UNESCO Partners with Afrika Youth Movement on Migration And Covid 19 Awareness in West And Central Africa

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has entered a remarkable partnership with the Afrika Youth Movement (AYM) to push the awareness of Migration and Covid-19 in West and Central Africa.

It is no longer a news that the Covid-19 which emerged into the world last year and rose to its peak in early 2020 has left many people across the globe, adhering to the rules of staying safe so as to prevent the spread and contact of this novel virus.

UNESCO in collaboration with AYM has created an awareness campaign on Migration and Covid 19. According to available information, this project centres on the discrimination of migrant by the citizens during this pandemic period, leading to false accusation of the spread of the virus by the migrants.

In addition, the campaign is creating an awareness on staying safe and how to act in accordance to the rules laid down by health organisations, thereby trusting valid information from reliable sources.

UNESCO and Afrika Youth Movement came up with the idea of creating a master piece of 10 messages which was translated into different african languages from eight African countries ; Nigeria, Mali, Ghana, ivory coast, Niger, Senegal and also recorded in audio format.

Some of the local languages that represented Nigeria include; Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo and Pidgin

For pidgin, see link below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ap5UAfpplnmvbDHGCw32IUfiFkQnIBwI/view?usp=drivesdk

For Yoruba, see link below:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=11axcr_p6VWGIuOwHmQ2D2mHLMToyVUQT

For Igbo, see link below:

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=19Iiip1OQAbwvjvQOb3dasKfEyLPqTGDK

Ogini Bernard, a pidgin translator, and a Pidgin Playwright by profession in his opinion to the development, says, “If only we can adhere by the safety measure given to us by reputable health Organisations, we would overcome this pandemic. ”

“Fake news and discrimination of migrants are not the way forward to defeat this pandemic. They worsen the situation, all hands must be on deck.”

Ogini Bernard’s Thread Art Joins Other Iconic Artworks in Omoba Yemisi Shyllon Collection

Ogini Bernard and Omoba Yemisi Shyllon

Speaking about Ogini Bernard, it is no other person than the seasoned playwright who is known for his significant works in expanding the tenets of pidgin literature. When he is not writing, Bernard is crafting — with thread and other relevant materials, to recreate pictures of people. One of his phenomenal works is the silk thread portrait of His Royal Majesty, Ooni of Ife.

Last Friday, Bernard who is also addressed by the sobriquet, Naija Shakespeare paid a courtesy visit to Prince Yemisi Shyllon, Nigeria’s largest private art collector. During the visit, he presented a thread art of the Abeokuta-born prince to him. The art works in Yemisi’s collection are dated from as early as the 9th century and as late as the 21st century. They include the works of both early and later Nigerian artists, such as Aina Onabolu, Akinola Lasekan, Ben Enwonwu, Okaybulu Eke, Nike Davis-Okundaye, Charles Shainumi, Okpu Eze, Clary Nelson Cole, Kolade Osinowo, David Dale, Simon Okeke, Isiaka Osunde, Abayomi Barber, Olu Amoda, El Anatsui, Ben Osawe, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Lara Ige-Jacks, Susanne Wenger and a long list of others.

Omoba Yemisi Shyllon and Ogini Bernard

Acknowledging the portrait presented to him in a post shared via Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYSAF) group page, he said, “Today’s presentation of an artwork to me at home, of my portrait done in thread, by a University of Ibadan artist/ lecturer fan of mine. He first posted the artwork and his photograph on Instagram, seeking to meet me and was thereafter directed to me by a YSMA@PAU member of Council.”

Ogini Bernard and the portrait of Omoba Yemisi Shyllon

Ogini Bernard is a Theatre Arts graduate from the University of Ibadan with solid interest in the future of Art and Literature in Nigeria and beyond.

Actress Oyebade Adebimpe Announces the Launch of Her Model Academy

Award-winning actress and Nollywood sensation, Oyebade Adebimpe has announced the launching of her model academy.

In the message shared via her Instagram page on Sunday morning, the thespian revealed the name of the academy, its purpose and mission to assist aspiring models in fulfilling their dreams.

