THEWILL DOWNTOWN September 03, 2023

THE PACESETTING

CREATIVES

Ifeoluwa Oluwaseun Olowu | Chibuike Josh Alfred | Ayobami Adebayo | Bayo Omoboriowo | Lisa Folawiyo

Ican’tbelieve how quickly the month of August went by. It is as if I blinked, and suddenly, we are in September. I‘m not looking forward to the summer holidays being over for selfish reasons… Traffic anyone? With the summer break, we always have about six weeks of light traffic because many families leave for the summer, which is the rainy season here. I enjoy those days with fewer cars on the road; it makes for a much more pleasurable drive from one destination to another. Speaking of destinations, we still have a few weeks of summer left, so if you would still like to go away on vacation with the family or by yourself, we have listed a few places to visit and things to do on page 6.

The colour of the clothes you wear often depicts your personality, but it also resonates with your furniture and home design in general. The colours you have in your living space say a lot about you. So the next time you think about doing up your home, don’t just go for colours trending according to Pantone; choose colours that match your persona. For instance, blue works well for calm people, while yellow best suits spontaneous, happy people. Read more about this on page 11.

When I imagine the sunflower, I imagine a field of yellow petals. Little did I know that sunflower extracts work wonders for the skin. So, for your next beauty ritual, look for sunflower extract in the ingredients of your cleanser, moisturiser and lip balms.

If you haven’t been scanning the QR codes on page 16, you are missing out on really cool music, so head on there and explore our playlist. I promise you won’t regret it.

Until next week, enjoy your read.

Dorcas Akintoye

Dorcas Akintoye is a dedicated writer with more than 2 years prolific experience in writing articles ranging from food, entertainment, fashion and beauty.  She has a National Diploma in Mass Communication from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. She loves writing, listening to music and playing scrabble. She is a highly-skilled, enthusiastic, selfmotivated professional writer.

Onwumere Churchill Ikenna

- Contributing Writer

Executive

Onah Nwachukwu @onahluciaa

Editor-at-Large: Danielle Loth

Writer: Ijeoma Ezeanyika

Graphic Design: Olaniyan John ‘Blake’

Digital Media: Oladimeji Balogun

Guest Art Director: Sunny Hughes ‘SunZA’

Onwumere Churchill Ikenna is a writer, poet, digital and social media content strategist. An Afro gen z clan member of kenga media. He is a movie critic who was amongst those who birthed the first movie brand; Feeem house brand. A full fledged member of the writers space Africa, Nigeria district and was part of the editing team of the second anthology issue by the writers space Nigeria.

He has written so many articles, stories and e books. An avid reader and a freelancer. You can check out his literary editing page @coidencreatives on Instagram and twitter.

His personal socials for both Instagram and twitter are : @ikennachurchill

My

Nice

Harnessing Sunflower Extracts For Radiant Skin The Power of Sunflowers

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Ourbrains frequently conjure pictures of bright fields and cheery petals when we think about sunflowers. But did you know that the secret hidden in these colourful flowers might help you achieve glowing skin? Sunflower extracts, rich in nutrients and antioxidants, may completely change how you care for your skin. We will show you six quick and easy methods to use sunflower extracts to get the radiant skin you’ve always wanted.

4. HYDRATION WITH SUNFLOWER MOISTURISERS

Moisturisers that contain sunflower extracts can quench the thirst of your skin. These moisturising creams keep moisture locked in and preserve the radiance of your skin. Your skin absorbs the benefits thanks to the texture’s lightness, which keeps it from feeling greasy or heavy.

3. RADIANCEBOOSTING MASKS

Use face masks packed with sunflower oil to treat yourself to a spa day at home. These masks revitalise your skin, leaving it supple and luminous. Sunflower extract’s relaxing characteristics help soothe inflamed skin, making it ideal for anyone with redness or sensitivity.

1. NOURISHING CLEANSERS

Start your journey to beautiful skin with cleansers containing sunflower extract. While moisturising your skin, these mild formulations remove contaminants. Sunflower extracts contain natural fatty acids that function as a barrier to retain moisture in and maintain the suppleness of your skin. Avoid harsh chemicals that deplete your skin’s natural oils and say yes to a youthful, radiant complexion.

