'DELA' Interview: Remembering Tam Fiofori
'DELA' Interview: Remembering Tam Fiofori - Filmmaker Visionary Historian Critic This interview was conducted in June 2021 for the biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, directed by Oyiza Adaba.
By Oyiza Adaba
UNCLE TAM
1942-2024
Filmmaker Visionary Historian Critic
This interview was conducted in June 2021 for the biographical documentary DELA: The Making of El Anatsui, directed by Oyiza Adaba
The legendary Tam Fiofori, during his interview for ‘DELA’.
“I’ll be a bit rude and say that the Nigerian Elite is yet to be civilized in terms of the arts. We must be quite blunt. Look at our political leaders, our so called, big rich men. Go to their houses. How many artworks Do you see? How many books do you see?”
Rest In Peace
From all of us
Africa-Related & DELA! Team
“... we don’t have beauty in our society, and it manifests in the way we behave, because it’s become a dog-eat-dog society, a rat race where the drive is to acquire money and wealth.”
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“We must be a bit careful about The Western world defining and grading our creative people in all genres, from music to literature to the arts. EL ANATSUI is one of Africa’s greatest artists, that’s the way I’ll describe him. In terms of contemporary art. He is very outstanding. He’s a huge figure, and he’s a great credit to art from Africa.”
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REMINDER! The centenary celebration of James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007)
The centenary celebration of James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007) will kick off with a seminar themed, ‘This Is Our Chance Revisited’, on August 29, 2024, from 12:00PM (WAT). The seminar is organized by the James Ene Henshaw Foundation.
Seminar Invitation by JEHF
“Beautiful. This Is Our Chance still remains my favourite novel from junior school”
The centenary celebration of James Ene Henshaw (1924 -2007) will kick off with a seminar themed, ‘This Is Our Chance Revisited’, on August 29, 2024, 12:00PM (WAT). The seminar is organized by the James Ene Henshaw Foundation.
The seminar will begin with Mallam Denja Abdullahi giving a brief introductory address and Peter Olorunnisomo summarising the play.
Dr. John Yesiebo of the University of Port Harcourt will speak on ‘Maintaining Tradition in the Onslaught of Modernity’. Director of Arojah Theatre, Abuja, Mr. Jerry Adesewo will speak on ‘Tribal Enmity – The Role of Theatre in Nation-building’. Dr Wale Okediran, Secretary-General of Pan-African Writers Association, will speak on ‘Damba and the Challenge of Leadership’; Dr Ekua Ekumah of the University of Ghana, Legon, on ‘The Role of Women in This Is Our Chance‘.
Prof. Liwhu Betiang of the University of Calabar on ‘Reflection – Why Henshaw is Important in the History of Nigerian Drama’. After a 30-minute break for comments and questions, Prof. Effiong Johnson of the University of Uyo will dwell on ‘Musings on the Plays of James Ene Henshaw’, with Dr. Patrick Jude Otteh of Jos Repertory Theatre making critical remarks to bring This Is Our Chance seminar to an end.
THE COLLECTED PLAYS OF JAMES ENE HENSHAW
THE COLLECTED PLAYS OF JAMES ENE HENSHAW. A collection of the major plays by the renowned playwright:
- This is Our Chance
- Jewels of the Shrine
- A Man of Character
- Medicine for Love
- Children of the Goddess
- Magic in the Blood
- Companion for a Chief
- Dinner for Promotion
- Enough Is Enough
Available Here:
- JEHF @ £20 (UK)
- Allrange Professional Bookstores, Lagos +2348034544428 N18,000 (Nig)
Scenes from THIS IS OUR CHANCE, Cultural Centre, Calabar, Dec. 2013. Photos by JEHF
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Black Public Media 2024 Open Call to offer $175,000 in funding for Black stories
NEW YORK (August 20, 2024) — Black Public Media (BPM)
has issued its 2024 open call for projects that center Black culture, characters, communities and concerns. A total of $175,000 will be awarded this year to U.S. documentary projects currently in pre-production, production or post-production, and intended for public media distribution. The 2024 submission portal (
https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/
) goes live on Tuesday, September 3, and closes on Monday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Since its inception, BPM has invested more than $17 million toward iconic documentaries and emerging media projects about the global Black experience.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA ISSUES OPEN CALL FOR BLACK STORIES
BPM to award a total of $175,000 in current round of funding
NEW YORK (August 20, 2024) — Black Public Media (BPM) has issued its 2024 open call for projects that center Black culture, characters, communities and concerns. A total of $175,000 will be awarded this year to U.S. documentary projects currently in pre-production, production or post-production, and intended for public media distribution. The 2024 submission portal (https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/) goes live on Tuesday, September 3, and closes on Monday, September 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Since its inception, BPM has invested more than $17 million toward iconic documentaries and emerging media projects about the global Black experience.
This year BPM — a Harlem-based national media arts nonprofit that trains talented storytellers and funds and distributes their works — welcomes feature-length documentary projects in a range of formats, styles, subject matter and genres, including those that target specific viewers such as children and teen audiences. The projects should be compelling, nuanced stories that add the point of view, experiences and concerns of the Black communities to the larger public discourse.
Applicants must be the producer or director of the project with at least three years of professional producing and/or directing experience (or must have a senior producer attached to the project). The applicant must be able to complete the project within 18 months. Additional requirements can be found at: https://blackpublicmedia.org/for-media-makers/bpm-open-call/.
This fall, a panel of media professionals across the industry will evaluate the proposals in a two-tier review process that assesses the project idea and story, production readiness, production team, project budget and work sample. And in December, BPM will announce the five applicants who will receive a $5,000 stipend, an invitation to its talent development program and the opportunity to participate in PitchBLACK, the largest pitch competition for independent filmmakers and creative technologists developing new projects about the global Black experience. One of these projects will win a $150,000 PitchBLACK Award for a broadcast-length or feature project.
“Each year we are amazed to see the myriad, layered stories which are bubbling up from all corners of this country from such gifted creatives,” said BPM Executive Director Leslie Fields-Cruz. “We look forward to helping these makers bring their important work to American viewers.”
Prospective applicants may register to attend BPM’s virtual information session on Tuesday, August 27, at 6 p.m. EST at: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j6eYTqC9Q_qyHMWGIr0v7A.
BPM’s 2024 Open Call is supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Netflix, the MacArthur Foundation, the Tarver Walls Foundation, Paramount+, the New York Community Trust, the Jerome Foundation, the Tides Foundation, Acton Family Giving and Gimlet.
For more information on Black Public Media, visit www.blackpublicmedia.org, or follow it on X (@BLKPublicMedia),
Facebook (@BlackPublicMedia), Instagram (@blackpublicmedia) or TikTok (@black-public-media).
ABOUT BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA:
Black Public Media (BPM) supports the development of visionary content creators and distributes stories about the global Black experience to inspire a more equitable and inclusive future. For 45 years, BPM has addressed the needs of unserved and underserved audiences. BPM-supported programs have won five Emmys, 10 Peabodys, three Anthem Awards, 14 Emmy nominations and an Oscar nomination. BPM continues to address historical, contemporary, and systemic challenges that traditionally impede the development and distribution of Black stories. For more information, visit blackpublicmedia.org and follow BPM on Instagram and Facebook and @BLKPublicMedia on X.
# # #
For interview and media inquiries, contact:
Cheryl L. Duncan
Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc.
201-552-9239 (O)
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Elections 2024: Day 1 Videos/Photos at the DNC
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is ongoing in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the nomination for President of the United States. Here are some images and Briefings from Day 1
Monday, August 19, 2024
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is ongoing in Chicago, where Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to accept the nomination for President of the United States. Here are some images and Briefings from Day 1
All photos and videos are courtesy of The Foreign Press Center.
BRIEFERS
Richard Gamble of Choose Chicago and Christy George of 2024 DNC Chicago Host Committee
Suzi LeVine, former United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein-
Patrick Iber, Editor of Dissent Magazine and Associate Professor of History, University of Wisconsin–Madison-
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AUG. 21: Jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis To Perform New Album at the Newark Public Library
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library.
Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis is headed to Newark for his album release celebration on Wednesday, August 21, for two concerts that are part of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series.
Louis’s sophomore album Psalms and Proverbs on Blue Room Music, a jazzy deep dive into religious traditions across the world, is being released globally on Friday, August 23. The concerts, which are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library (where they will be held), will take place at 4:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Born in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in the Port-au-Prince and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Louis was a saxophone protégé. Then came his meteoric rise to stages across the globe, with studies or performances with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Billy Preston, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Barry Harris, Howard Shore, Mulatu Astatke, Wynton Marsalis and more. In addition to being a top performer, he is also an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music and at the forefront of bringing music education to Haiti and Africa as a music ambassador and humanitarian.
GODWIN LOUIS TO HEADLINE WBGO AFTER WORK JAZZ SERIES CONCERT
The August 21 event celebrates the international release of the Grammy nominee’s sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, on Blue Room Music
NEW YORK (August 12, 2024) — Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library. The appearance also marks the release of Louis’ sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, an exploration of the universality and joy of sacred music available internationally on August 23 on the Blue Room Music label. The concerts are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library.
Born into a musical family in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Louis has gone on to grace stages across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. A favorite in New York, Boston and beyond, Louis is a composer-arranger-virtuoso soloist who began as a saxophone prodigy at nine, becoming a Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone competition finalist. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, Louis has studied and performed with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Wynton Marsalis and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. He is a 2024 Grammy nominee (for arrangements on singer Cécile McLorin Salvant's Mélusine) and a professor at Berklee College of Music.
He is also a humanitarian and businessman, having founded Experience Ayiti, a nonprofit educational, multidisciplinary arts organization in Haiti and The Godwin Louis Rooftop Club in Togo, which is dedicated to performances and educational programs that promote music education in Africa.
Band Group photo. Photo credit Blue Room Music
In Psalms and Proverbs, Louis draws on religious musical traditions around the world, including his Haitian roots — Haiti being where European, African and Native traditions converged to create the roots of jazz. The album showcases Godwin’s unique originality, deeply rooted in spirituals and gospel hymns, blending sophisticated harmonies, memorable melodies and infectious grooves. His music embodies the diverse sounds of the Afro-diaspora, incorporating elements from West Africa, Haiti, the Americas and Europe. The result is a harmonious tapestry that spans continents.
