Washing cars for HIV testing

The Silver Lining for the Needy Initiative, an NGO based in Abuja, organized a fund-raising activity on Sunday, the 21st of February 2010, by washing cars. According to the Coordinator of SLNI, the organization is involved in HIV testing activities in Abuja, which is in collaboration with the Gede Foundation.

Inside Track took the following photos of the fund-raising activity. You may click on the photos to enlarge:

The Gambia celebrates National Day

The Event
The Gambia, a tiny but exotic African country, celebrated its 45th National Day with a reception at the Protea Hotel in Asokoro on Saturday last week, the 20th of February 2010. In her speech, the High Commissioner said the country has just over a million population and the official language is English. Formerly a British colony, The Gambia is now a major tourist destination in Africa with numerous world-class resorts and hotels, many of them, according to a publication distributed to the guest during the occassion, "boast a stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean."

The Venue

Opened in June 2007, the brand-new 83-roomed Protea Hotel Asokoro in Abuja offers luxury accommodation in the heart of Abuja.

Protea Hotel Asokoro features a restaurant, with buffet or a la carte menu, conferencing facilities for up to 150 delegates, a bar and coffee shop.

Leisure facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool and fitness centre, with Wireless Internet access available throughout the hotel for GUESTS who wish to "stay in touch" whilst travelling.

...
The reception photos

Inside Track took the following photos at the reception:

The High Commission of The Gambia, left, with Dr. Janet of the Embassy of France

The High Commissioner of Pakistan and his wife


The Ambassador of Japan and guests

More guests

Norwegian pianist performs in Abuja

Geir Henning Braaten of Norway

The cosy ambience of the Lagos Room of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel was filled with classical music ranging from Bach to Strauss to Beethoven and Puccini on Wednesday, the 17th of February 2010, as the Philharmonics Company in collaboration with the Royal Norwegian Embassy Abuja and the Hilton Hotel Abuja presented Promoting Classical Music Concert featuring a piano recital by the Norwegian award-winning pianist Geir Henning Braaten who, since his debut in 1966, has performed and collaborated with conductors and orchestras all over the world, including Korea, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, the Middle East, and most European countries. With a discography of more than 40 recordings, Geir Henning Braaten is one of Norway's most prolific pianists. He is also an Associate Professor at the Norway Academy of Music.

Norwerian pianist Geir Henning Braaten and Nigerian soprano Agatha Ibeazo

The audience

Standing for Geir Henning Braaten

One of the highlights of the night was a performance by Agatha Ibeazo, a Nigerian Coloratura Soprano, who gave a delightful performance as she sang Strauss’ The Laughing Song and Puccini’s Quando me ’n vo Soletta to the accompaniment of Geir Henning Braaten. Agatha Ibeazo started singing at age seven and later joined the choir of St. Paul’s Catholic Church Lagos where she began her formal education in music. She featured in many major concerts organized by the Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) in Lagos after her thrilling performance at the 2007 MUSON youth competition where she took 2nd place. Following her success at the competition, she was invited to the MUSON Choir and was given a full tuition and book scholarship by the MTN Foundation, affording her the opportunity to pursue a two year diploma course in MUSON School of Music, majoring in voice, under the tutelage of Nigeria’s renowned voice trainer and conductor Emeka Nwodeki.

Inside Track Abuja covered the music-and- dinner event at the Hilton, which was attended by members of the diplomatic community as well as guests from other organizations in Abuja who listened to and watched the live musical performance with undivided attention, since after all, it’s not everyday you get to witness such a rare performance in Abuja. All photos are by Inside Track.

The photos below were taken by Inside Track after the concert.

Other guests...

Let's go to the theatre

The Jos Reportory Theatre sent Inside Track a letter outlining their line of activities for the year 2010, which might interest our readers who are into arts and culture.

The first performance for this year, featuring The Political Lunatics, a comedy, takes place at the French Cultural Centre (52 Libreville Street, Off Amino Kano Crescent, Wuse 2) on the 5th and 6th of March at 7:00 pm. Tickets are sold at N2,000 for adults and N500 for children and students. Tickets for groups of 6 is N1,500 each.

The photos below were taken at the Merit House by Inside Track during the group's performance of Wole Soyinka's The Lion and the Jewel. The Jos Repertory Theatre has performed plays by Spanish playwrights in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in Abuja.

A scene from The Lion and the Jewel

Theatre audience

The audience

The cast of The Lion and the Jewel

A note from ALS

Great News! The Abuja Literary Society (ALS) has just concluded a collaboration deal with Silverbird Entertainment Centre.

With the deal, ALS will commence weekly or bi-monthly reading sessions, presentations, meet-the-author sessions, Abuja Book Club meetings, etc at Nigeria's finest and world-class mall.

This continues ALS tradition of having world-class venues for the comfort of the literati and the attraction of more people to the sharing of contemporary literary culture and a meeting of people of ideas.

Kudos to Silverbird, the largest and most successful entertainment and lifestyle company in Nigeria!

ALS has largely succeeded in the original mission of generating a literary lifestyle/ culture in Abuja and continues to sustain that culture in collaboration with partners such as Transcorp Hilton, British Council, Signature Gallery, and now, Silverbird.

Watch out for more information and calendar....

- Ken Ike

Abuja

Some like it rough and rocky

The Abuja Hash House Harriers is one of the several fitness/social groups currently existing in Abuja.

"Hash House Harriers," according one of the members, "is a drinking club with a running problem. It is social group that likes to exercise and have a little fun. Hashes are run/walks through interesting terrain, silly traditions, plenty of beer and a place to let your hair down a bit and not take yourself seriously."

Curious about this group, Inside Track joined the members on Saturday, the 6th of February, at the Hilton Hotel parking lot where they usually gather before embarking on a walk/run around a designated place in Abuja...Click on pics to enlarge.

Members of the Abuja Hash House Harriers gather at the Hilton parking lot

Hashers like it rough and rocky...

The art of tie and dye

Inside Track joined members of the expat community (mostly from the Nigerian Field Society) for a visit to the Nike Art Gallery on Airport Road here in Abuja recently for a glimpse of authentic Nigerian art and culture. The whole day affair was a most enjoyable activity where everyone ha the chance to see an actual demonstration on the art of dyeing...plus they had a taste of traditional Nigerian delicacies prepared especially by the centre for the visitors. Photos by Inside Track.

Meeting place: Hilton Hotel Parking lot

Listening to a few words about the gallery

Waiting for a chance to tie and dye

Everybody gets busy

Watching how it's done

Natural dye from the indigo plant

Women at the centre

Taking a look at the products

Nike Art Gallery

Japanese Night

One of the diplomatic receptions to take place just before the year 2009 drew to an end last December was hosted by the Embassy of Japan, held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Here are some photos taken at the reception by the Abuja Inside Track:

A Japanese umbrella on display at the reception

Diplomatic staff of the embassy (1st, 2nd, and 5th) with guests

Japanese art at the reception

Japanese art at the reception

Embassy staff with guest

A staff at the embassy (middle) with guests

Staff of the Embassy of Japan

Dr. Janet de la Cruz (Embassy of France), a guest, and Mrs. Ghesy Samosir (Embassy of Indonesia)

Egyptian night at the Hilton

The Embassy of Egypt in Abuja recently held a cultural show of Egyptian dance and music (followed by a reception at the pool hosted by the Ambassador) at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. The lively performance was watched by members of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja. Below are photos of the event taken by Inside Track: