Holding Talks

29/10/2024

22/10/2024

I had this feeling that I was competing with some states in Nigeria in an abandoned project 🤣🤣🤣🤣 This script, and many others like that is proof.

I am not sure what birthed this idea, and I immediately developed a few scenes, but then abandoned it and never returned to it until I stumbled on it now.

Oya read and comment:

TITLE: MORE

(The interior of a luxurious private jet. Plush leather seats, minimalist but elegant décor, and the soft hum of the engine fill the space. D: sits casually in one of the seats, reviewing documents on a tablet. O:, in a suit with his tie slightly loosened, reclines with a glass of champagne. K:, the witty flight attendant, stands nearby, adjusting a tray of hors d'oeuvres. There’s a subtle tension in the air—though they are friends, there’s an unspoken competition between the two.)

D: (without looking up from his tablet) I am surprised you’re still drinking that champagne. Isn’t it a bit… outdated for your taste?

O: (smirking, swirling the glass) Outdated? This bottle costs more than your entire sugar refinery, my friend.

D: (finally looking up, amused) Sugar refinery? Please, O. If you’re going to throw around numbers, at least pick something relevant. Try my oil investments.

O raises an eyebrow and takes a slow sip, as if unbothered.

K: (stepping in with a tray) Gentlemen, a reminder: We’re still flying at 35,000 feet, so I’d appreciate it if you both stayed grounded. K places a small plate in front of D:, with a cheeky smile.

O: (laughing) K! always the philosopher. What do you have for us today?"

K: (grinning) Some perspective, sir. And perhaps some pâté.

(He winks and turns to leave. D: and O: exchange looks, neither willing to back down from the light-hearted competition.)

D: (leaning back) You know, O, sometimes I wonder... with all these businesses, all this wealth, what are we really chasing?

O: (nonchalantly) More.

D: More what? Money? Power? Respect?

O: (shrugging, leaning forward) All of it. None of it. Depends on the day, doesn’t it?

(K: returns with another tray, eavesdropping on their conversation, shaking his head.)

K: (cutting in): Funny how the richest men in Nigeria are still asking questions that even my grandmother had the answers to.

(O and D pause, looking at K)

D: And what’s her answer, K? Please, enlighten us.

K: (with a dramatic pause) She’d say you two are like children chasing shadows when the sun is right in front of you.

O: (laughing) K, stick to serving the hors d'oeuvres. Leave philosophy to the professionals.

(K grins and moves away, leaving O and D to ponder for a moment.)

D: (smiling to himself) You know, he’s not entirely wrong. We do chase shadows.

O: (clinks his glass against D’s) True, but at least our shadows are worth billions.

Both laugh, but there's a lingering seriousness behind the humor.)

21/08/2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkKfV4g9R-I

The Art as Investment Briefing Seminar by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy.....

31/05/2024

Yesterday, in my capacity as the Secretary General of the African Centre for Leadership Strategy and Development (AFCLSD) Alumni Association, I led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the maverick leadership trainer, Dr. Linus Okorie a man I have watched in the distance and adored for what he is doing.

My delegation consists of Amb Stanley Chukwuemeka Okereafor the President-Elect of the Alumni, Lilian Iwelu, my incoming successor as Secretary-General of the Alumni, Mr. Dominic Nwokolo, a member of the Planning Committee, and Dr Raphael Obinna Amalaha, who is the Chairman of the Planning Committee.

The meeting was to interact with Dr. Linus Okorie, who will be the keynote speaker at the 2nd Leadership Seminar of the AFCLSD Alumni, which is scheduled to take place on Wednesday June 12, 2024.

02/05/2024

For the first time since the Abuja International Theatre Festival & Awards during which the last Holding Talks held, the first session for the year held on Tuesday at the Korean Cultural Centre, focusing on leadership and accountability in the creative amd cultural industry in Nigeria.

Here is a report of the event, graced by some major stakeholders in Abuja, and of course the Special Adviser, Delivery, to the minister of arts, culture and creative economy.

https://ournigerianews.com/refocusing-cultural-leadership-insights-from-the-holding-talks-session/

Qatchbout for the next session in about 2 weeks.

