The Ambrose Ehirim - Queenkay Amamgbo Q & A Interview

QueenKay is a mother of two young boys, Chika and Lota, a multi-faceted entrepreneur, writer, enthusiast, and optimist. She moved to the United States from Nigeria when she was 18-years-old. After living in the Washington, DC area for a few years, she relocated to Los Angeles, California. Her desire to realize her creative passions led her to Hollywood. Nevertheless, she soon found herself taking a detour, to follow her heart's pathway. After falling in love and getting married, QueenKay's true-life, fairytale romance ended tragically. Ironically, the ending of her romance was the beginning of her Reconstruction and Transformation and the very catalyst of this book, The Reconstruction and Transformation of QueenKay.

Excerpts:

Let’s talk about you. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your upbringing and things like that?

Well a bit about me. I am what you call a very down to earth girl. I don't have any hang ups and I am very easy going. I grew up in a middle class family while enduring a lot of family drama.

What were your early influences?

My early influences were seeing my mum as a strong force to be reckoned with. Although pushed down many times, got up many more times to claim what was rightfully hers and raise her children the best way she knew how. I also from an early age fell in love with movies, music and the human experience. We get to tell our stories through so many mediums.

You have written a book. In what environment did you start putting “The Reconstruction & Transformation of Queenkay,” together?

I started writing my book shortly after I lost my husband. I couldn't stay focused on writing because the pain was too raw. It took me three and a half years to finish the book.

And how did you arrive to conclusion it should be put into a book?

I knew when Charles died that our story had to be told. I knew that it would be first as a book and evolve into a feature length film. I was certain of that.

What were your doubts at the time of penning and putting your emotions, Charles’ death and coping with the tragedy, together?

I had a lot to deal with, his death, surviving, raising my boys and struggling to save my business and my home where amongst the setbacks that made writing the book difficult. I didn't really doubt that I would finish the book, I just knew I had to.

You said “The Reconstruction & Transformation of Queenkay” would make one “laugh, cry, think, love, lose it and believe again.” Could you explain what that means?

I mean it would take you through my life and in many instances you would relate to the words and events as though it were happening to you. Ultimately, you would feel HOPE and the courage to carry on no matter what life throws at you.

What would you have done differently assuming you did not complete the book?

I don't think it would have been easy for me to complete any meaningful and fulfilling projects had I not completed the book. It felt like a heavy burden that needed to be let down. I would still be busy building my business and myself up but I am glad I completed the book. I feel freer, lighter and ready to take on the world.

I read somewhere that Hollywood had been on your “radar” from your inception of the American Dream until you met your sweetheart. What inspired the Hollywood dream?

I was very artistically inclined while growing up. It wasn't the dream of simply being famous for the sake of it, it was the desire to fulfill my creative passions that made me want to be part of a dream building opportunity.

If given the opportunity now, would you consider giving Hollywood a shot this time around?

It would have to be on the terms of a creative person behind the scenes. I am now a mother and my priorities have changed, but I would still love to tell moving stories and give people like myself a voice.

In your opinion, what is the Nollywood film industry not doing right to meet up with the challenges in terms of quality production and by way of scholarship compared to Hollywood?

I am not sure what they are doing specifically. I know that the quality of films in recent years has improved dramatically. The American film industry has been around for years and has been improving every since. There are organizations set in place to maintain the integrity of the projects that come around. There are museums and archives of pioneers who have paved the way. I really do not have any way of knowing just where we are in terms of getting to this level. I do know we have some very talented writers, actors and producers. We have come a long way and I pray that the best is soon to come.

You are a one of a kind mother of two boys, a magnificent entrepreneur, author and as the list goes on, where does the energy come from in all these combined?

I do not know where the energy comes from. I get inspired daily to push myself to new heights of creativity. I do not want to settle for less than excellent. I think God just gave that doze of "extra" and I will keep riding high until I get called to glory.

How is ‘Man Must Wak' doing? I love African dishes especially ofe olugbo. What are the delicacies and what should I expect assuming I stop by to make a purchase?

My store is doing great. It has survived the economic downturn and is getting ready to ride the upswing. Do you mean ofe onugbu (bitter leaf soup)? It is a specialty where I come from and we sell the ingredients in my store. If you were to stop by my store, you will find ingredients for making all kinds of soups ranging from okro soup to egusi soup and the list is endless.

Let’s talk about your boy, Chika. I watched him at the book release party video. He was awesome and I could not imagine such a kid with that powerful, moving rendition:

You can't do it alone
we can't do it alone
we have to work together
to keep going
It’s all in one community
that we have to;
work together

Wow! I was personally moved. How was all that rehearsed in preparation to the event? Coupled with the reaction of the audience, what was the discussion when you all got home?

Thank you so very much on the complement regarding my son Chika's speech. You know, that boy is just a God sent. We never rehearsed any speeches. I knew I had to say thank you. I never knew he would want to say something. For a child who was 9 at the time to have the courage to speak in front of a room full of people and say such a courageous thing, moved me also. He's my son and I simply can not get enough of how he seems to be so captivating when he speaks. He reminds me a lot about his father. The audience was moved too and it was just a wonderful day in totality. We didn't speak much about it when we got home, it was just a perfect day and we were grateful it turned out well.

How was your days at the University of San Francisco?

My days at USF were memorable and I am glad I had the opportunity to attend such a prestigious school

What’s your next project now besides a hand-full of family and entrepreneurship?

I just finished co-authoring a book with 23 female authors from all over the world. The book is entitled, "The Unstoppable Woman's Guide to Emotional Well-Being" The book project is such a blessing and their are many more to come from it. The forward to book was written by Oprah's Marketing Manager with Harpo Studios, Maya Watson. I am very excited about this year. The website for that book is http://www.theunstoppablelibrary.com Besides this new book, I have a slew of interviews slated for the next few months and I am simply amazed at what the future holds for me.

What’s your leisure time like?

If I have any leisure time in between my crazy schedule, I sleep. I tell people it's one my hobbies and they laugh, but the truth is, I do everything on full speed, so to me when I lay down, that's a luxury. I do like to read, watch movies, and travel. Thank you so much for the opportunity to connect with you and the readers. I do hope that my book blesses those who read it and is a life changing experience for as many as would allow it.

Conversations With Filmmaker Tim Greene

We talked about this interview earlier than I had the chance to meet Philly native and independent filmmaker, Tim Greene. The 20th Anniversary of the Pan African Film and Arts Festival had just begun at the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza in Los Angeles and filmmakers were in touch for the anniversary when I had checked out the base camp of the festival’s related events. Tim sat quietly on the front porch while we exchanged greetings and informing him of my futile attempts to locate him over the months. Soft spoken and humble, Tim had told me about his overwhelming tour dates all across the United States which he wrapped up arriving Los Angeles.