2. SUNFLOWER SERUMS FOR SMOOTHNESS

Skincare superheroes are serums, and sunflower extracts are their secret weapon. Sunflower serums fight free radicals, smooth your skin, and are high in vitamin E –this reduces the indications of ageing. This step can help reduce fine wrinkles and encourage an even skin tone if you include it in your routine.

6. LIP CARE WITH SUNFLOWER LIP BALMS

When pursuing flawless skin, don’t overlook your lips! Lip balms with sunflower oil provide a rush of moisture, keeping your lips smooth and full. Sunflower extracts provide nourishing qualities that help heal chapped lips and shield them from the elements.

5. SUNFLOWER OIL MASSAGE

Give yourself a soothing massage with sunflower oil. Since it is noncomedogenic, your pores will stay unclogged as the oil does its magic to leave your skin well-hydrated and radiant. The massage also promotes healthy blood flow, which gives your skin a healthy flush.

It is impressive how effective sunflower extracts are for skin care. These cheery blossoms have established their value in flawless skin, from cleansers to serums and masks to moisturisers. You can get the radiant, glowing complexion you’ve always wanted by implementing these six simple steps into your skincare regimen. Let your skin glow like never before by embracing the secret of sunflowers.

SUMMER LIVING

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

The world over, summer is known to be the hottest among the four seasons, coming right after spring and just before autumn. Summertime varies relatively according to climate, tradition, and culture. Globally, schools close up for “summer break” during this period to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer days.

Summer is likened to vacations and staycations. The weather is taken advantage of for engaging in outdoor activities such as travelling, picnics, and beach fun, and sports aren’t left out - football, cricket, horseracing, basketball, volleyball, skateboarding, baseball, softball, tennis, and golf are enjoyed during the season. The hotness of the weather increases the craving for water - anything to keep the body cool. Water sports like water polo, water skiing, tubing, swimming, wakeboarding and surfing are honoured.

FABRIC

Light-coloured clothes made from cotton are considered most suitable for summer. Cotton fabrics are the most popular natural fabrics; they are also breathable due to their tiny hollow gaps, which help them quickly consume and expel perspiration. The fabric allows air to flow through the fibres, keeping the body cool by wicking away sweat. This versatile, lightweight fabric can be used for diverse purposes and is the ideal summertime wear.

ESSENTIALS

As with everything else, having the wrong item makes you uncomfortable; having the wrong clothes in your wardrobe for summer can mar the season, so you need to familiarise yourself with the summer staples. Your summer wardrobe should have a t-shirt, dress, singlet, cap, one-piece bathing suit, Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, straw hat, polo shirt, overalls, shorts, tank top, flip-flops, culotte, cargo pants, scarf top, pyjamas, sundress, summer loungewear, crop top, Capri, and skorts.

DESTINATION

You have until 23rd September before summer is over so if you are still planning for your summer holiday trip, here are some excellent destinations for you in no particular order: Greenland - more like a smoky wonderland; Cappadocia, the land of hot air balloons; London, gawk at the Big Ben tower; Prague, hub of baroque buildings; New Zealand, scenic landscapes for nature lovers; Marrakech, admire bucolic nature; Capetown, get bird-eye view from the cable car; Siem Reap, famous for night markets; Barcelona, all about games and nightlife; then we have Maui - not less than a paradise and a whole lot more.

SCENT

Every season has its unique smell; it comes with a fragrance. One whiff and you can tell it’s here. For summer, it isn’t any different. Some scents you can delight in during summer are Louis Vuitton On The Beach and Imagination.

Nurturing New Relationships And Healing From Heartbreak

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

1.

Giving yourself some space to think before entering a new relationship is important. We will recover and develop if we can understand the causes of the previous loss and accept our feelings. Take part in reflective exercises like journaling or ask a therapist or dependable friend for advice. We lay the groundwork for upcoming partnerships by facing our emotions head-on.

2.

