Celebrating a remarkable and extraordinary visit to Lanre Olagoke's Regent Street Studio in London
Celebrating a remarkable and extraordinary visit to Lanre Olagoke's Regent Street Studio in London, where I had the privilege of spending time with the esteemed artist and painter, Lanre Olagoke MBE.
Celebrating a remarkable and extraordinary visit to Lanre Olagoke's Regent Street Studio in London
Witnessing the enchanting space where Lanre, a true emblem of Nigerian pride, crafts his masterpieces was an absolute honour.
Lanre is also founder of the Art-Alive Art Trust (AAAT) since 1997 and has been a transformative force, offering access to the arts for young people from diverse backgrounds, including in primary schools and prisons. Through his art, he has not only been inspiring but also a beacon of hope for many.
Mudiare Onobrakpeya
London, U.K.
April 11th 2024
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68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
On March 13, on the margins of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Government of the United States alongside the Governments of Canada, Colombia, and the United Kingdom, co-sponsored a high-level meeting at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to discuss shared priorities for advancing women’s political participation and leadership, including by tackling new threats, such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Participants included senior leaders from governments, civil society, philanthropy, multilateral organizations, and the private sector.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For Immediate Release
MEDIA NOTE
March 15, 2024
68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women - High-Level Meeting To Advance Women’s Political Participation and Leadership in the Digital Age
On March 13, on the margins of the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the Government of the United States alongside the Governments of Canada, Colombia, and the United Kingdom, co-sponsored a high-level meeting at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations to discuss shared priorities for advancing women’s political participation and leadership, including by tackling new threats, such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Participants included senior leaders from governments, civil society, philanthropy, multilateral organizations, and the private sector.
This high-level meeting focused on opportunities for collaboration to address the consistent underrepresentation of women at all levels of public life, politics and government, including peace and security decision-making processes. Women leaders, researchers, and experts from civil society highlighted how longstanding barriers to women’s political participation and leadership—including lack of access to political networks and resources as well as gender-based violence both online and offline—continue to undermine their inclusion and advancement in democratic processes. Several participants noted that threats to women leaders have proliferated with the increased adoption of digital technologies and are likely to continue to grow with new and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.Participants noted the urgency of addressing these systemic barriers to ensure a level playing field for elections set to take place around the world this year.
To address these issues, senior leaders from the Biden-Harris Administration invited partners to join a new multistakeholder initiative to advance women’s political participation and leadership in the digital age. This initiative, which the United States intends to launch on the margins of the 75th NATO Summit, will convene governments, philanthropy, civil society, private sector, and multilateral organizations to develop commitments focused on closing the gender gap in leadership, including through programs that address threats to women leaders on and offline. It will build shared commitments and priorities, including the U.S. Strategy and National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, the U.S. Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal, the Global Partnership for Action on Gender-Based Online Harassment and Abuse, the Summit for Democracy Gender Cohort, and the Network for Gender Inclusive Democracy.
For more information, please contact StateGWI@state.gov.
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Tom Adaba Receives 2021 Distinguished Media and National Leadership Award
Tom Adaba Receives 2021 Distinguished Media and National Leadership Award
Words: Oyiza Adaba
Photos: T.A.L.P | INYA ODE | Africa-RelateD
Abuja, nigeria
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MEDIA AWARD
Prof. Aaze Tom Adaba Receives 2021 Distinguished Media and National Leadership Award
Nearly a year after being announced, veteran broadcaster known as the 'Father of Independent Broadcasting' in Nigeria, Prof. Aaze Tom Adaba finally received the 2021 Nigeria Media Merit Award (NMMA) at his home in Abuja,on July 5, 2022.
The 2021 Distinguished Media and National Leadership Award was given ‘in recognition of his professional and exemplary life dedicated to the promotion of media excellence and service to the nation'.
The Ohietohueyi of Ebiraland, commended the prestigious organization for continuing this long tradition of honoring the best media minds for the last 29 years, and expressed joy that media practitioners can still come together to celebrate each other.
The NMMA Chairman, Board of Trustees, Dr. Haroun Al-Rashid Adamu and the Trustee Chief Administrator, Mr Samuel Yemi Akeju made the presentation. While reminiscing on old broadcasting days, the veteran broadcaster pledged to do more within his powers, in mentoring the next generation of broadcasters.
The Nigeria Media Merit Award is a non-profit that was established in 1990 to recognize, encourage and reward excellence in media practice in Nigeria and help build a more progressive Nigeria by fostering the bonds between the press and citizens. It does so with events like the annual award ceremony. Entries for the 2022 season just closed.
Adaba was joined by two of his children Pst. Elizabeth Gomwalk & Dr. Inya Ode, as well as his devout wife of 55 years, Mrs. Theresa Adaba - to dedicate the award to what he described as, 'The Struggle of the Nigerian and Human Condition'.
He presented copies of his upcoming book But For God, and challenged the occupants of the 4th Estate to use their voices against the odds.
The main award ceremony was held in Lokoja, Kogi State in October 2021. Prof. Adaba was unable to attend due to health reasons.
T.A.L.P works with children’s education, cultural preservation, philanthropy and advocacy
Sign up to the Tom Adaba Legacy mailing list to get notifications, news and upcoming events
Oyiza Adaba is a journalist & producer @africarelated
SCHOLARSHIP NOTICE FOR US-BASED FOREIGN JOURNALISTS
The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) offers scholarship to journalists
Are you a foreign journalist currently studying for a Master’s Degree in the U.S? Here is a scholarship opportunity for you.
