eWASH

Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola will amounce members of his cabinet next month sources have confirmed.

Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola has set up an inter ministerial panel to boost food production in the state and directed each of the thirty local governments in the state to make available 1000 hectares of land for massive food production

Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola has set up an inter ministerial panel to boost food production in the state and directed each of the thirty local governments in the state to make available 1000 hectares of land for massive food production

Uwais report

Small and Medium scale enterprises in Nigeria have been informed that they can make their products more competitive if they undergo standard certification and go through quality control laboratories. Owners of such SMEs have been advised, irrespective of class or background, to embrace agriculture, the one-time mainstay of Nigeria’s economy to develop the economy.

Random Education yearbook sample

Lagos state government has launched her 2010 education year book in the state. The book which is a documentation of the education sector from 1967 till date has been recommended by the state deputy governor, Mrs Sarah Sosan to governments at all levels for effective education administration because the material is updated and will be very useful as such.

Former minister of information and communication, Dora Akunyili says she has decided to drop out of the ministry and join in the senatorial race to help out her state of Origin, Anambra state move forward.

Dora Akunyili

The former NAFDAC boss who was made minister of information barely 24months ago and facing challenges with the re-branding Nigeria project explained that she would be “…leaving a comfortable place to go to a more difficult terrain, to join Gov Peter Obi.”

A seminar organized by the Lagos state government on the 14^th of December 2010 with leaders from both the Christian, Muslim and traditional sects of religion, aimed at promoting access to climate change information through religion opened the eyes of all present to see that global warming is more of a spiritual issue than the world can imagine.

Muiz Banire (l) and Tude Fashola(r)

In his keynote address, the commissioner for environment, Dr Muiz Adeyemi Banire stated, “…brethren, something has definitely gone wrong with the climate and the consequences are becoming too daring to be neglected, … I strongly believe that the solution to right the wrong in our world regarding climate change can be best accessed through devotion to God, obedience to His directives and reverence for His mightiness.” While lamenting the acts of every citizen in abusing Gods wonderful creations, the commissioner called on religious leaders to create awareness and teach best practices in mitigating and adapting to climate change problems as well as educating and enlightening the public on the roles expected of the faithful as contained in the holy books. He quoted the Director of the Muslim World League in Canada, Arafat El Ashi as saying “it is incumbent on every muslim to contribute his/her share in improving greenery…muslims are required to avoid cutting down trees that are useful to people.”

Speaking also at the seminar, Bishop Obembe likened our environment to the biblical Garden of Eden (Gen 1:26) and said we are to guard, tend and keep the garden (earth). He also suggested a few action points for the state government in combating the climate change by:

-conducting continuous research on ecological studies

-purchasing equipments that will detect levels of deterioration of the climate

-planning ahead (like the biblical Joseph in Egypt) so we are not caught unawares

-building disaster management centres and

-engaging in tree planting exercise

Dr. Ayo Yusuf and Ayo Tella, intellectuals on climate change issues who were also present at the seminar implored Lagosians to stop using firewood to cook meals because of the carbon dioxide it emits and urged Nigerians to stop deforestation. Dr Yusuf ended his address with a Yoruba chant that warns of the dangers of not taking care of ones environment.

Turkey President (left) with GEJ

Turkish State Minister for foreign trade Zafer Caglayan  wants Agreements for prevention of double taxation and reciprocal protection of investments signed between Turkey and Nigeria.

Turkish State Minister for foreign trade Zafer Caglayan pointed out that real estate and hotel accommodation prices were high in Nigeria urging Turkish contractors to make investments in this country.

Caglayan who is visiting Nigeria within the scope of his tour of three African countries met with 50 businessmen accompanying him and representatives of Turkish companies based in Nigeria.

He said rents and hotel accommodation were costly in Nigeria urging Turkish companies to build homes and hotels in this country.

“There is business opportunities here for contractors, consultants and everyone. It will be possible to reap benefits of investments in the areas of construction and tourism in a short time,” said Caglayan.

Caglayan pointed out that the legal infrastructure should be enhanced in order to promote the economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

“Agreements for prevention of double taxation and reciprocal protection of investments should be signed (between Turkey and Nigeria). A free trade agreement and an economic cooperation agreement may even be signed. Under our Africa Strategy, Nigeria is a country of priority and importance for us. There is bread (business opportunity) for everyone who comes here,” said Caglaya

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts in the University of Lagos, Professor Duro Oni will deliver the second inaugural lecture in the 2010/2011 academic session on Wednesday, December 15, 2010.

The lecture entitled, LIGHTING: BEYOND ILLUMINATION will take place under the distinguished chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adetokunbo Babatunde Sofoluwe, in the Main Auditorium, Main Campus, Akoka, at 4.00p.m.

