Nigerian literary giant, Gabirel Okara, known as the first English language African writer, passed away in his sleep in Port Harcourt on Monday. He was two months shy of his 98th birthday.

Okara, referred to as the “Nigerian Negritudist,” for his involvement in the Francophone-led intellectual movement, rose to prominence in 1964, following the release of his celebrated debut novel, The Voice, an experimental book in which he translated his native language of Ijaw into English. He was also a poet, playwright and a scriptwriter for national broadcasts. According to The Sun, many of Okara’s manuscripts were lost during the Nigerian Civil War.

The writer was born on April 24 1922 in the present-day Bayelsa State of Nigeria, He went on to study journalism at Northwestern University in 1949, before discovering his talent for poetry in 1953 when he won an award at the Nigerian Festival of Arts for his poem The Call of the River Nun, according to BBC Africa.

Amongst his most celebrated poems are Piano and Drums, You Laughed and Laughed and Laughed, and The Fisherman’s Invocation.

His death is a major loss to the African literary world, and the second this month following the passing of the prolific Ivorian writer Bernard Dadié, a leader in the negritude movement

DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,

MORE COPIES OF OUR NEW BOOKLET ON THE JOURNEY OF ORGANIZING BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS AT THE UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT FOR 6 YEARS IN A ROW IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UK MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR JUST 3 POUNDS PLUS FREE DELIVERY IN THE UK.
GET A COPY FOR YOURSELF OR FOR A FRIEND TODAY (FOR JUST 3 POUNDS) AS A WAY OF SUPPORTING OUR JOURNEY VIA PAYPAL TO afripoet@hotmail.com
THE FIRST BATCH OF COPIES HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED TO COMMUNITIES HERE IN ENGLAND, NORTHERN IRELAND AND GERMANY WITH MORE COPIES TO BE DELIVERED IN NIGERIA NEXT MONTH AS WELL AS THE U.S.A
,In the booklet, there is also a story on how the whole journey started from the gift of a split second and how important it is to maximize opportunities, especially when we find ourselves at the right place at the right time.
We will also be distributing copies to some Schools and libraries in The UK, to create more awareness in promoting the campaign of the importance of telling our story, promoting our history and being the change that we want to see in society
SPECIAL THANKS TO Dark Zac FOR THE ARTWORK OF THIS PRODUCT.

Meet Peter Tabichi, winner of the Global Teacher Prize 2019

The winner of the 2019 US $1 million prize was announced on stage by movie star Hugh Jackman.

Peter was chosen from our top 10 finalists who come from all corners of the globe. From teaching in remote towns and villages to inner-city schools, they advocate for inclusivity and for child rights, integrate migrants into the classrooms, and nurture their students’ abilities and confidence using music, technology, robotics and science.

Peter has dedicated his life to helping others. He gives 80% of his teaching salary to local community projects, including education, sustainable agriculture and peace-building.

He’s changed the lives of his students in many ways, including the introduction of science clubs and the promotion of peace between different ethnic groups and religions. He has also helped to address food insecurity among the wider community in the famine-prone Rift Valley.

SOURCE

GLOBAL TEACHER PRIZE WEBSITE

PRESS RELEASE: Enrolment of All Nigerians in the National Identity Database (NIDB) Commences:-
Nigerians in Diaspora Organization Worldwide (NIDOWW), in collaboration with various Nigerian organizations in the Diaspora, will commence the mobilization of all Nigerians for enrolment into the National Identity Database (NIDB) starting from the 30 March 2019.

An Inspirational Motivator and Cross-cultural Engagement Consultant.

Educating Services and Communities.

• To develop a conscious mind about Equality and its impact.
• About Safeguarding and Harmful practices such as FGM
• Asset Mapping untapped potential
• Women and girls advocate

History

Post Graduate in Crime and Criminal Justice, based in Stockport, works nationally. Spent over 25 years pressing for change.

Community advocator, I createengagement platforms to start a conversation about equality in practice. This includes ‘awareness raising events’, and educating people about the common good.

Director -Truth Be Told Production 2018

Director – Aspiring Boldly Associates CIC, Cross cultural Engagement.  2018

Founder – Nexus Equality Network 2012

Founder – Stockport Race Equality Partnership, 2017

Founder – Ebony and Ivory Community organisation 2009

Founding member and Vice – Mama Health and Poverty Partnership (MHaPP) 2018

Committee member – Migrant International Refugee Orchestra 2015

Volunteer Member – Filia 2018

Wellbeing Co-ordinator 2016

Equality advocate 25 years

Awards

Inspirational Award winner GM-BME Network 2013,

Finalist National Diversity Awards for Race 2018.

