Dance It Out

Dance is a form of artistic expression. Where the use of rhythm and motion with one’s body tells an entire story.

The story the kids of Lagos Nigeria are trying to tell, is that of their fight for education.

Many children of Nigeria have to bear the pain of their education coming to an end, due to their parents financial standing. Unfortunately, with a majority of Nigeria’s population living in poverty, not being able to pay for kids schooling is not an unknown practice. An alarming 10.5 million Nigerian children are not in school.

Seyi Oluyole, a choreographer and scriptwriter is changing that alarming reality. Oluyole is the founder of Dream Catchers, a dance group that helps street kids and kids of low income families get back into school.

The kids of the group are performing dances that are being noticed by many around the world, yet the challenge remains. Not getting the needed financial support, Dream Catchers is still working towards a brighter future.

   

Linus Unah

“Using dance to get Nigeria’s street kids back in school.”

Aljazeera.com

March 2, 2019

https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/dance-nigeria-street-kids-school-190301231810501.html

 Come and Explore 

Tourism is at an all time high.

With some people discovering a passion or even an obsession for traveling. Others are using travel to build an entire career. Whatever the case may be, who doesn’t love to travel. Especially to a place like Nigeria! A country so rich in culture, arts, fashion, and beautiful sights to explore.

Mark More, a tourism expert and the chief executive officer of Motley Travels & Logistics Ltd, talks about all things tourism and how governmental support would positively impact Nigeria’s economy.

He mentions that, unwanted foreign exchange rates are affecting Nigeria tourism. Driving tourist to explore outside of Nigeria in neighboring countries. That, along with the out of shape of certain tourist destination are some of the causes for why the tourism medium isn’t meeting its full potential.

Government interference would be much appreciated in this aspect. Bringing development and upgrading to these destinations would aid in tourism.

Many of these destinations are used to celebrate lifelong memories. Making sure the destinations are up to quality will be a positive thing for both tourism and the economy.

Jerry Emanson.

“Tourism in Nigeria, The Next Big Thing.”

November 30, 2018

https://leadership.ng/2018/11/30/tourism-in-nigeria-the-next-big-thing-mark-more/

Hero of the Sea!

Plastic is all around us. Starting from water bottles and containers, to technology and even clothes.

It’s everywhere, literally!

Including places it should not be, like the sea and oceans.

As tides wash across the sandy beaches, it brings along piles and piles of debris. Making a once beautiful beach, not so beautiful.

(Google Images)

(Google Images)

Doyinsola Ogunye, a hero for Nigerian sea life is out on a mission to restore the natural beauty and protect the sea life.

Plastic is extremely harmful to the fishes and turtles. With fishes getting wrapped up and caught in plastic nets, and turtles getting straws stuck up their nostrils, it’s a horrid disaster.

(Google Images) 

Doyinsola and about 20 volunteer crew sets out every week to 

clean up Elegushi Beach. Collecting 50 large sacks of litter 

every weak! That’s crazy!

(Google Images) 

Doyinsola is a true hero, but we all need to become heroes. We need to start being mindful of what we use and where an unwanted product ends up. We need to start caring about the sea life and figure out ways to protect the earth.

Ijeoma Ndukwe

“One Nigerian woman’s mission to save Lagos beaches and turtles from plastic.”

BBC News

October 20,2018

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-45889706

Made in Nigeria

Often dubbed as the “business hub of Africa,” Nigeria is one of the leading countries in the African continent. However, Nigeria may not be leading when it comes to locally manufactured goods.

With a population of 200 million people, sales from locally owned business or companies would do wonders for the Nigerian economy.

But,

Convincing 200 million people that locally manufactured goods can be just as good as imported goods, can be challenging.

(Google Images) 

Apart from convincing consumers, many other challenges exist when trying to elevate local goods. Such as, gaining access to the market and sometimes even having to power the plant on your own. Also with Nigeria just coming out of recession, locally owned business are in danger to face some losses.

