book together, I told myself that I was going to be as free as I could possibly be. At first, I was nervous to talk about certain topics because of how I would be perceived. However, I then came to the conclusion that my story is more powerful than my fear of perception. I then progressed to write and collate poems with a free and unchained spirit.

In what ways did you grow upon completing the poetry collection? And did this change or expand when the book got published?
Completing the collection helped me grow up a lot because it propelled me to put myself out there. Sometimes I can be really reserved with my art. Sometimes, I fall into the trap of being a perfectionist, which is a loser’s game. Making Ayisat taught me that imperfections can be beautiful. I included poems that I wrote when I was 16 to demonstrate my journey, not what the perfect poem could be. When the book was published, I grew once again because I had to make myself vulnerable to criticism and open to love. Once a book is out there, there is no taking it back. This process freed me from the restraints I put on myself creatively.

What can poetry lovers who haven’t read Ayisat be excited about?
If you know me, prepare to learn something new about me. If you do not know me, then here I am. Even though all the poems are not directly about me, they all show my thinking process.

Ayisat is dedicated to your mother and all mothers. How does that maternal mind state impact or reflect in the book?
Ayisat is my baby. I birthed this book, I have seen it grow up and go across the world. When I hand over copies of the book to people it is as if I am giving my child away to get married. The book is a collection of poems I wrote when I was experiencing the upside-down-inside-out-crazy-normal-quiet-loudness of being a teenager. This book is my journey in text.

Are there any poems or themes you’d love to revisit when you become a mother?
Definitely, when I am a mother I want to revisit the topic and idea of love. I have experienced love but never the love that a mother has for a child. I can only imagine how intense such a love is. Also, depending on the state of the world when I give birth, I am sure I will have to revisit my poems on politics. It’s bad enough living a corrupt world, but it is even worse knowing that your offspring is suffering at the cost of greed and evil.

How does your written poetry differ from your spoken word pieces?
I do not really think there is much of a difference between both forms. The only difference I can immediately think of is structure. When I write poems for the page, I have to pay attention to the structure, where I want words and the punctuation. However, when I write a Spoken Word piece, I do not really structure the poem or add punctuation because I know my mind would do that naturally.

Is there a dominant approach to your creative process or is each piece developed uniquely?
I think I approach every piece in its own unique way. When I create poems in my mind, I flip reality on its head. My mind births the abstract, filters dreams into reality and makes the reader question if there is a difference between the two. The world is a mysterious place, beyond what you and I know, and my poetry wants to demonstrate that. Also, in order to write I like there to be silence and I like to be alone.

What life experiences thus far have shaped you as a poet?
The biggest experience that shaped me as a poet was moving from the U.K to the U.S to pursue my degree. My transition made me a fish out of water. At first, I spent weeks, months, even, trying to work out how to breathe. The awkwardness of not knowing anyone, having an ocean separate you and your loved ones, drove me to pick up my pen in a way I have never done before. I have gone through isolation in the past, but this time I was not afraid of it. I connected with all that was lonely inside of me, all the little torn up pieces. I introduced my fragments to each other and then they weren’t so lonely after all. My best work has been produced ever since.

Literature lovers can get their hands on Ayisat at Lulu.com. So if you don’t have a copy click the link to see how you can get one, and if you do have a copy go ahead and get another for a friend.

Catherine Labiran: AYISAT – A Poet Spinning Words to Outlive the Weaver

Photo by J. Jamie Photography

The greatest magicians
Are unaware
Of the hat
And rabbit between
Lips
Are buried alive in
Cradles
Sawed in half
Whole
Juggling bodies in
Wombs.
My mother,
Yours.

– Excerpt from Magic by Catherine Labrian, from her book of poetry Ayisat, published by Wordjar.

 

 

 

Poet, author and activist Catherine Labiran is an embodiment of passion and determination. An artist who, despite her young age, is traveling an adventurous path heralding her as a voice for the future, yet one whose words, spoken and penned, evoke captivating insights into today’s world.