Tim wants to get on his programs differently when he outlined the ideals behind the “Lil Homeez” project when he was back to Charlotte, North Carolina to edit his documentary, “From Tragedy To Triumph,” a story about a community that took an abandoned empty supermarket in their crime infested neighborhood and turned it into a productive community center to better their community from around which kids in the community in a sudden 180-degrees turn started improving in their grades from D’s to straight As.

Tim who has starred in movies along side Jamie Fox, Terrence Howard, Chris Rock, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey and several others, wants to provide the opportunities for kids and inner city youths who have been less privileged in creating some kind of impacts, but talented in a variety of discipline, had started Hop For A Better World Motion Pictures- Hollywood to help these kids develop their talents and work towards a better future; and recently he joined “Engineering the World,” flying in from Los Angeles for a film-making workshop in a conference for minority students held at the CNN Studios. In that endeavor, over 200 students from the 6th to 12th grade toured the CNN Studios at Time Warner Center as the National Society of Black Engineers (Alumni Extension/New York and Central Jersey Chapter) and the Black Professionals at Turner put together the “Engineering the Worlds” conference. The all day conference was totally free for any minority student from around the country to attend in an effort to build the foundation to impact, revitalize and empower the youths and future leaders of tomorrow. Participants toured the CNN Studios and did a simulated show production with an opportunity for the students to get behind the cameras on a real CNN set learning a variety of skills including camera operator, lighting, graphics, editing and audio with the CNN staffers who donated their time for the conference. The students also learned how they could prepare themselves for a career in engineering and broadcasting.

In his outreach program to kids and why he had chosen to motivate kids and be better assets in the future when his “Discover Your Greatness 20 City Tour” rewarded kids in underprivileged areas with great grades in school with free workshops, prizes and CDs that will teach kids and parents how to be more focused in being future business owners and entrepreneurs. Asked about the ideology, Tim said:

“I also have a new generation of very young kids pledge to use the new “B-word” when they address females. That new “B-Word” is Beautiful.” When I have the males use the word every females face in the house lit up with happiness. I also have “Make it rain with Greatness parties for the exceptional young ladies at the events. Instead of thinking about making it rain on a female in the club for dancing, grandma and the whole family makes it rain when their daughter brings home good grades from school. Then after I leave each city, it is up to each community to keep the “Make it Rain With Greatness Parties” going on every report card period. I have capacity crowds so far in every city and I make sure that I stay and talk to every single person who comes out to meet me even if it takes until one in the morning as most events have been thus far.”

Asked about filmmaking and the impact he would like to create in the industry, Tim said:

“I knew my next step in film-making was in distribution and building a library of films like any other film studio. There are thousands of independent films that get made every year and only about five percent or less land a distribution deal after screenings on the film festival circuit. I will release the films that I know my target audience will love to see. I will release documentaries, Gospel, drama, action and other types of films, not just Hip Hop. With Will Smith being the number one box office draw in the world and Tyler Perry opening up his own film and television studio, it shows me that the whole universe is open to me and I have to create my own destiny and not just sit around waiting for the phone to ring.”

On the “Lil Homeez” kids movie, a G-rated coupled with Hip Hop products for kids, Tim notes:

“In order to be a little homie you have to stay in school, no cursing, no guns or drugs and you must get good grades. We will have a clothing line, story books, video games and much more for the “Lil Homeez” brand. With rap music lyrics being in the headlines lately kids worldwide needs something positive that they can still relate to and still be considered hip. And being a two time Billboard Top Ten Songwriter, I will put out mind enhancing soundtracks for kids 5-9 years old with hip hop beats.”

Nigeria: Briton And Italian Die In Hostage Rescue Bid

Mr. McManus was captured by gunmen during a raid on his apartment in May last year.

The men were killed in Birnin-Kebbi in the north of the country

Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara in the video made by the hostage takers.

SKY NEWS

Two hostages - a Briton and an Italian - have been killed by terrorists in northern Nigeria in an attempted rescue operation.

The effort to free Chris McManus, from the North West of England, and his colleague Franco Lamolinara was launched by British special forces and the Nigerian army.
Sky sources say there were no fatalities on the British and Nigerian forces' side but there were several fatalities among the hostage-takers.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the pair appeared to have died at the hands of their captors, either before or during the course of the rescue bid.

Sky sources say it is believed there was a fight and during the assault the UK and Nigerian forces could not get to Mr McManus and Mr Lamolinara in time.

"It strongly appears that the hostage-takers shot the hostages," the sources said.

The rescue bid was launched after the UK received credible information about their whereabouts and that their lives were under increasing threat.

Speaking in Downing Street, Mr Cameron said Mr McManus and Mr Lamolinara were "taken hostage by terrorists" in northern Nigeria May last year.

He said: "Since then, we have been working closely with the Nigerian authorities to try to find Chris and Franco, and to secure their release.

"The terrorists holding the two hostages made very clear threats to take their lives, including in a video that was posted on the internet.

"After months of not knowing where they were being held, we received credible information about their location. A window of opportunity arose to secure their release.

"We also had reason to believe that their lives were under imminent and growing danger.

"Preparations were made to mount an operation to attempt to rescue Chris and Franco.

"Together with the Nigerian Government, today I authorised it to go ahead, with UK support.

"It is with great regret that I have to say that both Chris and Franco have lost their lives.

"We are still awaiting confirmation of the details, but the early indications are clear that both men were murdered by their captors, before they could be rescued."

He added: "Our immediate thoughts must be with Chris and Franco's families, and we offer them our sincerest condolences."

Mr McManus and Mr Lamolinara, contract workers for the construction company B Stabilini, were kidnapped by gunmen who stormed the apartment they shared in Birnin-Kebbi.

The two men were in the city building a bank.

In a statement, Mr McManus' family said: "As a family, we are of course devastated by the news of Chris' death which we received earlier today.

"During this ordeal we have relied heavily on the support of our family and friends which has never waned and has enabled us to get through the most difficult of times.

"We are also aware of the many people who were working to try and have Chris returned to our family, and his girlfriend. We would like to thank all of them for their efforts.

"We knew Chris was in an extremely dangerous situation. However we knew that everything that could be done was being done."

There have been a number of foreigners kidnapped while working in Nigeria in recent years.

In September 2008, two Britons were held by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta.

A Scottish oil worker was abducted and his guard killed in April 2009, in the Rivers State capital Port Harcourt.

Three Britons and a Colombian were kidnapped in January 2010 and in November of the same year, four men from the US, Canada and France were taken 7.5 miles offshore on the Okoro field.

The Ambrose Ehirim-Chidi Achebe Q & A Interview

Dr. Chidi Achebe, son of the literary icon, Professor Chinua Achebe, is a United States-based physician and was recently awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Social Justice Award by Dartmouth College. In this interview he talks about his medical practice, his service to others, healthcare intervention, education, his mentor, his dad and lots more.