Performing will be Louis (saxophone); Philip Dizack (trumpet); Axel Tosca Laugart (piano); Johnny Mercier (organ); Savannah Harris (drums); and Or Baréquette (bass).“I’m looking forward to being a part of WBGO’s After Work Jazz Series and bringing praise to the people of Newark,” said Louis. “Let’s have church.”
Psalms and Proverbs is produced by Louis, Calvaire and Chan Jung.
The event at the Newark Public Library (5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102) is free and open to the public with registration via Eventbrite. In the event of inclement weather, the event will happen indoors, in the Library.
6Psalms and Proverbs can be preordered now at https://orcd.co/godwinlouis or on August 23 at Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon and more. For more information on Louis, visit https://www.godwinlouis.com.
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For interview and media inquiries, contact:
Cheryl L. Duncan, Cheryl Duncan & Company Inc., 201-552-9239 (O), cheryl@cdcprnews.com
Central Park Zoo: A History In New York Conservatory
An opportunity for a self-tour of the iconic Central Park Zoo to capture images deepens a chance to increase visibility to the importance of wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
An opportunity for a self-tour of the iconic Central Park Zoo to capture images deepens a chance to increase visibility to the importance of wildlife, conservation, and the natural world.
Images at Central Park Zoo
The Arsenal Building on 5th Ave and 64 Street was where a premier global organization based in New York City, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) briefed members of the foreign press. The briefing centered on their current strategies to contribute to regional and global conservation.
WCS manages the world’s largest field-conservation effort in more than 50 countries with a portfolio of Nature’s Strongholds covering more than 16 million hectares. Topics discussed include work to declare the Hudson Canyon, 100 miles off the coast of New York a National Marine Sanctuary; legislation in the U,S. Congress that would lead to more funding of conservation projects around the world; and WCS’s role in advancing 30x30.
Globally recognized days for conservation include World Wildlife Day in March and Environmental / Earth Awareness Month in April.
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
Press Release - Nigerian Center Announces Collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com
WASHINGTON DC, August 12, 2024 – The Nigerian Center is pleased to announce a new
partnership with African Ancestry (AfricanAncestry.com), the pioneers of single lineage genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent. This collaboration offers language classes specifically designed for African Ancestry testers, fostering a deeper connection to cultural roots and heritages in Africa.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nigerian Center Announces Collaboration with AfricanAncestry.com to Connect African Americans to Their Nigerian Ancestry Through Language Classes
WASHINGTON DC, August 12, 2024 – The Nigerian Center is pleased to announce a new partnership with African Ancestry (AfricanAncestry.com), the pioneers of single lineage genetic ancestry tracing for people of African descent. This collaboration offers language classes specifically designed for African Ancestry testers, fostering a deeper connection to cultural roots and heritages in Africa.
Starting fall 2024 the Nigerian Center will provide a variety of language classes, including Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa languages exclusively for African Ancestry customers. The classes are tailored to meet the needs and interests of members who have traced their ancestry to Nigeria using the MatriClan DNA Test Kit and/or the PatriClan DNA Test Kit.
"We are thrilled to partner with African Ancestry to offer these language classes, especially as we see a growing number of Americans with Nigerian ancestry and a rising curiosity about Nigerian culture in America. This collaboration is not just about learning a new language; it's about reconnecting with one's heritage and strengthening cultural identity. We believe that understanding the language of your ancestors can provide a profound sense of empowerment." Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director, Nigerian Center.
“We continually seek out ways to deepen and enhance connections to Africa through testing, education, and experiences,” said Dr. Gina Paige, president and co-founder of AfricanAncestry.com. “This unprecedented partnership underscores that commitment through the expertise and offerings of the Nigerian Center,” said Dr. Paige.
The language classes will be open for registration starting August 2024.
To arrange an interview or learn more, please contact Adejumoke Ojo at info@nigeriancenter.org or call 202-330-0352. For more information about the Nigerian Center language program, please visit www.nigeriancenter.org/languageclasses
About Nigerian Center:
The Nigerian Center Inc. (501c3) is the first immigrant and cultural center for the Nigerian diaspora in the United States. The Nigerian Center's mission is to offer financial inclusion and social justice opportunities for members of the African immigrant community. We educate, empower, uplift, and assist all immigrant families in acclimating to life in the United States through policy advocacy, cultural, legal aid services, entrepreneurship, and homeownership opportunities. The Nigerian Center is dedicated to promoting and preserving Nigerian culture and providing access to all things Nigerian in the United States.
About African Ancestry:
Founded in 2003 by Dr. Rick Kittles and Dr. Gina Paige, African Ancestry is the world leader in tracing maternal and paternal lineages of African descent. With the industry’s largest and most comprehensive database of indigenous African DNA samples, African Ancestry determines specific countries and ethnic groups of origin with an unrivaled level of detail, accuracy, and confidence. African Ancestry is committed to providing a unique service to the black community by working daily to improve the cultural, emotional, physical, spiritual, and economic wellbeing.
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Tom Adaba Legacy Champions ROOTS RUNWAY
A flagship project that is aimed at reviving cotton farming in Nigeria and globally promoting the ancient Ebira weaving tradition, has been announced.
