dataDp/9958.jpeg

P7as2

Guru Purnima Special: Bollywood Musicians Share The Priceless Lessons From Their Gurus

In music, just like in life, there is no true growth without a guiding force. Gurus do not just teach technique; they shape spirit, discipline, emotion, and humility. On this Guru Purnima, we listen closely, not just to melodies but to the memories and teachings that have quietly defined the journey of some of India’s beloved voices. Each of these artists carries a legacy, an echo of their guru in every note they sing. Here are their stories. Shaped by Rahman’s advice The first time Jubin met A. R. Rahman, he was just 18. What Rahman said back then still rings in his ears: “Wait until your voice matures at 21.” Jubin took that to heart. He returned home, trained for years, and rediscovered a voice that felt true to who he really was. But more than anything, what impacted him was Rahman’s humility. Despite being a genius, he stayed rooted. That is what Jubin continues to carry with him: the ability to evolve endlessly while staying grounded. Paced by Pritam’s wisdom After the massive success of Lat Lag Gayi, Shalmali found herself overwhelmed with back-to-back shows. That’s when Pritam gave her a piece of advice she still holds close: “Don’t live with the mindset of making hay while the sun shines. Pace yourself. Think long-term.” That one moment of wisdom helped her slow down, preserve her energy, and protect her voice for the journey ahead. Moved by Arijit’s emotion Arijit Singh never gave Stebin a formal lesson. Watching him was enough. Stebin says, “He made me realize that people don’t connect to perfection. They connect to emotion.” Today, Stebin tries to sing with that same authenticity. He doesn’t just perform a song; he tries to live it. Balanced by Zakir Hussain and Akhtar From Ustad Zakir Hussain, Siddharth learned the importance of discipline that feels joyful. “He made us believe that technical brilliance and playfulness can go hand in hand. His presence lifted everyone around him.” From Javed Akhtar, Siddharth learned to appreciate the emotional clarity of words. “His lyrics feel timeless because they carry truth. He taught me how powerful and lasting words can be.” Guided by Maan’s presence Sagar never trained under Gurdas Maan, yet considers him his guru. “Sometimes when your heart accepts someone as a guru, everything about them becomes your lesson.” From his stage presence to his aura, Gurdas Maan influenced Sagar deeply. When Sagar met him for the first time, he could only cry. “He made me who I am,” he says, with heartfelt gratitude. Grounded by Rahman, fired by Pritam For Shashwat, A. R. Rahman represents humility and calm. He is deeply respectful and grounded, even after achieving so much. On the other hand, Pritam brings energy and intuition. He knows what works emotionally and gives his singers the space to explore. Shashwat says he found his own voice somewhere between Rahman’s peace and Pritam’s passion. Refined by Shankar and Haldipur Touring with Shankar Mahadevan for six years, Anusha learned the value of staying grounded and open to learning. She admired his ability to balance work and personal life without ever letting go of his passion for music. Her second guru, Amar Haldipur, also her father-in-law, taught her how lyrics can transform a song completely. “He made me realize how the placement and emphasis of words can shape the soul of a composition.” Shaped by Udit Narayan’s character Aditya calls his father, Udit Narayan, his greatest teacher. Watching him stay humble across decades of success taught him one important truth: talent might open doors, but it is character that keeps them open. Another value his father instilled in him is to stay unaffected by extremes. “Never let success make you arrogant, and never let failure make you bitter.” Inspired by Tiësto’s evolution Sartek learned a powerful lesson from DJ Tiësto: to evolve with the times without losing your identity. “He taught me that reinvention is not weakness. It is how you stay timeless in music without compromising your essence.” Driven by Mika and Aoki’s energy From Mika Singh, Sumit learned how to deliver electrifying live performances with full passion. From Steve Aoki, he understood the importance of creating unforgettable experiences for audiences. “He taught me to connect with people through music and humility.” Guided by Rahman’s calm In a recent studio session, A. R. Rahman reminded Natania to stay wide-eyed and in love with the process of creating music. “He said when we truly enjoy what we are making, that excitement carries into the recording and reaches the listener too.” That moment reminded her of the beauty of giving your whole heart to your art.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Corona At 70: How An Expatriates Dream Birthed Nigerian Reality