After experiencing heartache, it takes bravery to open up to new people. It is normal to feel wary as we shield ourselves from possible harm. But the secret to fostering a strong new connection is to embrace vulnerability. You can build an emotional connection with your spouse by discussing your worries and doubts. Maintaining patience with one another is important because you are both on a recovery path.

3. TAKE THINGS SLOWLY

Although jumping right into a new relationship can be tempting, taking your time is essential. Without the strain of quick commitments, let the connection develop naturally. Spend time getting to know one another well and learning about one another’s values, hopes, and aspirations. Establishing a solid emotional bond takes time and work, but the results are worthwhile.

Heartbreak

may be devastating, leaving us broken and disoriented, but as the saying goes, “Time heals all wounds.” Even if the healing process could take some time, it’s important to remember that love can come back to us even in the face of loss. It’s a magnificent journey of self-discovery and progress to nurture new relationships while recovering from heartbreak. We’ll look at strategies for embracing this process and reopening our hearts to love.

4. LET GO OF COMPARISONS

It’s easy to compare a new partner to the one you previously dated when you first start a relationship. The developing bond, though, may suffer as a result. Don’t forget that every individual is different; thus, it’s inappropriate to criticise your new spouse based solely on the behaviour of someone from your past. Let go of the burdens from previous relationships and accept them for who they are.

5. PRIORITISE COMMUNICATION

Every effective relationship is based on honest and open communication. Encourage your partner to do the same by talking to them about your thoughts, worries, and desires. Discuss how you overcame heartbreak in the past, how it changed you, and what you both need from a partner to feel safe. Ensuring both spouses are on the same page through effective communication also helps to fortify emotional connection.

CONCLUSION

6. CULTIVATE GRATITUDE

Develop a spirit of thankfulness in your heart as you embark on your new journey. Be thankful for the lessons you’ve learned from past relationships and the chance to fall in love again. Tell your partner how much you enjoy having them in your life. Gratitude helps to build optimism by shifting the emphasis from what was lost to what was gained.

The strength of the human heart is demonstrated by love after loss. Recovering from heartbreak and nurturing a new relationship takes time, self-reflection, and sensitivity. Open your heart to the adventure, let go of comparisons, and be grateful for each moment. It’s acceptable to take your time to heal; healing is not a linear process. You’ll find yourself on the path to regaining love and joy by adhering to these tips, leading to the development of a lovely and meaningful relationship with a new partner.

EMBRACE SELFREFLECTION

EMBRACE VULNERABILITY

THE PACESETTING CREATIVES

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

Creatives are individuals who produce unusual ideas. They are skillful in the art of thinking outside the box. By using their unique abilities, creatives attract both national and international attention. However, it is pertinent to note that creatives are more interested in their craft being recognised than themselves. Nigeria is home to many creatives who have gotten national recognition and forged ahead to attain global recognition for their works, which invariably helped put the country in the limelight. It is a country from which great talents have emerged, individuals who are passionate about their craft, strong-willed, and level-headed. These individuals are carving a niche for Nigerian creatives beyond the boundaries of Nigeria, with astounding feats worth celebrating and reckoning with. We look at five creatives who have put Nigeria on the map recently.

and design to an expressionistic, aesthetically pleasing and captivating style. However, his allure for augmented reality helped him find his unique identity.

The young artist’s creative use of AR technology to bring his works to life has garnered global media attention. His approach to art is admirably innovative and is perfectly exemplified in his first collection titled Coloured Reality, with each painting currently worth about $10,000. The infusion of AR technology into his work gives his artwork a realistic touch as it comes to life in real-time, giving room for a fascinating experience. This ingenious art style brings the real and the virtual much closer, raising the question of what art truly is and can be among art lovers.

His ability to create this artistic sensation was born out of a desire to create an art experience that defies boundaries. Spectators and enthusiasts enjoy his art by scanning a barcode with their phones, allowing them to interact with the artwork. Global media like CNN and Reuters News recently featured his art in their news stories. Ifeoluwa’s deviation from the traditional stipulation of art is remarkable and has become a lens through which other Nigerians can see how they can mix their art with technology.