Press Release:
Tom Adaba Legacy Champions ROOTS RUNWAY - A Community-Driven Initiative
A flagship project that is aimed at reviving cotton farming in Nigeria and globally promoting the ancient Ebira weaving tradition, has been announced.
ABUJA, FCT, NIGERIA, August 9, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Tom Adaba Legacy - an Abuja-based non-profit foundation with education at its core, in partnership with Ita'i Our Cloth , Africa-Related Inc is proud to introduce its upcoming community-engaging project entitled Roots Runway. The aim is to grace global runways with designs made from locally produced cotton, woven by the popular Ebira Weavers in Okene, Nigeria, central Nigeria.
“What we have in mind is to raise standards, particularly in areas that have been forgotten. To bring back the good old ones, and raise them to greater heights and international standards.”
Roots Runway was launched on the eve of veteran broadcaster and Chief Patron, Tom Adaba's 83rd Birthday on July 2, 2024. It applies a multi-pronged approach to reviving the local cotton production and processing in Nigeria while serving to bridge historical disconnects through farming and fashion. It works by forming clusters of local farmers and weavers, creating jobs for youth, training in the cotton production process, revisiting ancient and creating new designs; and engaging artistic communities to use locally produced yarn for designs that will ultimately feature in prestigious global museums, runways, art fairs, etc.
Tom Adaba Legacy Board President, award-winning filmmaker Mrs. Oyiza Adaba-Okereke spoke at the hybrid launch, outlining plans to incorporate sub themes about environment, agro-waste, history, education and community development in the project. She said they will form partnerships in agriculture, design & construction and technology.
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Studio Visit with Yifat Bezalel
Oyiza Adaba stops by artist Yifat Bezalel’s studio in Manhattan during her residency program in New York.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
Oyiza Adaba visits artist from Israel Yifat Bezalel, at her Manhattan studio during her residency program in New York. The soft-spoken Bezalel is trained as a classical and academic artist, and over the years she has established her unique technique. In her work process she superimposes semi transparent pencil layers of figurative and realistic images creating surreal realms. Her works have often been described as having an ethereal quality to them.
Yifat Bezalel, a classically trained artist with her unique technique of superimposing semi transparent pencil layers. (Photo: Africa-Related)
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
PHOTOS: THE DAILY NEWS BUILDING, New York
Oyiza Adaba captures a glimpse of the ground floor of the historic Daily News Building in midtown Manhattan.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
The Daily News Building, also known as The News Building, is a skyscraper at 220 East 42nd Street in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. The original building was designed by architects Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells in the Art Deco style, and was erected between 1928 and 1930.Wikipedia. Oyiza Adaba captures a glimpse of the ground floor of the historic Daily News Building in midtown Manhattan.
FACTSHEET
Address: 220 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
Floors: 36
Architects: Raymond Hood, John Mead Howells
Height: 476′
Opened: July 23, 1930
Source: Wikipedia
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
Laolu Senbanjo: Celebrated By Rolling Stone Africa
NEW YORK CITY weather is notoriously unpredictable. One moment, it’s a biting cold with residents huddling under layers of clothing; the next, a swelter-ing heat forces them to retreat into air-conditioned havens. For Laolu Senbanjo, the city’s erratic climate has a peculiar irony. Here’s a Nigerian man, used to the scorching unforgiving sun of his homeland, lamenting on the New York heat. But after spending years away from Nigeria, this paradoxical gripe was a testament to how deeply he had integrated into his new environment.
With his roots in Yoruba heritage, Laolu Senbanjo transforms every surface into a bold canvas, making waves from the streets of New York to the global stage and redefining what it means to be an African artist.
BY NICOLE ASINUGO
Excerpts from Rolling Stone Africa
NEW YORK CITY weather is notoriously unpredictable. One moment, it’s a biting cold with residents huddling under layers of clothing; the next, a swelter-ing heat forces them to retreat into air-conditioned havens. For Laolu Senbanjo, the city’s erratic climate has a peculiar irony. Here’s a Nigerian man, used to the scorching unforgiving sun of his homeland, lamenting on the New York heat. But after spending years away from Nigeria, this paradoxical gripe was a testament to how deeply he had integrated into his new environment.
Laolu Senbanjo, popularly known as Laolu NYC, is an artist whose work is unmistakable, character-ized by its striking and intricate attention to detail. His art transcends traditional canvases, finding expression on everything from sneakers to bottles, walls, and even bodies. “Everything is my canvas,” he proclaims, a mantra perfectly encapsulating his artistic philosophy. His work, a fusion of ancient African traditions with modern pop culture, tells stories of his Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and the human experience.
““New York is a place where you can reinvent yourself... I was just another face in the crowd, but I felt seen in a way I hadn’t before.””
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SUDAN'S TWO WARLORDS: The Worst Displacement And Humanitarian Crisis Yet
Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East and Ukraine, the rise of anti-government protests, mass migration and general global tensions, there is a "forgotten" war that is yet to garner as much media coverage. Two strategic events took place in the U.S. this week, to bring the much needed attention to the ongoing war in Sudan.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
Amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East and Ukraine, the rise of anti-government protests, mass migration and general global tensions, there is a "forgotten" war that is yet to garner as much media coverage. Two strategic events took place in the U.S. this week, to bring the much needed attention to the ongoing war in Sudan
Stock Photo: Tom Rogers @tomtookaphoto
Rival factions fighting in Sudan's two-year war that started on 15 April 2023, have brought the central African country to its knees in one of the worst displacement and humanitarian crises ever seen. The Sudanese Armed Forces under Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces under the Janjaweed leader, Hemedti are complicit in causing mass migration that has triggered famine in some parts of the country.