Featured

Manchester Evening News – Racial inequality is still a massive problem in Greater Manchester May 2017

Ch4 News Races Disparity Audit October 2017

Sky news – Will Meghan and Harry’s wedding change views on racism and diversity, May 2018

Community Researcher

Jam and Justice – Everyday Politics Manchester University December 2018

I Spent 10 years working within Her Majesty’s Prison Service as an Equality Manager, re-educating and pushing the Equality agenda so that prisoners were treated fairly. My work importantly creates a platform for those who are marginalized, or disadvantaged to aspire to do well.

Founder of Nexus a representative network bringing various organisations together in partnership to look at Equality in practice, in line with the ‘protected characteristics’ of the Equality Act 2010. The aim is to ensure that local people can express and resolve social inequality and injustice through dialogue and ideas. Those same obstacles gave me an opportunity to become an ‘everyday change maker’. I intend continue to add value to the integration discourse,particularly exploring the fragmentation of service provision for Refugee Communities, their Wellbeing, and the dichotomy of the integration agenda and its impact on lost identity.Specialise in all things equality, including Safeguarding the African perspective, Harmful practice, bespoke training, motivational speaking, Cross cultural Engagement etc.…..

Email aba-g@aspiringboldlyassociates.org

THE BEAUTY IN THE DARK

Last night I felt the beauty in the dark,
Warm whispers spelt upon the mystery of a stream,
And in the stillness of the night,
I kissed the moon,
For lost children wonder upon the valleys of this earth.Last Night I swayed amongst the rivers of a life,
And through the thunders I found your smile,
But in the silence of your eyes you said goodnight,
And in the richness of your grasp I felt a cry.But Africa,
In the spirit of your song,
I knew your shadow,
And in the richness of your grace I took that train,
For the howling drums in my Mothers backyard
Awakes my spirit,
And In the corners of your eyes,
I have shared a story.
A dream … A life…But now it is dark, and I cannot see you,
And the Voices from my elders begin to drown,
Now it is late and I cannot hear you,
For time separates the marshlands of this open forest,
Where the breasts of this earth
Feed the souls of my many brothers.Tonight I drank music in a foreign lake,
I sang history on an empty shore,
And when I danced the trees began to shiver,
For the Voices in my dark,
Became too dark… too firm… too realThe night is young and beautiful,
The shadows are still wandering in their hundreds,
From a distance I hear the crows of the cock,
And so I danced,
For in your story,
Life found a new voice
And In your glory hope found a new song.

Copyright ©  Tony Tokunbo Fernandez

FIVE GOOD REASONS T O VISIT NIGERIA

1. Nigeria is not only the most populous Black country in the world, it is also a melting pot of amazing business entrepreneurs,  world class musicians/performing artists  and self made achievers  from all works of life,  TODAY, Nigeria boasts of the Richest Black Man in the world  – Aliko Dangote as well as The richest Black woman in the world – Folurunsho Alakija

2. Nigeria is the home of Africa, s biggest street Party Carnival – THE CALABAR CARNIVAL – An annual celebration which takes place in December, attracting visitors and tourists from many countries around the world. If you happen to visit Nigeria in December, do not miss the Calabar Carnival which takes place in Calabar, South South Nigeria

3. Nigeria is very rich and blessed with so much history, culture and customs, but also this history and culture is so diverse considering this is a nation of over 250 languages. Visitors who come to Nigeria are always so overwhelmed with the range and the wealth of its history

4. Nigerians are generally warm, homely, vibrant, positive and full of life. The spirit behind the warmth of this great people will be enough to open your heart to a complete new world that you have never discovered. Some people describe Nigerians as the happiest people on earth.