According to the official announcement shared by the Actress, it reads:

“It is with great joy that I announce a reunion with my first love- The official launch of ROYAL MODELS MANAGEMENT.

This is a platform to build, support and encourage up and coming models, thereby positioning them for growths and productive deals. I’ll be doing all I can with my support systems here at RMM to assist aspiring models in making their dreams come true.

It’s official,we’re up and running,our doors are open for bookings for our treasure troves of fantastic, talented and of course super gorgeous models. Let’s embark on this journey together.

Thanks and God bless.

For bookings and enquiries call or WhatsApp: 07040818375

Dm: @royalmodelmgt

Email: royalmodelsmgt@gmail.com”

Oyebade Adebimpe is a prominent actress and producer who has starred in numerous movies and earned herself a score of awards for her creative excellence.

The quality of Nollywood Movies today is impressive – Actor Abikele Augustine

Nollywood Actor and Producer, Abikele Augustine speaks on his journey, projects and aspirations in the film industry in this chat with Emiralty Africa.

TELL US ABOUT YOU?

My name is Abikele Augustine Kingsley. Although I am from Delta State, I was born and raised in Sagamu, Ogun State. I am an
OND holder of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede. That was where I met my director, Sukanmi Aderibigbe, he was my classmate before I discovered he was into Theatre Arts.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?

I’ve been in the industry since 2015 but all I do is go to film house for tutorials and rehearsals.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST MOVIE YOU FEATURED IN?

I really can’t remember the title of the movie because, on that very day I met Kelvin Ikeduba , they came to shoot crime scene in my brother’s house at Asaba. I was living there and it happened that I was the only one who could speak Yoruba in the house, it was so easy for me to help them convince my Uncle. They gave me a gateman role and that was my first featured role. In 2019, I produced my own movie.

WHICH MOVIES HAVE YOU FEATURED IN?

I have starred in OMOTAYO , coming soon and directed by Damola Olatunji. Also in LEGIONI directed by Damola Olatunji.
Another is OJO MOKO IKA produced by Ogbogbo. I have produced my own movie , it’s a crime and action movie titled: AUSTIN TRACKING 1&2 Showing now on YouTube.

WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR DRIVING FORCE IN LIFE?

I just want to be great and be better than my Yesterday.

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE NEXT DECADE?

Everything on God

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF FILM PRODUCTIONS IN NOLLYWOOD TODAY?

The quality of Nollywood movies today is impressive but we can do better. I’m encouraging everyone to keep it coming we’re enjoying the good work of promoting Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

WHAT IS YOUR THOUGHT GENERALLY CONCERNING COVID-19?

About the COVID-19 , let’s wash our hands regularly, ensure social distancing among yourselves , avoid any means of contacting it and I pray May the Lord save every soul out there and also, my prayers to everyone tested positive is that they recover as soon as possible.

Pidgin Playwright and Artist, Ogini Bernard Releases Enticing Thread Works

Ogini Bernard is a Pidgin Playwright, a visual artist, and an actor. He is the first Nigerian Playwright to translate Shakespeare’s works to pidgin. And also the only Playwright with the highest number of Literature in Nigerian Pidgin language.

Choosing thread as one of his art media, most of his works are centred on political and socio-economic issues in Nigeria and the world at large. With these, he has carved a niche for himself and is fast rising to the peak of his career.

Ogini Bernard’s Thread Art of His Royal Majesty, Ooni of Ife

His passion has been voracious in all ramifications both in his art works and in his career as a playwright. He has collaborated with several international bodies on projects, Institut Français de Recherche en Afrique (French: French Institute of Research (IFRA), Initiative for Information Arts and Culture Development in Nigeria (IACD) to mention a few. Although he hasn’t participated in any art exhibition yet, he has worked and collaborated with several artist in Nigeria.

Ogini Bernard’s Thread Art of Bakare Ojo Rasaki, First Dance Professor in Nigeria

He studied and holds a Bachelor and Masters degree in Theatre arts at the University of Ibadan. His art brand, which he named Ben Silk Art aims to inspire young artist to be creative through their works and to take that bold step in making a difference in the art industry.

