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Ara the Drummer narrates her grass to grace story

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Nigeria’s foremost female drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa popularly known as Ara, has made more revelations about her journey of life, recalling how she lost almost everything she laboured for in life, after things went from bad to worse for her.

The goddess of drums made these revelations during the week, while unveiling her pet project, a reality TV show tagged, “Eko Inspire Me By Ara”, and an academy for “Area Boys and Girls.”

Sharing her bitter experience at the unveiling ceremony, which was held at the EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos, Ara said God took her on a journey to prepare her for what she’s doing today.

“In 2019”, she began, “I lost everything. When I say I lost everything, I lost everything I laboured for in life.”

She continued: “I sold all my cars and I was homeless. Nobody knew about my predicament except my family.”

“As at that time, I was somebody who used to give, not receive. I didn’t want to reach out to anybody. My landlord sent me packing because I couldn’t pay my house rent. On the day I was ejected from my house, I moved into a hotel with my child. While I was in the hotel, I reached out to one or two people whom I felt I could talk to.

“Sadly, I ended up staying in that one-room hotel for almost a year. I could not afford to feed myself and my child. In fact, I was eating the food that was meant for the kitchen staff. I moved from grace to grass and I started questioning God, why me?

“Everything I tried to do wasn’t working out for me. God practically cut everyone off me. When my mum knew what I was passing through, she reached out to me, but I told her I didn’t want to bother her. I started going to shows again. But the show that I normally charged between N3 million and N5 million, they started offering me between N100,000 and N150,000. I said to myself, what’s this?

“One day, I got a revelation and I said to God, is that the reason you are taking me on this journey? I prayed about it and I was told that nothing was wrong with me. This is God teaching me a lesson for a greater purpose. Nobody knew about what I was passing through because I am not a social media kind of person. Eventually, I picked the project again because I dumped it before now.

“I got frustrated trying to get people to key into the project. I went from organization to organization, but nothing seemed to be working out. So I dumped the project and God dumped me. I realized that He wanted me to feel what it feels like not to have a roof over your head, not to know where your next meal will come from.

“I cried profusely when they told me they were going to shut down the hotel where I was staying with my child because of COVID-19. I begged God to forgive me if I have done anything wrong. Later, they called me and said they weren’t going to shut down the hotel because of me. So, the moment I picked the project again, doors started opening for me. I said to God is that why you took me through this journey. Everything I lost gradually started coming back. I went from 100% to zero %. That’s why I said this project is the beginning of the beginnings for me,” the celebrity drummer, who was emotional, narrated.

Ara further explained that the initiative was borne out of her experience with some hoodlums over 10 years ago when she went to visit a friend at Oshodi area of Lagos. She said she made a promise to return to them in future, which she never fulfilled.

According to her, the experience changed her mentality about the street urchins. The drummer said she and her team were poised to make life better for over 2,000 area boys and girls in the next 10 years.

“Eko Inspire Me was conceived in my heart about 10 years ago due to a personal experience I had with some area boys in Oshodi,” she added.

Ara, however, thanked the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his support to make the initiative a dream come true.

On the reality show, the celebrity drummer said “Nigerians will vote 100 of them, 20 out of the 100 into the reality show. The academy will run throughout the year while the reality TV show is once a year.

“We cannot take more than 20 people for the reality TV show, but the Academy can take as many as possible. We also want volunteers.

“If anyone has touched your life, it’s time to pay back by helping these guys.”

Also speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the initiative was in line with the Sanwo-Olu-led administration’s vision and pledged that the government will continue to offer support to ensure that more area boys and girls are kept out of the streets.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who spoke via a recorded video, also pledged to pick 20 area boys for mentorship.

Special Features

Bodex Hungbo Attains ARCON Associate Membership, Elevating Advertising Prowess

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In a significant stride towards professional excellence, Bodex Hungbo, the visionary force behind Bodex Media, has proudly secured her position as an Associate Member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (ARCON).

Known for her meticulous approach and unparalleled dedication to the craft, this achievement marks another milestone in Bodex’s illustrious career.

Bodex Media, a multifaceted venture led by Bodex Hungbo, encompasses a wide spectrum of services, including: Digital Media,PR and Brand strategy, Crisis and Reputation management, Blogging/Influencing, Website Development and Management, Printing Press, SEO management, and Convener, Bodex Social Media Hangout

With this diverse skill set, Bodex Hungbo continues to redefine the landscape of advertising, seamlessly blending traditional and digital elements to create impactful campaigns.

Commenting on this accomplishment, Bodex shared, “Becoming an ARCON Associate Member is an honor, and I am excited about the opportunities it brings for further professional growth. This certification is a testament to the collective efforts of my team and the support of the industry.”

When asked how she felt about the new certification added to her qualifications, she answered she was super elevated and excited to now be a legal advertising practitioner.

At the recently concluded 2023 ARCON Membership and Induction ceremony in Abuja, Bodex Hungbo was joined by DR. OLALEKAN FADOLAPO, FCA, rpa, the DIRECTOR-GENERAL, ARCON, who conducted the induction.

