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PLAY gets second chance

The second edition of ‘Poetry,
Laughter, Arts &You’ (P.L.A.Y), a pan-Nigerian poetry festival
sponsored by Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), will hold on October 15 and
16 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Like the first edition held at the same
venue and also bankrolled by GTBank, this year’s edition will highlight
the entertainment and didactic values of performance poetry.

Speaking on preparations for the event,
producer, Ben Tomoloju, disclosed that rehearsals will start in a
fortnight at Arts Ville, Isolo, Lagos. He said other participants have
been contacted and added that about 40 poets, dancers, musicians,
singers, and designers will be involved in the rehearsals.

“The central figures are definitely the
Nigerian poets across the generation. But the festival is designed to
be total in terms of input from various disciplines in the performing
arts. The scope is really wide,” added the playwright and former deputy
editor of The Guardian.

The maiden edition of ‘P.L.A.Y’, held
on October 29 and 30, 2009, featured music, dance and poetry
performances. It was used to honour journalist and poet, Eddie
Aderinokun, who celebrated his 70th birthday recently. Sulaiman
Ayilara, popularly known as Ajobiewe; singer, Yinka Davies; poet, Akeem
Lasisi; and musical group, Nefertiti, were among performers at the
maiden edition.

Berlinale co-production market calls for projects

Berlinale co-production market calls for projects

Producers interested in submitting
projects for the 8th Berlinale Co-Production Market, holding from
February 13 to 15, 2011, are now free to do so. The co-production
market will hold as part of the 61st Berlin International Film
Festival, taking place in Berlin, Germany, from February 10 to 20.

“Now, we are again looking forward to
find new projects – fresh, promising, and high-quality projects that we
can matchmake with potential partners to help them on their way onto
the big screen,” said a statement from the organisers.

Interested producers are to submit a
project with budgets ranging between two and 10 million Euro, latest
October 28, 2010. The submission form is available for download at
www.efm-berlinale.de. Candidates will be selected by December 22 and
the list of successful applicants published in January 2011.

The Berlinale Co-Production Market is a
two-and-a-half-day service and networking platform designed for
producers, financiers, sales agents, distributors, broadcasters, and
funding representatives who are working on international co-productions.

Producers whose works are selected are
able to present their projects to interested co-production partners and
financiers in pre-scheduled one-on-one meetings at the event which
started in 2004. Participants are also able to network at fora
including theme talks, cocktail receptions, and producers lounge.

36 projects from 22 countries were
presented at the Berlinale Co-Production Market held earlier this year
and attended by about 500 industry professionals from across the world.

Some of the projects selected for the
Berlinale Co-Production market, and which have screened successfully in
cinemas and festivals include Rafi Pitts’ ‘The Hunter’ and Esmir
Filho’s ‘The Famous and The Dead’. Rusudan Pirveli’s ‘Susa’ screened at
the Berlinale; ‘Undertow/Contracorriente’ by Javier Fuentes-León won an
Audience Award at Sundance and has just been theatrically released in
the UK, while Cristi Puiu’s ‘Aurora’ was presented at Cannes.

Media official appeals to broadcast stations

Media official appeals to broadcast stations

The chairman, Broadcasting
Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the director general, Voice of
Nigeria, Abubakar Jijiwa, has identified with the decision of the
Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON) that radio and television stations
pay royalties for audio and music video albums they broadcast.

Speaking at the 53rd General Assembly
of BON, held in Awka, Anambra State, on Thursday, September 16, Jijiwa
reminded chief executives of broadcasting organisations that the law
states that every broadcasting organisation must pay for the music it
uses. He added that as law abiding institutions, the stations should
endeavour to comply with the law.

He also noted that the issue of who to
pay royalty to no longer arises because government has recognised COSON
as the legitimate collecting society.

Apprising the gathering of the journey
so far, COSON chair, Tony Okoroji, said, “Since the government gave
COSON the mandate to operate in May, we have engaged the key users of
music in Nigeria in continuous dialogue. We have taken the COSON
Stakeholders’ Forum around the country and used different media to
discuss the issues with all concerned.

“We did not jump on anyone, neither did
we harass anyone. We have been very professional about our mandate. The
time has finally come for everyone to do their duty. We have respected
the users of music long enough. We now expect you to reciprocate that
respect,” Mr. Okoroji said.

