By Taiye Olayemi

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) on Thursday harnessed and spurred children’s creativity through a talent hunt, held in commemoration of the Day of the African Child.

The talent hunt event had students from over 10 schools compete in traditional chants, saxophone, talking drum, poetry, piano, folklore, comedy, set drum and cultural dance performances.

The programme with the theme “Harnessing The Creative Talent of the African Child” was held in Lagos.

The participating students presented rib cracking comedies, soul-searching poetries, interesting set drum performances and all.

Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao,  Director-General,  CBAAC, during the programme said that the talent hunt programme was deliberately held to harness children’s talents.

Amao noted that as the day of the African Child was instituted to create awareness on the plight of the African Child, it was also necessary to celebrate the bravery and ingenuity of the African child.

She said as it was known that creativity drives the world economy, there was great need to catch children young to properly harness their potential.

” It is our belief in CBAAC that providing an avenue that nurtures, promotes and enhances the creative talent of the African child was key in preparing them for a better and brighter future.

” The centre has made the day of the African child one of its flagship programmes to be celebrated annually with a talent hunt.

” The initiative will continue to serve as a platform where children can develop their God given talent, showcase their creative skills, mingle and exchange ideas with their peers and air their views on issues that affect their wellbeing,” she said.

Amao advised the participating students to always take every opportunity to develop their talent which was capable of enriching them at the long run.

Dr Sheyi Kehnny, Associate Professor of Music, University of Lagos, who was the head of jury for the programme announced the winners for each category of the competition.

He advised the students not to allow their academics to hinder them from developing your creative ideas.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the schools that participated in the talent hunt included Aunty Ayo International school, Ikoyi; Dowen College, Lekki; Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba; Golden Anchor Group of Schools, Yaba; Iiogbo Junior High School, Ebute-Meta and Mary Anne College, Lagos Island.

Others were: Masterpiece College, Ayoninujesu; Christ the Redeemers Secondary School, Gbagada; STC College, Ojuelegba; De Basic Innovation International School; Top Grade Secondary School, Surulere and Queens College, Yaba.

For each category of the competition, the children were rewarded.

Those with first position were given N100,000, the second position got N80,000 while those with third position were given N50,000.

Each of the participating students was also given a certificate of participation.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

By Salisu Sani-Idris

The Federal Government has stepped up measures to foster innovation and economic growth through the Nigeria Creative Industries Development Bill (CIDB).

The CIDB Lead, retired Col. Felix Alaita, who made the disclosure at the Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatal’s Consultation Session to Review the proposed draft of the Nigeria Creative Industry Development Bill, held on Wednesday in Abuja.

Alaita, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Country Risk Assessment and Evaluation, said that CIDB project was a collaborative effort between Nigeria’s creative industry and the Presidency.

He added that it was aimed at transforming the Nigerian creative space through regulation and an executable action plan.

The presidential aide also said that the bill would build a vibrant as well as an enabling creative space for Nigerian creative industries.

According to Alaita, Nigeria’s creative talents and industries deserve to be recognised and supported.

He said: “The CIDB will mark the beginning of new era for the creative industries, as it will boost job creation and viable economic growth.

”It will also hep to reshape the economy of creative industries, thereby unleashing the potential of the arts and critical to reversing years of loss and inadequacies in Nigeria.

” Also, the CIDB will pave pave way for leveling the playing field, thereby promoting diversity and inclusivity in the arts, create future of work in the arts, support freelance and gig workers.

” Furthermore, CIDB is envisaged as a critical legislative instrument to drive digital transformation through building bridges between the arts and technology.

”It will also support local arts communities through provision of resources for small and medium-sized arts organisations.”

Similarly, he said the bill was designed to help cultivate the next generation of artists, through to investment in arts education.

It will also serve as a boost for cultural tourism by driving cultural and economic benefits through arts and cultural events.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that organisers of the CIDC event lauded the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari and the Minister of information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed for their commitment towards the success of the programme. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

By Taiye Olayemi

The Nigerian National Committee of the International Council on Museums and Sites (ICOMOS Nigeria), has expressed displeasure over the demolition of the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) gate in Onikan, Lagos.

