In Conversation: Princess Nikky Onyeri (Part II) « Belinda Otas

What we are also witnessing not just in Africa, most times, women don’t step up to take care of their personal health. We take care of everybody else you in the home and our health is the last thing on the agenda. So, if we educate the men and some of the men have been the ones who detected the lumps in the women’s breast. And say, hey, there is something strange and go to the hospital...


In Conversation: Princess Nikky Onyeri (Part II) « Belinda Otas

In Conversation: Princess Nikky Onyeri (Part I) « Belinda Otas

There should be a holistic integrated approach to health. It should no longer be a single disease approach. So when you get a woman, you educate her on breast cancer, cancer of the cervix, hypertension, and diabetes. Things she is likely to deal with in life. I think that should be a better way to help the women on our continent.


In Conversation: Princess Nikky Onyeri (Part I) « Belinda Otas

We Are Stll Here

For anyone who has wondered what happened to this blog, please stay with us. We are astill here. We now blog/write at belindaotas.com and link to this website.

Thanks for all your interest, stay with us and we promise to keep it interesting.

Cheers.

In Conversation: Femi Elufowoju Jr.

In terms of theatre generally, there are people I just cannot touch. We have the Kenneth Branaghs, the Oliviers, the William Shakespeares; you can’t put my name in the same sentence. So, it won’t be about matching. I would love to say that my legacy or what’s on my epitaph or the epitaph on my tombstone will be “The man who allowed or found ability for African theatre to exist within the mainstream of British theatre and allowed it to continue. I just want the legacy of Tiata Fahodzi not to die with my departure really and there are other mini Femi’s knocking around”


In Conversation: Femi Elufowoju Jr.

Untilted By Inua Ellams – (Theatre Review)

Ellams writing is racy and laced with humour – “The charge was ridiculous, I was found guilty of ‘corrupting our traditional folk stories and using it solely for the advancement of ones own personal gain and interests.” – And is full of nuances which you can trace specifically to Nigeria and this makes Untitled very original. Emmanuel Lorien Spinelli use of African drums for sound effect truly brings the play home. And beyond the use of African, he creates the whispers and noise that you get in the forest which culminates in a deep hypnotic sound that transports you to different place in time though you are sitting in a theatre. Untitled as directed by Thierry Lawson and delivered by Ellams is an outstanding and brilliant performance full of energy and zest from a very promising voice in the world of theatre.



Untilted By Inua Ellams – (Theatre Review)

Beneath The Lion’s Gaze By Maaza Mengiste

Mengiste’s ability to skilfully weave emotionally delicate times during this ghastly period of Ethiopia’s existence through this work of fiction is both brilliant and overwhelmingly powerful. You are forced to feel empathy for the thousands of people who suffered during the revolution without knowing them and ask why it was allowed to happen in the first instance.

Beneath The Lion’s Gaze By Maaza Mengiste

The Long Song By Andrea Levy

Levy’s writing is poetic and full of imagery. She paints visual images with her words which is full of dramatic scenes that are painful and disturbing to take in. A sensitive subject to write about but she handles it with adept sensitivity that makes you wince, laugh and at the same time full of hope. For those who loved Small Island, The Long Song lives up to expectations and is a must read.

The Long Song By Andrea Levy

Nelson Mandela: The Man Behind The Myth

A new book, Conversations With Myself, about one of the most iconic figures in our lifetime and this Millennium, Nelson Mandela is out tomorrow. I cannot wait to lay my hands on it. The first book about Madiba I will ever read. His autobiography is still on my Amazon wish-list and I intend to go for the audio book instead of carrying over 400 pages about town. In the meantime, enjoy this short clip from CNN, unmasking the mask! Read on by clicking below...

Nelson Mandela: The Man Behind The Myth

In Conversation: Laila Lalami

In Secret Son, I tried to create complex characters and to write the most truthful story I could for then. Of course, truth is subjective, and it’s based on one’s perceptions and experiences. My own perceptions and experiences, growing up in Morocco, did not include camels, or deserts, or arranged marriages, so none of those things really had a place in my book.

Read on by clicking on the link below....



In Conversation: Laila Lalami

CamerCouture: More Than A Movement.

African Decadence is about grandeur! The theme was inspired by Africa’s (less talked about but enduring) opulence. Africa is moving up and our designers are chronicling that exciting vibe through colours, patterns and intricate creations. Our continent is incredibly diverse and bubbling with talent and economic potential. In fact, Africa is the future! Read on...

CamerCouture: More Than A Movement.

My Country by Funmi Iyanda

My Country captures the stories of various Nigerians – from ordinary citizens going about their business to celebrities in unusual but natural settings to hard hitting stories of the day to day challenges. The documentary is directed by the award winning documentary filmmaker, Chris Dada.


My Country by Funmi Iyanda

The Secret Lives Of Baba Segi’s Wives By Lola Shoneyin

Narrated through the voice of Baba Segi and his wives, Shoneyin captures the essence of a riotous polygamous household from the African sensibility, specifically Nigeria with colourful characters. For a debut novel, you have to commend her ability to maintain a strong and fluid narrative with vivid descriptions and not once does the humour drop. A warm and captivating read, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives will make you laugh out loud in public.

The Secret Lives Of Baba Segi’s Wives By Lola Shoneyin

In Conversation: Aminatta Forna

The Memory of Love is first and foremost a story and readers will take what they want from it. Mental health, obsessive love: these are merely themes of which there are many. I think if the book has a central idea, it is the notion of conscience as both a shared and individual responsibility...



In Conversation: Aminatta Forna

Getting Married Is Not A Day’s Job! (Part 2)

Looks like the recession is also affecting people’s ability to walk down the aisle. Look on the bright side, at least you both know you are not in it for the money! Well, one hopes that is the case.

Getting Married Is Not A Day’s Job! (Part 2)

Nigeria @ 50: No More Excuses For Failure!

“The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character. There is nothing wrong with the Nigerian land or climate or water or air or anything else. The Nigerian problem is the unwillingness or inability of its leaders to rise to the responsibility, to the challenge of personal examples which are the hallmarks of true leadership.” My, my, my, what a diagnosis, an ailment that has lasted for decades. As to whether or not Goodluck Jonathan is the man to turn this around and help the nation heal? We have to wait and see.

Nigeria @ 50: No More Excuses For Failure!

Immigration: More Than An Inconvenient Truth, It Is One Helluva Of An Ugly Truth.

This is sad. There is no other word to describe it. If you have never been caught in the system, it is hard to understand. If you have never had a deportation order hanging over your head, it is hard to relate. Sometimes, I truly believe it is better to go back home and make a go of things. While stay in the West, when life is more miserable?

Immigration: More Than An Inconvenient Truth, It Is One Helluva Of An Ugly Truth.