Screenshot: Washington Post Live
On July 30th, U.S. media giant, Washington Post hosted a live conversation on Sudan's current situation. The forum enabled top diplomats and humanitarian experts to come together and proffer solutions to a crisis, "forgotten". At this gathering, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, together with top global experts like Comfort Ero, President & CEO, International Crisis Group, participated in the discussion.
World Vision CEO, Edgar Sandoval Sr. has described it as "the largest humanitarian and hunger crisis in the world", because the warring factions continue to block humanitarian aid, have weaponized food and play the blame game with each other.
In a separate development on July 31, 2024, the Sudanese American Physicians Association (SAPA) held a press briefing with members of the foreign press, to drive home some hard-hitting, first-hand facts about the ongoing conflict.
Dr. Yasir Elamin, a Sudanese/American is an assistant professor in the Department of Thoracic/Head and Neck Medical Oncology, Division of Cancer Medicine, at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and president of SAPA. He and his colleagues conducts regular medical missions to the region, with his last trip being June 2024. His words paint a grim and desperate picture.
“The health care system in Sudan has been devastated. Almost 70 percent of healthcare facilities are damaged or non-operational, often targeted in attacks. Tragically, at least 30 healthcare professionals have lost their lives since the conflict began. Access to aid and information is frequently obstructed, compounding the crisis.”
Ms. Razan Zaroug, a planning, monitoring & evaluation specialist with the Sudanese American Physicians Association based in Sudan reiterated Elamin’s points, highlighting the immediate danger for the mission's ground team which creates strategic and operational plans, monitors and evaluates implementation and impact.
With the backdrop of a potentially expanded war or a negotiated peace, 4 million Sudanese children are acutely malnourished, parts of the country are on the brink of famine and up to 25.6 million people are facing food insecurity.
According to the U.S Department of State, the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the Sudan emergency response was nearly $710 million in Fiscal Year 2023.
In January 2024, The United States. brought sanctions on funding sources fueling the conflict. Clearly, more needs to be done. How Sudan continues to fall under the world's radar in the shadow of other topical news items like the Middle East and Ukraine, is best summed by Amb. Greenfield…
“It’s Africa and people don’t pay as much attention to Africa as they pay to other parts of the world.”
Inside CONSUMER REPORTS America
How well are you protected as a consumer, given the vast array of products we consume everyday? In this special report, Oyiza Adaba, examines Consumer Reports America, an 87 year-old non-profit institution that has been championing consumer rights - from food to flying cars.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
How well are you protected as a consumer, given the vast array of products you consume everyday? In this special report, Oyiza Adaba, examines Consumer Reports America, an 87 year-old non-profit institution that has been championing consumer rights - from food to flying cars.
Copies of yearly consumer reports by over an 87-year period. (Photo: Africa-Related)
Yonkers, New York is approximately 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. It is the hometown of Denzel Washington and Consumer Reports, an 87-year old independent non-profit organization in the United States that has a long history of working to advance truth, transparency, and fairness in the marketplace. With its independent, evidence-based research and testing, Consumer Reports empowers and informs consumers, incentivizes corporations to act responsibly, and helps policymakers prioritize the rights and interests of consumers in order to shape a consumer-driven marketplace.
This exclusive opportunity was for Foreign Press members to be briefed by Marta L. Tellado, President & CEO, Consumer Reports, and discussed consumer behaviors and how Consumer Reports informs consumer decisions. Ms. Tellado who has led America’s foremost consumer organization since 2014 and also explained how Consumer Reports is working to ensure a consumer-first approach to AI and the advocacy programs that help consumers can feel transparency, accuracy, and fairness
Other briefers were Lilian Kayizzi, Vice President of Research, Testing and Insights, Consumer Reports, who explained the depth of research by the organization. Jake Fisher, a Senior Director, Auto Test Center, gave insights to the Connecticut Testing 327-acre site, which is the largest independent automotive test site devoted to consumer interests.
The Briefers
The TOUR
Visiting journalists got an opportunity to tour CR’s consumer product and service testing center that houses over 60 state-of-the-art labs with over 130 researchers, scientists, engineers, and testing experts. In the coming fiscal year, CR expects to spend more than $30 million to test, rate, and review 9,000+ products and services. The tour included the following stops:
Auto Demonstration: A first-hand look at what drivers can and cannot see behind the wheel in some of America's most popular SUVs and trucks. Being 5.1, I proved the perfect candidate for this demo
Robotic Vacuum Lab: How well robotic vacuums perform at simple tasks like cleaning carpets and floors, and the data the machines collect about your home.
Rec Lab: Bike helmets are supposed to protect your head, but we'll show you how not all are created equal. Plus, experience the CR-invented machine that tests how long treadmills are supposed to last.
Inside the Rec Lab at Consumer Reports with the testing team. (Photo by Africa-Related)
My colleagues and I spent some time quizzing the team at the video doorbell lab where CR uncovered that popular video doorbells could be hacked by a young child.