He disclosed that as from October 1,
2010, radio and TV stations will no longer be able to use artists’
music free. He added that COSON has mandated Olusola Adekanola &
Co, a chartered accounting firm, to collect money due Nigerian
musicians and other stakeholders in the music industry.

He also told the chief executives that
it is their responsibility to ensure that their stations operate with
valid copyright licences.

Tam Fiofori takes Nigerians back in time

Tam Fiofori takes Nigerians back in time

The artist, Tam
Fiofori, will be taking Nigerians on a journey back into history with a
two-week solo exhibition to be hosted by Thought Pyramid Art Gallery,
Abuja, and Sun Arts: BEP. The exhibition, titled ‘1979: A peep into
history and culture’, opens at 5pm tomorrow, September 23, and will
feature the artist’s same titled photography collection.

Scheduled to
commemorate the country’s independence, the exhibition will showcase
pictures taken by Fiofori while he toured the country as a journalist
in that year. Featuring photographs of important events and people in
the Nigerian political history, as well as occasions that document the
country’s tribal cultures, the collection, according to the artist,
“highlights landmark events and distinguished people who have
contributed immensely in the areas of political governance and culture
to strengthen the Nigerian nation and sustain the cultural vibrancy
that has made Nigeria a recognisable and respected frontline Black
nation in the world today.”

Produced in a style
that is mostly black and white are photographs of historical events
such as the coronation of the current Oba Erediauwa of Benin, and
pictures of Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Shehu Shagari while
they campaigned in preparation for the 1979 presidential elections.
Also included are snapshots of cultural occasions such as house-warming
celebrations in Ijebu Igbo.

Fiofori stated that
the aim of the exhibition is to connect “the threads of history and
culture that have shaped the national fabric of Nigeria and established
a direction for the way forward towards strengthening Nigeria for
another half-century in the international comity.” Ambassador Olu
Otunla will chair the opening event while Chris Osa Ogiemwonyi, the
minister of state for works, will be the special guest of honour.

The exhibition
holds between 8am and 7pm daily at the Thought Pyramid Gallery, Parakou
Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja from September 23 till October 7.

BRAND MATTERS: Getting consumers through emotion

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BRAND MATTERS: Getting consumers through emotion

Emotional appeal in advertising is known as Emotional Selling
Proposition (ESP). A brand thrives when it forges powerful emotional bond with
consumers. Emotional appeal makes consumers have intimate relationship with
brands. Since a brand comprises emotional and physical attributes that appeal
to the consumers’ minds and hearts, the use of emotional appeal inspires and
moves them into action.

Recently, brands tend to utilise emotional appeal more to
resonate with consumers. Though one does not have any empirical data to support
this claim, the way such communication campaigns inspire the audience cannot be
underestimated.

Over the years, some brands have deployed emotional appeal as a
platform to build connection and sustain brand loyalty. Through this, consumers
assume ownership of the brand and they build their lives around it. Such brand
provides desired emotional benefits for the consumers. This goes a long way in
making brands evoke feelings in consumers, which ultimately influence their
purchase decision.

Emotional appeal is a powerful thing and it creates a lasting
bond between the consumers and such brands. When the Skye Bank campaign broke
some years ago, it was one that made a unique connection with consumers. The
campaign was one that not everyone believed it revolved round a financial
institution. It was a total departure from selling service and products
offerings to the consumers. It was one that significantly leveraged emotional
appeal to arouse consumer’s interest.

It is also worthy of note that successful brands thrive because
they offer consumers something that they want and need, something that is
beneficial and relevant to their lives. This should be the thrust of any brand
campaign that is hinged on emotional appeal. This is because many consumers
increasingly use brands as a means of self expression. This was the scenario
when it was discovered that several people downloaded the Hakuna Matata song
used in the Skye Bank advert as ringing tones.

Resonance with audience

The Skye Bank campaign on Hakuna Matata, meaning ‘no worries’,
is one that resonates with the target audience, as it identified with the
yearnings and aspirations of the consumers. Hakuna Matata later became a slogan
for several people, even when they pass through life’s challenges. It is an
emotional appeal that clearly tells the consumers, ‘no matter what happens, do
not worry’. The bank hinged on this appeal to assure customers of its readiness
to make banking a stress-free activity for them. With this strong emotive
platform, the bank was able to capture the minds of the customers.