See more of his works below;

Celebrity Couple Yewande Adekoya and Thomas Abiodun Celebrate Arrival of Their Baby Girl

A great week for celebrity couple Abiodun Ishola Thomas and Yewande Adekoya Abiodun as the wife was delivered of a baby girl yesterday.

In the words of Yewande Abiodun while making the announcement,she said ”You are welcome to our world, my princess, my love
Our lives together has just begun.
Welcome #BabyAbiodun”. Congratulations to MR and Mrs Abiodun.

Watch Video: Yewande Adekoya Abiodun welcomes new baby:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqRLjNGftDDG3KeXaxZqrCYnZDXwUeD4V

Plus TV Africa Launches On DStv

MultiChoice Nigeria, the leading video entertainment provider has just announced the launch of Plus TV Africa. Starting 3 April 2020, the channel will go live on DStv channel 408 to customers on Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam and Yanga packages.

Plus TV Africa is a Pan-African 24 hour TV News Channel owned by General News & Entertainment Company (GNEC) Media Group. The station provides news content targeted at modern-day African professionals as well as millennials who seek credible, cerebral, enlightening and robust analysis of African news and stories.

“We are very excited to add this channel to our repertoire, as it joins us at a most crucial time,” says John Ugbe, CEO MultiChoice Nigeria. “Plus TV Africa will cater to a special audience, giving them deep insights into news and events across Africa.”

“Plus TV Africa is delighted to join DStv, the best Broadcast Media platform in Africa, and one of the best in the world. We are geared to take the continent by storm as a broadcast News Television that tells the African stories from an African perspective. We are a team of broadcast professionals that are young, talented, creative, dynamic and passionate about Africa. The continent is in for an amazing new style of reporting, analysis and storytelling, focusing on “Big Stories” across sectors and spheres of endeavour!” says Kayode Akintemi CEO Plus TV Africa.

Catch stories that are centered on topics such as politics, economy, security, health, technology, sports and of course entertainment. In addition, all Plus TV Africa programmes are presented, produced and broadcast in English language except for the News in Pidgin.

Any content within the news that is in any other language other than English are translated and subtitled for English-speaking audience.

Visit http://www.dstvafrica.com for more information on the new channel and other great content. Download DStv Now to catch your favourite shows remotely wherever you are. Don’t forget to download the MyDStv App to manage your account from the comfort of your home.

Araoro is back

Àráọ̀rọ̀ is a series of monologue that speaks about the societal hills and issues of life in a typical Yoruba proverbial words. It is powered by Asabi TV under the House of Asabi Productions owned by Anuoluwapo Omoloro Ogunfeyitimi, a theatre enthuasist and an ambassador of the arts, The debut season of Araoro premiered online on February 19 2019 with the episode of Asan laye 1 & 2, this increased her audience in Nigeria and diaspora because of the yoruba flavour and proverbial sauce added to it. She’s an advocate of the yoruba race, culture and heritage.

In one of her interviews with the press she says:’Our yoruba culture is dying because of the jet age we are. The white man’s culture is not our culture but we have failed to balance it up because of the technology increase and other societal distractions; leaving only our parents to be the custodian of our heritage. What do we pass to our generation?’. She added that, she will contribute immensely to the growth of the yoruba race by using her creative ideas and also reviving theatre culture in Ibadan and Nigeria She was among the first set of graduates who bagged B.A at lead city University performing arts and has featured in over 50stage productions across the country plays like Oba Koso and Ajagun nla by Duro Ladipo’s family, Snap shot and Mammy water’s wedding by Prof Bode Sowande, Dance of the forest by Prof Wole Soyinka, Hangs men also die produce by Ola Alabi and directed by Jerome Adie and lots more. She has worked with reputable directors like Dr Tunde Awosanmi, Yinka Akanbi, Dr Femi Adedina, , Prof Ojo Rasaki and bagged several International recognition and awards in Ibadan. Over 10years of Theatre experience, Costume design and Theatre management, she is the CEO of House of Asabi Productions (HAP) a Theatre Production company in Oyo state which is ready to give a classical and epic performance of Culture, Entertainment and Creativity

Nigerian Female Artist, Toluwalope Ajayi Pilots Art Movement, Stonism

In the dawn of 2019, Toluwalope Ajayi, a graduate of the University of Lagos has initiated herself into the republic of Nigerian artists who are experimenting and creating series of artistic movement through their artistic series and paintings.