The America’s Got Talent Sensation

The Augmented Reality Visual Artist

Ifeoluwa Oluwaseun Olowu is a Lagos-based visual artist who has skillfully blended art with technology. He is currently making waves in the global art world through his creative implementation of Augmented Reality (AR) technology into his art, which is currently in more than five countries worldwide. Augmented reality is an interactive experience that combines the real world and computer-generated content. Through AR, real-world objects and environments can be overlayed with 3D virtual objects using an AR device, allowing the virtual to interact with real-world objects to create intended meanings. Unlike virtual reality, which seeks a direct replica of the real world, AR is about enriching a real-life image. Like most creatives, Ifeoluwa’s journey began as a child, fascinated by cartoons. The young lad pursued his love for art at the University of Lagos, where he underwent a Bachelor’s degree program in Visual Arts with a specialisation in painting. Journeying through his career in a bid to find his own art identity, Ifeoluwa’s art has developed from a mixture of drawing, painting,

Another person to look at is Chibuike Josh Alfred, who is professionally known as Josh2Funny. This 1990-born male hails from Anambra state. Josh is a Nigerian comedian, musician, and actor who studied computer science at Yaba College of Science and Technology. His glory days began when his skit #Don’tLeaveMe went viral, pushing him into the limelight. His peculiar way of creating comic content has constantly put smiles on the faces of thousands of Nigerians. In his zeal to spread his craft, Josh has attracted millions of followers on social media. He uses the platform as a channel for the distribution of his craft.

The creative actor took his skit beyond the shores of Nigeria to the grand stage of America’s Got Talent, where he swooned the judges and the audience with his intriguingly funny performances. Josh made three appearances on the same day as a fast reader, a fast rapper, and a magician, which spiked the judges’ interests, leaving them both in awe and confusion. His appearance on the talent show wasn’t to compete for prizes but solely to showcase his talent, which was indeed excellently done. Not only did he humour everyone who watched his performance, but he also succeeded in putting Nigeria’s skit makers and comedians on a global stage. His America’s Got Talent performance was one like never before, and it shows just how exceptional Nigerian creatives are.

The Soaring Writer

International Dublin Literary Award. The novel was a New York Times, Guardian, Chicago Tribune, and NPR Best Book of the Year.

In 2020, the French translation of the book was awarded the Prix Les Afriques. In 2021, her play Provenance was produced by the University of East Anglia and Mutiny and exhibited as a multi-screen immersive installation.

Her second novel, A Spell of Good Things - described as being about family secrets and bonds, thwarted hope and the brutal realities of life in a society rife with inequality, was announced for publication in 2021 by Canongate (UK) and Knopf (US). It was finally released in 2023 and has received favourable review coverage, including in The Observer and New York Times. It was also longlisted for the 2023 Booker prize.

The Record-Setting Photographer

The award-winning Nigerian photojournalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo is yet another creative positively representing Nigeria across the shores of the nation. Being an official photographer for the ex-president of Nigeria, he was among those who received the Special National Honours Award before the handover. Bayo’s photographs have been featured in art exhibitions and published in national and international publications. He has also bagged several national and international awards like the MTN Afrinolly film competition, Nigeria; the Sundance Institute Film Award, USA; NACCP Climate Change Photo Contest; and The Future Awards for the Most Creative Artist of the Year in Nigeria, amongst others.

The photography artist is also the author of so many books, including the recordsetting Discover Nigeria, an extensive photo and text documentary on Nigeria’s people, places, and culture, which in 2021, set a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest photo book which measures 7.8meters by 7.8meters (totalling 60.84 square meters or 654 ft² 87 in²) when closed and when opened. It is 15.65 meters on its horizontal breadth

