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:

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.

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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...