PAGE 48—SUNDAY Vanguard, JUNE 8, 2014
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PRESENTATION
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he Federal Palace Hotel, on Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, is always beehive of activities but last weekend it witnessed an unusual visitors as people from all walks of life especially those who believed in the Nigerian project, converged at the venue to celebrate with one of Nigeria’s brightest stars in the person of Chude Jideonwu during the presentation of his thought provoking and timely book titled”Are We The Turning Point G eneration” How Africa’s Youths can drive its urgent revolution. It was a nice gathering at the event as many came to celebrate with the author, who is undoubtedly one of the shining lights of his generation in Nigeria. The book which is a collection of essays aptly captures the evolution of youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s leadership and social development challenges. With each chapter addressing some of the difficult questions on the paradox that is Nigeria. Why do many leaders ‘change’ once in office? Will the present generation of Nigerians do any better than its predecessors? Was occupy Nigeria indeed a failure? Do we need a ‘Nigerian dream’? Is ‘one Nigeria’ really worth it? The launch which was chaired by former World Bank
Jideonwu offers youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s challenges
Celebrities and other guests lend their support for Bring Back The Girls at the event Vice-President, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, ignited a conversation between two generations of Africa leaders-the brightest of Nigerian leaders from two generations majored on what the new generation must actively do in view of Africa’s development. ut one of the highlights of the evening was the issue which has dominated major discussions in Nigeria and beyond, the abduction of of Chibok school girls by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents and as a way of remembering them, there was the lighting of the candle for the abducted girls of Chibok and others whose lights in one way or the other have been dimmed, even as they also prayed for their release.
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Speaking at the event, Hon Abike Dabiri, noted that with this remarkable collection, Chude makes a crucial statement that will reshape our continent, we will require thinkers, and we will
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By JAPHET ALAKAM
cially for young Nigerians, as well as employing the media as a pro-active tool for positive social action. In a country defined by its closed spaces, the platforms
The book which is a collection of essays aptly captures the evolution of youth-led ideas in managing Africa’s leadership and social development challenges
require builders. He is clearly b o t h . On her part, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, former World Bank Vice-President said that Chude’s life work is centered on creating opportunities, espe-
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he has created and helped launch provide some rare opportunities for the historically disadvantaged to find space to build themselves and add value to their immediate environments”. Entertaining and challenging
the consciousness of the audience to the Nigerian reality, Chude read a few of his essays titled, “we need to kill God, Nigeria is a sinking ship but we must not desert it, five stories, and 52 things we need to do. Apart from this new book, Chude is one of the brains behind the incomparable Future Awardswhich is an annual award ceremony that recognises and gives awards to youths between the ages of 18 & 31, who have had o u t s t a n d i n g achievements(s) in the year under review. Chude is also one of the great minds behind the highly successful Y!Naija publication, while he is the executive partner in charge of Red Media, one of the fastest growing media content and communications outfit in the country. Called into the Nigerian bar in 2007, after emerging best student in Land law from the University of Lagos, hude has received several awards, which include the British telling stories competition, he is also the youngest recipient of the Nigeria Media merit award, wining for entertainment journalist of the year, the Sowambe awards as best social media activist, among others.
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Rays of hope as children battle in cultural fiesta CULTURE
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pon entering the Agip Recital Hall of Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos, penultimate week, guests were greeted by a bold art work of the map of Nigeria which stood at the centre of the stage. The amazing piece was protected with beautiful alluring material with rainbow colours. Both the art work and the clothe material were more than stage accessories; they symbolised unity and peace which were the main thrust of the 2nd edition of the Macmillan Youth Cultural Day competition. The culture event was tagged, My Country, My Pride. Also, seeing the organising committee members clad in various native attires representing one ethnic group or the other, told guests that the ocassion was indeed a cultural fiesta. The invited schools which formed part of the audience, arrived early and waited with much enthusiasm for the commencement of the event as they hoped their schools would triumph. The show kicked off in time and Baptist Academy, though not among the competing schools,
set the stage alive with a most brilliant teaser that got the audience wishing they had competed. Their act was a breathtaking theatrical portrayal of challenges of the country as well as the need for Nigeria to remain united. They harped on the importance of honesty and forgiveness in antion building. Ifako International Private School, the defending champion; Focus Secondary School, Ebute Meta; Edidot College, Badore Ajah; Jubril Martins Memorial Grammar School, Iponri; Methodist Boys High School, V/I and Yaba College of Technology Staff School, Lagos, were the 6 schools that competed. They performed based on sub themes such as; Governance, Culture, Religion, Education, Attitude and Security, respectively. Edidot College, Ajah set the ball rolling with their presentation that covered the area of religion. In an attempt to interpret their sub themes, a whole lot of issues ranging from cultism, kidnapping, Chibok abduction, poverty, gambling, corruption, lack of quality education, water, light, etc, were highlighted. The children’s performances exposed how knowledgeable
they are about happenings in the country, which is an indication that Nigeria Leaders should see beyond politics and put things in order. At the end of the day, the judges; Dr Felix Emoruwa and Mr Steve James, who judged the competitors based on their originality, expression, dexterity, interpretation, creativity and understanding of the theme, adjudged Focus Sec School, the winner. The Second position was taken by Edidot College while Methodist Boys came 3rd. ll participating schools got certificates while special prizes – Punctuality and Best Actor Prizes were presented to Focus Sec School and Gerald
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By PRISCA SAM- DURU & VERA ANYAGAFU
A scene from a performance by the children run down, hated, roughed up, discriminated against, neglected and discouraged, we can still stand strong and tall
The children's performances exposed how knowledgeable they are about happenings in the country, which is an indication that leaders should see beyond politics and put things in order Oghenekaro from Methodist Boys, respectively. The Managing Director, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd, Dr. A. Adelekan explained that the theme of the cultural event was chosen to encourage “the youths that while we have been
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as a country…In truth, Nigeria is still work in progress.” Dr Adelekan who noted that “We are challenged to keep building in spite of the various obstacles the nation faces…Our strength lies in our diversity.”, added that the fact that “Nige-
rians have been known to have strong mental aptitude, creative, adaptive and strongwilled,” are enough reason we should be proud of ourselves and the country.
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e regretted that while re sourceful Nigerians are unheard, only scoundrels and terrorists make headline news. Nigeria’s foremost filmmaker Chief Tunde Kelani who was guest of honour at the competition, described the country as an exciting place to be due to its cultural diversity, stressing that “ I value Nigeria’s cultural values because they are the greatest gift God has given to Nigerians.”