There is also the female writer Ayobami Adebayo from the commercial city of Lagos, Nigeria. She has an MA in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia (UK), where she was awarded an international bursary for creative writing. Ayobami has written for the New York Times, Harper’s Bazaar, The Financial Times, BBC, The Guardian (UK), ELLE, and others. She has received fellowships and residencies from the MacDowell Colony, Ledig House, Sinthian Cultural Centre, Hedgebrook, Ox-bow School of Arts, and Ebedi Hills. In 2017, she won The Future Awards Africa Prize for Arts and Culture. Her debut novel, Stay With Me, was published with Canongate Books in 2017. In her review of the book for the New York Times, Michiko Kakutani described the author as an exceptional storyteller. She also stated that Ayobami writes with extraordinary grace and genuine wisdom about love, loss, and the possibility of redemption. The book was subsequently published in the US by Alfred A. Knopf and Ouida books in Nigeria. It has been translated into 20 languages and was selected as a notable book of the year by several publications, including The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. It won the 9mobile Prize for Literature and was also shortlisted for the Baileys Prize for Women’s Fiction, the Wellcome Book Prize, and the Kwani? Manuscript Prize and longlisted for the International Dylan Thomas Prize and the

and 7.8 meters on its vertical length. It is a photo book of 60 square meters of 60 images on 60 pages that showcase Nigeria’s sumptuous traditional institutions, the ingenuity of its people, the aesthetics of its landscape, the richness of its farmlands, stunning waterfalls, and seas, among others.

His photography artistry has also been acknowledged in the international fashion scene by King’s College London’s management due to his contribution to the Africa Fashion Futures Project. His works were commended for helping to bring to life some of the research themes brought by KCL researchers. For Bayo, the experience was rewarding, which allowed him to explore the ancient and dynamic textile traditions of craftspeople and fashion designers across Nigeria.

He founded Unabashed Africa, a platform that upskills and creates opportunities for photographers across Africa, driven by his passion for education and creative empowerment.

The Fashion Leader

New York, and her collections are stocked in the UK, the US, South Africa, and Nigeria.

Championed by Vogue Italia, Folawiyo has also partnered with L’Oréal and done a trunk show on Moda Operandi. The Lisa Folawiyo brand has shown collections on international platforms in Johannesburg, London, Paris, Milan and New York and has been featured in international publications such as international editions of Vogue, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar and Elle. The brand counts with various diffusion lines, including The J Label and Pretty Precious. It is stocked at MatchesFashion, Moda Operandi, Temple Muse, Shop McMullen, Industrie Africa, and Aby Concept.

Her collections are uniquely crafted from Ankara textiles, vibrant wax-resistant dyed fabrics characteristic of West Africa. Her garments are embellished with beads, sequins, and crystals, all sewn by hand in local workshops in Nigeria. She associates her success with finding and sticking to this unusual aesthetic. She is a multifaceted womenswear and accessories collection designer. Folawiyo perfected the art of wearing Ankara through the use of ornate embellishment, through which she transformed the fabric, creating a global print and turning the label into a coveted luxury brand. Incorporating texture with this culturally established tradition has been the key to Lisa Folawiyoʼs success, creating a conceptual and global design hybrid.

In the creative scene of fashion, Lisa Folawiyo, the Nigerian female fashion designer, is celebrated for her colourful collections from traditional West African fabrics with modern tailoring and beaded adornments. Originally trained as a lawyer, Folawiyo came into the fashion scene without formal training. She found her line, Jewel by Lisa - now known as Lisa Folawiyo - in 2005. Since then, she has captained the movement of Nigerian designers, achieving international acknowledgement for their work. She has a knack for hiking traditional African prints aloft the status quo, making them relevant for a global audience.

Lisa Folawiyo is a veteran of the Nigerian fashion world, adored for her luxurious take on women’s ready-to-wear and accessories. She has showrooms in Nigeria and

Folawiyo has taken on fashion education in a bid to give back to aspiring designers and the community at large and has done this through her collaboration with ESMOD Paris & Wazobia Academy, Nigeria, where she gives out her knowledge and skills through fashion training classes with upcoming fashion designers and fashion entrepreneurs.

Pieces from the Lisa Folawiyo Coll 1 2021 (SS21) collection were chosen to be exhibited at the iconic Victoria & Albert Museum London in 2022, which is a highly remarkable achievement for her. Each Lisa Folawiyo garment boasts a handcrafted and unique history from start to finish, with her team of expert beading local artisans taking an average of 240 hours to complete a single handdesigned piece, reflecting the brand’s stand on design integrity. Fused with its very own custom luxury prints, she masterly delivers contemporary garments. With a keen eye for tailoring and fit, Folawiyo creates feminine and modern silhouettes with nods to traditional African aesthetics.

