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U.S. Arts Envoy Thrills Nigerian Audiences in Cultural Diplomacy Visit

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Through cultural diplomacy, the United States shares the best of the U.S. creative and arts community with Nigerian audiences to celebrate shared values and promote collaboration, bringing our two nations closer together through music, art, film, and education.

From March 13 to 23, visiting U.S. Arts Envoy and classical pianist, Pauline Yang, played to packed houses, taught emerging and established musicians through masterclasses, and interviewed with leading national media outlets across Abuja, Lagos, and Ibadan.

Pauline performed American, European, and Mexican piano compositions to over 1,000 guests who enjoyed a world class classical concert at the Chief of Mission Residence in Abuja, Consul General Residence in Lagos, Terra Kulture Arena in Lagos, and at the Manhattan Hall in Ibadan.

Her selection of pieces included a delightful mix of composers, styles, and eras from the piano literature featuring works by Bach, Scarlatti, Mendelssohn, Chopin, Rachmaninoff, Schumann, Liszt, and Bolcom.

To begin each of her concerts, Pauline performed Sicilienne, an original orchestral piece by the famous French composer Gabriel Faure, with Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard on flute.

Pauline gave an impressive performance of Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 11, an exciting piece considered quite complex and challenging. Her rendition of the piano piece elicited wide applause from audiences across the three cities.

During one of her media interviews, Pauline explained to students that U.S. universities encourage musicians to double major in a subject outside of music. She described what prospective Nigerian students can expect in terms of curriculum and opportunities for studying music in the United States.

“It has been so wonderful for me to see and feel the warmth of the Nigerian people.” Pauline said. “I am so lucky to be here in Nigeria on behalf of the U.S. Department of State as an Arts Envoy. My experience has been nothing short of amazing.”

Pauline’s passion for music and desire to share knowledge with aspiring young artists, as well as her passion to explore other cultures, resulted in tremendous appreciation from music students, arts enthusiasts, Nigerian cultural leaders, and alumni of U.S. government exchange programs.

Her cultural diplomacy visit to Nigeria was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with support from the U.S. Mission in Nigeria.

The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, in Abuja and Lagos, support programs that bring American cultural leaders to Nigeria to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate with Nigerian cultural leaders.

Through these people-to-people connections, the U.S. Mission hopes to foster a deeper relationship between the people of Nigeria and the United States.

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Gov. Adeleke Throws Weight Behind The Drum Festival In Canada

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As the planning and the preparation for the Maiden Edition of the Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival) continue to gather momentum, Osun State Governor, Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, has joined the long list heavy weights who have thrown their weights behind the festival.
The governor revealed that he is fully ready to ensure a successful festival. 
Governor Adeleke, while acknowledging the receipt and acceptance of the invitation to the festival by the publisher of The Drum Online Media Inc. and the convener of The prestigious festival, Prince Segun Akanni, writes:
“I am particularly delighted to use this medium to express my categorical support and endorsement for the upcoming festival.” 
“I also wish to salute your sense of bravery, intelligence and enthusiasm geared toward the revival of Africa’s and indeed, Yoruba cultural heritages.
“I am, indeed, proud of you and your team for this noble and legendary initiative aimed at revamping our indigenous tradition and culture from a state of near oblivion to a realm of global pedestal of fame, relevance and glory.
“I wholly support and endorse the 2023 maiden edition of The Drum Festival(Ayan-Agalu Festival) in Canada.”
According to Prince Segun, the publisher of The Drum Online Media Inc. and the convener of the Drum Festival, he said an invitation letter had earlier been sent to the governor.
The contents of the letter read;”Sequel to the foregoing and based on the fact that you are the Number One Citizen of Osun State, a premier Yoruba enclave that harbors Ile-Ife – the ancestral abode of all Yoruba people, where Ayan-Agalu originated from, and coincidentally the political state of the event’s Chief Host, we are extremely pleased to cordially invite you as the Political Host to the maiden edition of the Ayan-Agalu (Drum) Festival. The event holds as follows:
Theme: “Rejigging Yoruba Cultural Heritage as Catalyst for National Unity, Progress and Development – The Ayangalu Example”.Date: Friday, July 28, 2023Venue: Fuzion Banquet Hall, 1300 Britannia Road E, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Time: 8:00 pm prompt
Besides, the world sees you as a global choreographical entertainer whose dancing prowess marvels national and continental audiences.
“In this light, The Drum Festival (Ayan-Agalu Festival) can not be organized without the physical presence of a prolific dancing colossus like you Sir. The Yoruba would say “Ti ko basi ilu, kole si ijo”. 
“We also wish to use this medium to solicit your Excellency’s endorsement and moral support, which we strongly believe will add tremendous value and prestige to the event.
In recognition and appreciation of your compelling democratic track-record and choreographical iconism, we are exceptionally thrilled to present an Award of Excellence on Democracy and Cultural Dance to you at the event. Prince Akanni stated.
It is worth stating here that the forthcoming event in Ontario, Canada promises to be culturally exhilarating!