Corona Schools has embarked on a series of events to celebrate its platinum anniversary. WALE AKINSELURE, in this piece, x-rays the origin, legacy, milestones, and alumni memories of the 70-year-old institution Beaming with nostalgia and pride, generations of Corona Schools alumni recently converged on Lagos to celebrate 70 years of their beloved alma mater. What began as a modest acorn planted in 1955 by a circle of visionary expatriate wives on Mobolaji Johnson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos, under the aegis of Corona Women’s Society, has since blossomed into a mighty oak, deeply rooted in the soil of Nigeria’s educational landscape. It all started with a dream in 1954 by one of the members of the society, Mrs Anne MacDonald, who proposed the opening of a small school for children of all races between the ages of three and five. The dream materialised in March 1955, when the first Corona school, Corona Day Nursery, Ikoyi, opened its doors at 35, First Avenue, Ikoyi with five pupils. The initial financing for the school came from a 50-pound donation from Chief Mandilas and gifts of furniture and fittings from well-wishers. From its small kitchen classroom, the aroma of Corona’s world-class education recipe permeated Ikoyi and its environs. Parents desirous of excellence flocked to have their children/wards enrolled to savour a taste of the carefully crafted academic pudding. Like wildfire, words spread, and five pupils quickly became 20, while there arose the need for the opening of more Corona schools to cope with the increasing population yearning for quality education. In 1956, a second Corona School was opened in Ebute-Metta. The Corona Women’s Society later took over the Children’s Military School in Yaba, which eventually relocated to its permanent site in Gbagada in October 1974, becoming Corona School, Gbagada. Corona Day Nursery, Ikoyi, is regarded as the ‘cradle of all Corona schools’ and laid the foundation for the entire Corona Schools’ Trust Council. Today, the oak stands tall, the trunk diameters and canopies of Corona Schools have continued to expand across nursery, primary and tertiary education. This is a tree rooted in producing global and well-rounded individuals. Corona Nursery and Primary schools are in Gbagada, Lekki, Victoria Island and Ikoyi, all in Lagos. There are two Corona Secondary schools in Agbara, Ogun State, while the Corona College of Education is situated in Apapa, Lagos. The Corona College of Education, which started as Corona Teachers’ College in 2007, was established to provide high-quality, continuous professional development for teachers in Corona Schools and all over Nigeria. Each campus has lush green fields, vibrant classrooms brimming with laughter and curiosity of children and digital tools seamlessly woven into curricula that nurture 21st-century skills. Corona’s commitment to holistic education means schools have facilities for co-curricular activities to help children develop their talents. Although Corona School, Apapa was shut down owing to a change of demography of the area from residential to largely commercial and typical traffic gridlock, innovation and excellence continue to thrive in the eight other campuses. In seven decades, Corona School has become a name synonymous with high educational standards, prestige and distinction. Students of Corona Schools have a track record of outstanding academic results, whether in internal or external examinations. This is also epitomised by the quality of its alumni. The school boasts over 35,000 distinguished Alumni, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso; former Senate President Bukola Saraki; former Governor Donald Duke; Co-Founder, Sahara Group, Tonye Cole; Chief Executive Officer, Oando, Wale Tinubu; musician Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy). The 70th anniversary celebration, themed “Corona at 70: An Odyssey of Influence,” has featured a yearlong lineup of events. The events include staff awards and recognition in January 2025; an educators’ roundtable held on March 6, 2025, at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, where leaders of thought converged to discuss the future of education in Nigeria and globally. The most recent anniversary event was the Black Tie Gala Dinner on June 14 at Lekki, Lagos, where alumni, parents, staff, students, and well-wishers met for a combined gala/dinner party.  Memories from the 70s But beyond the glitter and nostalgia, the heart of the celebration beat strongest in the personal memories of alumni. For several Alumni, the fond memories of their days in school will linger for life. Dr Abimbola Iyalla of the 1978 graduating set recalls with pride the moment she stepped forward to receive her Head Girl badge. Iyalla (nee Bajomo) said, “My memorable moment was when I was selected as the school Head Girl in my year. I walked forward to the Headmistress during the School Assembly with so much pride to receive my Head Girl badge. It was a moment that is still etched in my memory.” Her classmate, Ms Adepeju Ademiluyi-Sanusi, fondly remembers acting in the NTA television show, “Animal Game,” as a young student. A fellow of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers, Mr Olugbenga Ismail, remembers a chaotic moment in his class. “The drama of one of our classmates’ metal compass instrument that got stuck in his bleeding finger sticks out in my mind,” Olugbenga recalled. Mrs Kemi Akinwunmi-Olomo, of the class of ‘90, savours performing the song, “Sweet Mother,” at the National Theatre, Igamu, Lagos. Reliving her time in school, Mrs Dolapo Branco-Kehinde remembers the excitement when Corona School Gbagada performed the South African ‘Ipi Tombi’ dance at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. She reflected, “It felt like the entire school buzzed with excitement—we were going to perform on a national stage, and Ipi Tombi wasn’t just any dance; it was vibrant, energetic, and deeply rooted in African rhythm and storytelling. Preparations were intense but thrilling. We learned to move in sync, to tell a story with our bodies, and to pour our hearts into every beat of the drums. It was a moment of pride, unity, and pure joy that I will carry with me forever.” Another alumnus, Mr Deji Ajidagba of 1980, said he still keeps the trophy he received for winning the 100 metres race in his final year. Ajidagba also notes the lifelong friendships and brotherhood established from his primary school days in Corona. Mrs Femi Adeshugba recalled how tears flowed freely on the final day of their leaving primary school. Adeshugba recounted, “One of the most memorable moments at Corona School Gbagada was the end of the summer term, 1980. The classroom, our little world for the past years, was packed with the sounds of drawers being emptied, and a quiet kind of sadness no one wanted to say out loud. We were just children, but we knew something was ending. Some of us tried to be brave, but then someone started crying, and it spread like ripples in a pond. One by one, the tears came. Even the ones who always acted tough gave in. We didn’t want to go. We held each other’s hands like we were trying to hold on to the moment.” A businessman, Mr Femi Tejuoso of the 1981 graduating set, recalled how he wept uncontrollably on his first day at the Yaba nursery school. “My very first day in Corona Yaba nursery, I cried ceaselessly when I was received by Aunty Justina. It was heartbreaking being separated even briefly, for the first time, from my parents and into the hands of a stranger,” Tejuoso stated. For Mr Roland Odukomaiya, the Chairman of the Black Tie Gala Dinner and Fundraising Committee, the memories of his days at Corona Schools are more than a nostalgic recollection but a compass that shaped parts of his life, including his eventual journey to South Africa, after watching the Ipi Tombi performance while in school. He described the school’s learning environment as exceptional, noting that they were taught by many expatriate teachers. “When you meet a Corona student, their spoken English and conduct, both in and out of school, are outstanding,” he said. Odukomaiya expresses pride that the school’s standards have remained consistently high over the years. “The standard then and now is the same. Excellent Nigerian teachers have taken the baton and maintained global best practices,” he said. Asked whether public schools could match Corona’s quality, he admitted it would be challenging. On the perception that Corona’s fees are expensive, he responded, “You get value for money. The training is world-class, and the results speak for themselves. It’s not cheap, but the tradition of excellence built over 70 years must be preserved.” Like a mighty oak, Corona’s legacy is not just about longevity, but about strength, growth, and constant renewal. Corona Schools continues to grow tall and wide with its resolute commitment to world-class curriculum, teaching methodologies, staff quality, technology and infrastructure. Consequently, students continue to be moulded with the skills, mindset, and values they need to thrive in a fast-changing world. With a curriculum that champions innovation, moral values, and global citizenship, the school just unveiled a tech hub designed to equip students with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics skills. The hub aims to create e-learning content for a wider reach. Also, the school is engaged in Corporate Social Responsibility projects like the “Out-of-school Initiative” under the Corona Connect series, providing scholarships to indigent children in underserved communities. With the backing of alumni, parents and resolve of management and staff not to compromise its long-held standards, Corona Schools look on track to expand its trunk diameters and expansive canopies excellence for decades to come.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

