I Was A Danfo Driver, Says Ayo Fayose

Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, yesterday disclosed that he was once a ‘danfo driver’.

He said this on Thursday during the swearing-in of the new State Executive of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria in Ado Ekiti.

He advised them to always respect road regulations, avoid reckless driving and also obey the ‘don’t drink and drive’ 

He said, “Please, I want to commend you for contributing immensely to the development of the state’s economy, but don’t allow yourselves to be used by evil doers. You can see that some kidnappers were paraded recently. Information from them revealed that they have been using some of your members.

“I was once a driver like you. I used the money I got from driving to sponsor myself for HND at Ibadan Polytechnic, but I did not get desperate. All I’m saying is that being a driver you can make it in life. You will become what you want to become in life with hard work.

“Don’t join evil gang for you to get rich overnight; try and rise through the ladder like we did. Though I am part of you, if you breach the law, I won’t save or spare you. You will be arrested and prosecuted by the security agents,” he said.

The governor, who recalled that he united the two unions- the RTEAN and the National Union of Road and Transport Workers, during his first term, said the occasion was a sign that good things were coming to Ekiti.

“We should emulate this kind of occasion. This is very good. We will always identify with this kind of achievements. You are doing a good job for this country. I don’t want to be the enemies of drivers, I want to be your friend”, he added.

He also thanked the unions for standing by him during the failed impeachment plot against him by the former 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers.

Globacom Set To Celebrates Wole Soyinka

Information and Communications Technology solutions provider and leading supporter of African Literature, Globacom, has concluded plans to celebrate African playwright, poet and Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka.

Globacom stated on Thursday that Prof. Soyinka and some of Nigeria’s upcoming literary writers will be honoured in an event entitled “A Night with Wole Soyinka and Nigeria’s Young Literary Stars” in August in Lagos.

The event, according to the company, is one of the numerous efforts initiated to appreciate the literary stars for their outstanding contributions to the study of literature which has put Nigeria on the world literary stage.
Globacom stated that the Nobel Laureate had made Nigeria and Africa proud, adding that the celebration of the intellectual jewel at the event will also provide opportunity for the media, literature lovers and guests to interact with Professor Soyinka and the young award winning writers.

The telecoms company explained that it is working towards showcasing an evening of glitz, glamour, endless entertainment and Intellectual simulation for guests.

In addition, a documentary on the life and times of Professor Soyinka will be showcased as well as a reading of his works by the three young Nigerian writers.

During the event, Globacom will also launch a special prize in Literature for undergraduate students across the country tagged “The Glo Literature Prize for Undergraduate Students”.

It will also feature an interactive exchange between the Nobel Laureate and the young writers being honoured on the night, Sefi Atta, Tope Folarin and E.C. Osondu who will share their personal perspective on African literature and the contributions of Prof Soyinka.

Born in 1964 in Lagos, Nigeria, Sefi Atta has won several awards including the 2003 Red Hen Press Short Story Award, 2005 PEN International David TK Wong Prize, 2006 Wole Soyinka Prize for Literature in Africa and 2009 Noma Award for Publishing in Africa amongst others.

Washington, DC., United States based Tope Folarin is a recipient of writing fellowships from the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington DC., and serves on the board of the Hurston/Wright Foundation.

Tope was educated at Morehouse College, and the University of Oxford, where he earned two Master’s degrees as a Rhodes Scholar. In 2013, he won the Caine Prize for African Writing, described as Africa’s leading literary award, for his short story entitled ‘Miracle’ from Transition.

E.C. Osondu, the last celebrant, lives in Rhode Island, USA where he is an Assistant Professor of English at Providence College. He won the Caine Prize in 2009 for his story “Waiting”. He has also won the Allen and Nirelle Galso Prize for Fiction, and his story, “A Letter from Home”, was judged one of The Top Ten Stories on the Internet in 2006.

Osondu’s debut short story collection Voice of America was published by Harper Collins in 2010 and Granta Books in 2011.

Olukolade, Nigeria Defence Spokesman, Quits

Maj. General Chris Olukolade

Major General Chris Olukolade, the man who has been the spokesman of Nigeria’s military high command for several years, is set to retire from the Nigerian military.

He announced his retirement himself in Abuja today at the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), in Abuja. Olukolade had chaired the forum, but today handed over its leadership to the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu.

