Cinderama - African Cinderella

The Embassy of Sweden in collaboration with Action Aid Nigeria, The Swedish Institute, Atlas Copco, Setraco, SAGETO Nigeria, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel invited the public to the premier of the play Cinderama, The African Cinderella on 18th June 2011 at the Congress Hall of the Transcop Hilton Hotel. The play was performed by the Ghana National Theatre whose superb acting, colourful costumes, beautifully choreographed dance steps, and hilarious scenes held the audience, mostly members of the diplomatic corps, spellbound for close to two hours.

The aim of this project is to explore the use of theatre to promote the rights of children and women in line with the provisions of the CRC (Conventions on the Rights of the Child) and CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.

State level performances of the play have been scheduled to take place in the next two weeks.

AMEMUSO's show must go on

The Show Must Go On, a musical event in honour of the founder of AMEMUSO, Madam Cecilia Toledo de Schmillen, and their partners, was held at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel on 5 June 2011. Madam Cecilia Schmillen (also known as Cecilia Toledo) wife of the Ambassador of Germany to Nigeria, is leaving Nigeria finally. The Show Must Go On concert was held as AMEMUSO’s way of thanking all friends for the support. She says the dream of AMEMUSO is to “bequeath a lasting legacy in the performing arts for Nigerians” – and that like Oliver Twist, they are going to be asking for more as they move on to the next phase of the Abuja Performing Arts Centre (APAC) development project.

Madam de Schmillen said she will be visiting Nigeria “at least three times a year” to continue what she has started here in Abuja. If and when her vision will materialise, it will definitely change the artistic landscape not only of the FCT but also the whole of Nigeria. Partners of AMEMUSO include the following: Transcorp Hilton, Unity Bank, German Embassy, French Embassy, Parmigiani, Cool FM, Total, U.L.O Consultants, Brunel, Next, Julius Berger Nigeria, The Guardian, Luxury Concepts, and Dantata & Sawoe.

Ambassador Basketball League

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Just one more game and the Ambassador Basketball League, in honour of the Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Nestor Padalhin, will round up and the champions declared.

While the Ambassador Basketball League is the brain child of sports-loving members of the Filipino community in Abuja, the prime organisers of this sports competition are Wifredo Brual and Gilbert Bernados, assisted by Efren Pasculado, Antonio Santos, Bernard Mercado, and of course, by the players themselves including Geranfel Abrillo, John Hernandez, Lorenz Mercado, Noel Agcaoili, James Valenzuela, JR Ramos, JR Bugayong, Dandriv Perez, and Engelbert Llames, among others.

They got together for the opening ceremony of on 3rd April 2011, at the Lakeview Estate, Jabi , Abuja.

Ambassador Padalhin, who was not in the country during the opening ceremony due to his being on holiday in the Philippines, was represented by the Consul General of the Philippine Embassy, Mr. Alex Lamadrid. These photos were taken during the opening ceremony.

Martial artists support Munich's bid to host 2018 Olympics and Paralympics

To support the city of Munich in its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, the International Karate-Do Association Abuja, together with Nigerian karate instructors, led by Dave Jegede (6th Dan), and students of various levels, had a training and demonstration on 14th May 2011 at the Abuja Horse and Country Club. The International Karate-Do Association is headed by Oliver Chen, a 5th Dan black belter from Germany.

Three cities have applied to host the 2018 Winter Olympics and Paralympics; they are ANNECY (France), MUNICH (Germany), and PYEONGCHANG (South Korea). The winner will be announced by the International Olympic Committee on 6th of July 2011 in Durban, South Africa.

These photos were taken at the event.

An afternoon of music with the Abuja International Chorus

Taking place at the residence of the High Commissioner of Australia on 22nd May 2011, An Afternoon of Music featured the Abuja International Chorus, which, as the name suggests, is composed of musically inclined expatriates of different nationalities who get together once a week to sing and have fun. Those who attended this event also had the rare privilege of listening to a performance of Movement from Triosonate in G Major and Adagio from Trio Op.11, No. 4 for Flute and Violin by none other than the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Ian McConville, who plays the violin, and his wife, Madam Libby McCutchan, who plays the piano, along with Christine Binda (flute) and Karine Roobrouck (cello).

Performers at this event included Tracey Niesmann (conductor), Toni Rackl and Libby McCutchan (accompanists), and Agatha Ibeazor and Ron Landsdell (soloists).

Mouth-watering cakes and pastries for everyone after the concert.