Excerpts:

Tell me a bit about yourself

I completed undergraduate studies in natural sciences, history and philosophy at Bard College; received an MPH from the Harvard School of Public Health, and an MD at Dartmouth Medical School and an MBA degree at Yale University's School of Management.

I also completed residency in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX. For a brief period, I served as Medical Director of the Whittier Street Health Center (13 months); and then served as Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, Medical Director of Harvard Street Health Center before my appointment as the President and CEO of the Harvard Street Health Center.

Recently, you were awarded the Martin Luther King Social Justice Award from Dartmouth College. Tell me a bit more about your work that brought about this recognition.

I think the press release from our health center makes the point better than I could ever do: “After several years of work at various Boston health centers, Dr. Achebe now sees "the struggle against inequalities in health and health care for all vulnerable, underserved Americans, as the next stage of the Civil Rights movement;" and has dedicated his life's work to helping to solve the conundrum of health care inequity in America's health care system.

Dr. Achebe makes church calls, and speaks at youth summits, conventions, conferences, schools, barber shops - focal gathering areas where he can reach underserved patients - reminding the community of the value of health, preventive care, and the quality of service readily available at Harvard Street.

While expanding his unique implementation of “medicine without borders,” Achebe works as a passionate advocate for the global community through his writings that call attention to worldwide health concerns such as the HIV/AIDs pandemic and Prostate Cancer. His efforts have earned him a featured TV appearance on Basic Black; profile in the Boston Globe and AOL Black Voices, an interview on WUMB-FM's Commonwealth Journal (interviewed by the legendary Barbara Neely); and feature length articles in several international periodicals, journals, and newspapers.

Through his years of work, Dr. Achebe has become a leader in the battle for healthcare equality and serves on several boards and committees where he continues his passion to be at the vanguard of the quest to bridge disparities that exist in the health care system.”

Of all the things that you have done, which one stands out in your mind?

Service to others. My overall thrust in life is to be what my Dad; Professor Chinua Achebe calls a “servant leader.” Another great influence has been Robert K. Greenleaf whose classic work The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970 is monumental in its influence on me. In that essay, he said:

"The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. That person is sharply different from one who is leader first; perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions…The leader-first and the servant-first are two extreme types. Between them there are shadings and blends that are part of the infinite variety of human nature."

So what aspect do you generally feel your services have done much in the community?

I feel that our work is ongoing. Our overall dream is community transformation that means that health care intervention has to work in concert with other strategies. Historically, most of the effective political, social and civil rights movements have required a myriad of interventions to be successful. Health Care should be seen as the nexus for not only bridging the disparities that exist within the society, but eliminating the long standing social pathologies such as low educational attainment and violence. Community Health Centers like Harvard Street Health Center can bring about this multi-purpose revolution with talent from different backgrounds that can play a critical role to this end. They can serve as vehicles for assessing and accurately communicating community perspectives and needs on the issue of health care disparities; as a clearinghouse for data and recognized authority on the issue; as a vehicle for educating and mobilizing large numbers of individuals and organizations to give leverage to initiatives relative to health care disparities; as a catalyst for community, business, and government involvement in the resolution of social pathologies such as community violence and crime, teenage pregnancy, etc. In addition health care centers can serve as magnets for adequate funding targeted at reducing health care disparities; and the establishment of a broad-based, statewide coalition of key stakeholders to monitor the implementation and impact of any Comprehensive Health Care Education and Violence prevention plans.

You are trained as an internist. And now you hold position as President and CEO of Harvard Street Health Center. Do you find it compatible with the administrative and technical aspect of your profession?

The fact that I hold business and public health degrees in addition to my medical degree is no accident. I was fortunate enough to be appointed a Medical Director very early on in my career – I was in my early thirties. I remember it made international headlines at the time! During my tenure, I realized that my financial/business knowledge was weak, so I decided to go back to school this time to get an MBA. I am not unique, at least in Boston, which you know is the pinnacle of Medical Science and Health Care in the United States- indeed in the world.

My mentor Dr. Gary Gottlieb – one of the most admired physician/business leaders in the country, and under whom I had the utmost privilege to study for a year during Business School – also holds both Medical and Business degrees; as do some others in Massachusetts and across the country. Dr. Gottlieb is the President and CEO of Partners Health Care (a Harvard university affiliated health system in Massachusetts that includes world class hospitals Brigham and Women’s hospital and Mass General Hospital, both in Boston). It should also be mentioned that several business Schools – Yale my alma mater, Duke and now Harvard business school have started a major focus on the health care segment of the American economy that makes up 16.9% of the GDP; in other words one of every six dollars spent in the US economy is toward health care related services, goods or products.

So my training is designed for my role and is consistent with what many experts think is a much needed ingredient to fix the ailing health care system and the US economy at large – medically trained individuals who also have a business background and are then prepared to bring to bear these myriad skills to the problems that plague the health system

Can you give me a rundown of day-to-day activities of those areas?

I do all the administrative work required of any Chief Executive – make sure the organization lives up to its mission and vision statements, help set company priorities and strategy, work and meet with the board, senior management, committees and serve as the face of the organization. I also help with fund raising and organizational as well as community development initiatives. In addition, my role requires that I make sure that the day to day activities of the organization run smoothly.

Which of those two aspects of your profession do you think consumes more of your time?

I am still in clinic 20 hours a week (which is equivalent to a half- time physician). On top of that I have the full time President and CEO position. So my week is usually a 60 hour week.

How is the Chinua Achebe Colloquium/Interview Series doing? Is it still vibrant doing what it is supposed to do?

It is going very well. A former United States ambassador to Nigeria described the annual gathering as “the best intellectual gathering focusing on Africa in the world.” The annual colloquium brings together an international group of scholars, officials from African governments, the United Nations, the United States, the European Union, and other organizations for two days of intense deliberation and exchange of ideas on the importance of strengthening democracy and peace on the African continent. The next installment later this year will be the fourth in the series.

On Nd'Igbo and the upcoming generation, what's your opinion about an evolving concept of the Igbo nation?

The role of Nd'Igbo has been monumental from the birth of Nigeria. The greatest of Nigeria’s founding fathers, in my opinion, were mainly those from the East – the great Zik being the most significant of the lot. The war destroyed a lot of what we had. I was born three days before the war was declared - at the very beginnings of the war- and so cannot pretend to know what transpired during those horrendous two and a half years. I, like millions of other Nd'Igbo, Nigerians, Africans, admirers of Professor Achebe’s work around the world, can’t wait to lay my hands on his new book on Biafra- There was a country: A personal history of Biafra due out this Fall, 2012.

