An ingrate is but a robber in disguise. I am thrilled to celebrate, on the same platform today, two great Nigerians who have impacted greatly on our collective intellectual environment and whose birthdays providentially fall within a few days of each other. Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka turned 90 on July 13 while Emeritus Professor Olatunji Read More…
Culture & Arts
Rising Profile of Nganga Igbo Performance Group
Nganga is the name of dance group ringing bells in the United Kingdom. The magnetizing dancing steps almost always hold the audiences spellbound. Nganga is a group of four exceptionally talented artistes, namely Ifemelumma Nweri, Sandra Nwaizigbo, Chigozie Oguejiofor, and Chinedu Chimodo poised to give the Igbo dance a global reach. Nganga has been quite Read More…
“Ajakaju (Beast of Two Worlds)” triumphs: N101.2 million box office gross in 5 days
Eniola Ajao, the talented actress and producer, has struck gold with her debut cinema venture, “Ajakaju (Beast of Two Worlds)”. The epic film, released nationwide on Friday, March 29, has taken the Nigerian box office by storm, amassing an impressive N101.2 million within a mere five days. FilmOne Entertainment, the film distribution powerhouse, proudly announced Read More…
Nigerian theatre icon Wole Oguntokun passes away, leaving a legacy of cultural impact
The Nigerian arts and culture scene is in mourning once more following the untimely passing of Wole Oguntokun, a renowned playwright, director, and cultural advocate, who died in Canada on March 27, 2024. Though the details are sketchy, his death was confirmed by Jahman Anikulapo, a respected Nigerian journalist and culture archivist in response to Read More…
The Road to the Country: Heart-Racing Journey Through War and Redemption
Chigozie Obioma’s “The Road to the Country” emerges as a sweeping narrative set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war. The story centres on Kunle, a university student in Lagos, who embarks on a perilous journey to save his missing brother amid the chaos of conflict. Obioma’s prose, described by The Wall Street Journal as Read More…
Grime MC Skepta’s Tribal Mark: A Cinematic Universe in the Making
Review by Damilare Williams-Shires The directorial debut of renowned Grime MC and budding Renaissance Man Joseph Adenuga Jr, known professionally as Skepta, Tribal Mark, is an ambitious and gripping 24-minute short film that provocatively introduces the world to a future cinematic universe, soon to be populated by anti-heroes and action stars of the Black Secret Read More…
Jimi Solanke, iconic Nigerian storyteller, dies at 81
Jimi Solanke, a veteran actor, dramatist, folk singer, poet, and playwright, who enchanted audiences with his expressive face, baritone voice, and contagious smile, died on Monday at the age of 81. He was on his way to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital when he succumbed to a brief illness, according to his family. Solanke, Read More…
Burna Boy makes history with dazzling Grammy performance
As the first Nigerian artist to ever take the coveted Grammy stage, Burna Boy stole the show with a phenomenal performance that transcended borders and solidified his position as a global music force. “It’s amazing to be bringing something new, something fresh, something different, something exciting,” Burna declared with infectious energy, setting the tone for Read More…
Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs to perform ‘Fast Car’ at the 2024 Grammys
The 66th Annual Grammy Awards will feature a special performance by two artists from different genres: Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs. The legendary singer-songwriter and the country superstar will join forces to sing Chapman’s iconic hit “Fast Car” on the Grammy stage. “Fast Car” is a song about a young woman’s desire to escape from Read More…
The role 21st century booksellers play in realising SDG 4—quality, inclusive and equitable education
SDG4 focuses on education and aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” It includes seven targets, which cover eliminating disparities in accessing education at the early childhood and primary levels based on gender, ability, and other socio-economic factors and, as much as possible, encouraging all women and Read More…