Lagos — The electoral victory of Barrack Obama as the first African American to emerge President of the United States of America (U.S.A.), reverberates this weekend with the celebration of African arts and culture in different parts of the world.

From tomorrow through Friday, November 14, Terra Kulture will be hosting the inaugural exhibition of the Guild of Professional Fine Artists of Nigeria.

Terra Kulture, situated at plot 1376, Tiamiyu Savage Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, is a Nigerian Centre set up to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts and culture. The concept of the Centre was borne out of the fact that there is no venue with the intended ambience for Nigerians and foreigners alike to learn about our cultures and languages in the country.

Madam Evelyn Ndali Oputu (M.O.N.) will grace the occasion as special guest of honour. The venue is Terra Kulture while the opening time is for 4p.m.

Else where, as part of the celebration of the Oduduwa Day, the Egbe Omo Oduduwa in Australia will tomorrow, Saturday November, 8, 2008 honour top Yoruba movie actresses.

Egbe Omo Oduduwa, was a Yoruba political organisation formed in 1945, when Chief Obafemi Awolowo along with Dr. Oni Akerele, Chief Akintola Williams, Professor Saburi Biobaku, Chief Abiodun Akinrele, Chief Ayo Rosiji and others, met in London. The stated aim of setting up the organisation was to unite the Yoruba· in a manner similar to the tenets of the Ibibio State Union and the Ibo Federal Union; which were political action committees of the Ibibio and the Igbo respectively.

Those to be honoured include: Tayo Odueke a.k.a Sikiratu Sindodo, Lola Alao, Rose Osaneye and Femi Ogedengbe. They will be honoured in Vienna for promoting Yoruba culture. Engineer Oluyemi Ogundele and other members of Egbe Omo Oduduwa Australia will be hosting the awardees. Aside the cash gift of 1,000 Euros, all their expenses will also be paid, plus hotel bills.

The event will hold under the distinguished chairmanship of Ambassador Abiodun Bashua.

Similar celebration continues on Sunday with the unveiling of the award plaques of the maiden edition of Yoruba Film and Music Awards (YOMAFA). The Yoruba Film and Music Awards is the initiative of Gbenga Leo, a Yoruba movie director who is passionate about Yoruba culture. According to him, the main objective of YOMAFA is to promote Yoruba music and film industry home and abroad. Leo said that there is a need to reward those in the Yoruba industry who have been toiling tirelessly to uphold the culture of the race, especially in the entertainment world. The event holds at Blue Roof Hall of Lagos Television, LTV 8, Ikeja, Lagos. After the unveiling ceremony, there will be a road show in Lagos on the November 15, while an award night will be held at Planet One, Maryland, on November 28. The event will be hosted by Lagos State Government. While the royal fathers expected at the occasion include Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos; Oba Okunade Sijuade, Oni of Ife; Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Alaafin of Oyo and Oba Ado Ibrahim, Ohinoi of Ebira land. Chief host is Lekan Ogunbanwo, President of Lagos State Television. The event holds under the chairmanship of Ambassador Olusegun Olusola.

The Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs and Culture has endorsed YOMAFA, our reporter gathered.

Here in Lagos too, the biggest and most prestigious entertainment venue in Africa, Nite Shift Coliseum is set to mark its 20th anniversary. A news briefing to this effect is scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2008, at The Coliseum's 34 Salvation Road Ikeja Lagos. The Guvnor, Ken-Calebs Olumese, will use the occasion to unfold the 20th Anniversary plans of the entertainment venue.

In far away London, United Kingdom, the 13th edition of African Film Awards also known as Afro Hollywood Awards will hold on Wednesday, next week. Actors and actresses from Nollywood, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Congo, Ghana, Sierra Leone as well as other celebrities would attend this year's award giving ceremony.

Golda John, co-founder and UK coordinator says that, "Afro Hollywood awards is dedicated to promoting Nollywood films and other African films, as pride of Africa to Europeans and Africans alike, while encouraging film practitioners to strive for excellence. It is worthy of note that Nollywood films are now the reference point during discussions on African culture and tradition even among academicians. As British schools make adjustment on its curriculum to commence the teaching of African history and lessons of slave trade, Nollywood movies currently on not less than six UK television stations on SKY network will be used as teaching aids. It is instructive that practitioners improve their skills."

The winners and nominees of this prestigious award have been dubbed outstanding African Ambassadors for helping to raise the bar with their various contributions in film, arts and culture of Africa.

Mike Abiola, founder and CEO of Afro Hollywood stated that, "the image of Africa is beginning to change in the minds of Europeans and among the Diasporas especially within the British Africans and Caribbean communities.

"Nollywood is uniting Africans and Caribbeans. It presents a good vehicle for corporate communication. Afro Hollywood Awards celebrating excellence in the film industry is a platform to exhibit new products and services." He also said that some of the winners of this year's Afro Hollywood award include: Patience Ozorkwo, Van Vicker, Uche Jumbo, Yemi Solade, Saidi Balogun, Mike Ezuruonye, Yibo Koko, Lilian Amah Aluko, Princess Adekoya and Faithia Balogun. The award categories include: Best English Language Film Actor, Best English Film Actress, Best Cross Over Actress, Best Artiste in Supporting Role, Best Actor in Native Language Film, Best Actress in Native Language Film, Best Musical Act, Best Artiste in Comedy, Best Film Director in English and Native Language Film, and Best Producer.

There will be live performances from popular film stars, 50 most delectable, charming and angelic ladies on the 'runway', cultural entertainment, and music concert by Awilo and Olu Maintain.

Third Ostaa Black Heritage Award took place on November 2,

2008, inside the main hall of Eko FM, Ikeja. The award ceremony was graced by prominent members of the society including the managing director of EKO FM, Mrs. Tinu Aina Badejo, Alhaji M. Oseni and Evangelist Femi Oni.

Various artistes also were also at the occasion, among whom are FBI, 2ush, Glamix, Koffi, Kto, Bombay D, Shola, Alison, Amstel Malta Dance Winner.

Award recipients at the occasion included Adeyinka Adewuyi, presenter, owuro la wa on LTV, as the best indigenous male presenter, Mrs. Shola Alison's song Igi owuro won the best women pride artiste award, Mrs. Tinu Badejo, G. M. Eko FM, won the outstanding evergreen female broadcaster award. Dr. Flavour won the outstanding indigenous DJ award on radio, while FBI won the young artiste award. There were also performances from the entire artistes present.