Photos: Aisha Buhari visits Maiduguri

Aisha Buhari is presently on a visit to Maiduguri, Borno state. She was welcomed at the airport by the state governor, Kashim Shettima. See more photos after the cut.

BBOG co-founder, Bukky Shonibare describes Aisha Buhari's book launch on Chibok girls anniversary as 'insensitive & painful'

Bukky Shonibare, one of the founders of the Bring Back Our Girls advocacy group has expressed her disappointment with wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari over the launch of her beauty book on the second anniversary of the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls. Mrs Aisha Buhari yesterday launched a new book 'The Essentials of Beauty Therapy: A complete Guide for Beauty Specialists" at an event held in Abuja. The first lady dedicated proceeds from the sale of the books to be used to empower the mothers of the Chibok girls. See more tweets from Ms Shonibare after the cut...

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Photos: China develops 'first of its kind' home-grown human-like robot... a beautiful woman and it looks so real!

China’s University of Science and Technology today, April 15 released a human-like robot that is comparable to Japanese models seen in the past. They said the robot is "the first of its kind in China"

According to CCTV News, not only does it have the face of a beautiful woman, it also capable of interacting with people next to “her.”

 

Named “Jia Jia,” the face of the life-sized robot is drawn from five attractive female students from the university. Equipped with basic functions, such as making conversation, facial expressions, as well as gestures, it’s apparently more than Siri with a pretty face.

 Source: CCTV

Zoo arts C.E.O & visual artist Olumide Oladipupo speaks on art, success & more

Olumide Oladipupo talks to Business Day in this exclusive interview...

When I paint I try to show people the beautiful colours of life. I always try to show my audience that life is beautiful. I believe you could look at a painting and be healed from a sickness. Just staring at a lovely landscape or garden painting can ease the mind and ultimately the body. I am simply trying to radiate positivity through my paintings.”

This striking quote from Olumide Oladipupo, CEO of image zoo arts and visual artist extraordinaire gave me the chills. It actually made me realise that so many things in life are taken for granted and not much appreciation is given to the beauty God has given us as a world.

The talented visual artist who has been drawing and painting as far back as when he was in junior high school said he first painted on canvas in 2015 at an art class in Houston, Texas USA, where  he got an overwhelming reception from other artists. 

“There was something about the painting that caught the attention of everyone who saw it.  I always knew I had it in me but that was the moment I realised I wanted the world to see my work,” he said.

So I decided to take a step back and allow my mind to explore our beautiful world through the eyes of an artist as I had a chart with Olumide who has numerous art works displayed at different exhibitions, Facebook, Instagram, konga.com the online shopping mall and on his website www.imagezooart.ng.

Walking into his art room, which lit up with vibrant, eye catching, colourful paintings, brought to my memory the popular hymn ‘all things bright and beautiful… the Lord God made them all’. Little wonder why Olumide says he gets his inspiration to draw and paint from everything around him.

“I could be watching a movie, listening to music or just looking out of my window and something tells me to get my brush and paint and after thinking about it as a finished product, I begin to see a concluded masterpiece, then I start getting excited,” he said when asked where he got his inspiration to paint from.

The artist who looks up to the historic Vincent Van Gogh as his role model says

“Van Gogh’s story was so touching to me and he made thousands of beautiful paintings while he was alive, he only sold one in his lifetime, but after his death, he started gaining recognition and his artworks sold at auctions for millions of pounds. I like him because he painted things around him and I find myself doing the same thing. I try to travel as much as I can and I take my camera everywhere with me so I can take pictures of inspiring sights and scenes.”

As I watched Olumide speak so passionately about art, I could tell that it was in-born and that the young fellow remains hopeful to the acceptance of art in Nigeria. To him, his effortless work of art is a gift from God and nothing can take it from him. However, he acknowledged that interest and talent is not enough as he has improved enormously having learnt new techniques from the internet, art classes and painting with kids at schools.