Notable personalities like Senegalese-American actress Issa Rae have worn her clothing, and the singer Beyonce is also a fan of Lisa Folawiyo. As we know her today, this veteran fashion personality began her fashion business with an initial investment of 20,000 naira, with which she bought 12 yards of fabric. She made her first pieces with her mother.

The creative nature of the Nigerian people is innate. As we move further into time, more creatives from Nigeria will stand on the global stage.

SAYS ABOUT YOU WHAT THE

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

Thecolour of your home says a lot about you, so when choosing a colour for your decor, you should know that it goes deeper than just the aesthetics. Colour conveys a meaning deeper than what meets the eye. Sometimes, your home doesn’t feel homey because the colour is below par with your personality. You could choose to use different colours for the different sections of your home, as each section serves a unique purpose and requires a certain aura. A better understanding of what each colour means will help guide you in choosing the perfect colour for your space, which will give off the feeling you desire. You may want a lively mood for your living room space, a calm tone for your bedroom, and a neutral ambience for your workroom. Using the wrong colour would make it almost impossible to feel the way you want to in each space.

The colour blue sets an atmosphere of calmness, trust, and intelligence, which makes it a good choice for calm, brainy, and openminded people.

Brown gives a patina of wholesomeness, warmth, and honesty. You who are hospitable and sincere make it your pick.

Yellow is your go-to colour for happy, hopeful, and spontaneous people. The minimalist and those who love to keep it simple should select white. Then, if you want to show how powerful, elegant, and -sophisticated you are, the colour black is your buddy.

If you want a touch of luxury and a hint that you have a mysterious side to your personality yet still show you are spiritual, purple was made for you.

The colour green gives off the feel of nature, growth, harmony, wealth, and stability; if you connect with any of these, green is yours.

The colour grey effectively communicates the message of professionalism, formality, and conventionality, whereas pink is more suitable for the playful. The colour red announces passion, love, or anger. If you are enthusiastic

or creative, you want to go for orange, gold, silver, or bronze. Other metallics emphasise prosperity, wealth, and success.

These colours can be mixed through the perfect blend of wall painting, home items, lighting, and every other thing in the home that aids its overall outlook. You can use perfectly overlapping colours and demonstrate your intended message while giving off your desired nimbus.

It is pertinent to note that these colours come in different shades. For example, yellow is commonly known to be bright, but it has calm tones, like mustard, dijon, medallion, flaxen yellow, and more. Also, brown, which is generally believed to be dull, has bright tones like tan, mocha, camel, beige brown, and more.

When next you pick a colour for your interior, look beyond its aesthetic appeal. You can still give your space that exquisite ambience and desired look while communicating your personality.

MENSWEAR-INSPIRED FASHION

Incorporating Classic Elements Into Women’s Wardrobes

BY DORCAS AKINTOYE

Hello, fashionistas! Have you ever passed by a guy wearing a fashionable blazer or a dapper tie and thought, “I want that look too!”? You’re in for a treat because menswearinspired design is popular right now, and guess what? It’s not only for the guys, either! Add some dapper magic to your closet with these timeless pieces that will likely become your favourites.

1. 2.

It’s time for the ladies to steal the spotlight with fitted blazers. These stylish jackets aren’t just for meetings in the boardroom. To instantly add a touch of refinement that will attract attention, throw one over your favourite dress or wear it with jeans.

TAILORED BLAZERS  CRISP BUTTON-UP SHIRTS

Who says that button-up shirts are only worn by men? Ladies, these beauties are super adaptable. You can slip it into high-waisted pants to exude that effortless cool or roll up the sleeves and tie it at the waist for a casual approach.

3.

5. 4.

STRUCTURED VESTS   OXFORDS & LOAFERS  NECKTIES & BOW TIES

You can embrace your inner rebel with a killer necktie or bow tie. Ties come to the rescue whether you’re going for an androgynous look or simply want to spice up your ensemble. Your style, your rules: loop it creatively or wear it loose!

6.