Born in Staten Island, New York, with British-Nigerian roots, raised in Harrow, London and presently living in Atlanta, Georgia, Catherine’s eclectic background resonates through her persona. Always bubbling with an infectious smile and often Pharoah-esque braided hair, she exudes a knowingness well beyond her years.

Catherine’s poetry oscillates efficiently between page and stage; at the dipping point in the centre you will find a firmness of purpose guided by fluid poetic sensibilities. There is a maternal awareness about her poems, whether in the actual context of the piece or from her perspective as the omnipotent performer, with some of her titles – By the Hand that Held You, Love, Cereal – suggesting that cradle of motherhood carved for the children one could say her poems are to her.

Photo by J. Jamie Photography

Speaking about the poem Magicians (excerpt above) and the sense of motherhood which subsumes both poetry and poet, Catherine says:

“The poem is dedicated to my mother and to all mothers, they are the true magicians. I owe my existence and everything I do to my mother. She embodies all the greatness in the world. I often start my poetry performances with this poem, so I that I can set the scene that all these words coming out of my mouth come from her. “

Heavily influenced by hip hop culture, she performs her poems with rapid-fire exuberance, picturesque rhymes and an unaffected hip hop bravado. Watching her perform with that confident smile painting expressions of joy and pain fills you with a certain assurance that there is truth in these words.

Only 20 years old, she has already racked up an impressive body of artistic achievements: winning the 2010 SLAMbassadors UK competition; teaching and hosting events at Harrow Arts Centre, London; getting featured in the National Association for the Teaching of English SLAM DVD, distributed to schools across the UK; being on the ’12 Poets for 2012′ committee responsible for creating the official Olympic poem, Eton Manor; getting to be a ‘buddy poet’ with Wole Soyinka at the 2012 Poetry Parnassus event; being one of 30 winners of the Stratford East/30 Nigeria House award which aided her in setting up her first non-profit organization, Twelve (XII) Talents, targeted at providing free literary workshops and performance opportunities for adolescents.

Ever the creative spirit, Catherine, in November last year, released her premiere book of poetry titled Ayisat. The book, launched in South Africa while she was performing at the Word N Sound poetry and music festival, is published by Wordjar (a publishing outfit run by her brother, Francis Xavier Labiran, which gives young writers a platform). The release of Ayisat fulfilled one of Catherine’s many dreams:

“I decided to publish my first book when I was 19 in order to document my early experiences growing up, writing, traveling, becoming the young woman I am today. It has been a roller-coaster journey, I have many stories, I have seen many stories and have had many stories shared with me. It is these stories that I converted into poetry in Ayisat. I wrote this book so that my children could read it and understand that I went through the things that they will experience, I think they will find comfort in that.”

Ayisat is dedicated to Catherine’s grandfather Ali Jibrill-Ellams, who passed away when she was a child but whose presence remains strongly felt by the poet.

“I feel him and have felt him throughout my life. Through my successes, trials and tribulations, he has been my strength and shield. Also, the name Ayisat was given to me by my grandfather. It is arabic and it means ‘she who lives and is well’. I strongly believe the meaning of this name embodies all that I am becoming. Someone who does not only exist but LIVES. Currently, Ayisat is in bookstores, libraries and homes across the globe.”

Ayisat is available for international purchase, and can be found in bookstores, libraries and homes across the globe. If poetry is your passion, Catherine Labiran’s journey into truth is an exploration you will love to experience.

Golden Baobab Prizes announce 2013 Judges

Now in its 5th year, the Golden Baobab Prizes for African children’s literature were established in July 2008 to inspire the creation of enthralling African children’s stories by gifted African writers. The prizes invite entries of unpublished stories written by African citizens irrespective of age, race, or country of origin.