The war led to a scattering of the Igbos across the world – much like to tribes of Israel. A new generation of Igbo leaders can be found now across the world, working diligently in every known intellectual, business, and political endeavor. The challenge is to de-emphasize mammon worship and bring about an intellectual renaissance that will permanently restore Igbo land, Nigeria? and hence Africa on a path to permanent, sustainable development.

On a Nigerian national state, what are your thoughts on what had erupted over the years, especially the series of civil unrests, the Islamic militants and things like that since the Fourth Republic?

What has befallen us is the destruction of the culture of excellence and meritocracy that Zik’s generation put in place. It has been replaced by what Dad has termed the cult of mediocrity. We are playing with our “tenth eleven instead of our first eleven”- if I may be permitted to utilize a soccer allegory. Nigerians have some of the best and brightest people on the planet. The West knows this because Nigerians have been given plum jobs in Western establishments. The culture of mediocrity has been encouraged because competing ethnic groups believe they will benefit in such an arrangement. No country has EVER made it under such a chaotic system – where incompetence and corruption rule and the lust of money pervades every activity. The very destruction of Nigeria – nothing works – is a result of this “slumming down” of standards – perfected by the military – and continued by their really unprepared, inept civilian cohorts. Everyone knows that terrorists can only strive in chaotic environments – look at Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia etc. Unless Nigeria puts things right by placing into every conceivable position, the best and brightest Nigerians that can be found, it is doomed

Is the country heading toward the right direction and if not, what should be done?

Clearly not. Let me be clear about this: Nigeria must reestablish the culture of meritocracy that had an early death following independence. Nigerians must search, find and place the very best people in every conceivable public and private position as well as every level of government – local government, state, federal - or it will NEVER make it.

With a handful of business-related responsibilities, how do you account for your leisure time? What do you do?

I am grateful to GOD for my many blessing. I am blessed with a beautiful spouse and family- three wonderful boys. There is no greater blessing than the love of family… coming home after a long day’s work and hearing a greeting from your spouse and your boys running towards you yelling: “Daddy, Daddy.” That is enough to bring your blood pressure down. Thank God for our blessings.

Thank you.

OKOTO THE MESSENGER @ The 20TH ANNIVERSARY, PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL

OKOTO THE MESSENGER @ THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY, THE PAN AFRICAN FILM & ARTS FESTIVAL, BALDWIN HILLS CRENSHAW PLAZA, 3650 WEST MARTIN LUTER KING BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90008. SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2012 @ 7:50PM, SCREEN #8 & FRIDAY FBRUARY 18, 2012 @ 1:00PM, Screen #15

"Okoto the Messenger tells the story of Okoto Igwe (Pascal Atuma) and his girlfriend Angelina(JJ Bunny),both whom were born and raised ...in Africa, but live in America and are entrenched within the principle “To not forget their roots” thereby operating within the African community in America. Boyfriend and girlfriend, they are a proverbial match made in heaven. They both love to have fun, that is at the expense of “telling it as it is” to their fellow Africans."

Portrait: Carla Bruni Sarkozy Nude By Pamela Hanson

Nude of Carla Bruni Sarkozy to be auctioned in Berlin
A staff member of auction house Villa Grisebach holds a nude of French first lady Carla Bruni Sarkozy in Berlin, Germany, 02 June 2009. The photography titled 'Carla Bruni in Bed' (1994) by Pamela Hanson will be auctioned in Berlin on 04 June, a bid of 2,500 to 3,500 euro is expected.

The Ambrose Ehirim-Tana Lopez Q & A Interview

Tana Lopez is a nationally exhibited and nationally published international documentary and fine-art photographer living in the Washington, D.C. and Baltimore area. She is also an official member of the Jazz Journalist Association.In the summers of 2010 and 2011 she traveled to Ghana, West Africa as the official photographer for a non-profit organization that builds schools and health clinics in the mud-hut villages that surround the city of Accra. Her photos from Ghana benefited the organization’s fund raising efforts significantly and in August, 2011 were also exhibited at the prestigious Eubie Blake National Jazz Institute and Cultural Center in Baltimore, MD. Tana is absolutely passionate about taking pictures that will bring about awareness of important issues because she feels that the best way to motivate people to change the world is to show them what needs to be changed. She has many more exhibits planned in the near future.

You had the Tana Lopez Photography Public Exhibition at the Eubie Blake National Jazz and Cultural Center in downtown Baltimore in 2011. How did this come about?

A lady by the name of Cheryl Goodman referred me to the Director of the center (Troy Burton). They asked me if I would like to do an exhibit of my live jazz photos and I said yes!! Eventually I decided I would rather show my photos from my work in Ghana because I felt that the poverty that existed there was an issue that was important and that people needed to know about.

Photography is art. When and how did you start the work of photography?

In 2008, I had come to a time in my life where my children were all in school and didn't need my constant care and attention anymore. I had a college degree but when I started applying for jobs, I realized that after having stayed home with my children for so long, very few people were willing to hire me or to pay me what I was worth. I decided not to take a low-paying job, that I would rather find something I was passionate about. After trying many different things, photography was the one form of art that really stuck, once I started I just couldn't stop.


What are your favorite moments in photography?

By far the best and most meaningful part of my photographic career has been my work in the mud-hut villages of Ghana.

You traveled to Ghana in 2010 as photographer to cover events for the Ghanaian Mothers Hope, Inc. How did you get the assignment?

I came across their facebook page in May of 2010 and eventually landed on their website. I read about how they were building schools and health clinics in the mud-hut villages that surround the city of Accra. This was something that I had always dreamed of doing, going to a third world country and helping the people. I knew immediately that I wanted to do something like this, so I emailed the director and asked if I could join them. A few weeks later, she called me and told me yes!! I went to Ghana in 2010 for a month and then I went back with the same organization in 2011 for three weeks.

Was that trip your first to any African country?

Yes, this was my first trip to the continent of Africa

What was the trip about?

For me this trip was a huge lesson in taking something I was good at doing and adding meaning to it in a way I had never even imagined. Up until my trip to Ghana, being a photographer was fun and exciting. Going to a third world country took my life to a whole new level, I have now decided that all my future work will be about documenting important issues such as poverty.

Entering your website, first on spot is the music of David Dyson. Who is David Dyson?

David Dyson is a phenomenal jazz bass guitarist and a great friend. He was the musical director of New Kids on the Block and since then has performed with many amazing artists such as Phil Perry, Pieces of a Dream, Walter Beasley, Marcus Johnson, and so many more.

It’s obvious jazz music is one of your favorites. Who is your favorite jazz performer?

It's hard to have a favorite jazz performer, there is just so much talent out there. But I have to say that the jazz artists in the DMV area hold a special place in my heart.

You quoted Hakim Sanai recently in one of your lines on Face-book: “I choose love above all else. As for wealth, if that comes, or goes, so be it. Wealth and love in nhabit separate worlds.” Who is Hakim Sanai and what was the quote all about?