5. If you love good food then you will not be disappointed, for Nigeria is the home of some of the healthiest and most exotic foods on earth. The variety ranges from Edika Ikong and afang from the South South, to other exciting cuisines such as Egusi, Nkwobi, Banga, Ogbonno, Oha and so much more

“What shall I say, unto the Lord, all I have to say, is thank you Lord. Thank you Lord, thank you Lord, all I have to say, is thank you Lord.”
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To my Lord my God I give him all the praise.
I got to know about BPPC in my early days as a 100 level students in the tertiary institution. I submitted. And I didn’t make it to the top ten, let alone win.
Since then, I’d been submitting for BPPC at least once or twice in a year. But I wouldn’t just make the top ten.
During FEAST OF WORDS, 2017. I saw that the anthology was been distributed to poets. And I was closed to tears. Like, what actually is going on with me. But I said to myself, next year, my poem must be there.
I submitted for some months as well. And during FEAST OF WORDS 2018, anthology for that year was distributed. And lo and behold, my poem wasn’t there. I collected it, and told two of my friends that I didn’t make it again. I told myself again. Next year, it will be there.
Late last year, I got to meet Sir Ogedengbe Tolu Impact to give him the certificate I collected on his behalf, being the winner of one of the months. We talked around Iwo-Road, till he was set to leave for Ife. Most of the things he exposed me to that day, I held them firmly. It’s more or less like a challenge to me. And I promised him I will do my best.
February 19, 2019. Sir Akinlabi Lolade told me BPPC is out. Humanly speaking, I felt depressed. But I summoned courage and told him, “I’m winning this”. I started preparing like never before. And thank God, the theme was something suitable for me at that moment. I didn’t rush it. Brainstormed. Prayed along. Finished. Prayed. Then submitted.
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Long story cut short, God has just done it. I won the February Edition of BPPC, 2019. One significant thing here is that, I’d been submitting since my 100 level days. I never got shortlisted, let alone won. But now that I just finished my first degree, God did it.
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This is GRACE. Thank you WRR. Thank you Brigitte Poirson. Thank you Sir Tolu Impact for the words of challenge. Thank you Sir Akinlabi Ololade for the words of encouragement. And to my sincere colleagues who helped me for the proofread, thank you all.
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This particular poem is a piece born out of emotion and dreams. That’s why I live for poetry. And I’m glad such has gotten its fulfillment. This is another world for me.
I DEDICATE THIS TO ALL LOVERS OF ART. AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE PASSION FOR POETRY, SEEING THE BETTER FUTURE IN IT. LET’S STAY BELIEVING.
Celebrating this together, please, let’s go and download the chapbook. The top finalists’ poems are there. So also the top 30. This is Divine Grace.
https://www.wrr.ng/download/the-feat-chapbook/

Dear Family and Friends,

We are pleased to inform you that our products will be on display at The exclusive SUNBRIDGE WELLS, Bradford, West Yorkshire this Saturday the 23rd of March , FEEL FREE TO COME OUT AND CHECK OUR STAND ON THE DAY, but most importantly , FEEL FREE TO COME AND CHECK OUT WHATS ON DISPLAY, FROM OTHER AMAZING INDEPENDENT TRADERS/ENTREPRENEURS ON THE DAY and you will not regret it,
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Edewede Oriwoh is a Nigerian Composer. Her works include choral pieces written in Hausa, Esan, English, Latin and a number of other languages. In addition to choral and solo pieces, Edewede has composed works for flute, strings and piano and some of her compositions have been performed in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy.

On the 11th of December 2018, Edewede’s short piece “Play” was performed by the Ensemble Chaminade as part of the “L’Altra Meta Della Musica” (“The Other Half of Music”) Women Composers Conference (www.chaminade.it/convegno.html) which was held at the Aula Magna Liceo “Rosmini”, in Trento, Italy. “Play” was arranged for a piano and wind quartet by Marina Giovannini. This arrangement is one of the selected compositions included in a CD (“The Other Half of Music”) of works of Women Composers from around the world. The CD was released by the Ensemble Chaminade on 8th March 2019.

At the conference in Italy, Edewede took part in a panel discussion alongside other female composers to talk about their inspirations and experiences as composers and any hopes and concerns they have in this regard.

Edewede is one of the female composers whose works are listed in the Compendium Musicae Flauta, a compendium of flute and flute-related compositions of more than 2,500 women composers.

Edewede created and currently manages www.AfricanComposers.com. She also manages the African Composers Facebook page which is a partner resource to the website.

She Praises God for the Grace He has given to her which enables her to compose.

#AfricanComposers
#AfricanFemaleComposer
#NigerianComposer #NigerianFemaleComposer #WomenComposers
#WomenInMusic
#Composers
#ChoralMusic
#ClassicalMusic
#ChamberMusic

Chaminade | L’altra metà della musica

Associazione culturale trentina, ente no profit fondata da Monique Cìola, pianista e giornalista trentina

chaminade.it