Bodex extends heartfelt gratitude to those who have supported her on this journey and also thanks to Dr. Ade Akinde, frpa, mni, MD/CEO West Africa Ltd, and ‘Sola AKINSIKU, frpa, MD/CEO, KOK VISIBILITY EDGE NIGERIA LIMITED, for their unwavering support and words of encouragement.

As Bodex continues to carve her path in the dynamic world of advertising, this achievement reinforces her commitment to delivering excellence in every campaign. We applaud Bodex Hungbo for this remarkable feat and look forward to witnessing her continued success in shaping the future of advertising.

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Bodex Social Media Hangout 4.0: Shaping the Digital Landscape for Positive Impact

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The 4th edition of the Bodex Social Media Hangout, held at the prestigious Radisson Blu Ikeja, Lagos on 21st October 2023, brought together an ensemble of digital experts, thought leaders, and social media enthusiasts for an event that left a profound mark on the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Themed ‘Social Media: Hope or Hubris,’ the event explored the evolution of social media, transforming from its early days as a platform for personal connections to the complex landscape it has become today. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to engage with a remarkable lineup of top-tier digital experts who shared their invaluable insights on various digital topics.

The driving force behind the Bodex Social Media Hangout, the esteemed convener Bodex Hungbo, commenced the event with a thought-provoking narrative. She recounted the fascinating journey of social media from its inception to its current role in society, highlighting its original purpose: “to bring sanity to netizens” through the annual gathering of experts.

Guest speaker Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Lagos State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, shared his insights on how social media has emerged as the new leader, accelerating communication in an interactive and effective manner, surpassing the limitations of traditional media. His compelling discussion resonated with attendees, emphasizing the significance of this dynamic medium.

Keynote speaker Obi Asika, the founder of Omniverse, captivated the audience by shedding light on the astounding growth of Nigerian influencers in the digital space, amassing billions of followers on social media platforms. His perspective underscored the global impact of Nigerian content creators.

Ray Sharma, lead partner at Global Tech and a seasoned investor, delivered an engaging talk on the rapid growth of social media platforms.

He pointed out that Instagram took two and a half years to reach a hundred million users, TikTok achieved this feat in just nine months, and ChatGPT, a testament to cutting-edge technology, took a mere month to reach a hundred million users.

The head Mass Media Writing Department School of Media Communication at Pan-Atlantic University Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie also gave a compelling speech on the importance of cultural competence in content creation. He emphasised the inevitable need for cross-cultural knowledge and skills in creating content that respects the cultural and religious sensitivities of others.

Izzi Boye who is into smartphones maximization also taught some hidden features on smartphones leaving the audience jaw dropping as they never knew such features existed on their phones.

The Bodex Social Media Hangout 4.0 also featured three enlightening panel sessions where savvy panelists shared insights on different topics. Moderated by Ekezue Anthonia Ezenwa, the first panel featured Dr. Morayo Brown, Victor Ogunyinka, Ekemini Ekerette, and Elsie Godwin, discussing how social media can inspire hope for individuals in today’s turbulent times.

The second panel, moderated by Mercy Frank, featured Hon Gbenga Omotoso, Charles Olojede, Mariam Bakre, and Taiwo Adeyemi sharing their informed opinions on the essentiality of digital media in various sectors, including business, governance and citizenship participation.

Moderated by Lanre Basamta, the third panel featured JJ Omojuwa, Olubiyi Tudors Ogunbiyi, Naijabrandinfluencer and Dami Adenuga dispensing enlightening thoughts on the prospects of social media for economic empowerment. All sessions proved engaging with remarkable takeaways for the audience.

Overall, the Bodex Social Media Hangout 4.0 succeeded in fostering a renewed commitment to using social media as a force for good, emphasizing responsible engagement, and highlighting the incredible potential it offers for both personal and professional growth.

For more information about the Bodex Social Media Hangout and its mission, please visit www.bsmhangout.com

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Many men can’t manage women in the spotlight, says Ara The Drummer

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A popular female talking drummer, Aralola Olamuyiwa, aka Ara, has opined that many men cannot handle women in the spotlight, and this is one of the reasons why some women’s careers die.

Speaking in an interview with Saturday Beats, the new Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria Governor, Lagos chapter, said, “When a woman gets married, the husband takes over. And the problem we have as females is that spouses, who see us and ask for our hands in marriage, already know what we are into.

“However, the moment they come into that picture, there’s a problem. This is because many men cannot manage women in the forefront. It’s not just music, it’s in every sector. So, this kills the drive. Some men tell their wives to choose between marriage and their career, and some women go for marriage and let the career die, although some stay put in their careers. Why should a man marry a career woman when he cannot cope with her career?”

On if it is important for female artistes to be able to play music instruments, she said, “Having a musical background is a plus. Playing an instrument is another plus. There is nowhere it is said or written that one must play an instrument to be a good musician or entertainer. If one is able to do that, then one is blessed.

“We have a lot of talented people among the female musicians in Nigeria. I am privileged to be able to sing, dance and play a musical instrument. Not everyone has that privilege. Angelique Kidjo doesn’t play any instruments, but she’s a fantastic entertainer. She’s one of my role models. Not being able to play an instrument does not denote that one is not a good artiste. One’s voice is one’s instrument as a matter of fact.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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