I was in Lagos this week, after a few hours in Abuja on Wednesday. I met Azubike and Onyiye at the airport and we moved together to Okota to meet star actress Hilda Dokubo at the Olympic Hotel.
Hilda is in Lagos doing what she likes doing, training young people who would become stars in their life time. She had been star and celebrity movie actress in Nigeria until she was called upon by the government of her state to become special assistant to the governor on youth matters. This appointment seemed like the major inspiration for street to star. She expleined time without number that as adviser to the governor, she met many many young people who have diverse problems on a daily bases, but noted with regret that these problems are always revolving around the same issue. This became the major force behind her new initiative.
Street to Star is her new project and it seeks to identify talented young people in the fields of music, arts and drama, groom them in various skills needed for effectiveness and provide the deals for outstanding ones among them to start their lives. The training will address all aspects of the fields being addressed including Crowd management, money management and fan management. This is indeed a way to move very many young people from the cradles of mediocrity to the palance of fame.
Since I was there, Hilda gave me the chance to address the young people at the meeting. First, I thought that I would tell them about HIV/AIDS, later, I thought that it might not be very relevant to what their immediate activity was, so I decided to tell them about street to star. I had worked with Hilda in developing the action plans, so at least I had a full knowledge of what the programme was about. I could not hold it! mANY stars were coming to address the young people, although it was mainly because of Hilda and her husband, it meant alot for these young people as they could never possibly meet these stars all their life time. I made sure I let them know that this was a life time opportunity, and they needed to make the best use of it!
Later on the same day, I was reflecting on the importance of Hilda's project. I soon realised that it was possibly the only practical way that people with some level of influence can contribute to the lives of others and make the world a better place to live in. My sister HILDA is moving street kids to stars, and I am very proud of her for this.
