Nigerwives AGM - Gala Night

Members and guests at the Nigerwives Gala Night

At the 2010 AGM of Nigerwives Nigeria (an association of foreign-born women married to Nigerian nationals and residing in Nigeria), one of the highlights of the Gala night was a musical performance by two groups: the Abuja Chorus and the students of the Federal School for the Blind located in Jabi.

The Abuja Chorus, according to the introduction by the emcee Angie, is a group of people, mostly expatriates - several of whom are Nigerwives, who just love singing for the fun of it. The second group of singers were the blind students.

Nigerwives Nigeria is an association that has a soft spot for the blind, which is one reason they are one of the major producers of Braille books that they supply to blind students in the country. On-the-spot donors while the blind students were singing during the Nigerwives AGM Gala Night gave more than N38,000.00. The photos below were taken by Inside Track.


Students from the Federal School for the Blind sing at the Nigerwives Gala Night



The Abuja Chorus at the Nigerwives Gala Night

More pics at the Nigerwives Gala Night

Event: Nigerwives Gala Night
Date: March 20, 2010
Venue: Agura Hotel
Photos by INSIDE TRACK ABUJA MAGAZINE

CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS

Japan International Cooperation Agency

The Ambassador of Japan, His Excellency Toshitsugu Uesawa (photo on the left, courtesy of the Embassy of Japan in Abuja), was the Guest Speaker at the annual celebration of JICA Day taking place last Saturday, the 13th of March 2010, at the Golden Hall of the new Chelsea Hotel in Abuja. JICA stands for Japan International Cooperation Agency.

According to the Ambassador’s speech during the occassion, Japan’s assistance to Nigeria has exceeded N600 billion. So far, there are more than 1000 Nigerians who have benefited from this programme through training in various technical areas including health, industry, education, environment, engineering, among others. The beneficiaries come from all parts of the country where they are now applying the skills acquired from their training in Japan.

Ambassador Uesawa, who was posted as Japan’s Ambassador to Nigeria two years ago, emphasized that “the value of Japan’s contribution should not be measured by the amount only.” He said, “The primary reason why we want to help the people of Nigeria is because they are good friends of ours.” According to the Ambassador, “The attainment of goals for nation-building is not an easy task. In fact there are still many Nigerian people left behind in their miserable conditions. We have to renew our commitment to fight the enemies such as conflicts, diseases, and poverty which prevent Nigeria from developing. To this end, Japan has been, and will be working together with the people of Nigeria.”

The 2010 celebration of JICA DAY attracted participants from different parts of the country, led by the National President of the association, Mr. J.K. Naiyeju. Also present during the occasion was Mr. Mima Kyojin, Resident Representative of JICA in Nigeria. The programme of events included an opening remarks by Chief Charles Ohajianya, a cultural dance by the Bwari Cultural Group, a drama sketch by students of Bicados International School, a lecture by Dr. Shola Odusanya, and a Japanese film presentation.

The celebration of JICA Day was organized by the JICA Alumni Association of Nigeria in collaboration with the JICA Office in Abuja. The photos below were taken by Inside Track Abuja Magazine.

CLICK TO ENLARGE PHOTOS TAKEN AT THE JICA DAY
ON MARCH 13, 2010 (PHOTOS BY INSIDE TRACK)

Michela Wrong in Abuja

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British writer Michela Wrong was in Abuja last Friday, 5th March 2010, to talk about her latest book It's Our Turn to Eat: The Story of a Kenyan Whistle-Blower. Hosted by the Abuja Literary Society and the Association of Nigerian Authors, the event took place at the Nasarawa Hall, Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

Ms Wrong is also the author of two other books, In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz and I Didn't Do it For You. She mingled with the guests and signed copies of her books after the talk.

Asked by Akinwale Aborisade of The Punch Newspaper on why all her three books are all about Africa, Ms Wrong says:

"It was just a job. I don‘t have an African family. My parents didn‘t grow up in Africa; I didn‘t have property in Africa. I was a Reuters correspondent and I got several postings. Reuters correspondents are like diplomats. They travel around. I started off in Italy, I went to France and then to Ivory Coast. That was my first African experience and I became so interested and I continued to work more and more in Africa. No particular reason really..."

Read the rest of the Interview here.

These photos were take at the Hilton by Inside Track: