Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, president Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos chapter, and founder of Aguene Arts Foundation
Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, president Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos chapter, and founder of Aguene Arts Foundation, in this interview with NGOZI OKPALAKUNNE, talks about the state of the Igbos in Lagos, the crisis facing the socio-cultural group, what it takes to be a successful leader, among other national issues. Excerpts:
Recently, you celebrated two years in office as the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos; how have you been able to manage the affairs of the Igbos in the state?
It has not been easy because leadership is not something you sit down and take any decision that pleases you without consulting the executive members. What I did initially was to study those who are working with me because we all came from different backgrounds. I did that so as to know those who are by my side and those who are in opposition with me.
Before now, we have been holding meetings in clubs and hotels, but recently, my administration acquired a secretariat where we can call our own. We no longer hold meetings in public places where sometimes, it is difficult for us to book down for any gathering. On the other hand, l have brought the leadership of Ohanaeze closer to the government of Lagos state. Because of such closeness, sometimes last year, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu empowered about 100 Igbo women with an unrefundable cash of one-hundred thousand naira each.
During the lockdown order due to Covid-19, the state government gave us palliatives which we distributed among our members and other tribes including Yorubas and the Hausas.
The ruling party in the state has been kind to the Igbos, we no longer face harassment in the markets or streets except one finds such trouble by him or herself. l told my people here in Lagos to be mindful of their utterances. They should not utter words that will seem as if they are dragging the land with their host community. To say that Lagos is no man’s land is not true, Lagos is man’s land, it is a Yoruba land except you buy land.
My administration has tried, obviously, managing human affairs is quiet challenging and the Igbos are one of the most difficult tribes in the black race. In all, what has kept me till date is transparency.
You were accused of presenting fake cert ificate to assume office as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos; what is your reaction on that?
It is a false accusation. They came up with such issue because l refused to compromise with some people’s demand; they requested l should be giving them sixty percent of what l get from Ohanaeze and l refused because if such happens, the group will not progress. They even made it clear that such system has been their mode of operation in the past.
Besides, certificate is not a precondition for being elected as the president of Ohanaeze, all you need is the ability to speak lgbo Language fluently, wisdom, intelligence, human relation and altruism, even if you are a professor you cannot rule Japanese or Columbia if you cannot speak their languages glibly, same applies to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, you cannot be the president without speaking Igbo Language very well.
Many are of the view that Igbos prefer to establish in their host communities than their home land; what do you think is responsible?
It is like a controversy if l said that Igbos in foreign lands are tenants, that means that whatever establishment they have in foreign lands does not really matter, what count is the one they have in their home land. There is a proverb in Igbo land which says, ‘no matter how white people build a cemetery, it is not for a responsible Igbo man,’ this is because an lgbo man must go home either alive or dead. l always tell my people here that there is no place like home. They should endeavour to build and establish businesses at home.
I am advising Ndigbo living abroad to think home, they should extend their wealth to their home land. I also want them to remember what happened to our fathers who built houses and owned landed properties in Port Harcourt, Rivers State before the civil war. After the war which ended in 1970, they were unable to claim those properties till date; it is a very big lesson to us.
Why did you abandon your art work for leadership position of Igbos in Lagos?
I have been a member of the group for decades and my desire has been to be in the helm of affairs so as to contribute my quota to the development of the group here in Lagos. I am glad to be in that position today. By His grace, l have been able to make some positive changes in the group since l came into office two years ago. Since the formation of the group in the 70s, l am the first Ebonyi State man to be elected as the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, it has always been an Anambra, Imo or Abia man. I did not abandon my art work, l have been into it for over three decades. l have the biggest private museum in West Africa, it is tugged somewhere in Lekki, Lagos; l have done so many exhibitions in Europe and America. Government should invest in art, take a look at the National Art Theater, that place can be renovated; it can generate more revenue to the government when put into proper shape.
Besides, a visit to some of the national museums across the country will reveal that a lot of items that should have been preserved for future generation have been removed and sold, it ought not to be so. If you visit museums in other countries of the world, you will see items of over two to three hundred years. All l know is that the government is not taking the issue of art and exhibition seriously in this country.
What is your advice to Igbos come 2023 general election?
The Igbos should be mindful of their utterances; they should abstain from boasting and mentioning war when there is no war. For those who are saying that 2023 is not negotiable, they should desist from making such statement in order not to put the Igbos in danger before the elections. They should remember that we are in a democratic government; those that are elected by the people will occupy the positions of authority.
Don Calls for Establishment of Home Economics, Nutrition Extension Agent
A leading nutrition expert has called for the establishment of Home Economics and Nutrition Extension agents across the country in furtherance of efforts to curtail the menace of malnutrition, particularly protein malnutrition in Nigeria.
Prof. Henrietta Nkechi Ene-Obong of the Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Cross River State, who made this call recently at the Protein Challenge Webinar themed ‘Bridging the Knowledge Gap’, noted that the agents would function much like agricultural extension officers, in the nutrition space.
She argued that the message about nutrition must be brought to the level of the people across every stratum of the society and where possible, provided in the local languages to help boost nutrition education.
According to her, “Home economics and nutrition extension agents would be in the best position to simplify the nutrition message and bring it to the people to bring about the desired outcome in behaviour from the citizenry.”
She called for the introduction of nutrition education in schools, nursery, primary and secondary, as students can learn and equally be able to teach their parents at home. The don stated that capacity must be developed to bridge the knowledge gap and put such knowledge into action.