Hakim Sanai is one of the earlier Sufi poets and lived during the 11th century, he is just one of many poets whose work I admire. I love reading poetry!! As far as that quote, to me it just means that love and wealth really are two different concepts that have nothing to do with each other. Too often in our society we confuse the two, or we make one dependent on the other, but I don't agree with that idea. I think love is far more important than anything else in life.


You are a lover of people. How did you generate that?

It is just who I am at the deepest level, I have always loved people and had a special affinity toward people who are less fortunate than others. I have always felt that poverty in our world should not exist and have always felt a special pull toward the poor.

What are you working on now?

I am absolutely passionate about taking pictures that will bring about awareness and change. I believe that the best way to facilitate change in this world is by showing the world what needs to be changed. After having researched different social issues in our country and abroad, I have decided that I absolutely must explore the current issues of today’s Native Americans. I want to depict their beauty and their struggle so that I can show this to the world by way of multiple national and international photo exhibits and eventually the publication of a book. When people see and can truly feel the pain and the struggle that the American Indians are going through they will want to make a difference. For this reason, I will work closely with several different non-profit organizations so that when people feel motivated to donate money, they will immediately know where they can send their money.

In 2013 I am planning a three month trip to work in an orphanage in India. I plan to have exhibits and publish a book with the photos that I take in India as well. I will continue to venture to places and to take pictures of the people I feel the world needs to see.

Thank you so much, Ambrose, for showing interest in my work and for writing this article. You are helping me bring about awareness of important issues and I appreciate that so much!!

Conversations With Patrick H. Johnson On The Pilgrimage To Elixir

Image: VinZula Kara/Ehirim Files Images

"Join us as we walk to Crenshaw/Stocker to dedicate the mural Elixir to the city. The mural will become a sacred place because of our collective agreement."
------------Patrick Henry Johnson, Artist/Painter/Mural Enterpreneur

I had just noticed Patrick H. Johnson, as an artist, on the Summer of 2010 while pulling out from the Starbucks drive-through on the Washington Corridor in one of my mid-day coffee-break-runs; and Patrick was busy doing his thing: A mural he was setting up by the drive-through to discourage vandalism and graffitti that had been the trademark of the entire Los Angeles area.

Earlier on, I had thought he was like any other would assume, the neighborhood guy one bumps into and exchange some "what's up" kind of greetings as it goes in the Los Angeles/Hollywood road and travel ways. Not until the day of that coffee-break-runs did I know a genius was about to be discovered in the City of Angels, the city with its own kind of drama--where anything goes--and where broken dreams continues apace.

So when I talked Patrick into some talks while the Pilgrim To Elixir was about to begun, he noted the pilgrim was about transformation of himself - about exposure - and time to thank all who collectively helped in the process of putting Elixir in place

Johnson's murals can be found in institutions all around the city: The Central Library, Westwood Charter School, Gardener Elementary School, Bancroft Middle School, Crenshaw Blvd. Leirmert Park, and several other places.

Patrick Henry Johnson Public Art and Mural Video

Kabir Sokoto: Suspects escape from police custody when Igbos are murdered —Nzelu, (SAN)

Daily Sun Interview

‘This is the second time within three years that police officers had unlawfully eliminated Igbo people, while in police custody’


Nigerians were stupefied over the news of the mysterious escape of Kabiru Umar (aka Kabiru Sokoto), the alleged prime suspect in the macabre Christmas Day bombing of Saint Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, Niger State, which left 43 people dead and many severely injured.

But a legal practitioner of South-east extraction, Amobi Nzelu (SAN), was not jolted over the development. Speaking with Daily Sun in this interview, Nzelu gives a stunning account of how suspects from a certain section of the country, often disappeared from police custody.
Excerpts:

How do you see the sudden disappearance of Kabiru Sokoto, the prime suspect of the Madalla bombing?

It is very embarrassing. A major breakthrough in the unmasking of those that are behind the Boko Haram has been scuttled by those given the responsibility to protect lives and property and I feel worried.
Worried in the sense that I have to go down memory lane:

In 2003, one Superintendent of Police called, Gambo was DPO in Nsukka, three men were shot dead by him. He was brought to Abuja in handcuff and taken to Area 10. While he was in custody, which is a loose detention, a DIG came to negotiate for his bail and he was told point blank that it was a murder issue and couldn’t be granted bail.

The man on the excuse that he was going to observe his prayer walked out of the gate of Area 10 and disappeared till today! CSP Abdulsalam Uthman supervised the killings of three Igbos during the Apo six saga - to the glory of God, I was the lawyer in that matter.

I took the pictures of those that were killed in Apo, we took their corpses for burial. The man went into custody of the police. He was detained on the 5th floor and from there we were told he said was going to pray. He came downstairs and an AIG, who later retired as a DIG provided his official vehicle and he was ferreted him away!

Again, the man that committed the mayhem of December 25 has disappeared. The question is, is it only when they killed Igbos that the culprits escape from the custody of the police?

Nobody has the monopoly of violence. If the Igbo aren’t secured in this place called Nigeria, we should be told in unmistaken terms… people shouldn’t frustrate the good work of President Goodluck Jonathan. If there is any mayhem in any part of the country, the victims are Igbos. There is a town in Anambra State, they lost nine people in Mubi; nine corpses were brought to the town during the Boko Haram violence. What has been said about this? The government of the day should protect us; we are an endangered specie in the country.

Because Kabiru Sokoto has a lot of information to give to this country that was why the man has been kept and if you look at the sequence, Zakari Biu is from Biu, one of the towns in the old Borno State that formed Borno and Yobe, apparently the headquarters of Boko Haram, the man arrested him and told the entire country.
So, how do you explain this? This is my 32 years as a lawyer, I did my youth service in Maiduguri, I practised there for 14 years, I married there had my children there; I am a grand father. So, I lived in Maiduguri when there was no Boko Haram, peace-loving people.

Suddenly, from nowhere, Boko Haram was introduced into the whole system. So, to tell us that that kind of man, Kabiru Sokoto, has escaped is most unfortunate. Now, we have to cry out to Mr. President that we are the endangered specie; and to hear that they only suspended Zakari Biu.

For how long?

You see, as I have said , anybody created by God has some percentage of insanity in him, it is only when you develop your own that it becomes full-blown madness and nobody has a monopoly of violence. You can decide to be violent, it depends on how you want to use your life but where you turn us to be guinea pigs of this country, it isn’t healthy.

CSP Uthman is on the run and I shouted at the Okiro Panel that time, put this man under handcuff. I wrote a book, called, “Apo Six + one: the tragedy of a nation.’’ Everything you want about Apo Six is in that book and in that book I wrote in page 75 of that book: “This is the second time within three years that police officers had unlawfully eliminated Igbo people, while in police custody.