How Can Tinubu Omit Ajasins Name From Honours List?

Going down memory lane, the ancient town of Owo has its indelible place in Nigeria’s political history, having made historic marks in the lives of the Nigerian people as the birthplace of the Action Group political party and a fertile ground for progressive ideas in the country, such as the birthplace of free primary education in Western Nigeria and the political centre of the anti-military regime/dictator, General Sanni Abacha, led by the Chairman of the National Democratic Coalition, Chief Adekunle Ajasin, whose name was conspicuously omitted from President Bola Tinubu’s list of posthumous honours in 2025. Also, Ajasin, a nationalist, worked collaboratively with other nationalist leaders like Alhaji Balewa, Dr Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Anthony Enaharo, etc., across the ethnic and cultural divide lines to secure Nigerian independence in 1960. Oops! Sage Ajasin was the first elected governor of Ondo State. I vividly recall that as chairman of NADECO, Ajasin held the fort against the oppressive and brutal Abacha military regime in Nigeria while the then Senator Bola Tinubu and other opposition members escaped into political exile in the United States. How can President Tinubu forget a fellow compatriot, champion and icon of the struggle for democracy in Nigeria? Against this backdrop of Ajasin’s active participation in Nigeria’s political affairs and life and his significant contributions to the country’s national development, it is appropriate, fair and equitable justice for President Tinubu to take a corrective measure and amend the 2025 list of honourees to include a former elected member of the House of Representatives from Owo, a nationalist, former first elected governor of Ondo State and a leader in the struggle for Nigerian democracy. Consequently, the omission of Ajasin’s name from the list of 2025 national honours is tantamount to a lack of knowledge and appreciation of the significant contributions made to the political development of Nigeria. Nigerians should be proud of Ajasin’s leadership role in NADECO and the movement’s political struggle to make a change and usher in the Nigerian democracy, which has been muddling through since 1999.

