North East Governors’ Forum has reiterated its concern over the seeming neglect of the region in the allocation of Federal Government Capital Projects. 

In a communique issued at the end of  10th Meeting of the forum held in Bauchi, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who is the Chairman, said the region is also not included in the National Infrastructure Plan for the transition from PMS to Compressed Gas

The Forum noted with dismay that despite its cry for attention on the State of infrastructure in the region which has been consistently echoed in all its communique over the years, especially the poor road and railway infrastructure along the economic corridors that links the NorthEast subregion to the rest of the country, nothing serious seems to be happening.

“The Roads from Enugu to Maiduguri is in deplorable State and the railway from Enugu up to Maiduguri has been destroyed. This is a major route for regional trade and very important for integration, peace building and improving national unity.

“The Forum is calling on the Federal Government to look into the situation and consider the reconstruction of these basic infrastructure along Enugu-Maiduguri Economic Corridor and inclusion of NE in all National Development Plans and initiatives.”

The Forum further noted the blackout experienced by the region over the lack of electricity experienced over the last one month and the nonchalant attitude
exhibited by the TCN in addressing this issue of National importance for the security and development of the country.

“Forum is watching keenly the commitment made by TCN to restore power to all the state of the region by the 27th May, 2024; accordingly, the Forum urged the Federal Government to direct TCN to take immediate action.

“The Forum has resolved in the short term, to set up a solar power plant that can generate a minimum 10 Megawatts per State.

 

“The Forum notes with deep concern that the Northeast, is the only region in Nigeria that has one transmission line supplying six states with a land mass of nearly 300Km square and population of over 35 million,”This has made the region the most vulnerable and most disadvantaged for industrial development and economic growth with over 70% of its population below 35 years of age. ”

“The Forum therefore calls on the Minister of Power and indeed the Federal Government as a matter of urgency to implement the extension of the 330KV transmission line from Makurdi – Gassol – Jalingo linking to Adamawa – Gombe – Bauchi and the extension of the 330KV line from Kano- Bauchi- Yobe, linking to Borno.

“The Forum resolved to maximise the existing hydropower generated in Kashimbilla and Dadin Kowa dam which the region has not been benefitting from because of the Ministry of Power has failed to extend the 330KV line of Makurdi Gassol- Jalingo line. Forum notes that climate change and environmental degradation remains a reality in the region.

“The Forum appreciates the various states for the policies they are putting in place to reclaim the environment. It called for a more sustained and coordinated regional onslaught to reverse the speed of desertification in the region.

“The Forum also charges the Northeast Development Commission
(NEDC) to be consultative in its dealings, operation and project prioritization. It calls on the NEDC to work with the
States in the region for Energy Development to unlock the energy potentials of the region and lessen the energy paucity burden of the people.”

[DailyTrust]

Three abducted Chibok girls who escaped from Boko Haram captivity and enrolled at the American University of Nigeria, AUN, were among 189 students who officially graduated with first degrees on Saturday.

DAILY POST reports that of the hundreds of girls who were abducted from Chibok in 2014, while a great number remain in captivity, many have been lucky to escape and lead better lives.

In his remark during the 15th Commencement (Convocation) ceremony of the university at its main campus in Yola on Saturday, the President (vice chancellor) of the University, Dwayne Frazier, charged the graduates to uphold the tenets of the institution.

He reminded them that the university prepares students to face their new challenges.

“I have no doubt that you will excel because you have all shown resilience, determination, and commitment. These qualities will propagate you for the best even as you contribute to the development of the country,” Frazier told them.

In his message, the guest speaker, Professor Mike Ozekhome, asserted that the institution has proven that it can impact the world positively.

“With the entrepreneurship lectures and training you have received here at AUN, you can create jobs for yourselves,” he charged the students.

Eight students were awarded PhD, 10 students with MSc, and 189 students awarded first degrees.

Ozekhome was honoured with a Doctor of Letters degree for promoting peace, human rights, the rule of law, and good governance in Nigeria.

[DailyPost]

The Federal Government has released the names of the Pro – chancellors/Chairmen and members of the Governing Boards of 111 Federal universities, polytechnics and colleges of education eleven months after they were dissolved by the National Universities Commission (NUC). 