SLEEK WATCHES

It’s time to accessorise! A fashionable watch on your wrist not only keeps time but also exudes refinement. Watches are the perfect accessories, whether made of metal or leather.

CONCLUSION

With these must-have items inspired by menswear, ladies, it’s your turn to shine. Let your inner style star take the lead by mixing, matching, adding flair, and experimenting. Always embrace your inner fierceness and confidence when it comes to fashion. So go ahead and flaunt your menswear magic like the stylish trendsetter that you are!

Picture a stylish vest worn over a plain t-shirt or blouse. It’s as if the gods of fashion gathered together to give your ensemble that additional pop. Pair it with skirts or jeans—the choice is yours!

FESTAC ‘77 A Year to Remember

BY IJEOMA EZEANYIKA

The Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, commonly known as Festac ’77, held in Lagos, Nigeria, from the 15th of January to the 12th of February 1977, and it was the first of its kind in the country. It is the second of its kind in the world, as the first held in Dakar, 1966. The phenomenal month-long event saw an exceptional rendition of African music, art, literature, drama, dance, religion and an outstanding celebration of African culture. The event witnessed the performance of 16,000 participants representing 56 African nations and countries of the African diaspora.

When it was held, FESTAC was the largest panAfrican gathering ever to occur. The event was a pathway for the birth of the Nigerian National

Council of Arts and Culture, Festac Village, and the National Theatre. This noteworthy event occurred at four distinct venues: the National Theatre, National Stadium, Lagos City Hall, and Tafawa Balewa Square.

The FESTAC convening inspiration is traced to the ideas of Négritude and Pan-Africanism. The celebration preparation began on the 3rd of October, 1972, and the festival was scheduled to take place in 1974. The initial name was “World Black Festival of Arts and Culture” before it was changed to “Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture” to harbour the realities of “African Unity.” The date was later moved to November 1975, and a committee of representatives of peoples of African descent was set up to serve as the administrative arm of the festival. The desire to improve on the Dakar festival fuelled Nigeria’s intention to do something more appealing with the newfound oil money. A new regime replaced the Gowon administration, and the date was thus changed to 1977.

The festival aimed to give black and African culture its most comprehensive and highest

conception. It also aimed to promote black and African artists, writers, and performers, facilitate their world performance, enhance their access to global outlets, and ease their periodic return to their origin - for those uprooted to other continents.

The festival aimed to ensure the revival, resurgence, and promotion of black and African culture and civilisation. It intended to bring to light the diverse contributions of black and African peoples to the universal currents of thoughts and art. Fostering better international and interracial understanding was yet another purpose of the festival.

The festival’s opening ceremony took place inside the National Stadium on the 15th of January. An outstanding activity was the parade, with participants representing 48 countries. One thousand pigeons were released during the festival, symbolising the freedom and unity of black people. “Colloquium” – an academic meeting – was at the heart of the festival so much that it was held daily during the first two weeks. Its theme was centred on seeking answers to how to revive and foster black and African creatives. Over 700 writers, artists, and scholars participated in the lecture. Between 5th - 8th February, the Durbar festival was staged in Kaduna as part of the overall festival. Another event was the boat regatta. It was held in Lagos for three days – more than 300 boats were involved.

Performing and visual arts shows were presented during late afternoons at the National Theatre, and art exhibitions were equally hosted there. Some drama and music shows were also enacted at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

The event met a successful end, and Nigeria, being the host country, was entrusted artefacts from the home countries and communities, which induced the institution of the Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), a federal parastatal with offices in Marina, Lagos and FCT, Abuja.

The FESTAC celebration is a proud period in the history of Nigeria. It should be a tale told to the present generation to fan their flame of hope and spark their faith in the nation. It should be a narration constantly whispered in the ears of the leaders as a wake-up call and a calendar reminder of what a great country Nigeria was and still is.

BY BOLUWATIFE ADESINA

MOVIE REVIEW:

Retribution

WATCH OF THE WEEK

TMNT MUTANT MAYHEM

There’snothing Hollywood loves more than to mend the bonds of a dysfunctional family through a series of cataclysmic events. Natural disasters, alien invasions, shark attacks, cancer, insufferable houseguests, satanic cults –the list is endless, and chances are good that it is the through line to at least three of your favourite movies. Call it trauma as therapy. And while Liam Neeson’s acting career is about as eclectic as it gets for a man who’s been working for more than four decades, his most recent string of action films, beginning with 2008’s Taken, has fashioned him as an aged action hero/ family man of the “don’t poke the bear” variety.