Mr Aliyu Abdu, President, ICOMOS Nigeria, in a statement on Friday said the tourist site remains an historical monument that should not be tampered with.

Abdu said ICOMOS is the organisation that seeks to advance the sustainable conservation of cultural heritage sites in Nigeria in line with global best practices.

“It is surprising to see that the Lagos State Government who recognised and listed TBS as an important state monument has  allowed this to happen under its watch.

“It is disheartening that such a negative activity could take place in day light without fear of any consequences,” he said.

Abdu referred to the Lagos State law of listed sites for preservation enacted by the state House of Assembly in 2011.

”It states that as from the commencement of this law, no property, site or monument location to which this law applies as a monument site under grade I, II, and III shall be altered demolished or improved upon as is necessary owing to normal wear and tear or minor repairs without the prior issuance of listed site consent of the governor in accordance with the provision of this law.

“Any alteration to any listed site shall take into consideration the character and special interest of the site,” he said.

According to him, the site is  a rectangular 3.9615 hectares ceremonial ground originally called “Race Course” in Lagos Island, where the Union Jack was lowered to mark Nigeria’s independence in 1960.

He said that subsequently the site had hosted the inauguration of the governors of the state.

“This monument undoubtedly habours attributes that demonstrates historical, architectural and artistic values of the TBS, worthy of preservation, promotion and transmission.

“Therefore, ICOMOS-Nigeria stands by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), in its statutory mandate to enlist, protect and preserve the important national monuments and heritage in the country.

“We urge NCMM  to deal with this matter swiftly and decisively, particularly as TBS is proposed for enlistment as a national monument.

“We further call on the NCMM to be proactive in protecting and preserving other monuments proposed for enlistment,” he said.

He also  called on local communities, professional urban planning agencies, organisations and other cultural heritage and conservation groups to take interest, join hands with government agencies in protecting monuments and heritage sites within their localities.

“ICOMOS-Nigeria is ready to partner with all stakeholders to protect and preserve important monuments across the country,” he said.

Meanwhile, Prof. Abba Tijani, Director-General, NCMM, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the TBS had yet to be listed as a national monument.
“We have waded into the demolition of the gate, we have spoken with the management of TBS and they have expressed their innocence and promised to stop everything they are doing there,” Tijani said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran

By Peter Okolie

The Federal Government has promised to take appropriate measures to make the ‘Ito Ogbo’ festival of Obosi people in Anambra a national and international event.

The festival is a triennial event that offers the community an opportunity to celebrate its natives that attained 80 years and above.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this year’s event will come up on Saturday at the Obosi Village Square, near Onitsha.

Speaking on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, the minister described the festival as “worthwhile”.

Mohammed, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ifeoma Anyanwutaku, assured Iweka that government would help to promote the festival to an international status.

“We are here today to witness the festival ourselves because of the importance we attach to it.

“Our visit is a step towards pushing it further. We are not only pushing it to a national celebration but an international one.

“It will become a festival that both the local and foreigners will hear about.

“We are going to be here on Saturday, when we will conduct interviews with various stakeholders and document the event for future references,” he said.

Earlier, the traditional ruler of the town, called for the festival to be made a national event because of its tourism potential.

He said that such a measure would go a long way to underscore the joy of longevity and also help to address the myriad of challenges facing the elderly.

He regretted that society no longer recognised the elderly, saying they were being neglected.

He said: “We are elated to have the federal government’s presence in this year’s celebration.

“This is the very first time we are having federal representative to observe the event.

“We want this celebration to spread, not only in this town, but across Nigeria and the world because we are not selfish.

“We recognise what our ancestors did for us by instituting the festival.

“So, we will want the festival to become a national celebration, which should be emulated and replicated in other parts of Nigeria and beyond,” Iweka said.

According to him, this will help to make the nation’s youths to appreciate the elderly rather than abuse or neglect them. (NAN)