Formerly known as the Baobab Prize, the Golden Baobab Prizes are the most prestigious annual awards for stories written by Africans for African children. The evaluation process of the prizes is two-tiered: the reading session and the judging session. The longlist was announced after the reading session. The judging session begins on 1st October 2013. The 2013 judges for the Golden Baobab Prizes are:

Esi Sutherland-Addy Educator
Bernardine Evaristo Author
Osayimwense Osa Author, Editor and Professor
Nonikiwe Mashologu Children’s literature reviewer
Zetta Elliott Author and Educator
Ahmed Farah Winner of the 2010 Golden Baobab Rising Writer Prize

Nonikiwe Mashologu, Chairperson of International Board on Books for young People South Africa branch (IBBY SA) says, “I have been involved with the Golden Baobab Prizes for about 3 years as a reader and so I am aware of the absolutely wonderful work being done. I am honored to be a judge for this year’s award because I am always so happy to add and contribute to literature for African children.”

The judges will use three weeks in October to read the longlisted and the final week in October to decide on the winners for each prize: The Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books, The Golden Baobab Prizes for Early Chapter Books and the Golden Baobab Prize for Rising Writers.
The winners of the Golden Baobab Prizes will be announced on 13 November 2013 and will receive $1,000 (USD), the opportunity to publish with and receive royalties from Golden Baobab top tier African and international publishers, the benefit of increased publicity that comes with being named a Golden Baobab winner, and opportunities to attend exclusive Golden Baobab workshops. In addition to the above, the winner of the Golden Baobab Prize for Rising Writers will serve on the prestigious panel of judges for the 2014 Golden Baobab Prizes, bringing a critical young perspective to the evaluation process.

Nanama B. Acheampong, the coordinator of the prizes stated, “We’re really excited to see the prize become bigger and better each year. We’re looking to form meaningful partnerships with corporations that share in our vision of a world overflowing with African children’s books and are willing to help make it happen.”

Last year’s judges were CNN hero, Yohannes Gebregeorgis, professor and author, Vivian Yenika-Agbaw, publishing expert, Carol Broomhall, award-winning author, Atinuke Akinyemi Sears, doctor and award-winning author, Kopano Matlwa and accomplished librarian, Tanja Galetti.

ABOUT THE GOLDEN BAOBAB PRIZES

The Golden Baobab Prizes for literature was established in July 2008 to inspire the creation of enthralling African children’s stories by gifted African writers. The Prizes invite entries of unpublished stories written by African citizens irrespective of age, race, or country of origin. The Prizes are organized by Golden Baobab, a Ghana-based pan African social enterprise dedicated to supporting African writers and illustrators to create winning African children’s books. The organization’s Advisory Board includes renowned authors Ama Ata Aidoo, Patrice Nganang, Jay Heale and Maya Ajmera. Golden Baobab is proudly supported by Echoing Green, Reach for Change, The Global Fund for Children and The African Library Project.

For further information, photos or to arrange interviews, please contact: Nanama B. Acheampong via info@goldenbaobab.org
Tel: +233302 265215
Website: http://www.goldenbaobab.org

A Short Film from Africa: Visibility Zero

Synopsis, THE MOVIE
Fred, a first-class university graduate roams the streets of Lagos for close to two years, strongly believing his university degree is his only ladder to success. Things move from bad to worse until he becomes friends with a blind street beggar, Temiwa.

Temiwa is a 28-year old beautiful lady with a ten-year old son, Wisdom. She became blind at 18, when she was raped and shot in the face during an armed robbery attack in which her parents were murdered. This led to her loss of sight and conception of Wisdom.

Visibility Zero, THE GOAL
Visibility Zero is a wake-up call to the average Nigerian graduate, to look inwards for self-discovery rather than perpetually wait to be employed by a big firm.

We hope that with awareness about this short film, we can raise funds for this project which is essentially about giving back to the community.

The Nigerian youth, in 2013, needs to be taught how to enhance his self-worth through rediscovery and skills acquisition, all to improve his chances of success in today’s world.

New Music from Naija: LSMK in “LoveLove” and “Welcome to the World”

LSMK is an up and coming artiste of the R&B, rap and alternative genre. A Lagos based crooner of eclectic music. His previous works include the self produced All The Women and Roll Up produced by Fiz (@_Fizzz_).

