Sunday 26 May 2019
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Arts View from the masters; a visual angle to Queen Moremi’s bravery story OBINNA EMELIKE
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he story of Queen Moremi of Ile Ife is not fable. It truly happened with its value resonating even in modern time. It is a story of selfless sacrifice and leadership. She was a queen who over a thousand years ago offered everything she had to Ile-Ife people by sacrificing her only son (Ila) to save her kingdom from destruction by the neigbhouring cities and towns. Though a queen, Moremi was also a married woman and mother. She was a woman that believed that her kingdom deserved any great sacrifice to salvage it from their enemies. The ancient Ile-Ife was subjected to captivity as the young men and women were taken away by their enemies and mothers were deeply troubled weeping at the king’s palace and sought an end to the menace. Tension arising from insecurity threw great panic to the kingdom that even the Kabiesi was overwhelmed and went on to consult the Ifa-priest to enquire from the spirit a solution to the lingering threats. Four virgins were
sacrificed based on the message of the Ifa-priest from the deity, but all to no avail. As the insecurity increased, some warriors were sent on rescue mission of the land by the Ifa-priest. They were given very difficult conditions; to capture alive a tiger, elephant and leopard. But they returned home to king’s palace unsuccessful. Challenged by unwarranted deaths of young people of Ife, Moremi decided to confront the reality in order to put an end to the menace. She asked her husband for
permission to fight to rescue Ife Kingdom; a mission the men were scared of. She was required to go to land of the spirits to find out the conditions for restoring peace to the kingdom. She did and it cost the sacrifice of her only son. So far, there has been stage plays, movies, books and all manners of creative works to retell the story, especially, Queen Moremi The Musical. Now, the creative pendulum is tilting towards visual art. Bracing up to the chal-
lenge, Alexis Galleries and the House of Oduduwa are partnering in the maiden edition of Moremi Art Exhibition, entitled: View from the Masters, in honour of the legendary Queen Moremi Ajasoro. The exhibition, which opens from Sunday June 9-14, 2019 at Alexis Galleries, Victoria Island, Lagos, will features 28 breathtaking works by 28 art masters. The masters include; Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Bunmi Babatunde, Abiodun Olaku, Gbenga Offo, Reuben Ug-
bine, Chinwe Uwatse, Tola Wewe, Sam Ovraiti, Duke Asidere, Dominique Zinkpe, Fidelis Odogwu, Sam Ebohon, Tony Nsofor and Edosa Ogiugo. Others are; Alex Nwokolo, Mavua Lessor, Segun Aiyesan, Ato Arinze, Zinno Orara, Diseye Tantua, Joshua Nmesirionye, Gerry Nnumbia, John Oyedemi, Joe Essien, Abraham Uyovbisere, Gab Awusa and Gerald Chukwuma. However, the exhibition is a travelling show, which moves from Lagos to London, New York, Dubai, Lebanon, amosng other places. In line with Alexis Galleries believe in giving back to the society, part of the proceeds will be donated to an Ngo in Ile-Ife of the Ooni’s choice, Oba Adeyeye Enitian Ogunwusi, Ojaja II and to the Fine Art Department, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife. Moremi Art Exhibition: View from the Masters; is sponsored by Pepsi, Amstel Malt, The Guardian, Wazobia TV, Cool FM, La Cave, Mikano, Cobranet Internet Service Provider, Delta Airline, The Homestores and Art Café. Speaking at media parley held recently at Alexis Galleries to announce the exhibition, Princess Ronke Ademiluyi,
Global Ambassador, Queen Moremi Ajasoro Initiative, appreciated the founder of Alexis Galleries for partnering in telling the bravery story of Queen Moremi through visual art, as well as, thanked the 28 visual art masters for accepting to do special works that would make the exhibition truly spectacular. “We are dedicated to telling our story and the story of Queen Moremi is about ultimate girl power, and a woman who dedicated her life to ensure that her home town of Ile Ife was safe from invaders. She was an epitome of great female leadership as great leaders would always put the love of their people before themselves”, Ademiluyi said. In same vein, Patty Chidiac – Mastrogiannis, founder/ director, Alexis Galleries and curator of the exhibition, said she believes in the girl power, noting that there are Moremis in our mothers, sisters, wives and daughters, which the society should encourage to come to fruition. Also speaking at the event, Sam Ovraiti, one of the 28 art masters, assured on featuring works that truly relate and reflect the message of the exhibition; projecting positive examples that people should emulate across the society.