The list, which comprises technocrats, politicians and traditional rulers, is made up of 50 Federal Universities, 37 Polytechnics and 24 Colleges of Education. 

The government named Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Wole Olanipekun as the Chairman of the Governing Council of University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Others on the list included former Bauchi Governor, Isa Yuguda, who will chair the Governing Council of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN); former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, was appointed to lead the council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Kaduna State; former Zamfara Governor Mahmud Shinkafi will chair the council of University of Jos, Plateau State; former Ebonyi Governor Martin Elechi was named chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State while former Adamawa Governor Bala James Ngilari was appointed chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University of Calabar, Cross River State.

Also, the government appointed former Borno Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ali Abubakar Jatau as chairman of the Governing Council of Federal University, Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State; former Katsina Deputy GovernorTukur Jikamshi, as the chair of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State and former Senator from Anambra state, Joy Emordi will chair the council of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, Imo State.

Others are: former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof Julius Okojie was appointed as chairman of the governing council of Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State; former Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma was appointed as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of Bayero University, Kano, Kano State; Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Yusuf Ali, was named as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, a former Executive Secretary of NUC, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola as well as Dr. Abiodun Layonu head the University of Port Harcourt and University of Benin Governing Councils respectively.  

The immediate-past Executive Secretary of NUC, Adamu Rasheed, who resigned from office a few months into his second term in office, was also named to chair the governing council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

The details containing the names of the governing councils are contained in an advertorial signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Didi Esther Walson-Jack.

According to the advertorial, the inauguration and retreat of the Council members would hold on May 30 and 31, 2024 at the NUC headquarters in Abuja. 

“The inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00am daily,” it said. 

Some of the chairmen of boards of Polytechnics include: HRH Arc. Ezeogo Ewa Elechi (Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State); Salisu Kallamu (Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State); Ekem Okeke (Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State);  Sir Paul C. Chukwuma (Federal Polytechnic Kabo, Kano State); Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi (Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina State); Otunba Tajudeen Abioye (Yaba College of Technology, Lagos State); Prof Erik Omogbai (Federal Polytechnic Bida, Niger State) among others. 

For Colleges of Education, the immediate past Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Andrew Adejo heads the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos State as Chairman while renowned labour leader, Comrade Isa Aremu pilots affairs as Chairman of the Governing Board of Federal College of Education (Tech) Keana, Nasarawa State. Also in the list is Sen. Binta Masi (Federal College of Education, Iditep, Akwa Ibom State);  Prof. Isah Garba (Federal College of Education, Kontagora, Niger State), Sen. Emmanuel Anosike (Federal College of Education, Aha-Amufu, Enugu State) among others.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had threatened to embark on strike if the government failed to reconstitute the Governing Councils of Universities within two weeks. 

The National Universities Commission (NCC) on June 22, 2023 announced the dissolution of Governing Councils of all federal universities and boards of other agencies and parastatals in the country.

The NUC directive was based on a similar one three days earlier by President Bola Tinubu ordering the dissolution of the boards of all government parastatals, agencies and companies.

[TheNation]

Manchester City’s Phil Foden has been named the Premier League’s 2023/2024 Player of the Season.

This announcement comes after the 23-year-old England midfielder was voted Footballer of the Year by the English Football Writers’ Association earlier this month, completing an awards double.

Foden has scored a career-best 17 Premier League goals this season, with one game remaining for champions City at home against Westham on Sunday.

Taking to X, #PhilFoden posted, “What a week! So honoured to receive these prestigious awards! Thank you to everyone who voted for me, to the City staff and coaches, my family and of course, my teammates.

“I’m delighted with the way I’ve played so far this season and it wouldn’t have been possible without those around me.”

“To win this award is an achievement that I am extremely proud of,” said Foden.

“The Premier League is acknowledged as the greatest league in the world, and it is a pleasure to have been nominated with so many other great players who have all enjoyed special seasons for their clubs.”

City will secure a record fourth successive English title if they win at home to West Ham on Sunday.

“Overall, I’ve been very happy with the way I have played this season and really pleased that I have been able to contribute with the goals and assists throughout the season,” Foden added.

“I’d like to thank all of the City staff, coaches and especially my teammates because without them this wouldn’t be possible. And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who voted for me as the award means a lot.”

EPL also shared images of the footballer hailing him on the feat.

