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A rare collection of prints in the private collection of Prof Ebun Clark, one of Nigeria’s most respected theatre scholars and cultural custodians, will be on display at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos beginning on Sunday, October 19 at 4:00 p.m. The not-for-sale exhibition, which is in collaboration with the Oluwani Creative Arts Foundation, will be bringing together a milestone presentation of Nigerian and global printmaking from three continents. The show tagged Six decades of vision: Bruce Onobrakpeya’s prints and global print family, will run till October 29.

Over the years, Prof. Clark has assembled an outstanding body of works that not only highlight the career of Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Africa’s most celebrated printmaker, but also feature other significant printmakers whose works extend the narrative of modern Nigerian printmaking.

Alongside Onobrakpeya’s pioneering prints, the exhibition will feature works by other distinguished artists including Tayo Aiyegbusi, Uche Okeke, Kunle Adeyemi, Gab Awusa, Peju Laiwola, Juliet Maja Pearse and Ufuoma Onobrakpeya, among others. Collectively, these works form part of the print family, a global constellation of artists who, directly or indirectly, were inspired by or collaborated with Onobrakpeya in advancing the language of printmaking.

The exhibition charts a journey across tradition and innovation, documenting Nigeria’s modernist movement while situating it within a global dialogue. By presenting these works side by side, the exhibition underscores the power of printmaking as a medium of experimentation, cultural memory, and international exchange.

Recalling her journey into art collection, Prof Clark said: ‘The first piece I collected were antiques in form of masks in 1964 at the University of Ibadan when I was there. But, when I came to University of Lagos, in company of my husband we went to see Papa Bruce in his studio in Mushin, and some of his works captured my attention, especially his prints.

‘He had thrown this away, and I picked it up and he said he didn’t like the production and wasn’t satisfied with it. I said to him don’t worry I will keep it and I took this one and the one next to me.

That’s how I started my print collection. When you’re a young collector, start with prints and I say this to others who may have the desire to collect to start with prints, it’s not because they are any less important in fine art, but they are relatively cheaper than paintings.’

Speaking ahead of the opening, Dr. Mudiare Onobrakpeya, one of the shows curators, said: ‘This exhibition honours the vision of Prof. Ebun Clark as a patron who preserved not just Bruce Onobrakpeya’s artistic genius but also the works of other remarkable printmakers from three continents. It underscores Nigeria’s role as a pace setter in shaping global printmaking, and a reminder of our collective responsibility to safeguard this heritage.’

The exhibition is curated by Moses Ohiomokhare, with the support of leading scholars and cultural advocates. It is presented strictly as a ‘No sale exhibition’, placing emphasis on preservation, research, and intergenerational dialogue.

Prof Onobrakpeya who described Prof Clark as a builder, said her legacy as his art collector is already yielding good fruits, adding that she created a rock foundation which he is growing appear to be limitless. ‘I keep climbing since that very time that’s the importance of her purchase,’ he noted.

Former Dean School of Arts, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, described Prof. Clark as a very dedicated collector of artworks who has been collecting, studying the artists, and working assiduously to make sure the artists, particularly those she embraces, are doing well. He noted that she encourages the artists and giving the artists a platform.

‘But her interest in prints, particularly in printmaking, is extraordinary. She came to us when she started collecting artworks, one time or the other, encouraging us. And she backs it up with her finances. So little wonder her collections are wide.

Prof Clark made Bruce Onobrakpeya to begin to do what he’s actually doing. Because if you encourage people by word of mouth, you encourage them by buying what they do, they go back to the studio, particularly the serious ones, and will be able to do more. People like Ebun Clark are actually the kingmakers in making Bruce what she is today,’ he added.

Curator of the exhibition, Moses Ohiomokhare hinted that the collection is a revelation of ‘what has been going on in her mind when she was growing the collection,’ which is a form of preservation of the nation’s heritage.

The Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) has declared it is not a member of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and could not be forced into joining the ongoing strike, being an independent body focused on protecting the interests of medical lecturers

The group dismissed reports suggesting that its members have joined the ongoing ASUU strike, stating that it ‘will not be blackmailed, coaxed, or lured away from the interest of its members.’

NAMDA said it remains an independent union capable of negotiating its interests without being coerced by other academic bodies.

NAMDA, the trade union for medical lecturers in universities, tertiary health institutions and research institutions, stated that it is responsible for undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, including the training of postgraduate doctors and dentists across Nigeria.

The union affirmed that it reserves the right to apply legitimate means, including legal actions, to pursue its demands.