Olukolade said he ought to have left the service since Nov 2014 when he applied for voluntary retirement but was not obliged by the Army Council which extended his stay on the grounds that it was not proper for him to go at that time.

He thanked members and their agencies for the support and understanding they accorded him while he chaired the forum since its formation in 2013.

He also solicited the same level of support for his successor.

He said the aim of the forum was to deepen the collaboration and understanding among the security and response agencies in information management and communication.

In his acceptance remark, the new Chairman of the forum, Commodore Kabiru Aliyu extolled the sterling leadership qualities of Olukolade which was the main pillar behind the successes recorded by the forum.
He assured the former Chairman of his determination to carry on from where he stopped and to even strive to move the forum to another level.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Centre for Crisis Communication, retired Air Commodore Yusuf Anas also commended Olukolade for his positive contributions to national development.

The membership of FOSSRA is made up of spokespersons of Military, Security, Intelligence and Response agencies.

Gov Dickson Woo Investors For Bayelsa's Industrial Future

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (L), joined by the Rep. of Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr.Ade Ikpaye (Deputy Chief of Staff to the V.P) (M), receives the original document of the Eco Industrial Park, proposed for Bayelsa State, from the Principal Partner, AD Consulting, Mrs. Jumoke Adenowo, during the 2^nd Bayelsa State Investment & Economic Forum, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa.

 Hon. Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa State Governor, on Thursday urged the Federal Government and investors to partner with his administration in the development of investment opportunities in the state to drive its industrialisation efforts.

The Governor made the plea at the second edition of the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum with the theme, “Unfolding Bayelsa State’s Industrial future,” declared open by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Yenagoa.

According to the governor, it pays willing investors to look at the direction of Bayelsa, as it is endowed with abundant resources and it would make a good economic sense for businesses to be sited close to their sources of raw materials.

He highlighted the areas in which they can have collaboration including the establishment of a world-class Eco-industrial park, power generation, Brass oil and gas free trade zone and the Agge Deep Sea port among other key projects. 

“We are actually talking about an industrial park that has taken off. So, for those who are thinking and rightly so, how this wonderful concept can become a reality, we already have it in reality. It is on ground. We have Shell’s investment there of about N4 billion dollars already completed. We also have a Federal Government’s NIPP’s project that has just been privatised, which is also very expensive. All we are doing is to showcase it to the rest of the investing public and to assure everybody of our preparedness to partner going forward,” Dickson stated.

He said other notable projects in the state, when completed have the capacity to create wealth, employment generation and boost food production as well as increase the revenue profile of the State, adding that a large expanse of land has already been made available as incentive for investors in power generation at Imiringi, in Ogbia local government as well as Gbarantoru in Yenagoa.

In his remarks, the Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, called on the state government to adopt very strict codes of business ethics and zero tolerance for corruption, as vital guides in its investment drive.

“Investors want to see crimes under control as well as a secure and peaceful atmosphere for business. A lot of attention must therefore, be paid to the law enforcement and criminal justice sectors towards improving its speed, effectiveness and efficiency,” Osinbajo said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Barr. Kemela Okara said the 2-day summit was aimed at consolidating the gains already made in the previous summit. He explained that this year’s objective is to provide a focused, yet rich opportunities where the states can play a pivotal role in the transformation of the Nigerian economy.

BON Awards 2015 Goes To Ondo State

Gov. Mimiko receiving a certificate from Seun Oloketuyi

The sunshine city of Akure, Ondo State will be hosting hundreds of talented and versatile players of the Nigerian movie industry as they converge on 12 December for the 2015 edition of the Best of Nollywood, BON Awards.

 

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the governor of the state made the announcement Thursday at a meeting with the organisers of the awards and select Nollywood stars inside his country home in Ondo town, Ondo State.

“On behalf of the good people of Ondo State and me, we are set to host the Best of Nollywood Awards this year. We will give spirit and soul to the awards ceremony because it would be held in the best and only international events centre in Nigeria. Our new Dome would make the Expo Centre in Lagos look like a village kitchen,” he boasted. 

According to the governor, in spite of the financial challenges that many states, including Ondo, he acceded to the proposal to host the awards in the state so as to encourage the Nigerian culture which are been promoted through Nollywood films.