Personally, I feel this is an issue that is unfortunately present in 

other countries as well.  Where residents would much rather opt 

for international products, due to the belief that local products won’t be of quality.

Of course, certain Nigerian locally owned businesses are seeing a welcoming growth in consumers. Hopefully, this is a trend that keeps on growing

BBC News

“The challenge of creating successful Nigerian products.”

January 31, 2019
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47070644

What does Fashion really mean?

I would define it as the use of different colors, styles, texture, fabrics, and designs to create an artwork. One that can be worn on the body, to serve as a outlet for self expression.

Fashion has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Nigeria is no stranger to the fashion world.

The Nigerian fashion industry is being pulled forward by the women. Despite several hurdles, young women are running a magazine publications. Giving the magazine industry a young makeover! Making the publication a popular outlet for all things fashion.

With a rich culture like Nigeria, the fashion really embodies the essences of the country. With celebrities representing such fashion globally, fashion medium is on a steady growth. This magazine provides access to the residents who makeup the culture and serve as the artistic influence. Nigerian designers are going on to earn acclaim worldwide. Styling big name celebrities, who are taking African fashion forward.

All the powerful women running the magazine publications are not only boss ladies, but are also showcasing their love for fashion and this industry.

Mrs Obama wearing designer Duro Olowd

(Google Images: Enigma Magazine) 

Adenike Olanrewaju. 

“As Nigerian Fashion Blooms, Women Leads Its Coverage.”

The New York Times

November 4, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/04/business/media/nigerian-fashion-magazines-women.html

Girl Power! 

The women of Lagos takes strong stand against sexual harassment, an unfortunate issue known to women worldwide.

                                              Google Images

Not having the freedom to live out their day to day lives, like shopping, walking, or simply waiting to catch the bus, the women of Lagos Nigeria are angered by the patronizing culture of men.

These strong women of Nigeria are determined to put an end to such ordeals by calling out the gropers and catcallers. Organizing a protest consisting of only 20 people in Yaba market, a popular market place which is notoriously known by these women to be the center of harrassment.

Soon the power of social media elevated the word of the protest, with thousands of people coming out in their support. Online petitions having over 23,000 signatures, ensuring that more protest like this are done in the near future.

This is quicly becoming a crucial movement in for the Yaba Market, where shop owners are becoming alert of the consequences of harassment. Some mentioning that they understand that such vile acts are scaring away costumers. The inspect of the protest is already showing great results. 

Market Match 2019  

Women taking control of their 

 

                               

February 4th, 2019

                          Linus Unah. “Normalized but not Normal: Nigerian Women 

 Call Out Gropers and Catcallers.” The Guardian. 

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2019/feb/04/normalised-but-not-normal-nigerian-women-call-out-gropers-and-catcallers-market-march-movement-yaba-market-lagos

                                    

Let There Be Power 

Google Images                                                   

The sun.

The driving force of all life forms on Earth.
Through rain, snow, and clouds the sun will always rise and shine bringing along power.
This power not only sustains life but through human advancements one can now utilize this power to light up an entire city.

In an article titled, “Solar Mini-Grids Give Nigeria a Power Boost” by Amy Yee, it highlights how solar panels are changing the way one lives out their day to day lives.
By cutting electrical cost in half to just 22,000 naira, which is around $55 usd, the people of Lagos, a city in Nigeria are now able to have non-stop  electricity 24 hours a day.

Amy Lee further mentions how only 6 mini grids have the power to light up five different Nigerian cities, providing solar electricity to over 15,000 people.
This demand for electricity is expected to grow in the upcoming years along with Nigeria’s growing population.
It will drastically improve Nigerians quality of life, and hopefully will serve as a trendsetter for other countries around the world to follow.

Amy Lee. "Solar Mini-Grids Give Nigeria a Power Boost."

The New York Times

December 4, 2018

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/02/climate/solar-mini-grids-give-nigeria-a-power-boost.html