It posted, “Winning awards. #PhilFoden has been doing it for years.”

[Punch]

Shehu Sani, a former Senator representing Kaduna Central, has revealed that the proposed N45,000 minimum wage by the Federal Government is not realistic, saying no Nigerian worker can survive with less than N100,000 minimum wage with prevailing economic reality.

The former Kaduna lawmaker stated this while on ARISE TV discussing the ongoing minimum wage controversy between organized Labour and the federal government

He said, “I don’t know how a Nigerian can survive with less than N100,000. If you break down what the government is offering N45,000-48,000, you will see how unrealistic it is by the time you factor in many things. The position taken by labour should be considered by the government.

“It is one thing agreeing to increase the minimum wage and then the capacity to pay. Let us not forget that in the last few years, the government has been finding it difficult to even pay the ones that they already have on paper, so how this could be reflected should be considered.

“But from what we have learnt since the withdrawal of subsidy, the government has more money and there’s no better way to effectively and productively spend it than to increase the minimum wage of Nigerian workers to a reasonable point where he can adequately take care of his family.

“Economic reforms are taking place in this country, there are consequences for the reforms. They are supposed to be sacrifices but it should be across the board.

“Workers are seeing that money is coming in trillions, they want their own share. When a nation subsidises, it makes more value for wages but when they are removed, you have to pay for it.”

[Vanguard]

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he has been engaging Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, to discuss the possibility of a merger.

Atiku was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election. Both Obi and Atiku lost the election to Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Friday in an interview with BBC Hausa, Atiku said he would support anyone chosen to represent the PDP in 2027 — even if the candidate is from the south-east.

Atiku also said he would not be retiring from politics any time soon.

“This is to anybody that thinks there is going to be a misunderstanding between me and Obi, let me assure you that not even a small issue is going to happen between us,” he said.

“Also we are going to be behind anybody that will be chosen to represent us in the forthcoming elections.

“I have made it clear in my previous speeches that if our parties are going to merge to agree on a candidate from the south-east, as long as he is qualified, we will allow it.

“At this moment we are meeting and making arrangements to unite the party and take it to a more promising point.

“If there is anybody thinking we would be moving backwards, keeping quiet to the dishonesty and injustice happening to the people of Nigeria, then I think he is daydreaming because I am still very much active in political activities.”

When asked if he would be running in the next election, he said “at this moment, we should all sit back until 2027 to see if I would be contesting or not”.

“We are the people championing the return of democracy and we will continue to ensure democracy is fully improved. We are not going to watch how things deteriorate,” he added.

[TheCable]

President of the Pan-African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), Aliko Dangote has called for increased investments in the African continent to foster its rapid growth and development.

Speaking at the largest gathering of private sector leaders in Africa, the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, Dangote emphasized that recent trends underscore Africa's pivotal role as the future epicenter of global progress.

The business mogul cautioned against the continent's overreliance on raw material exports, but advocating instead for strategic investments that will propel indigenous industries. He urged African nations to resist the urge to export raw materials but to nurture domestic manufacturing capabilities so as to reduce dependency on imported consumer goods.

"Looking ahead, Africa holds the key to its greatness. I'm not merely investing money but dedicating my entire being to this cause. In Africa, possibilities are boundless. It is like a scratch card; you won’t know what is inside unless you scratch it. For some of us, despite the boom of the capital market in the US, we didn’t really participate, rather we invested in Africa,” he affirmed.

Over the past seven years, Dangote said he had channelled over $25 billion into bolstering Africa's self-sufficiency in vital sectors such as fertilizers, petrochemicals, and refined products. Notably, he said the monumental Dangote Refinery, boasting a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, stands poised to meet the burgeoning demand across West Africa, Central Africa, and South Africa.

“We have finished our refinery; it is quite big. We believe it is what Africa needs. If you look at the entire continent, there are only two countries that don’t import petroleum products, only Algeria and Libya but the rest import. We need to change that, so we don’t just produce raw materials but finished products and create jobs. One of the things we need to know as Africans is that when we produce raw material and export them while others dump finished products on our continent, what we are doing is that we are importing poverty while exporting jobs. We must change the narrative.