Follow him on Twitter ( @_lsmk_) and Instagram (LSMK)

Welcome To The World is a ballad/rap hybrid about a child’s destiny unfolding as he or she is brought into the world. This is produced by LSMK and Fiz. LoveLove is a graphic interpretation of Love and Obsession exploring contextual themes such as fashion, drugs, regret, lust and so on. Produced by LSMK. Be sure to be enlightened as you listen. ENJOY!

Click here to listen to or download LoveLove

Click here to listen to or download Welcome to the World

My Name My Identity: Femi Amogunla from 30 Nigeria House Project

Femi Amogunla

In Conjunction with

Theatre Royal Stratford East London and Bank Of Industry

Presents

My name, My identity

An Award Winning Project (30 Nigeria House), 2012

Oruko mi ni Olorunfemijuwonlo Amogunla

Watch the video “My Name My Identity” here.

My name is a song;
I can sing it as I want;
in Soprano High or Bass deep.
O-lo-run-fe-mi-ju-won-lo
Oh! It jars your ears.
(beat) I should shorten it?
I won’t. I will not reduce my name to F
A letter. And call it a nickname.
Or funkify it as P-h-e-m-m-y spelt P-h-e-m-m-y
Why?
Or change it to Famozo
…or its other version Famoshi
So that you might feel it?
My name is my identity.

My name is history.
History of valiant Yoruba men and women in battle.
Moremi, Ogunmola Afonja Kunrunmi
My name is their victory.
Amogunla, son of that famous warrior who killed an elephant with his cap
Kindred of Uthman Dan Fodio
Nnamdi Azikwe
And Achebe
Yes, that’s me!

I am every African who fought
And who still fights to keep his names
My name is history of a generation.
I lose it; we lose a story.
A string.
A line.
It becomes distorted.

My name is a symbol.
A symbol that rises early in the morning when my mother screams: Fe-mi.
It’s a sign of control, of power.

My name tells where I am from
That I am a Yoruba
That I am a Nigerian
That I love being both at once
Like an identity card
I don’t need to show it. It shows me.
I don’t have to shout it. It shouts me.
Shouts Yoruba, proclaims Nigerian.

My name has meanings.
It is freedom.
It is power.
It is love.
Love for myself.
For every part of me
Seen. Unseen.
Known. Unknown.
Written. Unwritten.
Loved. Unloved.

My name is like my dansiki;
I wear it as I want
In the sun or in the rain; it does not smell.​
I wear it in the cold or in the harmattan,
I stay warm
I can wriggle it as it pleases me
As I do bata dance

Bata drum with voice:
Olurunfemijuwonlo,
Iwo nko? Iwo nko?​3x

Let me sing as I want,
Let me wear it as I want.
Let me dance as it suits me
But never will I change it

Oruko mi ni Olorunfemijuwonlo Amogunla.
Ki ni oruko tire?
What is your own name?

Some Words on My Name, My Identity

This thematic focus of this poem is the beauty of Yoruba/African culture as captured in the significance of a name, of my name. An African traditional name is more than just a name; it is more than just something we are called by or something that differentiates us from another. In fact, in the Yoruba belief system, what you are called, and how you are called goes a long way to affect what you turn out to be. In essence, African names define our cultural identity, lineage and on several occasions, the circumstances in which we lived and currently live.

In this award winning project by Femi Amogunla, he insists that he should be called by his name, the way it should be; not as an abbreviation or as a nickname because, it is believed that “whatever” you are called has a meaning.

The poet draws on personal examples of the challenges that he has faced when it comes to his name, and draws on how he has been able to keep bearing his name despite these.

The poem also goes ahead to show the challenges of holding on to this culture of naming in a fast changing world that seems to impose its change on one. The narrator refuses any other version of his name, and takes pride in what he’s called.

Rendered in English, this poem has a universal appeal, yet it is sprinkled with local Yoruba language, the poet calls the audience to a different language, to a different culture. It also makes use of accepted codes of culture like music.

Finally, it educates others about African lives, African pride and the struggle of the African past.

Check out our previous post on Femi Amogunla here.