After a meeting a short while back, I raised the issue with two friends, Deji Toye and Ayo Arigbabu- Is Jahman Anikulapo the most powerful person in the Arts and Cultural circuit in Nigeria? Jahman is the Editor of the Guardian on Sunday and Life Magazine. He is also the Programmes Chair Person of the Committee of Relevant Art (CORA), the country's leading Arts Advocacy group.
Why does this interest me? These are the waters I swim in. It's like the world of playwrights- The King is Wole Soyinka, Breakfast TV is Funmi Iyanda, Ahmed Yerima is the country's number 1 Arts Officer, Bolanle Austyn-Peters is C.E.O. of one of the most respected Arts Centres in the country etc, Ali Baba rules the comedians, The Bruce Family Dynasty (Silverbird) has shackled the Entertainment Empire. One should know those of influence in one's circle.

So Jahman, whose middle name is Oladejo... Is he the most influential person in the Arts and Cultural circuit?
The premise- The Guardian does the most work on Arts and Culture in the country. The Guardian on Sunday especially. That is his portfolio. CORA is also the most relevant of the Arts advocacy groups. Jahman's proteges litter the Arts landscape- I have met many of them and I hear them say how they got where they now are because Jahman stood by them. They are many.
By the way, if I recall properly, my fellow discussants that day leaned that way too.

This post is for those who write, have literary leanings and seek exposure- mack, jola, vera etc. It might be good to know Jahman.