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Thursday, December 20, 2012
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
Harnessing budding talents through arts STORIES: LEONARD OKACHIE
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alent is certainly never enough! In this day and age, when enviable talents thrive, the need to hone such talent is highly apparent, because the raw talent needs to be finetuned and polished before it becomes something the world recognises and can identify with. This is certainly part of the vision of Artsbeat Concepts, the budding theatre cum media company that captured and enthralled Isheri-Magodo community recently, when they showcased talents in the teens and youths at their Positive Talents Project (PTP) season one. The programme is meant to be a tour to communities within and outside Lagos State. Armed with the theme of ‘Talents for Community Development’, Artsbeat stepped outside the box for what is obtainable today among youths of this generation. Exploring the theatre arm of the company, the group indeed put the dint of truth in their mantra, “exploring the arts of the mind”. On hand for the well attended event were eminent personalities like veteran presenter, Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka, known in many circles as the Lion of Yoruba Television Presentations. An accomplished actress herself, Niyi-Olayinka is no stranger to talents and the need to hone and encour-
age it in Nigerian youths. Also in attendance was music maestro, Gbenga Ogundeyi – stage named as Felefelelaye, who dazzled the ready audience with his sonorous albeit, ageless voice. Kenny Brown (Onisoji), music producer and gifted gospel artiste equally performed a beautiful rendition from her latest album, OWO OLUWA “Angeli Ewe” track, specially dedicated to the young ones; budding gospel artiste, Beedee, unrivalled in her use of the stage, dazzled endlessly with her rich fluid voice in a captivating performance of one of her songs “Damilare”, also in dedication for the young ones who displayed creativity matched with their talents. Olusola Taiwo Emmanuel, aka, Lord of Poetry, who is uniquely skilled in the genre of poetry and poetry dramatization, and is widely known for his lengthy yet “visioned” poem, “Why Won’t I Write” performed two artful poems for the intellectual audience. The organisation, which started in 2008 in Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State capitalised on the occasion for the celebration of her 5th anniversary. The command performance entitled “Cry-out from the ghetto” put up by members of Artsbeat Concepts, mostly comprising secondary school students of various ages who have been undergoing training since the beginning of the year, is an
Institute gives free computer training
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wenty-seven students in Ikorodu area of Lagos recently graduated in a free computer appreciation course organized by Access Educational Consult towards building computer literacy at the grass root level. Among the areas covered by the scheme are; Computer Engineering, Graphics and Design, Data Base Management, Web development and Management and Desktop Publishing. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Managing Director, Access Point Educational Consult, Mr. Aboyede Ajasa said the reason behind the initiative is to encourage youth at the community level build a self in a global world. He said the benefits derivable from the programme include, job
Apesco Dance Company performing the Atilogwu dance.
avant-garde dance drama, written and directed by the Creative Director/ CEO of ArtsBeat Concepts, Olayiwola Awakan. The dance drama is a perfect picture of the society today under the present government and a look into the various challenges militating against the development of our nation. Artfully depicted, the dance drama throws a harsh incandescent light on the truth of societal ills and plagues which is rudely apparent in what is today known as the ghetto. The teens were used as the focal point for the message in the well-crafted stage act. According to the creator of the play, Awakan, “Cry-out from the ghetto” is built to be taken on a tour to schools for students
creation for participants which will of course lead to self-reliance on their part. Ajasa maintained: “The idea of the free computer initiative is centred on giving value and empowering participants to broaden their opportunities in a technological driven world via computer appreciation. “This is just a starting phase; we have plans to increase the quality of service rendered as well as the numbers of participants in the next program. We intend to achieve this by partnering with Local Government Areas in Lagos and other interested corporate entities in delivering to the society.” Accordingly,the Keynote speaker, Prince Adetokunbo Fasanya, commended the efforts of the institute and advised that the initiative be sustained for the organisation to be able to achieve its stated goals in the society.
to be sensitised about the situation of the country, as well as encouraging them to focus on their talents for community development. In addition to this, Artsbeat performed a brilliant Edo dance garbed in beautiful costumes and props. Amongst the invited participants were members of the Apesco Dance Company from Olodi-Apapa, Ajegunle, who thrilled the audience with two dances, “Agbeko”, a Ghanaian war dance and “Atilogwu”, an Igbo acrobatic dance. Some of the budding Artsbeat teens performed poetry to the amazement of the audience. Amongst other prominent guests was the Baale of Isheri, Chief Albert O. Bankole who
Beneficiaries of the free training computer programme.
graced the event with his fatherly demeanour and desirable charm. Also in attendance were distinguished personalities from Isheri Community. The ebullient compere, Aparawa GMX was not found wanting in any way and it was a fun ride all the way, as members of Isheri-Magodo environs were quite overwhelmed. Also present at the event was Bamidele Bello a.k.a Bob DE Poet, IyunCrown and other members of the company from O.O.U. In a moving speech Niyi-Olayinka continually emphasised the need to encourage the Nigerian youth, as they are truly the leaders of tomorrow. In treating her topic, Talents for Cultural Appraisal, she further opined that the world has gone beyond parents, beating talents out of children because they feel such talent is not a worthy one. She advised that a child should be guided on the right part in whatever positive endeavour he or she is embarking upon, stressing: “Everyone has something to offer the society, and it is important to create one’s own brand. Furthermore, talent can be used to promote the African culture in ways government propaganda cannot.” She sighted young rappers like Dagrin, Wiz Kid and Olamide who have changed the face of rap music in Nigeria by rapping in Yoruba. Positive talent she believes should be encouraged and harnessed, not discouraged and frowned at as some are wont to do. In all, the programme was an eye-opener for many, and it was commended as a good initiative for youth and community development.