‘A withdrawal of services directed by the relevant organ of our union will only rely on relevant sections of our constitution,’ it emphasised, warning that such an action, if necessary, would have significant impacts on the critical sectors of education and health.

In a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by its President, Dr. Nosa Lancy Orhue; Secretary-General, Dr. Abdulrahman Shehu; and National Liaison Officer/Organising Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Askira, the association stressed that it would not allow itself to be blackmailed, coaxed or lured away from the interests of its members.

‘NAMDA is an independent union that has the capacity to negotiate its interests and support mutual respect. We are not on strike, and we will not be blackmailed against, coaxed against, or lured away from the interest of its members,’ the group stated.

It explained that despite an earlier clarification, it continues to receive calls from members, journalists, and the public seeking clarity on its position in relation to ASUU’s withdrawal of services.

The statement added that NAMDA members had long been abandoned by the system, but the union would continue to support only legitimate demands that do not negatively affect the critical interests of its members.

‘NAMDA is aware of the various engagements between the Federal Government and other unions in recent times, and with the exclusion of some other unions, including NAMDA in the university system.

‘Curiously, it appears these engagements did not resolve the impasse significantly. NAMDA has presented its demands to the Federal Government through the Ministries of Labour and Education,’ it said.

According to the group, its leadership had met with the Minister of Education in a session facilitated by the Minister of Labour and Employment, and the outcome was described as ‘very encouraging.’

‘The Minister promised to quickly and conclusively resolve some of the most challenging issues for medical lecturers in the university system.

This demand includes the implementation of the Consolidated Medical Workers Salary Structure (CONMESS),’ the statement reads.

NAMDA also listed other key issues under discussion with the Federal Government, ‘Among the demands is also the withdrawal of the obnoxious compulsory requirement of a PhD by medical lecturers, with fellowship for academic career promotion and eligibility to vie for the position of Vice Chancellor,’ the union said.

It further called for the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the scheme of service contained in the memorandum CM(90)92 from its 11th meeting in 1990, which was based on the recommendations of the committee led by the late Chief Justice of Nigeria, Chief Atanda Fatai Williams.

NAMDA also drew attention to the controversy surrounding the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), alleging that an error from the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) created the impression that the benefits were meant solely for ASUU members.

‘The Minister had apologised for the error in the letter directing its disbursement. Some university managements attempted to exclude NAMDA members, which was actively supported by one of the sister unions,’ it stated.

According to the association, the Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, even responded to NAMDA’s branch claiming that medical lecturers were not entitled to EAA.

The association said it had since asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate how two conflicting letters on the same matter emanated from the AGF’s office.

NAMDA said it hopes to further engage the Federal Government through the committee set up to negotiate with university-based unions to push forward its long-neglected demands.

Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku and former Lazio defender Jordan Lukaku announced they were being ‘extorted’ by people refusing to release their father’s body for his funeral in Belgium.

The brothers grew up in a football family, as their father Roger played as a centre-forward for Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) and spent most of his career in Belgium at various clubs until retirement in 2007.

Both his sons went on to represent Belgium at international level, but he died last month in the Democratic Republic of Congo, aged 58.

Romelu and Jordan Lukaku yes released a joint statement on social media revealing their plans for a funeral in Belgium had been ruined by a shocking situation.

‘As you may know we planned to have the funeral this Friday but because of certain decisions being made in Kinshasa will the funeral take place over there,’ read the statement.

‘Our dad passed away on the 28 of September and we as Brothers tried everything to bring his corpse back to Europe but we felt that we were being extorted by some people.

‘If our father was here today he wouldn’t accept it. It breaks our soul for us to not put our father to rest. But some people didn’t want it.

‘We understand know why our dad used to keep us away from a lot of people.

‘God bless your soul.’

Romelu Lukaku is currently staying in Belgium for treatment to a serious muscular injury, which means he is not expected to be able to play again for Napoli until at least November or December.

Full-back Jordan is a free agent, as the 31-year-old’s contract with Turkish side Adanaspor was terminated in October 2024.

While in Italy, he played for Lazio and Vicenza from 2016 to 2022.

The federal government on yesterday launched the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme (NFSHS), a transformative initiative designed to enhance soil fertility, improve crop yields, and drive sustainable food production across the country.

The scheme, launched under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, was unveiled by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi (CON) in Abuja.

According to the minister, the NFSHS is an ‘innovative, homegrown initiative’ aimed at tackling the challenges of low agricultural productivity and the high cost of production caused by indiscriminate fertilizer use.