“We just commissioned in February. We are producing jet fuel and diesel. By next month, we will be producing gasoline but what that will do is that it will be able to take most of the African crudes that are being produced and be able to supply refined products not only in Nigeria because our capacity is too big for Nigeria. It will be able to supply in West Africa, Central Africa and South Africa. This is the first phase, we are going to the next phase by next year,” he said.

Expressing concern over Africa's paradoxical export of raw materials juxtaposed with an influx of imported finished goods, Dangote underscored the urgent need to reverse this trend. He lamented that exporting raw materials while importing finished goods perpetuates a cycle of job loss and poverty.

Founded in 2012, the Africa CEO Forum, is a platform through which African decision-makers connect with each other continuously, as well as with international investors and institutions operating on the continent..

It has evolved into an organisation dedicated to facilitating business in Africa through the exchange of ideas and experiences,

 

City FM is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Programme: CITY TALKS WITH REUBEN ABATI

Time: 12:00pm

Guest: Mr. Ehi Braimah
(Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Naija Times)

Topic: "National Minimum Wage Controversy"

Date: 18th May, 2024

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/92877141732?pwd=VEJWb29OL2VVekZUTHRpdWYxK0xxZz09

Meeting ID: 928 7714 1732
Passcode: 600206

Nigerian-British actor, Wale Ojo, has traversed quite a memorable career as an actor in the United Kingdom and Nigeria. He recently won the Best Lead Actor award at the 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held in Lagos. Ojo’s talent and dedication to his craft have seen him rise to prominence in the film industry. He speaks to Ferdinand  Ekechukwu about his childhood, journey so far in his acting career and his love for Nigeria. He also says taking on the role of Wole Soyinka in ‘The Man Died’ was the highpoint in his career, noting that it was an immense honour for him to play the role because of his admiration for the Nobel Laureate

How do you feel winning Best Lead Actor at the recently concluded 10th AMVCA?

Well, you know I feel great, I feel good. I’m very grateful to God for winning that award. Like I said during my speech, BB Sasore wrote a great script, we had a great team; Ola Cardoso the D.O.P was fantastic, BB directed, Eku Edewor produced. And of course a great supporting cast; Chimezie Imo top on that list, Geneveva Umeh, Demola Adedoyin, Sam Dede was incredible, Tina Mbah was amazing. So, yeah it was good.

Can the movie – ‘Breadth of Life’ – for which you won the award, be seen as a breath of fresh air?

Yeah. It’s a breath of fresh air for the Nollywood industry. I believe ‘Breadth of Life’ is a film that raised the standard; it raised the bar as far as filmmaking is concerned, as far as storytelling is concerned. It raised the bar for Nollywood, for the Nigeria film industry. It reaches the levels of new Nigerian cinema.

How about the role you played in the movie?

Well, a role is always a role for me. I take each role on its own merit. I approach it according to the script and according to the amount of work I had. And when BB sent me that script, I knew that this is not just a normal religious script ‘come to the church and bla blah bla’. It was a deeply philosophical script and so I enjoyed doing it immensely.

 What does this award mean to you considering that you have missed out in a couple of AMVCA nominations in the past?

Well, it’s always good to be recognised by the people in your field. It means a lot and I like to call myself a champion for African cinema. So, to win the Best Lead Actor in Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards, it means you are holding the top position. And I think that’s a wonderful thing; it’s brilliant to be recognised. But I think it also comes with a separate sense of duty to do even better, to achieve even greater height. So, basically from the AMVCA award we then move on to awards outside of the country, recognition outside of the country.

As someone who has graced international scenes, compared to what you see in Nollywood in recent time, what major developments fascinate you?

Well we’ve increased the value of the productions because of the equipment that we are using. A lot of companies are now shooting with very high tech candid cameras. They are paying attention to details which we didn’t used to do so before. They are paying attention to location; they paying attention to costumes and production design. So, all of these they are taking us to a place where it’s going to be very difficult to ignore Nigerian cinema worldwide. Also, with the streaming platforms it is a major development and beneficial to the health and to the growth of the industry because they are bringing in much needed liquid capital into the industry. So, they are much needed. But there’s always an advantage and there’s always a disadvantage. I would like a situation where one can sign deals with streamers and still be able to go to cinemas and still be able to go to film festivals. I think you can still do that, but they are limited on certain licensed titles. I think that most films should. I love the art of cinema. I love when group of people will get together to watch a film in a building, or open air. I think that’s important and I would want that to continue. I would want the streaming platforms to support that as well.