“I don’t think art work is dying in Nigeria, it has just begun with emerging artists like me and some others trying to come up the ladder. We are just getting started, there are too many talented people in Nigeria, but there aren’t enough platforms to show their work. If you take it serious you will earn more than white collar jobs. I feel people should respect artists for their time and effort. I have just started my career and I have sold over 100 pieces.”

“Everyone is my target audience, children, teenagers, adults, old people, black or white. I want to be able to relate with everyone. Some people don’t even like art but they buy it to fill up spaces in their house, office, and hotel or to beautify their surroundings. I will keep putting my work in their faces on social Media networks, exhibitions and art lessons.

“I see my signature in thousands of houses all over the world. My goal is to showcase art to a global audience so the world can see how blessed we are as a nation,” he added.

Reacting to how well Nigerian’s accept and appreciate paintings; Olumide said people appreciate art and it is accepted in Nigeria but only a few people understand it. If you can get a loan from the bank with a piece of art then I think that is acceptance.”

I insisted that the young, vibrant but quiet artist give words of encouragement to others who aspire to showcase their talent in drawing and painted and here is what he had to say;

“I will like other artists to keep on working hard, they should present their artworks in better ways to their audience, package them well and they will get more attention. Even if you have never sold keep on painting, you never can tell who will be interested in buying them all.”

As Olumide gave me some history lessons on art, its value, the meaning and importance, I couldn’t help but appreciate his God given talent and needless to say what joy it was to watch nature and life depicted through talented hands.

Culled from Business Day Online
 Business Day Online

You can win one of the numerous art works on http://www.imagezooart.ng/ by following Olumide Oladipupo on Instagram via @imagezooartwork

Oby Ezekwesili reacts to Senates proposed amendment of CCT Act

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has reacted to the senate's proposed amendment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal act. The senate yesterday passed the 2nd reading of the CCT amendment bill which according to them, will remove the Tribunal from the office of the Presidency and make it more independent.

See the way Japhet Omojuwa jammed Governor Fayose..

Lol. Internet is so sweet! See some reactions after the cut..

Jhene Aiko's Nigerian husband walks away from her over cheating?

That is what MediaTakeOut is claiming in a new report published today. Below is what they wrote;

"MediaTakeOut.com just got some blockbuster news. Newly married couple Jhene Aiko and her husband/producer Dot Da Genius have decided to Legally separate.

Let's give you guys some background. Jhene Aiko and Dot Da Genius have been together for almost four years - and they were one of the happiest couples in the industry. Last year, the couple decided to make it official - and the two got married. It was like a REAL-LIFE LOVE STORY.

Well earlier this year, people in Jhene's team came up with the idea of doing a JOINT ALBUM with Big Sean. They decided that they would create a publicity campaign, where Jhene was supposed to be romantically involved with Sean. The idea is that the Jhene-Big Sean relationship was supposed to be fake.

At the time, MediaTakeOut.com was told, Dot Da Genius agreed to the plan but he had his reservations.

Last month, Jhene and Sean's people began rolling out the PUBLICITY SCHEME - and something happened. People close to the situation believe that something may have REALLY POPPED OFF between the two artists. One insider explains, "I know it was supposed to be a fake [relationship], but I think they were really hooking up." We're told that Jhene and Sean began traveling WITHOUT Dot Da Genius, after Jhene asked Dot to stay behind and work on music.

The STRAIN of the infidelity rumors were too much for Dot Da Genius pride. MediaTakeOut.com was told by a person close to Jhene, that the couple has now separated. The insider explained, "Jhene wants to stay married, it's [Dot Da Genius] that wants out."

We can NOT confirm whether ANYTHING is really going on between Jhene and Big Sean. But the rumors alone (which were started by the artists) were enough to have a SERIOUS IMPACT on Jhene's marriage.

It's EXTREMELY SAD to see what's happening with Jhene and Dot Da Genius. Let this be a WARNING to all these celebrities out here trying to create FAKE drama in your marriage - it ain't worth it. A marriage ain't NOTHING to be played with.