Yinka Davies and Olufunmi to thrill at Christmas Magic Concert

In what promises to be another enlivening occasion, ArtColony International (ACI) will be holding the third in its series of Christmas Magic Goodwill Concert. The annual event which maiden edition held in 2010 has the aim of using the creative arts to promote social consciousness whilst providing a platform to creatively initiate sustainable development in at least one community every year. This event encapsulates the essence of ACI’s vision viz. re-building society...a bit at a time. The programme will feature a unique combination of prime entertainment, young talent promotion and community development. Christmas Magic! adopts a concert-competition format, therefore making the heart of the show an altruistic effort.

As with the two past editions, the focus of Christmas Magic! 2012 is the education sector with the objective of raising N1 million towards the improvement of literacy within selected primary schools in Lagos State. According to Suzie-May Ogunseitan, Creative Executive, ACI, the choice of primary education is premised on the understanding that it forms the basic foundation for learning. She said it also is their way of contributing to the attainment of the second item of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals in the Nigerian society through the achievement of universal primary education.

The event, which will hold on Saturday December 15, 2012, at the Agip Recital Hall of Muson Centre by 5.30pm, will feature seasoned performers competing for five community schools in Lagos State. These include: Adekemi Adetula a.k.a Irawo (Talking Drums), Guchi Egbunine (Tenor), Uduak Nsehe (Piano), Emmanuel Fagbohun (Violin), and Premier Clarinet Quartet. There will be special performances by Mr. Norman MacLeod (Chief Operating Officer, SINOPEC Ltd) who will be giving a performance on the Scottish Bagpipe and contributions by renowned performers Yinka Davies and Olufunmi. The event will be anchored by Ben Ogbeiwi and Omo Baba No. 1.

Last year’s event had in attendance a cross section of art lovers of various ages as well as members of the diplomatic corps in Nigeria and a special performance by Kate Henshaw.

ArtColony International (ACI) is a creative arts and entrepreneurial organization which has the objectives of re-instating the relevance of Arts to the society, as well as, being a positive catalyst in the society by utilizing creative talents in initiating sustainable solutions to societal challenges.

Lets Help Remi…

By Omotayo Obe

Ms. Remilekun Kode, a 43 year old mother of two and trader is appealing to the general public to help her raise the sum on N1, 500, 000 for the cost of surgery for a disorder called necrosis of her hip bone. Necrosis is the premature death of cells in living tissue; in Kode’s case the cells in her hip bone are dead thus causing her painful movement. At present, she uses crutches to ease her movement and to walk again, a surgery must be performed on both legs. The surgery itself will cost N500, 000 while the prostheses to be used on both hips will cost N1 million. The surgery is to be performed at the Orthopedic Hospital, Igbogbi, Lagos.

According to her, the condition started over 18 years ago after she got pregnant with her first baby and financial support has come from family and friends through the years. So much has been spent that the 1993 Computer Science graduate of the University of Lagos had to close down her shop, her only source of livelihood as her condition grew worse.

Dr. Femi Thompson, Project Director of Edensfield Health Foundation, (an NGO chaired by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Lagos, the NGO helping raise awareness for Kode’s condition) said the aim of the foundation is to “help people with medical challenges raise funds and rehabilitate them after surgery.” She pleaded with the public to help save Kode’s life and help the foundation as well. According to her, Kode’s case is one of the very many cases they have at present and help is needed urgently to save her life. Speaking on Kode’s case, she said “she needs a replacement of the femoral head on both hips. The surgery is a major one that will take about a year as both hips cannot be operated upon at the same time”. She added that the N1, 500, 000 being requested for is the baseline and more funds may be required depending on what happens at the surgery. She said Edensfield will also assist in raising funds but needs the help of the general public as well. Payment to save Kode’s life can be made through: GTBank Account: 0002103566 OR Access Bank Account: 0016318685 in favour of Edensfield Health Foundation. For more information on Edensfield Health Foundation, please visit www.edensfieldhf.org or call 2347028025585.

October 16 is World Food Day - Foodbank Nigeria: Closing the food gap

As nations all over the world work to address the critical issue of economic recovery and job losses, many community- based feeding assistance programmes continue to experience increasing pressure to provide food for those who now find themselves in the ‘hunger belt’ and who are not able to provide adequate food for themselves and their dependants. There is no doubt that there is an increasing number of people caught in this food gap, needing or relying on food assistance.

Feeding assistance programmes at community levels in Nigeria are usually coordinated by faith-based organizations, and social clubs. While some have been consistent, a lot of goodwill in food donation is shown at various times of the year by individuals or groups, especially at festive periods.  These programmes urgently need the support of a structured, coordinated and multichannel assistance platform, which engages all stakeholders (individuals, groups, and corporate citizenry) and supports the activities of such groups, ensuring availability of food through innovative partnerships, food drives and donations, training and outreaches that will ensure availability of food that meet all safety requirements, throughout the year.

Foodbank Nigeria is a non-profit, non-denominational organization that secures and distributes food donations to food programmes (called agencies) which feed the hungry. Foodbank Nigeria works as an aid clearing house, which coordinates and maximizes the distribution of donations through identified channels and food programmes. Working together with donors, supporters, partners, volunteers and staff, we are confronting hunger in Nigeria, and extending the budgets of agencies involved in feeding programmes. The impact of Foodbank programmes is estimated at stretching budgets of feeding programmes by up to 8 times of their original impact values.