In an era where fake products have flooded global trade, the agency continues to operate alongside global counterparts across various exchange platforms to ensure uniformity of vision.. The question now is, how does your country's consumer protection agency function? Do they live up to their name and objective of 'protecting the consumer'?
Video Report: By Africa-Related
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
RELATED STORIES: Consumer Reports Part II: Rec Lab Team - A Candid Conversation
The #endbadgovernance Protest in New York
The #endbadgovernance protest in front of Nigeria House on 2nd Avenue New York, where only a handful of protesters showed up. They however made their demands clear under the watchful eye of the NYPD.
New York, NY
August 1, 2024
The #endbadgovernance
protest in front of Nigeria House on 2nd Avenue New York, where only a handful of protesters showed up. They however made their demands clear under the watchful eye of the NYPD. Their demands include a review of the country's 1999 constitution.
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CARIBBEAN FIESTA 2024 IN LAGOS
The long-anticipated Caribbean Tropical Fiesta 2024 hosted by Nigerian West Indian Association took place on Saturday the 20th of July at the Whitesands School in Lekki Lagos, Nigeria. The venue was colorful and the ambiance was nothing short of breathtaking.
By Patricia Igho - Lagos, Nigeria
The long-anticipated Caribbean Tropical Fiesta 2024 hosted by Nigerian West Indian Association took place on Saturday the 20th of July at the Whitesands School in Lekki Lagos, Nigeria. The venue was colorful and the ambiance was nothing short of breathtaking.
The bustling scenes took me down memory lane sometime in the early 1990s, when we would have yearly carnivals with different zones in Lagos, competing to win 'best costume' etc. Back then we had super talented 'aunties' who would make the glamorous costumes from scratch.
These gatherings organised by Caribbean wives of Nigerian men living in Nigeria, formed some of the most memorable times in my life. We would dance to calypso music all the way from our different zones at Tafawa Balewa Square on Lagos Island. Big brands like Coca-cola were consistent with their sponsorship.
Carnival as we knew it, came to an abrupt end in ‘92 due to some political issues in Nigeria I'd rather not revisit. It is a sad time when a culture is allowed to diminish or die.
Mini fiestas however continued to hold at every opportunity during private meetings and gatherings of friends and family, weddings, funerals, birthdays, and who can forget the bazaars organised by our special ‘Aunties’. The aroma of delicious snacks and food filling the air. Many Island cultures are represented here in Lagos. Escovitch fish was my personal favorite.
Fast forward to 2024. After three decades and much deliberation, the Nigerian West Indian Association is considering bringing back the Carnival. A lot has happened in that time, some families have relocated, a lot of 'aunties' have lost their husbands and moved back to their Caribbean home countries. That's not to say that there's a scarcity of able hands. The next generation of children and grandchildren are getting the idea for continuation. This is not a culture we would like to be forgotten.
The fiesta was an opportunity for people to have a taste of West Indian culture. The venue was decorated with real colorful flowers. There were stalls all across the hall, with displays of food, clothing and spices to name a few. The venue buzzed with activities, dance, games, a raffle draw, as the sound of Soca music filled the air. I took note of a few veterans of Lagos, as they beamed with nostalgia.
The full day event slowly wound down as evening came. It was a success and plans are underway for another event later in the year.
Recommended Read
The NigerWives of Nigeria by Pat Oyelola is a book that documents the history, activities, experiences and lives of a group of foreign women who are married to Nigerian men and came together under the umbrella of their association, Nigerwives. Nigerwives was formed as an association to facilitate the smooth integration of foreign wives of Nigerians into Nigerian society, to provide friendship and support for one another, and to establish or assist in social projects that would benefit the Nigerian community.
Patricia Igho is of Nigeria/St. Vincent & The Grenadines parentage, and lives in Lagos.
Photos by Uzo Agafie
Remarks by APNSA Jake Sullivan at the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum
MR. SULLIVAN: Well, thank you, Joy. I will not tell you that story tonight. I need, like, two or three drinks before I tell it. So -- (laughter) --
And now I'm the one standing between you and the refreshments, so I will not try to speak for too long.
But I really did want to come over from the White House, on behalf of the President, to say: Thank you all for being here. It's really great to be surrounded by so many longtime supporters of the U.S.-Africa partnership, from ministers to ambassadors, to colleagues from Congress who have come through over the course of the day, the private sector, and of course, civil society.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2024
REMARKS BY NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR JAKE SULLIVAN
AT THE AFRICAN GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (AGOA) FORUM
U.S. State Department
Washington, D.C.
(July 25, 2024)
“Seize this opportunity...”
MR. SULLIVAN: Well, thank you, Joy. I will not tell you that story tonight. I need, like, two or three drinks before I tell it. So -- (laughter) --
And now I'm the one standing between you and the refreshments, so I will not try to speak for too long.
But I really did want to come over from the White House, on behalf of the President, to say: Thank you all for being here. It's really great to be surrounded by so many longtime supporters of the U.S.-Africa partnership, from ministers to ambassadors, to colleagues from Congress who have come through over the course of the day, the private sector, and of course, civil society.