Scholarship opportunity: The Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the United States (AFPC-USA) provides annual scholarships to professional foreign journalists who are currently enrolled in any full-time master's level program of any U.S.- based academic institution. More information can be found here:
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DIGNITY DEFINED: Tom Adaba @ 81
Words: Oyiza Adaba
Photos: David Araga, Margaret Adaba-Soyemi, T.A.L.P, Africa-Related
SEPTEMBER 2022
2nd Edition
The veteran broadcaster remains a rare breed with a fighting will to live, do more and witness the change he has long-desired for his motherland Nigeria. On his 81st birthday, he speaks to the conscience of both the Nation and citizens alike.
In the second edition of his upcoming memoirs But For God, soon to be released on September 1, 2022, the Ohi Etohueyi of Ebiraland reflects deeply on a life richly blessed life, the challenges and triumphs along the way. The memoir - in book and audiobook formats, will be released on September 1, 2022.
“Over time, Nigeria has morphed into a convoluted country driven by greed, corruption, and leadership and governance ineptitude. The sheep have no credible shepherds and so are left to flounder in poverty, indiscipline, insecurity and blossoming criminality. Right before our eyes the country is bound on a journey to nowhere and is careening towards total collapse. We are watching a steady disintegration of human values and national ethos.”
- Thomas Aaze Adaba -
Excerpt from ‘BUT FOR GOD’
In 2021, The Tom Adaba Legacy Project (T.A.L.P) was launched with operations in Abuja and Okene. The project’s key focus areas are preserving indigenous culture, promoting education & improving living standards.
To live up to its set objectives, the project joined forces in 2022 with Ita’i Our Cloth - a weaving social enterprise - to build a community centre for learning seated in the heart of Okene. The Tom Adaba Legacy Center is a purpose-driven community centre for knowledge, which will house training facilities for vocational and academic exchange, with a global outlook.
The project is expected to be carried out in two phases over a twenty-four month period, and is open for local and international partnerships.
T.A.L.P works with children’s education, cultural preservation, philanthropy and advocacy
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HOUSTON - GLOBAL ENERGY CAPITAL Takes The Lead In Energy Transition By 2050
HOUSTON
GLOBAL ENERGY CAPITAL Takes The Lead In Energy Transition By 2050
Houston aerial view: Photo by Vlad BusuiocWords: Oyiza Adaba
Photo: Africa-Related/Vlad Busuioc
Houston, Texas
Mayor Sylvester Turner's office announced on Friday that the city of Houston will be leading a delegation to Paris from June 27-July 2, as part of its preliminary mission in combating the environmental impact of the global energy industry..
Christopher Olsen, Director of Trade and International Affairs City of Houston
Bob Harvey President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership
Speaking to the Foreign Press, the President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, Bob Harvey outlined the objectives and commitments of Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HEDI) which was launched last year. The coalition of 18 key global energy stakeholders will begin the steps toward this transition process, which is expected to lower the world's carbon footprint to net zero by 2050. Their strategy, which leverages on the oil and gas leadership to accelerate these global solutions, will focus on four working sectors - carbon capture, use & storage; clean energy & hydrogen development; industrial decarbonisation, and funding or capital formation.
Known as the energy capital of the world, Houson is strategic for many reasons. It is home to the renowned Texas Medical Center with MD Anderson Cancer Center, the Johnson Space Center, 25 Fortune 500 corporate headquarters, the Port of Houston which is the largest port in the US, over 1,700 foreign-owned firms and a large foreign born population.
"Houston is the only city in the world frankly, with the technology expertise, the commercial skills, the manufacturing talent, the infrastructure, to lead the transition to a more sustainable, open future on a global scale"
-Bob Harvey
Mayor Sylvester Turner who also heads the U.S Climate Network acknowledged the benefits of this initiative to the city's institutions and residents, and said much of Houston's success is built on private public partnership. He was represented by Christopher Olsen, Director of Trade and International Affairs, who used the opportunity to commend the 'robust' African Diaspora residents in Houston and their contribution to politics, culture and the economy. He called on the Nigerian Government to establish a much-needed Consulate in the city for what he described as 'one of the largest Nigerian populations outside of Nigeria'.
HEDI to some may be an acknowledgement to decades of environmental degradation caused by the industry's practices like burning of fossil fuel. To others, it could be a start in the industry's effort to right some of its past wrongs, as seen in places like Nigeria's Niger Delta region. The burden of delivering environmental justice, clean energy and development to communities especially those most impacted, however shouldn't be on Houston alone. In Harvey's words,
"…There's simply no way we're going to move forward globally, with trillions of dollars of investment to support the energy transition, without it being inclusive, and being very mindful of both current and past inequities, and how this program is going to speak to them.
- Bob Harvey
HEDI estimates about 560,000 new jobs by 2050, if properly implemented. If HEDI were to make a dent of an impact, it would need partnerships and commitments from global Governments, corporations and communities to adopt their framework, in order to credibly achieve its objectives of clean energy production and environment.
"If we do nothing but follow the path of the traditional energy industry, Houston will likely shed half 1,500,000 jobs by 2050.
- Bob Harvey
Learn more about HEDI and the City of Houston
Oyiza Adaba is Nigerian journalist and producer @africarelated