The first was by SP Gambo, a DPO in Nsukka, Enugu State, who had killed three Igbo men; he was brought under custody to face charges of murder and escaped while in police custody at the then police headquarters in Area 10, Garki, Abuja. Till date, nothing has been said about it.’’

So, it didn’t start today. This is a book I wrote after the Apo Six and it is being published in London. I have held this book down because the judgment hasn’t been delivered in the criminal trial going on. Six years after they have been arraigned in court, no judgment! August 2005, they were arraigned in court, seven years today they haven’t got judgment on this Apo case. The girl that was one of the victims in that case wasn’t shot to death, she was strangled to death.

Each time I remember that seven years after these people were killed, nothing has been done… Reverend King is an Igbo man; he killed somebody in church, within six months he was sentenced to death by hanging but Apo Six has been there for seven years.

But it isn’t only Igbo that died at Madalla. How many from the other ethnic groups? Does a Suleiman go to church? I am asking. Check the number of the people that died there and you would be shocked that, out of the number 35 are from South-east. The one they killed in Mubi, nine of them were from one town in Anambra State. Nine corpses from one town! The uproar in Borno State, how many Northerners has it claimed? Let us see the statistics. I know some Nigerians are equally involved but the majority at the receiving end are Igbos. If there is bombing today in Abuja, they look for Igbo people shops to go and burn. May God forbid.

of the IGSo, what exactly do you want Mr. President to do now? People have called for the resignation P

(cuts in) It is a cartel, they know what they are doing. It is unacceptable to the Igbo nation, they must produce the man. That man, Kabiru Sokoto, has a lot of stories to tell Nigerians, he has a lot of names to mention that will jolt this country.

government. Don’t you think his fears are reaYou have said it is a cartel but don’t you think Mr. President could be exonerated. He has said, even before this jolting escape of Kabiro Sokoto, Boko Haram had infiltrated his l?

You see, anything that it will take him, he is the president and he must be determined to do the work for Nigerians. We know that within the system, people are sabotaging him, that I must tell you. They are there, they are called AGIP – Any Government in Power, they must dictate to government. They don’t want to leave; they recycle them until they cannot recycle them again. There are no bad governments but bad advisers. The good of Mr. President is being frustrated, left, right and centre.

Because of June 12, 1993 election that was annulled, Yoruba went into trenches, both politicians and professors, they got the mandate to rule this country for eight years, but where are my people? When they massacred the Apo Six, nobody raised a voice. I put my life and that of my family on line for that Apo Six and God said to me, I will pay you and God is paying me. I can raise up my head and say my children are doing fine. That’s God grace.

You as an individual is squealing against the injustice in the system; aren’t you worried that South-east governors aren’t talking?

You see, I have gone through the valley of the shadow of death, I have seen what most of them never saw. For primitive gains, they will say nothing. Not only am I speaking out for now, I have been speaking out in the past. I don’t think I need to cringe before anybody. No, I can afford one good meal a day in my house. I have practised law for 32 years; how many years do I have ahead?

What I am saying is that, once they are within the comfort of the Governor’s Lodge, they forget that they will come out one day to meet us on the streets of Nigeria. I am watching to see them take a stand.

One needs to take a stand. My people, they don’t sustain opposition, Yoruba do. I am an Igbo man by birth, a Yoruba man by education because I went to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University.

An Igbo man, once his container is arriving at the port, he forgets about what is happening to his brother. That’s the problem we have.

The Yoruba, because Babangida annulled June 12, all of them went into trenches: Bola Ige, Adesanya, Obasanjo, all of them, they went into war and they got eight years to rule. Head, or tail – 1999, that was the only election in Nigeria, head or tail, APP, Olu Falae, PDP, Obasanjo.

That was the gain because they could sustain an aggression. That was why I could sustain aggression myself because I have picked part of their blood but my people will not say anything!

Now, this man has escaped and where is the one that escaped after the Apo Six killings?

But he is in Nigeria, they know where he is. It isn’t healthy. They should give this government a chance and not distract it. Anything short of producing this man isn’t acceptable to Nigerians in general and Igbos, because we went to bury our people that were killed.

But the IG has queried and ordered suspension of Zakari Biu; don’t you see that as indication of seriousness to get to the root of the matter?
Query? You see, there are certain things that when they happen in this country, they are laughable. What are you telling me? They allowed the guy to escape. For a CP, Zakari Biu, to allow a star murderer to be taken to his house, doing what? They might have arranged his escape. That’s uncalled for.

But are you calling for the IG resignation?

The issue of his resignation, the president is competent to handle the matter at that level. All I am saying is that, the man must be produced, let him (Kabiru Sokoto) tell us who and who are behind this thing. They denied us the opportunity of getting to the root of Boko Haram when they killed the leader. Those this boy is working for would be on his trail now and before you know, they will kill him. How can these boys buy bombs? Somebody, somewhere is buying the bombs for them to go and bomb. Something must be done. You cannot continue to keep quiet when you are being slapped. This thing is getting too much. We cannot be guinea pigs in this country. Never.

(Imo-Nigeria): Why Rochas Is Buying 1 Million Shoes - Duruji

A VANGUARD INTERVIEW

The Imo State Commissioner for Information, Barrister Obinna Duruji at a parley with newsmen spoke on the strides, successes and challenges of Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State. He also spoke on issues emanating from the Governor’s recent victory at the Court of Appeal. Excerpts:

EIght months in office, what can you say are the attainments of the administration?

The governor on assumption of office declared free and compulsory education in both primary and secondary levels in Imo State which PDP and Ohakim told Imo people was impossible, placement of order to procure one million school sandals and ordered procurement of 600,000 school bags and desks to boost free education in Imo State.

The governor also ordered the payment of backlog of pension arrears owed for over 12 years by the past administrations, establishment of Imo Pension/Senior Citizens’ Club and donation of vehicles to the club, release of N450 million bailout fund to missionary schools in Imo State, increase of government monthly subvention to IMSU from N57m to N100m, revival of the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH) abandoned by Ohakim’s administration.

Community speakers

He introduced fourth tier Government and appointment of community speakers, which have brought governance closer to the grassroots, reformation of the vigilante outfits by restricting their operations in the communities rather than using them to fight political opponents, establishment of General Security Council and Local Government Security Council and Local Government Security Council in the 27 LGAs, reconstruction of Commissioners’ Quarters abandoned by Ohakim’s administration.

Reconstruction of ALGON and Imo State Council of Traditional Rulers Secretariats, construction of 405 rural roads at 15km per L.G.A, introduction of Health-at-your-door-steps programme in Imo State, the first of its kind in Africa, upgrading of Umuguma General Hospital to a Specialist Hospital, reformation of the State Civil Service Local Government System, blockage of revenue leakages thus saving billions of naira for capital projects in Imo State, construction of International Conference Centre at Oguta Blue Lake of Treasure (formerly known as Oguta Wonder Lake).