Refocusing Cultural Leadership: Insights from the Holding Talks Session Mathew Eloyi On April 30,, 2024, the 38th edition of the Holding Talks session, ho

30/04/2024

Holding Talks April 2024 (3)

30/04/2024

Holding Talks April 2024 (2)

30/04/2024

Holding Talks April 2024

01/04/2024

Again, I was busy writing my Monday editorial, of course on another soft issue entirely, when I read the headlines, informing Nigerians, that the Federal Government had given a subsidy package to the tune of N90b to Hajj pilgims. Amount gifted to the Christian pilgrims was not made public because I am sure, there must have been some balancing.

Having been one who thinks a single penny of government's money should not be invested in sending people on pilgrimage, I decided to switch my editorial to again address that issue.

Read my take here, and lets jointly call on Mr. President to desist from this act. It is a wasteful venture. Those who want to go on pilgrimage should use there personal resources the same way they do when going on vacation/tourism.

Please read, comment and share.....

Alleged N90b Pilgrimage Subsidy: Government Must Prioritise Development Over Pilgrimages Jerry Adesewo Nigeria currently grapples with widespread poverty

09/01/2024

: PLEASE NAME THEM ALL

I'll rather bother my head about the monumental fraud perpetrated by public office holders, than waste my time arguing over '

Okay. So yesterday, Betta Edu was prevented from seeing the President, after she was sacked.

I agree with her suspension and had suggested such when the news broke. That there is the need to ease her off that position in other for unhindered investigation to be carried out.

I learnt she was escorted out and I have heard people condemn the President's aides for doing that.

That should be none of my business. However, the truth is, if I were President Tinubu, I'll also not agree to meet with her.

Okay, so let's go straight to the point.

On a WhatsApp group I belong to, there was a news alert to the effect that she threatens to sing.

That's my girl. Sing babe. Don't be like the other mugu who suffered alone for what they didn't do alone.

For as long as you have your facts right. Sing, dear. Name the names of every person that's involved in this wickedness gone on for so long.

180m Nigerians live in abject poverty while a few people do what they like with our commonwealth.

Aunty Betta. Don't be intimidated. Name them! Even if it is as little as N1m they got from that largesse, they deserved to be known.

are looking up to you to expose all those 'snakes' swallowing our money. Name them. Don't go down alone. It is dark down there; I can tell you.

If you want to have any form of closure. Name all your co-travellers and then go back to Papa at Canaanland, to seek forgiveness from him and from God.

How unhumanitarian can a humanitarian ministry be. You guys deserve a mansion in hell.

03/01/2024

Let me quickly do this before I run back to my hideout.

Yes! I like to join my voices to those of many others who have 'shouted out' for this troublesome boy... abi na man sef, I no know. 😂

But for my encounter with Zaguru last year, I probably would have just muttered a hurried 'Happy Birthday' on his page or that of anyone that posted it and move on.

God told me early last year, when I was going to give up on the .ng that He will give me the gift of men.

While I was expecting people like Dangote Aliko Gcon Femi-Otedola Tony Elumelu or Dr Mike Adenuga to show up and just tell me not to worry, that they are willing to bankroll the festival. It was this troublesome human being that entered my life. Halfway to the festival. And he said, "Bros, we go do am. You can't just cancel like that"

And his juju catch me, fa. I no trust am. E be like e lick that his small bie bie before talking to me😂

Throughout the process, became a worthy partner. He bought into the idea of the festival. He had to even disappoint some other partners and friends to stand by my side till we finish that festival on November 6.

Broda mi, I celebrate you on this day. I am sure if the business moguls I mentioned above had given us money, it wouldn't have still been enough for all you did for the festival.

I hereby, on behalf of my family and the Arojah Theatre Family, wishing you a Happy 44th Birthday. May 2024 bring you laughter, light and love.

Happy Birthday❤️❤️❤️

Om'Oba

NB:
Wait make I tell you. The difference between January 4 and February 29 is less than 60 days, so we are mates. I cannot come and be calling you booda o.🥰