The bank, basking on the success of the Hakuna Matata campaign,
further reinforced its brand message through the ‘Say Yes’ campaign. This is
one that seeks to tell the audience in clear terms that they should be positive
in life. The bank positions itself as a worthy friend to the customers, sharing
their dreams, and telling them it is only Skye Bank that is a true friend. The
platform is hinged on Emotional Selling Proposition, which evokes feelings of
the consumers to have positive spirit all times. The radio jingle ‘I wish I
have a friend, saying Yes to My Dreams’ became a sing along for everyone.

Succinctly put, the consumer can have possibilities if only he
or she thinks about it. He should just believe everything about his life is
possible when he says YES – which means he should just believe in himself and
his potentials. The campaign, even though now rested, is one that really leveraged
on the impact of emotive appeal that can be forgotten in a hurry. The new
campaign tells the audience ‘How Can We Say Yes To You’. This also positions
the bank as a dependable friend that can shoulder the burden of the cosumers.

Diamond Bank is also joining the fray of leveraging on Emotional
Selling Proposition to reach out to all segments of the society.

Though Emotional Selling Proposition goes the extra mile in
building brand loyalty and creating emotional attachment with consumers, it
should also align with the brand promise. Such campaigns can only translate to
success when consumer experience of the brand brings satisfaction and
fulfilment.

Money

Akala declares gubernatorial ambition amidst fanfare

Akala declares gubernatorial ambition amidst fanfare

It was a mix of politics and entertainment at the Lekan Salami
Stadium, Ibadan, on Thursday when the Oyo State governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala,
declared his intention to run for a second term on the platform of the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP).

On stand to thrill the audience and the governor’s supporters
were Abass Akande aka Obesere and Abolore Adegbola Akande (aka 9ice) amongst
other popular musicians, who treated the audience to their popular tracks.

The governor was particularly ecstatic by 9ice’s performance,
as he danced round the podium before settling to give his declaration speech.
Titled “I hearken to your wish: I shall run”, Mr Alao-Akala’s speech explained
that he only made up his mind to go for a second term as a result of pressure
mounted on him from the public. “My dear compatriots and good people of Oyo
State, since the beginning of this year, many men of goodwill, comprising
notable citizens, professionals, peasants, market women, academic community,
religious leaders, corporate bodies, artisans and other interest groups have
approached and urged me to declare my interest for a second term in office.

“My standard response was to thank them for their concern, but
that I needed all my concentration to fulfil my promise which I made during the
electioneering campaign of 2007, and upon which our people freely voted for
me,” the governor said. He enumerated his achievements since he assumed office
in 2007 and gave a glimpse of his targets if allowed to run another term.

Opposition parties

Speaking on the opposition parties in the state, the governor
claimed that the parties have “failed in all the tricks used to blackmail his
government and derail it from achieving its objectives”.

As at time of his declaration, Mr Alao-Akala is the only known
candidate running for governorship of the state on the platform of the PDP.

Politicians, who are struggling to get tickets for one elective
post or the other also packed the venue with their crowds and entertainers,
trying to outdo one another. Though there was no record of violence, the
programme, which was a carnival-like event, witnessed the heavy presence of
political thugs, who were openly smoking Indian hemp at the event.

Leaders of the party, who have been campaigning for the governor for a long
time, took turns to pledge their loyalty to him and his ambition. Former
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Richard Akinjide,
and Omololu Olunloyo and Kolapo Ishola, both former governors of the state,
were among the politicians who expressed their support for the governor’s
second term.

Jonathan calls for issues-based campaign

Jonathan calls for issues-based campaign

The Goodluck Jonathan/Namadi Sambo Presidential Campaign
Organisation has challenged all the presidential aspirants in our country to
run their campaigns based on issues rather than on personality attacks.

The organisation made this known in Abuja yesterday, in two
separate statements signed by its director of media and publicity, Sully Abu.
It also expressed disappointment with the threat by the Edo State governor,
Adams Oshiomhole, to stage a protest against the federal government if the May
29 handover date was altered.

The campaign organization had on Wednesday said the ongoing
plans by four presidential aspirants from the north to gang up against Goodluck
Jonathan in the build up towards the primaries, is bound to fail. The statement
asked the presidential aspirants to follow Mr Jonathan’s example by conducting
issues-based campaigns. It also condemned the allegation by former vice
president and presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar, that the president’s
insistence on contesting was polarizing the nation, as well as the report
credited to another aspirant, Bukola Saraki, that the mammoth crowd that
witnessed Mr Jonathan’s formal declaration in Abuja last Saturday was rented.