 Has it always been an easy journey looking at how you got to where you are now?

No, it’s been a difficult journey. It’s been a long journey; it’s been struggles sometimes but every single time from the moment I decided in my mind I was going to be an actor. And I wanted to be an actor as far back as I can remember. It’s been a rewarding journey. So the rewards have been greater than the pain, struggle, and years of not working or creating own work.

 Was there a time you ever felt like quitting?

No. I think there was once or twice when I tried to do something else and I ended up in a shop in London putting prices on the products. I think I lasted one day. There’s another time I tried to sell in the UK, I think I lasted one week. Then I tried working in an office, I think I lasted three days. So, I think my mind just told me ‘do or die’, it’s acting (laughing).  

Can you take us back a bit to the beginning of your acting journey?

Well, I would love to go as far back as watching television with my elderly brother, Niyi at one point watching “Combat” which was a war series on TV. So, I used to emulate them, copy them and mimic them. Then sometimes I will be dancing for my mum and my dad and the family in the living room and stuff like that. And then I knew I had a gift for acting when I was doing public speaking when I was at the college in England, I started to do public speaking, then I got into the school play, then I realised that ‘you know what I think I would love to do this for the rest of my life’. That was when I set myself on that path. Then of course everybody thinks ‘you are just joking’… but I kept going. Before the college period I got some exposures going to location and all that here. I was a child actor with WNTV Ibadan, and that’s really where my career started at the age of 8.

 How would you describe your childhood?

Fantastic! I had great childhood. I will say I was brought up with a silver spoon in my mouth, probably very spoilt. My mum took me all over the world. And I would go to my father’s side, my grandfather was royalty in Ibadan. I will go to my mother’s side in Edo State, my grandmother and my grandfather were royalty in the Edo Kingdom. So, wherever I went, I was just spoilt. My childhood was great and one of my strongest memories is that my grandmother on my mother’s side had a hotel called Flamingo Hotel in Ekpoma, in Edo State. And only recently I realised that the musician that used to come and play in that hotel was Victor Uwaifo! And also, Victor Uwaifo’s brother used to come and play at the Flamingo Hotel. And I grow up in that hotel in Ekpoma – my cousins and I grew up in that hotel. Furthermore, I used to go to the market square in Ekpoma and watch John Wayne films; I will steal away, my grandmother would be so angry with me, I will steal away and just sit there in the courtyard watching John Wayne. And I used to admire John Wayne. John Wayne was my hero. I used to love it when he used to kill all the Indians. I used to scream and shout. It was only later I realised that it’s the Indians that own the land and John Wayne, a Ku Klux Klan member, was a criminal. From that day on I didn’t like him anymore.    

You started out acting on stage. Most of your works have increased and taken major part on screen. Do you prefer one to the other?

Well it’s difficult because I like the detail, the intricacies, and the sweat that one can put into film. But stage, I think stage takes the edge. It’s just that once you get on stage you can’t turn back, there’s no cut. You have to race on to the finish line. And the applause from the audience at the end of the day is what tells you if you have done your job or not. But in yourself you will know because acting is an organic thing, it’s all about the transfers and the exchange of energy between a performer and his audience. So for most good actors, stage is it.

Which is your most memorable career moment as an actor?

I think one of my most memorable is playing a cockroach.

In an animation?

No, not animation it’s in a stage play. I had to be a cockroach and play a cockroach and drop from a ceiling onto the floor and all kinds of things. It took a lot and that was one of my most memorable. I trapped a cockroach in a bottle and I studied the way the cockroach moves in preparation for the role. Poor cockroach I imprisoned it in a bottle and studied the movement, study the way it shook its head, everything and did that on stage.

 Who has influenced or played a major role in your career?

There have been many people; from university lecturers to people who are not even alive, people whom I have not even met. Chief of all of them has to be Michael Chekhov, who was a nephew to Anton Chekhov, the Great Russian writer. I just loved his approach to acting. He started in acting school in Russia. He worked in the Moscow Art Theatre. He was Konstantin Stanislavsky’s favourite student. And if you know Konstantin Stanislavski, he’s the person who started what we call The Method for Actors that then went on to America. For me Chekhov was an originator of a very different kind of method; a method they call – For the Use of the Imagination. There are many people along the line. I can mention Paul Robson… Mohammed Ali. You could remember Ali was a performer; he was an actor in his own right. And then coming back to home, Hubert Ogunde, Tunde Kelani, Sam Loco Efe (late), and the rest of them.