It is worthy of note that the Oguta Wonder Lake project only existed in the internet during Ohakim’s regime. These are some of the tremendous achievements of His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha in less than one year of his administration, which is an eloquent testimony that Imo Rescue Mission has come to stay.

The last administration of Governor Ikedi Ohakim took N18.5b bond from the Stock Market. What does the current administration of Governor Rochas Okorocha intend to do with the bond?

Government is a continuum. We are going to redirect the bond and ensure that it is used for meaningful development projects.

The bond was to be used for the rehabilitation of the Imo state water scheme, rehabilitation and construction of major roads, financing the Imo State government’s equity investment in Imo Wonder Lake and conference centre in Oguta. Okorocha’s administration has started work in all these areas and that’s why I said government is continuum.

There were speculations that APGA was responsible for the transfer of the governorship election tribunal to Abuja. Is this true?

No, we are a responsible government and our priority and focus is the delivery of dividends of democracy. You can see that even on the day of the tribunal verdict on the 12th of November, 2011; the governor was not bothered; he was driving his government bus to various sites inspecting projects.

I was shocked when I came from the tribunal and I saw him at the gate of the Government House in shorts, addressing the crowd and I was curious and I said your excellency are you addressing Imo citizens on shorts, he said it doesn’t matter and that he was coming from the project sites.

So that’s how unruffled he is. His mandate was ordained by God and delivered on the planet earth. It is not our own making. Imo citizens for the first time expressed their wishes and aspirations in the mandate delivered to the Governor.

It was not their making, it was ordained in heaven. So what we saw on earth was the manifestation of the heavenly intervention. So, the governor is loved by his people and those who came to the court were there to show their solidarity to the mandate they gave to him. Neither our party APGA nor government influenced the move to Abuja.

The governor is accused of formulating policies in the state without due process; they cited as example the creation of community speakers without the input of the house of assembly. What is your reaction to this?

He didn’t have to. What people don’t understand is that the only constant thing in life is change. This is a man who is a change agent; he is a catalyst, a facilitator for change and development. He is not going to be held hostage by protocol and mundane understanding of the rule of law.

Law trails development, development does not trail laws unnecessarily, and law trails development all over the world. I am a senior advocate in the Unites States and I do know that law follows development, development does not follow law; otherwise society will not move forward.

As events are happening, law catches up, you don’t wait to make the law for the average human thinking before you can implement, it is only as you evolve that the law trails behind, and all over the world, the due process is a twin sister or brother of democracy.

So the two are not mutually exclusive, they are mutually inclusive. Once you see democracy, the government of the people, for the people and by the people, you are talking about rule of law.

So once he envisions, he conceptualizes and then the legal process takes place. If he does not envision, conceptualize, articulate the polices before the implementation, how can the Legislative house formulate. The House formulates based on the fine prints of articulation of the policies and programmes that emanate from the executive arm whenever necessary.

It is only then that the policy is transmitted to the house for articulation of an enabling law. It cannot be the other way round; otherwise the House will be dictating to the executive. So there is no violation of the rule of law, I challenge any opponent of this administration to come up with a clear indication of where we have violated the law.

Imo indigenes sacked in Abia. Why is the problem still lingering?

Well it is not an Imo problem; it is the South East problem as a matter of fact. But the issue is still pending before the South East Governor’s Forum. So Governor Okorocha has advised us to be cautious in our approach, that dialogue will be a better approach to resolve the quagmire and as obedient servants we so obliged.

Cushioning of effects of the sack

He has also cushioned the effects of the sack, which is our major concern and apprehension about the fate of the Imo indigenes, by assuring us in no mistaken terms that at the appropriate time, if the obnoxious decision is not rescinded, that Imo citizens would be absorbed in the Imo workforce. So that is the last resort and that’s by way of assurance.

What is your reaction to Court of Appeal decision?

Owelle’s victory at the Court of Appeal recently in Abuja is a further manifestation of its divine origin and a revalidation of Imo people’s mandate. The judgment has also rekindled our faith and confidence in the Nigerian judiciary. Imo people applaud the judges for remaining resolute in their determination to uphold Imo people’s mandate despite pressure to the contrary.

Given the wisdom of the tribunal and court of appeal, we are confident that the dismissal will stand Supreme Court scrutiny. To God be the glory.

Q & A Interview With Gerwine Bayo-Martins

Gerwine Bayo-Martins was born and raised in Hamburg, Northern Germany. Gerwin met her sweetheart, Bayo Martins, one of Africa’s finest drummers in the music of the day while doing voluntary work at the Biafran Committee office in Germany. A lover of art and music, Gerwine, in this interview, talks about her growing up in Germany, her marriage to Bayo Martins, her role at the Biafran Committee, her charity work and foundations, the Orphan Childrens Help Nigeria which she founded and chairs and several other fascinating stuff, including her passion, the arts.

Excerpts:

Tell me a little bit about yourself

Thank you so much, Ambrose, for inviting me to this interview. I appreciate your interest very much.

What can I say? I grew up in Hamburg, Northern Germany, a big city of about 1,8 million people today, When I grew up, it was under one million. My environment was typically bourgeois; my father a director, my mum a housewife. I was a single daughter. My brother was born when I was eleven years.

How was growing up in Germany like?

(Laughs). A German childhood in the mid-fifties and youth in the sixties was a life of strictness and rules, at home and at school, especially as a girl. You had to obey, do not contradict, children should be seen and not heard, more or less. But changes were on the way, profound ones: students were revolting in the sixties against the stuffy atmosphere in schools and universities. As teenagers, we looked at them with admiration and much expectations. It was during the time of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and then all sort of Black Music and recordings--Jazz, Soul, Motown, ABC, Paramount Pictures, Stax Records and more, if I am correct. American culture was heavily coming on to Germany, to our delight and to the wondering of parents, teachers, grandparents and what had become of its new generation being influenced by American mainstream cultural characteristics in music, the arts and social habits. It was an exciting time of old crusts breaking open and new progressives (so we hoped) popping up and developing.

What were your early influences in your passion for art?

My books from early childhood, their title covers and illustrations. I loved them and knew the artists names and still have many books of that time now. I looked for more in the neighborhood library and always wished for them as birthday and Xmas presents. Then, at home, we always had big formatted wall calendars which I collected and kept for years. Any photo of paintings I saw in papers, I clipped and kept in a scrap book.Those were mostly reproductions of so called “Old Masters” of art, of different centuries, from Italy, Holland, Belgium, Spain, England, France, Germany, and occasional modern ones. Painters like Michelangelo, Murillo, Vermeer, Breughel, Velasquez, Gainsborough, Delacroix, Friedrich fascinated me.

At Primary school and later Junior High and High School, we had good art education. Our art teacher helped us with techniques of different styles.

Since we met, I have known you to be a lover of art. What is a good art?