Toluwalope Ajayi

For one who is familiar with the Art scene in Nigeria, it is no doubt that among artists who have birthed their own style and now crossing boundaries with such expressions is Mufu Onifade- debuting his art movement, Araism in the wake of 2011. Mufu’s Araism is a peculiar kind of painting that covers the entire canvas with some pattern, irrespective of what is in the background.

With Mufu and other artists breaking remarkable grounds in Nigerian Art history, the works of Toluwalope Ajayi are pronouncing her as an Art prophet whose name should be included in contemporary Art discourse as she leads the creative movement, Stonism. An acronym for a body of work (painting) developed with stones.

Toluwalope’s Stonism Work. Title: Perception

Toluwalope whose area of specialization was painting while at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos described her new movement as a concept inspired by her impecunious state and the origin of man which scientists have traced to stone and sand.

Further Interrogations into the Stonism art form, Toluwalope reveals that the process which could either be used as a painting or shading style is tasking and requires a high level of creativity, patience and eye for aesthetic appeal. She includes that stones are beautiful and there are variants of the former an artist can use to achieve the stonism art form.

Toluwalope Ajayi has just concluded her Masters degree programme at the premier university, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is a painter, mixed media artist and seasoned entrepreneur with sensational aura for excellence.

See images of her other works below:

Toluwalope at work.

Untitled medium-pen and ink

Ensemble, medium- oil on canvas

Evolution: Mixed Media

Ogini Bernard don set to release Pidgin Bible. March 2020.

Dem say ‘Journey wey far na one step dem take dey begin am’ Dis na di tok of di foremost Pidgin Playwright and the first persin to translate Shakespeare Series to Naija Pidgin for Nigeria. Ogini Bernard wey don start hin writing career since 2014, mek hin first move, wen e translate Willam Shakespeare Hamlet to Naija Pidgin wey e title am: OGA PIKIN. Dem perform am for Wole Soyinka Theatre University of Ibadan, January 2014. As hin career dey boost, e mek hin first interview for British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) for 2018 wey e tell dem say ‘E wan mek Shakespeare tosh all di areas of Nigeria becos of how di English be and becos of say Shakespeare na di book wey dem dey read pass for di world. Hin second interview na for Nigerian Tribune, wen e explain di reason why e translate Hamlet to pidgin, di third one na for leadership newspaper wey hin tok base on orda work e don translate.
Bernard present one of hin work; ‘Rukevwe and Julie’ (Romeo and Juliet) for di first international Pidgin Symposium wey happen for Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan wey Pidgin expert all over di world com togeda to tok base on how di language fit move forward pass as e be before.

For 2017, Bernard start di fandetion of di Pidgin Bible as e write ‘PASSION of CHRIST for PIDGIN’ and ‘MAMA NA BOY,(Christmas play for pidgin) wey dem perform am for Wole Soyinka Theatre University of Ibadan for April 2017 and December 2017 take celebrate Easter and Christmas. Di pidgin writer wey be catholic born tok say ‘English be like road block for som pipo to undastan God mata and na English dey mek pipo interpret Bible anyhow, but if e dey for pidgin di meaning go clear pass suntin wey dey inside show-glass. E con mek am clear say, som pipo no even undastan der own native language sef so how dem wan take undastan bible wey dem write for der own native language and need dey for di gospel to waka reach every corner mek man salvation pure.

By March 2020 some Bible books for pidgin wit som follo-com prayers go comot and e go be free to access am online. Since Bible dey for orda language, e go good mek e dey for we pidgin. Mek we know God mata so da our salvation fit easy. Pipo dey tok say: ‘Life short’ beta enjoy am, but dem don forget say ‘eternity’ long, beta prepare for am. God go hep us. Amen.