Throwing mud

“We call on all aspirants in the PDP to follow President
Jonathan’s great example by running a campaign based on issues, on what they
have to offer Nigerians to pull them out of the grip of poverty and
underdevelopment rather than resort to throwing mud,” Mr Abu said. “Such
old-style politics which has not got the country anywhere should not be the
forte of political aspirants who want to be taken seriously.”

The organisation noted that Mr Jonathan’s opponents were taken
aback by the degree of the sophistication and organisation displayed in the
massive turnout at his hitch-free Eagle Square declaration rally and by his
message, which has resonated exceptionally well across the land.

Cross River Police in search of National Life reporter

Cross River Police in search of National Life reporter

The police in Calabar are on the trail of Jude Okwe, Cross River
State correspondent of National Life, over some stories published by the paper
last Sunday.

Mr Okwe said the spokesperson of the state command, Etim Dickson
(ASP), had informed him over the phone Tuesday afternoon that the story
alleging that some policemen invaded Moon Shine Hotel, a popular brothel in
Calabar South, to extort money from prostitutes and rape those who could not
pay the N1000 levy, has tarnished the reputation of officers and men of the
command.

Another story about a man who walked naked along Bedwell Street
and got N20, 000 for it was described by Mr Dickson to be one that was against
the tourism drive of the state government, and came at a time the state was
making preparations for its army of visitors for the annual Christmas festival.

“The police image maker invited me under the pretext that there
was a deal he wanted to strike with me,” Mr Okwe said. “But I told him I will
honour the invitation once I am through with my editorial duties.” Since the
invitation was not honoured, Mr Dickson on Wednesday, September 22, wrote to
the state chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) inviting Mr Okwe
to his office on Tuesday, September 28, 2010.

The letter, reference No. AR/3000/CRSP/VOL.3/19 and titled
‘investigation activities’, reads: The attention of the Commissioner of Police,
Cross River State Command, has been drawn to a false and malicious publication
in National Life newspaper, Sunday 19, 2010, on pages 41 and 42 respectively,
where the pictures of His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State and
that of the police commissioner were used without confirmation and
authorisation.

“The correspondence [sic] is therefore invited to interview the
commissioner of police through the police PRO, on Tuesday, 28/09/10 at 1000hrs,
please.”

Target of smear

Mr Okwe said he has been a target of a smear campaign by some
persons within and outside the government, who see him as a non-conformist and
someone to be dealt with.

He said despite the campaign of calumny and threat to his life
by the powers that be, he will continue to practice journalism within the
confines of its ethics, irrespective of whose ox is gored.

“I will advise the police to visit the brothel, interview its owner and the
prostitutes, rather than invite me for arrest under the pretext of interviewing
the police commissioner,” he said. “They should also visit Bedwell Street to
ascertain the truth or otherwise of the man who walked nude and picked N20,000
for it.”

Jega pleads for more time

23/09/2010 nigeriang One comment

Jega pleads for more time

The Chairman of the
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Attahiru Jega, says he
will guarantee free and fair elections in 2011, if he gets more time to
prepare for the polls.

Mr. Jega gave this
assurance during an exclusive interview with NEXT at INEC headquarters
in Abuja yesterday. He said, ‘‘I can guarantee an excellent job, if I
get time until April to be able to conduct elections. I will have no
apprehension about doing a very good, excellent voter registration
exercise’’ adding, ‘‘I will have gained sufficient time to be able to
prepare adequately for the conduct of the elections’’.

The chairman of the
electoral commission was speaking about the recent call by his
commission for an extension of the election time table. Following a
retreat in Calabar, the commission also announced that it would be
looking at legal ways to get an extension of the election time table. A
day after that announcement, the body held a meeting with
representatives of all political parties most of whom rose from the
meeting endorsing the call for more time. The National Assembly has
since announced that it would be sitting on Monday to look at the issue.

Knotty issues

However, the INEC
Chairman admitted that potentially there are knotty issues with holding
elections in April, a month that increasingly appears to be the
preferred choice for holding the polls. He admitted that this date may
not allow time for resolution of cases that may arise out of the
election ahead of the May 29th handover, but says if INEC does an
‘‘excellent job, there will be minimal litigation’’.

Sounding upbeat
and optimistic, Mr. Jega also said he believed the Nigerian judiciary
is sensitive to the importance of dealing expeditiously with election
cases and he expects that they would do their best to speed up the
determination of cases arising from elections.

Read the full interview with Attahiru Jega in NEXT on Sunday