This is not easy to answer and it is such a wide field. Just let me try a bit. The saying “beauty is in the eyes of the beholder” applies to an extent. In classics, there are set of academic standards where great painters of the countries I mentioned before had to study to gain recognition by the standards of their time (i.e. 18th and 19th century), for instance, with names like Renoir, Cézanne, Monet, Manet, Pissarro. These are only few names. Some were revolutionary and suffered from not being recognized, like Cézanne, all his life; more or less, and Manet, at a time. All were fantastic, outstanding artists and, so many more of different styles.

Good art for me is that which speaks to you when you look at it, that moves something inside you, which you may not even be able to name. It is different for different people. Let me just stop here, as I can keep going and going telling you more about a good art.

I don’t know much about art but I have seen folks splatter paint all over a canvas and they’ll read meaning into their work. How is art read?

Ambrose, this is even a wider field. There are so many approaches to reading art. Just this little bit I’d say here: The meaning of art, we can study in aesthetics. One school that set these standards was the Ecole des Beaux Artes, in Paris. The values then were correct perspective, anatomy, light and shade, figurative painting, and likeness in portraiture. These changed a few decades later when Cubism became the vogue. Often, (meaningful) symbols are used. Art affects the senses, intellect and emotions. This could be done deliberately by the artist or not. Like in all art, there are always new developments, such as new styles and inventions. There is classic art and revolutionary art. We read so much in paintings, the time and it’s history when it was painted, the colors the artist used, and the hues. By the strokes, you can see if there is a master at work. You read the spirit of the time, like in other fields of art, such as sculpting, music, literature, fashion and more.

Today we have what I would call WORLD ART; art from all continents, and from all ages. I could go on and on; this could be a topic for a full seminar…


I was at your Haikus blog and saw one of your magnificent work with the catch phrase, “reminiscence to impressionism.” What are the expressions and meaning?

Well, I said so because of the photo style. It is not a sharp image. Many will call it blurred. With my experiments, moving the camera at times, I try to create effects. Some of my photos look like paintings. In impressionism, an art form starting in France, painters composed their pictures not in lines but in free brush strokes, creating a different effect, they wanted the color to vibrate. This was against “academic” painting I mentioned before. They did not paint details like before but looking for the visual effect. They used the light and captured it to create the effect and painted more outside. You can see this with artists like Mary Cassatt and Winslow Homer. The African-American great painter Henry Ossawa Tanner (1859 – 1937) also painted some pictures in an impressionist style. One is called “On the road to Bethany” where he uses light to express mysticism.


How does one know a good art exhibition before its opening?

Well, difficult question, Ambrose. When the artist is known, then you can be sure of a “good exhibition, provided you like the artist, is one way to “know”…


I read somewhere that you worked for the Biafran Committee in Germany. What was the Biafran Committee all about and what were your assignments?

The Biafran Committee was founded by one German student of Politics, Tilman Zülch. This was in the revolutionary spirit of the time I mentioned above. We were all voluntary workers there. We came after our day jobs and worked there at night. We wanted to help in creating awareness in Germany of this war in Nigeria. We tried this by typing pamphlets which Tilman dictated to us. We designed, painted posters, and, collected money on the streets of Hamburg for the children of then Biafra.

What were your feelings for the committee and what they stood for?

The spirit of working together with others for a cause was a great feeling. I knew Igbo medical students then and they had informed me about the war. They took me to the committee because of my interest and that was how I started to help there.


Let’s talk about your life with one of Africa’s ace drummers, Bayo Martins. How did you become the lucky one?

It was when I was working in the committee, that we met for the first time. He came there with Don Amechi, Easy Kabaka Brown and Olu Igemuna, who is now late. They had arrived from Bulgaria, where they played as a band and represented Nigeria at the Sofia World Youth Festival. A picture of them you can see in my album in Facebook of Bayo’s life. Later he told me that our meeting was spiritual, because, before leaving Nigeria he had a dream seeing me and when he did in reality, he knew I was the one from his dream. We got married after five months.

How was staying married and working with Bayo like?

Our relationship was based on “Love, respect and mutual understanding”. That was our motto. Our love was totally unconditional from the very beginning. We trusted each other always. He went to Nigeria immediately when the war was over and I followed six month later with my almost non-existent information about Nigeria, beginning of the seventies. He had told me a lot, of course, and all, as it was then. I am yet to write more about all these memories, they are in my mind as if everything happened yesterday. Bayo always told me the truth about everything. He showed me his country in her lowest and highest realms. We appeared on the then famous BAR BEACH SHOW hosted by our unforgettable friend Art Alade on TV. I met so many musicians, artists, and contemporary celebrities. We went together everywhere when possible, often in the evening, the traffic was a bit easier then, to see people with whom he was planning events and such. I was always the first witnessing his creative processes. When he had to travel, and he did this untiringly, I stayed in Lagos with the children. He just said “I have to do this and that” and I accepted. We always gave each other time to pursue what was necessary to advance ourselves and things. I sure missed him, but I knew why it was necessary and remained brave. I believe it is the best. When in marriage, you have time to yourself sometimes. We do not own another person. It was the seventies and the eighties and there was neither Internet nor cell phone and we had no land-line at home. We wrote tons of letters to each other; all delivered perfectly to P.O. Box 433 in Yaba, and I have all of them. I carried on with my job,and my writing. My friend, Brigitte Ajagu and I, worked together on founding NIGERWIVES. We created the first cell from where it developed and exists till today.


I went to the Help African Kids website, nothing much seems to be happening. What’s going on?

Oh, this website just shows the flyer of our organization. Things are happening continuously. We have two projects, the orphanage IJAMIDO MOTHERLESS CHILDRENS HOME in Ota, Ogun State. For over 14 years we have helped many children with school fees, university fees, renovated houses, and financed a house, where they have enough space to play and work. My two friends in Lagos visit regularly. We have a project in the Lagos Lagoon, and a village on an island, called Iba Ibeju. These are no orphans but very poor families. We have the primary school repaired, when necessary, especially the roof. We also pay school fees when needed. We trained a medical student. She treats the children when necessary, with vaccinations, worm infested kids, and things of that nature. The organization is an NGO and there are four of us involved in it. Two in Lagos and my friend and I in Frankfurt. I visit there regularly. When invited by organizations here in Germany, I go to introduce the projects, show pictures, talk about it, answer questions, and collect donations. The main funds come from Lufthansa Help Alliance, and we have been a member since Help Alliance was founded.

What would you do differently now if you have to start all over again.

Ambrose, many have been asking me this same question. Nothing I will do differently. The question does not arise for me. Why? The times in our life that we have to make decisions, we do this taking into consideration the circumstances, the time ,and so many other factors…So, these factors are our guide when we make decisions and also, I am convinced our subconscious plays an important part; maybe the most important…