Volume 1, Issue 2

July 1999

Godi Culture Night Debuts!
By Ken Ike O.

It was fun on Friday 25^th June in Abuja for lovers of the arts at the first GODI Culture Night. Jointly organised by the Abuja Literary Society and GODI, an exclusive private membership leisure club, the event attracted a small but qualitative audience drawn mainfy from the diplomatic corps, professionals and students in Abuja.

The evening featured poetry readings, musical renditions, songs, a drama sketch, jokes, jazz, highlife, farofa music and a few speeches. Jointly compered by Mr Ken Ike and Dr. Ike Anya of the Abuja Literary Society, the evening began with a jazz rendition by the Inner Vision Band, the In-house band of GODI.

Thereafter two poems by Omolara Ogundipe-Leslie and Obiora Udechukwu were recited by Tomike Omobanajo.

A musical interlude followed with a medieval classical piece played beautifully by Mr. Kawase of the Japanese embassy. The trio of Albert Odulate, Yinka and Taiwo attracted much applause with their drama sketch titled "The Landlord". During the interlude, guests treated themselves to drinks and food from the GODI bar and restaurant.

Held in a largely informal setting the event was a interactie one with guests participating in most of the presentations. Mrs. Nini Okey-Uche (nee Chikwe) read one of her poems written at the occasion. Titled "Words for the wise" the poem received a resounding applause. Other poems read at the event include Ken Ike's Nnamdi" and "Madman of Oye", J.P Clark's poems and Dr. Ike Anya's 'Orange Hawker", "One Night by the Lagoon" and "Kuramo Waters. Miss. Stacy Okoro of Abuja Literary Soceity recited some poems by an American Poet Howard Prescott. Two French songs from the lovely Miss. Chioma Madukwe, a polytecnic student, followed.

The event which lasted into the early hours of the morning was a refreshing change on the Abuja culture scene. It ended with guests dancing to highlife music by veteran Farofa master Eppi Fanio and the wonderful Inner Vision Band.

Speaking at the occasion, Mr. Enitan Sanusi, Chairman GODI and Mr, Ferdinand Agu, Chairman Board of trustees of Abuja Literary Society emphasised the importance of leisure, arts and culture in the balanced development of the society. Veteran broadcaster and MC par excellence. Mr. Ralph Opara also thrilled the audience with, some reminescences and anecdotes.

Mr. Victor Anoliefo, Quillmaster (President) of the Society and Ms Vera Ihebuzor, General Manager of GODI, Abuja promised to make the event a monthly affair (to take place on the last Friday of each month).