And, you know, I just want to start by taking us back to almost exactly 25 years ago. At that time, President Clinton was urging our nation to adopt AGOA, the African Growth and Opportunity Act. And his argument was powerful. It was persuasive. It was, really, pretty simple. He said, “Congress has a chance to pass a bill that can transform our relationship… for the better…based on mutual respect and mutual responsibility.”
And there was a senator at the time named Joe Biden, who seized on that chance. And as Vice President, he continued to transform and grow our partnership for the betterment of all of our people. And as President, he's tried to ensure that that partnership is grounded not only in mutual respect and responsibility, but also in mutual values and a common vision for the world. And the impact has been considerable.
At the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, the Biden-Harris administration committed to invest over $55 billion in Africa over three years, helping to elevate our partnership beyond development and security, to address global challenges together.
And I'm proud to say, oftentimes you put out these big numbers and you kind of walk away from the summit. We are 80 percent of the way there, well ahead of schedule, and Joe Biden intends to do what he has said he was going to do -- and not just hit that 80 billion [sic] -- $55 billion mark over three years, but go far beyond it.
We've also helped close more than 500 new private sector deals, which have led to over $14 billion in two-way trade investment between the U.S. and African countries.
And with the President's Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, or PREPARE, we've provided over $3 billion annually to help countries strengthen their resilience, especially to climate shocks. And this has had a profound impact because the lion's share of this money is going to African countries who are suffering the worst effects of these climate shocks.
And, of course, these resources matter. But representation also matters. So we pushed, before many others did, for the African Union to become a permanent member of the G20. Got that done. We're now pushing for African representation on the U.N. Security Council, and we intend to get that done too.
We've launched the first-ever President's Advisory Council on Diaspora Engagement to ensure that we're shaping our policies in a way that both reflects, reinforces, and leverages the deep ties that we have with the African continent.
And the President has sent an unprecedented number of leaders from his Cabinet and administration, including Vice President Harris, to visit more than 20 countries across Africa.
Earlier this summer, President Biden stood side by side with President Ruto at the White House to launch a vision document about debt relief that will be a game changer for African countries. And we will carry forward at the G20 Summit this fall -- working with Brazil, South Africa, the current and next chairs of the G20 -- to try to take that vision to the next level so that we have a framework for debt relief that really works and delivers for countries that have been suffering under debt for too long, compounded by the post-COVID overhang.
So when you take what we are trying to lay out, especially in this debt relief space, we know that there is so much more unfinished business that we have to do. And President Biden has told us: Run through the tape, get it done over the course of the next six months, and then continue to support Vice President Harris in her future efforts to continue delivering for the African continent.
So the opportunity that we see sitting before us to really think about the relationship between the public sector and the private sector and civil society may be best exemplified in the concept of corridors that lies at the heart of the President's initiative, the PGI, the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment. And we're especially proud of the Lobito Corridor.
Already, we've mobilized more than a billion dollars for railway lines that will extend from Angola to Zambia to the DRC and, ultimately, to the Indian Ocean, connecting the continent from east to west. It's the biggest American rail investment in Africa ever.
And it's not just about physical infrastructure.
On digital infrastructure, we're building fiber optic cables across the region to connect communities and businesses.
On energy infrastructure, we've mobilized almost $3 billion in clean energy projects, from solar energy plants to battery energy storage -- battery energy storage systems.
Now, I want to be clear: There's more that we have to do, more partnerships to form, more challenges to overcome, more potential to seize. But over the past three and a half years, that's just some of the progress that we've made together.
And that's in no small part because of AGOA -- and not the direct impact of AGOA, though it has been profound, but because AGOA has really been the platform, the foundation upon which we have built so much of our other economic partnership work.
And I want to pause here for a moment. I know you've heard this a few times over the last couple of days, maybe not just over the last couple of days, but the last couple of months, even the last couple of years. But it bears repeating and we mean it: The President, myself, the entire Biden-Harris administration is committed to working with our Congress to reauthorize the law.
And in line with the theme of this forum, we're also committed to reimagining it, modernizing it, and ensuring the legislation promotes resilient supply chains, high-standard investments; ensuring that it supports our efforts to confront a range of emerging challenges and opportunities, whether it's artificial intelligence or the clean energy transition; ensuring that it incorporates voices across industry, including small businesses and entrepreneurs; and ensuring that it reflects the dynamism of our economies and the diversity of our peoples.
Because at its core, that is what the U.S.-Africa Partnership is all about, what this forum is all about. It's our people. The ones who stand up decade after decade, generation after generation, for the things that we hold dear: our country’s shared values of liberty, democracy, freedom, prosperity, innovation. The ones who brought our nations together in fields like technology, medicine, education, and trade. And the ones who have transformed what is a geopolitical partnership into an unbreakable friendship between peoples, because that really is what should and can define the future of the relationship between the United States and the nations of Africa.
And we're going to keep that friendship strong by coming together in communities all across Africa and America to exchange ideas and innovations.
So I said I would be brief. I was a little longer than brief, but let me close with this.
Twenty-five years ago, when President Clinton urged Congress to enact AGOA, he ended his statement with a call to action: “Seize this opportunity.” That's what he said. “Seize this opportunity.”
The United States will continue to answer that call to action. We will seize this opportunity now to reauthorize, modernize AGOA, and reinforce the foundation it provides to all of the other work that we do together.