profile/5683FB_IMG_16533107021641748.jpg

News_Naija

Turning Promises Into Protection: The Niger Deltas Moment Of Truth

Nigeria is on the cusp of a regulatory milestone with the proposed Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Safety and Environmental Regulations (MDPSER) 2025—a draft legislation developed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). While the bill aims to strengthen environmental and safety standards across the petroleum sector, it also presents something more significant: a rare opportunity to reset the government’s relationship with host communities in the Niger Delta. The Niger Delta has long carried the burden of oil production in Nigeria. For decades, communities have watched their rivers turn black, their soil lose its fertility, and their livelihoods collapse. Promises have been made—about safety, accountability, cleanups, and compensation—but the gap between legislation and lived experience has remained wide. Today, millions of people in oil-producing communities still suffer from the consequences of weak environmental enforcement. MDPSER 2025 must not become another well-meaning but ineffective piece of legislation. Instead, it must be bold, enforceable, and community-focused. Consider the story of Mama Preye, a fisherwoman in a coastal village in Bayelsa. She once relied on daily catches from the creek to feed her family. Now, after paddling long distances, she returns home empty-handed. Pollution from oil operations has choked the aquatic life out of her environment. Her story is not unique—it represents countless others across the Delta. Yet, nowhere in the current MDPSER draft is there an explicit recognition of people like her. A simple declaration in the bill affirming the protection of community health, livelihoods, and environmental rights would signal a crucial shift—from prioritising corporate activity relative to human dignity. Illegal refining sites are another unaddressed reality. These unregulated operations release toxins into the air and water. Ignoring them does not make them disappear. MDPSER must require a comprehensive map of all petroleum facilities, including illegal ones, to be made publicly accessible. Communities should be able to know what facilities are near them and what risks they pose. Moreover, when disasters occur, communities are often left in the dark. Spills and leaks happen with no warning, no explanation, and no swift response. To change this, the MDPSER should mandate that companies share safety documentation within seven days of any incident and allow a 30-day window for community input. And to be truly effective, these notices must be communicated in local languages that people understand. The current draft also fails to make community participation in emergency drills mandatory. Yet, it is the locals—not external consultants—who know where children play, where elders gather, and where contamination could spread. Making community involvement a requirement would enhance preparedness and build trust between operators and residents. Hazardous waste management is another glaring concern. The principle of “cradle to grave” responsibility is mentioned, but in practice, there is no visible tracking. Communities continue to witness strange substances dumped in the bush or waterways, turning farmland into wasteland. The law must enforce strict tracking of all waste, with quarterly reports submitted to both regulators and affected communities. Environmental accountability must extend beyond the life of an oil facility. When sites are shut down, communities are often abandoned with degraded land and no economic alternative. MDPSER should require post-closure audits and the creation of community transition plans, including retraining, cooperatives, or access to small grants. Abandonment must no longer be an option. Then there is the question of penalties. When oil companies pay fines, where does the money go? Rarely are the communities involved. A fairer system would allocate at least 40% of all environmental fines back to affected communities for projects like clinics, clean water access, or soil restoration. Environmental justice must be visible and tangible. Lastly, grievance reporting mechanisms remain a major gap. If someone in Koluama in Bayelsa State or Koko in Delta State, notices an oil sheen in the river, there is no clear place to report it. Companies must be compelled to establish transparent, independent, and community-accessible grievance systems—not just on paper, but in practice. The MDPSER 2025 can become a landmark piece of legislation, but only if it moves beyond technical compliance to embrace the lived realities of people on the ground. It must build trust through transparency, enforce corporate accountability, and promote community inclusion. The people of the Niger Delta have carried the costs of oil extraction for too long. Their voices must now shape the protections that govern the industry. If strengthened, this bill could mark a turning point—not just for regulation, but for fairness, inclusion, and dignity. It could be the start of something new: a Nigeria where environmental protection is not a promise, but a practice.   Dr. Michael Kabi is an experienced executive, writer, and strategist with over 30 years of Leadership in general management, government affairs, and corporate social responsibility. A seasoned banker and chartered accountant, he has played a pivotal role in shaping corporate policies, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable investment programs. With a doctorate in management specialising in ESG, he blends financial expertise with a strong commitment to social impact. His writing reflects deep insights into policy advocacy, risk management, and leadership, making him a valuable voice in business and public affairs discussions.