Born on December 15, 1952, Professor Oni attended the University of Ibadan (1971 -1973), California Institute of the Arts (1981 – 1983) and University of Ibadan (1998 – 2002). He earned B.F.A, M.F.A, (CalArts), Diploma in Drama and PhD (Ibadan).

The accomplished don started his career as a Theatre Technician in the Centre for Nigerian Cultural Studies of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (1973-1976).

Professor Duro Oni

The erudite scholar joined the services of the University of Lagos in October 1976 as Head, Auditoria Management/Theatre Technical Manager in the defunct Centre for Cultural Studies. He became a Senior Arts Fellow/ Head, Auditoria Management in 1985; Director in 1992 and Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor in 1997. He was appointed Professor in 2005.

A versatile administrator, Professor Oni has served the University in numerous administrative capacities. He is currently a member of the University’s Governing Council. He was the initiator of the Bachelor’s degree programme in Creative Arts in the University (1993). He was Chairman, Postgraduate Committee, Department of Creative Arts (2001-2003); Chairman, Postgraduate Programmes Drawing Committee for Postgraduate degree programmes in Creative Arts (2002-2004); Chairman, Auditoria Management Board (2002 – date); Chairman, Programmes Drawing Committee for the Bachelor’s degree programme in Creative Arts (1993-1997); Member, University of Lagos Staff Welfare Advisory Board (1997-2000) and Director, Confucius Institute at the University of Lagos (2008-2009).

Others include Member, University of Lagos Home Ownership Committee (1996-2000); Member, University of Lagos Lagoon Front Tourist Board (1996-2000); Member, University of Lagos Staff Home Ownership Scheme (1993-1997); Member, Centre for Cultural Studies, University of Lagos Management Board (1992-1997); two-time Member, Administrative and Technical Staff Committee (1990/1991 & 2007-date) and two-time Member, University of Lagos Senate (1988-1990 & 2005-date).

Outside the University of Lagos, Professor Oni was the Director/Chief Executive, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC, 2000-2006); Special Assistant/Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Culture and Social Welfare (1990-1991); Special Assistant/Adviser to the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports (1991-1992); Chairman, International Organising Committee on the Conference: Harnessing Research in the Interest of Africa and the Africans in Diaspora, University of West Indies, St. Augustine, Post of Spain, Trinidad (2006); Technical Manager/Director, Abuja Carnival 2005 and 2007; Member, Nigerian Delegation to the Executive Council Meeting of the World Tourism Organisation Meeting, Salvador de Bahia, Brazil (2004); Chairman, Organising Committee, International Workshop on Globalisation, Identity Politics and Social Conflict, April 2003, jointly organized by the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) and Globalisation, Identity Politics and Social Conflict Project (GIPSC) of the Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, among numerous others.

Apart from presenting papers in several local and international workshops, seminars as well as conferences, Professor Oni has been a Postgraduate Examiner to the University of Abuja (2009) and the University of Jos (2008-2009). He has also served as Senior Lectureship Assessor to the University of Ghana, Legon (2007-2008), Professorial Assessor to Lagos State University (2008), Professorial Assessor to the University of Jos (2209), External Examiner, Department of Theatre Arts and Music, Lagos State University (2009-date) and Professorial Assessor to the University of Derby, UK.

The don is a member of many professional bodies. These include the Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT), United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT), Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA) among others.

The ardent theatre technician has several portfolios of productive works. These include lighting design for Bill Morrison’s Flying Blind, Morgan Wixon Theatre in Los Angeles, California, USA (1983), lighting design for Uwa Hunwick’s Ogbanje, Nigeria, Venezuela, Mexico and Brazil, Artistic Director (1983), lighting design for Dora Ifudu’s One Night Stand, National Theatre of Nigeria (1983) among several others.

Besides, he has won numerous laurels including Nigerian Presidential Nominee on the Place du Souvenir Historical Commission, Dakar, Senegal (2005), Abuja 2003 Gold Award for Outstanding Contribution to CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting Technical Committee as Technical Director (2003), Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioners Award for Excellence (2003), Jadeas Award for the Best Chief Executive in the Cultural Sector (2002), Special commendation by the Kennedy Centre, Washington D. C. for design work on Things Fall Apart at the Centre (1999), Raduga International Award, Mexico for Outstanding lighting design for Bala Miller Show Television Series (1985) and so on.

The prolific writer and accomplished researcher has authored and co-authored several scholarly and literary books. He is widely published in national and international learned journals, besides being read in several scholarly conferences, seminars and workshops.

Professor Duro Oni is happily married and blessed with children.