‘Farming begins with the soil; it is the quiet partner in every harvest, the hidden force behind every good crop. But for many years, our soils have been working without rest, giving and giving, while we hardly checked how they were doing,’ Sen. Sabi said.

‘The Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme is here to help farmers understand their soil better what nutrients it has, what it lacks, and how to treat it right. It takes away the guesswork and gives farmers simple, useful advice to grow more, spend less, and care for the land.’

The minister explained that the NFSHS represents a major step in advancing scientific soil assessment and data-driven fertilizer application across Nigeria. By promoting crop- and location-specific fertilizer recommendations, the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s goal of ensuring food sovereignty and revolutionising agriculture for sustainable growth.

Among the key deliverables of the scheme are the establishment of 774 soil testing laboratories across local government areas, issuance of personalized soil health cards for farmers, and the development of a digital platform the Nigeria Soil Information System (NiSIS) to consolidate soil data for evidence-based decision-making.

Speaking further, he said the NFSHS seeks to: improve soil health and fertility through targeted fertilizer application; increase agricultural productivity and food security; and promote climate-resilient and regenerative farming practices.

Expected benefits include optimised fertiliser use, higher yields, increased farmers’ income, environmental sustainability, and job creation particularly for youth and women engaged in rural laboratory operations.

‘By optimising fertilizer use, we minimize waste, prevent groundwater pollution, and enhance the safety of food for local consumption and export,’ the minister added.

He added that implementation of the scheme follows a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, ensuring collaboration across all levels of government.

The scheme’s structure includes a National Executive Committee, State and Local Committees, and partnerships with research bodies, development partners, and farmer organizations.

Development partners supporting the initiative include the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), World Bank’s ACReSAL project, Soil Values, and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA).

The minister highlighted the major milestones achieved so far from the inclusion of the NFSHS in the 2024 federal budget and stakeholder workshops to the creation of the Coalition of the Willing (CoW) platform and pilot soil assessments across eleven states.

He however emphasised that the scheme’s precision-based approach will revolutionize yields for key crops.

‘The results will speak for themselves. A farmer who currently harvests 60 to 80 bags of rice per hectare will now harvest 120 to 160 bags. Wheat and maize farmers will see their yields double, and onion farmers will go from 400 to 800 bags per hectare,’ he said.

He added that the government is targeting the collection of at least 1,200 soil samples per geopolitical zone annually, ensuring data accuracy and tailored recommendations for every region.

The minister reaffirmed that Nigeria, through this initiative, is already implementing the Nairobi Declaration on Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health, adopted by African Heads of State in May 2024.

‘Healthy soils are the foundation of agricultural resilience,’ he said. ‘By embracing the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme, our farmers can finally double their yields, strengthen food sovereignty, and ensure a prosperous, food-secure future for Nigeria.’

The newly appointed Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Mr. Olayiwola Awakan, has pledged to usher in a new era of innovation, collaboration, and renewed commitment towards repositioning Nigeria’s tourism industry.

Awakan who assumed office at the Authority’s Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, assured that he would consolidate on the successes of his predecessors and build a more vibrant, efficient, and responsive NTDA capable of attracting tourists and investors to Nigeria.

‘My predecessors have done excellently well to the best of their ability, and the baton of leadership has been passed to me. I will take it up from here,’ he said.

Upon his arrival, Awakan was received by the Management Team of the Authority, led by Mr. Ovie Esewhaye, the Director overseeing the Office of the Director-General, who presented the official handover note.

The new helmsman thereafter met with the Directors, toured the NTDA offices, and addressed the general staff at the NTDA Village Hall.

Awakan expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.

‘I’m happy to be here; this is a new dawn. There’s a lot to be done and by the grace of God, it will be done,’ he stated.

‘Let me start by appreciating the President of Nigeria, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda through tourism.’

Awakan also acknowledged Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her visionary leadership and tireless efforts in repositioning the sector despite limited resources.

‘The responsibility bestowed on her is weighty, and even with the limited resources, she has been able to push ahead. I am here to complement her efforts,’ he noted.

He stressed the importance of teamwork, innovation, and inclusivity in achieving the Authority’s mandate.

‘We need newness, freshness, and I can’t do it alone. We need collaborative effort,’ he said.

‘I operate an open-door policy, no idea is a bad idea; it can be refined into a fantastic one. Let’s make history together and make Mr. President proud.’

Awakan is an award-winning journalist, thespian, dramatist, poet, and culture and tourism enthusiast.

His appointment reflects President Tinubu’s continued commitment to leveraging creativity, culture, and tourism as key drivers of national economic diversification and growth.