Ariya Repete introduces Afro-Pop category in 2019 edition SEYI JOHN SALAU
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he 2019 edition of Ariya Repete, a foremost talent hunt competition for indigenous Yoruba music sponsored by Goldberg Lager was recently announced in commemoration of World Cultural Day at a media roundtable held at the Nigerian Breweries Headquarters in Lagos. This year’s edition of Ariya Repete is set to up the ante being the first ever to be aired on television to reach a wider audience. Subsequently, the organizers have also included a new category tagged ‘Afro
Pop’ as a way of bridging indigenous Yoruba genre into the growing Nigerian youth culture as selection parties which will be kicking off in various cities across western Nigeria on 11 June. Maria Shadeko, the senior brand manager of Goldberg and Life Lager, said Ariya Repete is a special platform that allows Nigerian Breweries to showcase and celebrate the very best talents in South-Western Nigeria. “Over the years, we have been able to continually delight our consumers with this initiative as well as provide unforgettable memories for winners of past editions. This
year we are taking it further by not only increasing the prize money but also adding an all-new category. The theme of this year’s competition is ‘The Fusion’, and in light of this, we are looking for the next big artist who will dominate the Nigerian music scene. “We, at Goldberg, applaud the innovative and inspiring fusion of traditional Yoruba music with contemporary music. This year, with Ariya Repete we want to celebrate this blend of both worlds. We believe that the 2019 Ariya Repete will be the best ever, which is why we are taking the experience to TV, to show all of Africa that Goldberg Lager believes and celebrates the amazing indigenous talents from southwestern Nigeria,” said Maria. The media roundtable conversation featured some veterans in traditional genres of Yoruba music (Juju, Fuji) as well as some new generation artists whose music has been influenced by the Yoruba culture. Panelists at the roundtable included veterans like Saheed Osupa, Shina Peters, Yinka Davis, Sikiru Agboola,
president of FUMAN, as well as, Tolu Obey, a PMAN executive and son of legendary Juju artist, Ebenezer Obey. However, the new generation was represented by Sound Sultan and ID Cabasa, renowned music producer while Adebayo Faleke, on-air personality moderated. Themed, “One Culture, One Voice, New Sound” the discussion provided the platform to analyze the evolution of indigenous Yoruba genres of music, highlighting the roles played by both the older and younger generation of artists. The conversation was an eye opener as the artists shared various insights into the past and potential future of the music industry in Nigeria. The regional auditions are set to kick-off on 11 June as Goldberg takes the auditions and selection parties to 8 western cities in two weeks. The selected talents will then head down to Lagos for mentorship sessions by some of the respected acts in their genres before returning to the contest for the quarterfinals from 5 July. However, the Semi-Final will be hosted on 12 July while the grand finale is slated for 19 July.
White Walker thrills after Game of Thrones
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ohnnie Walker, the world’s best-selling Scotch whisky, in partnership with DStv Premium, recently screened the long anticipated final chapter of the multi-award winning Game of Thrones at Filmhouse Cinema, Lagos and Silverbird Cinema, Jabi, Abuja. Hosted by White Walker by Johnnie Walker, the limited edition scotch whisky inspired by the most enigmatic and feared characters on the hit show, the winter-themed event saw guests treated to iceinspired attractions, in-
cluding delicious cocktail serves of the White Walker whisky paired with popcorn. With the unprecedented popularity of #GOT, the pressure for tickets by diehard fans was fierce, causing White Walker to double the screening capacity in both Lagos and Abuja. Celebrity guests who joined in the thrilling evening included Don Jazzy, Uriel and Dr Sid. Th o u g h Ga m e o f Thrones’ White Walkers are no longer with us, White Walker by Johnnie Walker is still standing.