 “My first reaction when the executive producer mentioned hosting BON Awards to me was that these are not the best of times for any state financially but he assured me that it would not cost the state so much. And I agreed essentially because growing up, we were all victims of cultural imperialism by the West. Of course, at that time, we still had contending views of the East because of the deep rooted culture in their (Indian and Chinese) films. As time went by however, the Nigerian film began to show great promises,” Mimiko stated.

The successful medical doctor turned politician further shared his robust knowledge of the global film industry explaining that if there is one area Nigeria has shown the world that she is capable of excelling especially in the last two decades, it is in the creative industry especially the film industry. 

“For me, the celebration of Nollywood is within the context of the cultural, if you like, imperialistic possibilities of Nigeria and why not? So long we talk about our potentials; we could also make Nigerian films a global commodity. If we want to be a dominant country in Africa and a global player, we need to deliberately create our Nollywood narrative by creating a theme around which other sub-themes would be created to sell our country,” he posited.

This is because, he continued, “Even in Hollywood, there is a constant narrative, whether subtle or otherwise, in all their cinematic outputs. We have to discover our own narrative. It is amazing the possibilities therein. There is no home in Africa where Nollywood is not celebrated and I think this creates finite possibilities for us to recreate and identify ourselves before the world. For us, celebrating Nollywood stars is part of our patriotic drive to ensure that this industry actually helps to actualize the Nigerian dream. I don’t think there is any nation that has a product and does not package how to sell it.” 

Seun Oloketuyi, BON executive producer, expressed gratitude to the governor for his understanding, love and support for the entertainment industry, and importantly, for agreeing to host the event. He urged other governors to take a cue from Governor Mimiko and help the industry grow.

At the event which had in attendance Nollywood stars including Segun Arinze, Yomi Fash Lanso, Fathia Balogun, Ngozi Nwosu, Alex Ekubo, Ebube Nwagbo, Toyosi Adesanya and Amanda Ebeye, Oloketuyi later presented the governor a certificate to symbolise the hosting right. 

BON Awards is an annual film event presented by Best of Nollywood Magazine honouring outstanding achievement in the Nigerian movie industry. The first edition was held on 6 December 2009 in Lagos. Last edition was held on 16 October 2014 inside Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

When Kunle Afolayan Penned Multi-Million Naira Air France Deal

Afolayan signing as Air France Ambassador

Nigeria’s award winning actor and director, Kunle Afolayan on Wednesday, signed his major deal with Air France, one of Europe’s best airlines, as its ambassador.   

Afolayan signed the international brand endorsement deal at the Lagos, Nigeria’s office of Air France. The exclusive ceremony was witnessed by top executives of the airline, Nollywood and media luminaries.

 

Jean-Raoul Tauzin, General Manager, Air France, said the decision to bring Afolayan on board as its ambassador was borne out of the airline decision to forge  a partnership with the creative industry in Nigeria and connect Nollywood to abundance of opportunities globally.

Speaking on the deal with Nigeria’s top entertainment journal, E24-7, Afolayan, commended the unique steps taken by Air France to get him on board.

He explained how the deal evolved: “This journey started in Paris some weeks ago. The very moment they engaged me, I just started talking about my passion and because they were part of the festival in Paris where I met with the Vice President of Air France, Africa, I was just talking continuously about films and what we can do together. When I got back to Lagos, someone called and said let’s have a chat and there was a bond,” Afolayan stated.

Afolayan with Air France hostesses

 The renowned director also shared a unique experience with the airline before talks on the deal began. His words: “Air France did something quite overwhelming for me. I was meant to go to Los Angeles and those who invited me provided an Economic Class ticket. I tried everything possible to upgrade that ticket, you know how it is with celebrity status but I couldn’t afford to, because it was quite expensive. And as I was making enquiries, I got a call from Air France that they were willing to upgrade me all the way to Los Angeles. That ticket was not a sponsorship ticket; they paid over One Million Naira to get it for me without signing anything. That was before we had reached any agreement on our partnership. And I said to myself, this means that these people (Air France) actually have the interest of, not just me, but the Nigerian entertainment industry at heart.”

Afolayan's friends including Biodun Kupoluyi and Azuka Ogujioba at the ceremony

As Afolayan’s speed up on his next film project, The CEO, to be shot in exotic locations in Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa, it was said that Air France will play significant role when the tape starts to roll in August.

All photographs courtesy of E24-7