This appears to suit Neeson just fine, as he’s been making a couple of these films every year now, the latest being Retribution, a remake of the 2015 Spanish film El Desconocido (The Stranger) And while the coy vagueness of both those titles pretty much sums up the inscrutable algebra of film marketing, an opportunity was missed in not calling the film Car Bomb, because that is much more accurate than Retribution, a title that loses any meaning it might have hinted at as the plot unfolds.

But if all I needed to say was that Liam Neeson is trapped in a car with a pressuresensitive bomb in it (his character has a name, Matt Turner, but we all know it’s Liam Neeson).

Perhaps, at the end of the day, that is all there is to say, but then I couldn’t tell you about how dysfunctional, pre-car bomb, Liam Neeson’s family is. His preteen daughter, Emily (Aspell), is sensitive and nosy, causing her teenage brother, Zach (Champion), to loudly admonish her to keep out of his bedchamber. Liam Neeson’s wife,

Heather (Davidtz), tries to talk to him as they get ready for the day, but he is staring at his tablet and ignoring her until she yells at him, and he snaps out of it like he was always listening. But he was not really listening, now or always, which is why Heather is secretly meeting with a divorce lawyer later that morning. Liam Neeson is distracted today because his boss, Matthew Modine (named Anders here), called Liam Neeson earlier and told him that one of their big clients wants to pull out with all his money, and it could be a disaster, which is movie shorthand that they are running a Ponzi scheme. So Liam Neeson is a corrupt banker living in Berlin who has to solve the scared client problem and drop his kids off at school (because remember his wife secretly wants a divorce), and a strange phone rings in his car, and the distorted voice on the other end says there’s a car bomb and he better do as the voice says.

In the hands of director Nimród Antal, a filmmaker who’s made good movies (2003’s Kontroll) and bad movies (2010’s Predators), Retribution falls pretty much right down the middle. Antal certainly knows how to frame the action, and his penchant for swooping the camera around is put to good use here, as the distorted voice on the strange phone makes Liam Neeson and his children drive around and become a family unit again while bearing witness to the cars of his crooked co-workers blowing up with them inside so it appears that Liam Neeson is killing these people with car bombs, which means German cops are chasing him now. Who is making Liam Neeson do these things? Will his wife still want to divorce him after the car bomb?

The answers are underwhelming and predictable, but watching Liam Neeson finally attempt to escape the car bomb is mildly entertaining; there’s just a mediocre movie to sit through first.

Perhaps it’s the Spider-Verse effect, but mainstream animation for kids seems to be going through a period of rare visual creativity. The latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles revamp, directed by Jeff Rowe, is a case in point. The story is a fairly generic origin talemeets-mutant-apocalypse: the turtles are chafing against

the overprotective love of their humanoid-rat father figure, Master Splinter (voiced by Jackie Chan), but have yet to find a way to win the approval of the human world. The animation style, however, is gloriously anarchic: a scratchy, glitchy, scrawling onslaught that has more

in common with graffiti than it does with the immaculate 3D realism that has, until recently, been the norm for big-budget animation.

There’s a pleasing messiness to it all, a sense of barely controlled chaos matched by the jostling, overlapping voice performances. The nostalgic 80s and 90s hip-hop soundtrack is sublime, and while the action sequences can be hard to follow, there’s no faulting the film’s fizzing energy.

Rating: 4/10

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Apple Music)

Scan this with your camera to access the playlist (Spotify)

¿Téo_ - A Mi Cama

Duncan Daniels - Diaspora Night

Lana Del Rey - Doin’ Time

Derek & The Dominos - Layla

J Hus_ CB - Cream (feat. CB)

Burna Boy_ Dave - Cheat On Me (feat.

Burna Boy - City Boys

J Hus - Massacre

MARINA - Froot