You have often described Prof. Wole Soyinka as one of your most iconic figures. How did you feel taking on his character in the adaptation of The Man Died?

Yeah of course I often talk about Wole Soyinka.  Taking on the role of Wole Soyinka in ‘The Man Died’ was definitely a highpoint in my career because I have worked with him now for close to, on and off, for about 30 years. So, I think ‘The Man Died’ is such an iconic book in the canon of world literature. And the figure of Wole Soyinka is an iconic figure in the world of literature. So to take him on, to play him in that book was an immense honour.   

If you weren’t into acting what would you have been doing?

I have no idea (laughs). I think I was acting from my mother’s womb. Maybe I would do music; though I still do music. Maybe if you are talking of something not in entertainment, maybe a lawyer, but no. I probably would have been. But because lawyers, I don’t know. I have had situations with lawyers. Lawyers can be very funny people. 

Maybe a politician, I think I care about people. And I like to see things done right. So, I may have become something of a political activist. I may have settled on the quest for political power.

You have also produced and directed a couple of movies. Is it likely you retire as a director or producer?

No, I will never retire! The world retirement is not coming to my radar at all. It doesn’t, I will never retire. I will metamorphose into the realm of the ancestors singing, dancing and acting by the power of the owner of the sky.

 Aside acting, there are other sides of Wale Ojo. Like music. Talk to us about this aspect of your craft. How did it start and what was it that got you into music?

I have always played music. Music helped me to survive in London when there was no work as an actor. So, music helped me survive I formed many bands, I have been in many bands, and I have a band in Lagos called ‘The Milagros.’ It used to be called Wale Ojo and The Milagros. It’s a fantastic band. The core members of that band the three players Jude Aduragbemi on drums, Michael Gbadebo on bass guitar, and Gbenga G tones on keyboard. That’s the core of the band. Yes, we play concerts, at Hard Rock Caffe. We’ve played for Johnnie Walker. We welcome brands to come along and perform with us. When I perform with the band I bring my acting skills, I create a whole entertainment for the audience. We are looking to perform hopefully in Brazil and the United States in the future. Yes, we are looking to perform in those places.

Have you got any musical work that one can point to?

Yes, I have a single out now called ‘Afrika’. It’s out on all the major streaming platforms. Put Wale Ojo Afrika you will get it. It’s an original afrobeat composition done by myself and my band, The Milagros.

What are you engaged with when you are not on set?

A script, a movie, a poem, a monologue, a song, a dance, I’m always creative; creativity for me is key.

And how do you unwind?

I unwind by swimming with turtles or dolphins. I swim a lot. So, I go to Islands I dive into the middle of the ocean and just swim. I love to swim.

Some of your posts come off as someone who is conscious and passionate about Nigeria. What aspirations do you have for the country?

A lot of aspirations. Over the years it would have been extremely easy for me not to come to Nigeria at all. I could easily have stayed in United States, or United Kingdom, or Germany or even Russia. And I know I would have been okay doing what I do there. But I love Nigeria, and I will always love Nigeria no matter what. And I have a lot of vision for Nigeria. And that vision is one that encompasses a country where everybody doesn’t want to ‘Japa’. The ‘Japa’ mentality I think is embarrassing. I think it’s unfortunate, you know where doctors think they go and do their stuff in elsewhere and whereas when I go to the United States or go anywhere, Nigerians are applauded of their ingenuity. And you will come home there are many problems. I want to be a part of the solution; I don’t want to be talking about the problem I want to be a part of the solution. And I put a lot of things in place to bear the solution if the government wants to engage with the creative industry they need to come and talk to people like us because we have a vision for the country; we don’t do ‘follow-follow.’ Ronald Regan was an actor before he became a president; Donald Trump was an actor who became a president, Polish President, Lech Walesa was a playwright who became a president. And of course, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine who was a popular comedian. Creative people, ultimately passionate people and I am passionate about Nigeria.

[ThisDay]