We'll continue to work with nations across Africa to build a world worthy of our people, one that is more free, more secure, and more prosperous for all.
And we will continue to stand with you, everyone in this room, in partnership and friendship, to seize all of these opportunities in the years ahead. Because as President Biden often says, there is nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.
So, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here tonight. I hope you have a wonderful evening. I'm
so grateful to you for all that you've done and contributed here so far. And let's get to work.
Thank you very much. (Applause.)
END
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Great Point Studios Host New York Women In Film & TV
New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT) held its annual member meeting on June 18, 2024 at Great PointStudios in Yonkers, NY. The networking event also introduced members to the 2024 candidates running for the 2024-25 NYWIFT Board elections.
By Oyiza Adaba
New York Women In Film & Television (NYWIFT) held its annual member meeting on June 18, 2024 at Great PointStudios in Yonkers, NY. The networking event also introduced members to the 2024 candidates running for the 2024-25 NYWIFT Board elections.
NYWIFT’s Meet The Candidates Night
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) advocates for equality in the moving image industry and supports women in every stage of their careers. As the preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT energizes women by illuminating their achievements, presenting training and professional development programs, awarding scholarships and grants, and providing access to a supportive community of peers.
PHOTOS BY AFRICA-RELATED
Tribute to Tam Fiofori: Keen Chronicler of Nigerian Culture
Bruce Onobrakpeya pays tribute to Tam Fiofore “UNCLE TAM” (1942-2024). Nigerian Filmmaker Visionary Historian Critic
By Bruce Onobrakpeya
Tam Fiofore “UNCLE TAM” (1942-2024). Nigerian Filmmaker Visionary Historian Critic
Tam Fiofori, was a visionary filmmaker, photographer, and writer, whose indelible mark enriched Nigeria's artistic realm profoundly.
Tam Fiofori's creative brilliance shone brightly across our cultural landscape, yet our society's nurturing of his genius fell short. In comparison to his equally talented peers in more supportive settings, Tam's full potential may not have been fully realized.
To honour his legacy and support future luminaries, our society must establish genius grants and specialized funds. These initiatives empower gifted individuals to create impactful contributions, fostering a nurturing environment where their creativity can flourish. Such support not only enhances their productivity but also enriches our collective cultural fabric.
Nigeria remains a reservoir of exceptional talents like Tam, yet many struggle to realize their full potential due to inadequate support structures. Despite their occasional reclusiveness or rebellious nature, these geniuses deserve our steadfast protection.
Remembering kindred spirits like Ayodele Awojobi, Ola Balogun, Tijanni Mayakiri, Jimi Solanke and Oyiza Adaba underscores the importance of organizations like CORA, dedicated to celebrating our true talents.
Tam's absence leaves a void among close friends and fellow participants at the Harmattan workshop, organized by the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation, where his presence was deeply felt and cherished. His legacy as a confidant, friend, and artistic luminary who was a keen Chronicler of Nigerian culture, will endure, inspiring generations to come.
Bruce Onobrakpeya resides in Lagos. He is UNESCO Human Livng Treasure, Founder and Foundational Member of the Annual Harmattan Workshop
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Extremely Popular Play "This Is Our Chance" Revisited
This Is Our Chance, is arguably the first full-length play by an African author in the English language. Written while Ene Henshaw was a medical student in Dublin, Ireland, This is Our Chance, has undergone many reprints, and has been extremely popular in West Africa since its first production by the Association of Students of African Descent in Dublin in 1948.
This Is Our Chance, is arguably the first full-length play by an African author in the English language. Written while Ene Henshaw was a medical student in Dublin, Ireland, This is Our Chance, has undergone many reprints, and has been extremely popular in West Africa since its first production by the Association of Students of African Descent in Dublin in 1948.
Since its publication in 1956, it has gone on to become one of the classics of African literature, read widely and performed in schools and colleges across the English-speaking Commonwealth.
Princess Kudaro and Prince Ndamu have been sent by their fathers, Chief Damba of Koloro and Chief Mboli of Udura, to be educated in a big city. Despite the fact that their communities have been long-standing rivals and venomously hate each other, they fall in love and enjoy the care-free anonymity of city life. However, both are simultaneously called back home to their villages.
Princess Kudaro is tutored in her father’s palace by Bambulu, an intelligent though self-important
and pompous character who has had a Western European education. Their quarrelsome relationship propels the central theme of the play, the tug between modernity in the western sense and traditional African customs and tradition. While Kudaro blindly and impetuously reacts to the stifling ways of life in the village, Bambulu argues for change, though his prescription verges around the more superficial aspects of western habits and conduct.
When Kudaro elopes with Ndamu, Bambulu becomes the scapegoat for her insurrection. He is arrested and threatened with death. Eventually, Kudaro falls into the hands of Mboli’s soldiers and in an ironic twist, Prince Ndamu is captured by Damba’s troops. Both chiefs, stubborn and fiercely proud, wrestle with the conflicting weights of tradition, enmity and parental love.
Common sense prevails and Damba releases Prince Ndamu with a message of peace to his father, Chief Mboli.
The themes and issues covered in This Is Our Chance: the tug between tradition and modernity, inter-tribal enmity, forbidden love and the challenges of leadership are as pertinent today as they were when the play was published.