Reports indicate that food consumption habits in Nigeria depend on the availability of food source, affordability of the food and knowledge of the nutrition value along with the personal choice or preference of the buyer.
On the importance of protein, she explained that proteins are made up of amino acids, which are the building blocks of the body tissues; hence they are found throughout the body. Pregnant and lactating women need extra proteins to help in the development of the foetus and milk production, she noted. She said that healthy adults need to consume an average of 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight, for individuals with minimal to intense physical activity.
In family meals, it is important that carbohydrates with proteins are mixed, she said. “For example, rice and beans, yam and eggs. We must ensure that infants and young children consume foods from at least four food groups: grains, roots and tubers; legumes and nuts; dairy products; flesh foods and eggs; vitamin A-rich fruits and vegetables (like carrots and sweet potatoes) and other fruits and vegetables.”
Prof Ene-Obong revealed that of all measures designed to stop all forms of malnutrition, the food-based approach is the most cost-effective.
She stated that with adequate nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life and adequate maternal and adolescent nutrition, the nation stands a better chance of curbing the menace of malnutrition. The home economics and nutrition agents will be at the forefront of pursuing this agenda.
The nutrition enthusiast stated that mothers need to be encouraged to engage in exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and to continue breastfeeding for two years. Adequate complementary feeding should also be promoted, the professor of human nutrition said.
Protein Challenge is the tag of The Nigeria Protein Awareness Campaign, a protein pull media campaign that seeks to create awareness about the prevalence, status and impact of protein deficiency in Nigeria.
The campaign aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 – Zero Hunger – which seeks to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
This year, the Nigerian Music and Entertainment industries in general will witness one of the greatest comebacks of all time as well as celebrate the emergence of the new all-round king, as Awesome Productions (formerly Awesome Entertainment) makes an awesome re-entry with the introduction of its extremely gifted underdog, Osun -born Olayinka Atanda, AKA TRISTA; The Dreaded One On A Mission.
With the release of The New hit single by Trista titled JAH all set for media release, download and online streaming as from the 15th of January, 2021, the Nigerian Music scene is about to catch the fever generated by Trista’s energetic rendition of the amapiano infused house sound of JAH, as well as get blown away with its thought provoking lyrics as you vibe to the rhythm and beat.
Recall that Awesome Entertainment Record Label once held sway in the early days of the turn of the millennium with regular shows at the Legendary OJez bar, Onike featuring artistes like RNB crooning Spice Boys, Black Soldiers, Big Fish, Small Fish, even the great comedians called BASH, Baba D Baba, Bow Joint and some very notable artistes back then.
Now, after some years of being on a hiatus, the label is back with another identity; Awesome Productions, and music-loving Nigerians can be rest assured that this time, The King Is Truly Back.
Chaired by US-based entrepreneur, businessman, FIFA-certified scout, songwriter and entertainer, Mr. Dominic, Ajufo, the brilliant management team of the organization is in high spirits and very optimistic that they possess the required tenacity to win multiple accolades and awards in 2021.
In conclusion, the CEO, Mr. Dominic Ajufo also said that the comeback of Awesome Productions means a great deal for all Nigerian Music lovers and the abounding talents that need a stage to lend credence and a veritable platform to their golden voices and diverse talents respectively, as it plans to embark on some Youth Empowerment projects under the aegisof his SUBTLE SALT FOUNDATION which is an advocacy and capacity building-oriented organization which develop and implement projects that alleviate poverty and subverts the walls of ignorance and selfishness and which also focuses more on Education, Health (The Stay well World Health Programme is all set to hit major Nigerian Television channels and syndicated global network by the 2nd quarter of 2021. Kindly visit www.staywellworld.org to learn more), Music, Sports, and Justice.
He also said that the organization also has some diversification plans for the future which would also empower challenged youths aspiring to excel in other sectors of the Nigerian Entertainment industry.
One of Nigeria’s foremost entertainer, comedian, actor and astute wedding compère, Adeyemi Ajele, popularly called MC Ajele has recounted the ugly, good and best experiences of the year 2020.
The versatile humour merchant, who has concluded plans to enjoy about 3 weeks holiday in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, recounted that though 2020, started great, the year nosedived into a shadow of a year, when the pandemic shut all actives within the country for almost 4 months.
‘What a year in retrospect, 2020? We thank God we all made it into this brand new year. I just hope we won’t overhype this one too, as we did to 2020. I’m grateful to God, despite all the chaos of the year, I triumphed. At least, we did some major events, got some corporate deals, and I was able to use the forceful holiday around April, May and June, to concreting my emotional stability’.
The ace comedian who singled out the anchoring of Bishop David Oyedepo’s daughter, Joyce, as a great comeback described 2020 as a year that’s just greatly quintessential.
‘When we did the Joyce wedding, it was a great comeback. And after that many private events surfaced creating another good side for 2020’
‘I was privileged to anchor the Africa Digital Awards, 2020, the Olusoga 70th birthday, LASAA end of the year, even the first Ilaje Music Festival amidst others’
On plans in Dubai, he said its a time to plan for a greater 2021.
‘I just want to have time off work, be privately engaged with some developmental planning, like I want to find my feet in Agriculture and some stock market trading, maybe Forex. It will also afford me the opportunity to unwind after we did back to back in the last weeks of 2020’
MC Ajele, enjoined his fans to keep the love coming in, as he’s got lot in the bag for year 2021.