Foodbank Nigeria initiative is part of the Global Food banking network, which is active in different capacities in at least 23 countries. Its mission is to effectively address identified food gaps in Nigeria through education, advocacy and empowerment strategies as part of new and existing feeding programmes. Foodbank Nigeria’s target capacity is to provide 5 million meals a day through at least 5,000 pre-assessed and registered nonprofit community food programmes (agencies) nationwide. We provide a viable and reputable platform for food assistance and support existing and new activities seeking to provide community-based support in this direction. We believe that, through activities of Foodbank Nigeria, the number of agencies (registered community food programmes) would expand considerably, helping us to achieve our daily meal target. The existence of a well-stocked and functional foodbank will also help to address emergency food needs associated with various types of disasters like the current flood situation in Kogi, Delta, Benue and Anambra states.

The organisation has adopted October as its Hunger Action Month, during which it has commenced a “close the food gap” campaign, that will introduce the public to its mission and call Nigerians to join the global movement through partnering, volunteering and donating to Foodbank Nigeria activities and programmes to address the food security issue in the country.

In a statement signed by its Project Manager, Paul Achem, Foodbank is convinced that Nigerians have what it takes to build a food assistance platform we can all be proud of. With good structure in place and the commitment of experienced foodbank administrators, employees, volunteers, and community members, the organisation can effectively close the food gap in Nigeria. The assurance is that all stakeholders can make a difference in the lives of the teeming hungry population of this country without their products and their identity being compromised.

For more information, visit www.foodbankng.com or mail info@foodbankng.com

2012 Honour Nigeria Awards

The Honours Awards ceremony, which is an annual event organised by Trinity House and holds on the first Sunday after Nigeria's independence is a day set aside to honour outstanding Nigerians/Africans of high integrity who have exemplified themselves in different areas of life. The objective of the Honours Awards is to recognize those who have contributed to Nigeria’s national development and acknowledge them as role models for this present and future generation. The awards are in the areas of leadership, professionalism, industry, and philanthropy. Last year's awardees were General T.Y. Danjuma for Philanthropy; Chief Chris Ogunbanjo for Industry; Mr. Akintola Williams for Professionalism; Chief Mrs Opral Benson for Female Role Model and Mr. Kenneth Kaunda for the Africa Prize while the 2012 awards were given to Chief Mrs. H.I.D. Awolowo for Female Role Model, Mr. Felix Ohiwerei for Industry, Prof Joe Irukwu for Professionalism and Dr.Nelson Mandela for the Africa Prize for Leadership.

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Hon Barrister Chike Ogeah Dalta State Commissioner Of Information making the Community Service Award Presentation to Mrs Rachael Apeh  

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Prince Jide Adeniyi presenting the Industry award to Elder Dr.Felix Ohiwerei at the 2012 Honour Nigeria Awards by Trinity House

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Revd Dr.Samuel Ogedengbe (SSA to Governor Of Lagos State on Christian Matters) presenting the leadership award for Dr. Nelson Mandela to Dr Victoria Koh 

In the September edition of Timeless magazine

- Interview with Chief Afe Babalola as he bares his mind on a wide range of issues and most especially education, which is dear to his heart

- As Nigeria prepares to celebrate its 52nd anniversary next month, a concerned Nigerian citizen, leader, activist, and mentor, George Ashiru reflects through a series of introspective questions how, why and when can Nigeria pick up its pieces and start moving towards its rightful place as a blessed nation

- Tayo Olarewaju shares with us Back to School planning guide as children prepare to return to schools after the long summer holidays

- Adebowale Jeff Johnson writes on Building a Great Reward System for your employees

- Attorney/Model/Journalist Uduak Oduok speaks on her life, her law practise, her experience as a model and as an American born Nigeria

- Abiola Etokwu on women's rights and liberation in When Traditions Said No

- Event coverage of the Apostles in the Market Place lecture, the Inspiring Woman Conference and much more

For subscription enquiries, please call 08187438525 or 08026861642. Small business owners that needs exposure at a minimal price can also advertise in our magazine for between N5,000 and N15,000.

Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012 to include Male Face

The 5th Edition of the annual international modelling competition, the Elite Model Look Nigeria 2012 will take place on the 29^th of September 2012 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. According to the organizers, this year’s competition will include a search for the male face of ELMN 2012. 20 contestants from all walks of life will strut the runway, whereby the lucky contestants in each category who meets the required criteria of the judges to earn the prestigious title of ELMN 2012 would be chosen. The dress code for this year’s event is black and white. The winner will represent Nigeria alongside winners from 80 other countries in the world final that will take place in October 2012 in China. The event, which takes place in over 80 countries, was launched in Nigeria five years ago by Elohor–Aisien’s Beth Model Management Africa. Etisalat, Samsung, Moet & Chandon, Spice TV, and Bella Naija are part of this year’s sponsors for the event. Tickets are available at Black UP Outlets and Montaigne Place for N50, 000 (Platimum VIP), N25, 000 (VIP Tickets), Regular (10,000). Ticket Hotmail: 08033278752

The Encore Business and Branding Seminar

Interested Participants at the Encore Seminar next week Thursday will get a 50% discount in Timeless Magazine's 25 by 6 cm strip adverts (for N12, 500) and 6 by 5 inches Quarter Page adverts (for N35,000) in our September Issue.