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K1, Emmanuella Deny Rumour Of Crisis In Their Marriage

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The Mayegun of Yorubaland, K1 de Ultimate and his darling wife, Emmanuella have denied the rumour going round that all is not well in their marriage.

This came on the heels of an alleged rejection of her kiss at his surprise birthday gig held at Radisson Blu over the weekend.

According to a statement signed by Kunle Rasheed for K1 de Ultimate band, these rumour mongers have turned what ordinary was inconsequential to something they feel in their delusion,  they should celebrate and spread for a gain we do not understand.

“It is rather unfortunate that these rumour spinners who thrive only in negativity should be able to see through their hate that love indeed has found a place to stay permanently in the couple’s hearts.

“It is so evident that K1 and his wife Emmanuella love each other dearly. This should be understood by many especially those who are waiting to rejoice at any bad news about the couple.

“Many of these gossips believe that the union will not work are in perpetual agony when they see the marriage flourishing. It engulfs them with sadness and pain so much that their daily activities is to shop endlessly for ways to transfer their unhappy mode to a couple who is constantly enjoying the bliss of their union” He stated.

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UK Based Afrobeats star Princess Ade Goes “Local” with New Single

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The Afrobeats ripples continues to make wave around the world and the numbers of female acts spreading the gospel keeps increasing.  
Flying the Afrobeats flag in the United Kingdom is Princess Oreoluwakitan Adenuga better known by her stage name ‘Princess Ade’. 
Princess Ade is a 27 year old singer and songwriter born in London, United Kingdom.
Since the age of 5, Princess Ade started learning to play the piano and from there her love for music grew into a deep passion. By Age 11, Princess Ade started classical singing and was a member of the orchestra and many choirs in school. She frequently sang alongside her choir and also got her time to shine by singing solos in school and church up until the age of 18.
After spending her childhood and teenage years in the midlands, she moved back to London in pursuit of beginning her journey to stardom. During her university days, she was a member of the gospel choir who won the ACS Gospel Choir of the year award in 2014 and from there she knew she wanted to pursue music as her career.
Princess Ade began recording music in 2016 and since then she has been working assiduously to perfected her craft, mastered her sound and continued on her vocal training journey. 
Princess Ade fuses old school R&B and Afro-piano bringing a unique sound to the industry.
It is however important to state that she performed alongside Afrobeat superstar, Zlatan singing back·vocals at his 2021 sold-out 02 Indigo concert, her biggest show to date.
She released her debut single ‘Moving On’ in May 2022 and her highly anticipated sophomore single ‘Local’ produced by Grammy nominated producer ATG is set to be released before the end of the first quarter of 2023.
The beautiful multi-talented singer, songwriter and entertainer is also currently working on songs for her first ever Extended Playlist (EP) as an independent artiste.

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