What's Hot?
iREP: Celebrating Nigeria’s Coolest Film Festival
US Cultural Affairs Office Commends Nigerian Film Corporation,...
Ooni of Ife Recognises Afro-Brazillian Settlement As Yoruba...
WTD 2023: Lagos Advocates Theatre And Culture of...
Davido Goes Timeless As Fourth Studio Album Drops
Idris Elba Partners Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife On Afro-centric...
Adekunle Gold Signs With Def Jam Records, To...
Hollywood star Edi Gathegi in Kenya, seeks partnerships...
Burna Boy To Co-headline UEFA Champions League Final
Nigeria Decides: Reflections On Lagos, Nollywood And Clean...
The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
Culture People

Garlands for artman Paschal Ott at 70

by Femi Odugbemi June 28, 2021
by Femi Odugbemi June 28, 2021

Sometime in 1999/2000, the great maestro Steve Rhodes introduced me to Monsieur Pascal Ott who was then the Director of the French Cultural Centre on Kingsway Road Ikoyi, Lagos.
Uncle Steve, noted for his brevity with words, admonished me to ‘stick with Pascal, he is a very good man.’ I listened and never drifted far.


I was elected President of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) 2002-2006 and Monsieur Pascal Ott became one of our most dependable enablers. He facilitated all manner of support and made possible many collaborations with french filmmakers and institutions. Twice we even hosted the Lagos International Forum on Video and Cinema in Africa at the famous thatched roof hall of the French Cultural Centre Ikoyi.


And through the years we’ve become family as well, working together to promote the culture/artistic mission of institutions like the Committee for the Relevant Arts (CORA) and the Freedom Park Lagos. Monsieur Pascal has long retired from official duties in the diplomatic community, but he and his beautiful wife, Itohan, have chosen to make Nigeria their home. Looking back over these 20+ years, my dearly departed and dearly missed Uncle Steve Rhodes was right. I am so grateful to have retained the warm friendship of such a wonderful man as Monsieur Pascal.


Today (Saturday, June 26, 2021) a few friends joined his family to celebrate his 70th birthday.
It was the most touching experience hearing tributes from so many people from different walks of life, who like me benefitted from the warmth, kindness and honest friendship of Monsieur Pascal. And when it came to my turn to speak, I imagined Uncle Steve amongst us, and how in that imposing baritone voice he would have simply said ‘Thank you, Pascal, for being such a good man.’

CORAFemi OdugbemiITPANPaschal Ott
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedinWhatsappEmail
Femi Odugbemi

Odugbemi is a frontline filmmaker, storyteller and tutor

previous post
With “The Best Of Lagos” Initiative, Lagos State Moves To Grow Domestic Tourism
next post
John Boyega Denies Report He Left Netflix Movie Set Without Telling Anyone

You may also like

Veteran Nollywood Actor, Fadeyi Oloro, Dies At 66

March 8, 2023

Tunde Kelani’s Ayinla Wins Isaac Oluwole Delano Prize...

March 6, 2023

Singer: Seal turns 60 – love happiness and...

February 23, 2023

Alaafin’s Oldest Palace Aide, Morenikeji Lasisi Dies At...

February 14, 2023

Late AMAA Founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, To Be Interred...

February 10, 2023

‘Shanty Town’ Star, Chidi Mokeme, Reveals ‘Scar’ Behind...

January 24, 2023

Veteran Yoruba Actor, ‘Baba Feyikogbon’, Dies At 80

January 10, 2023

Tributes Pour In For Late Nollywood Amazon, Peace...

January 10, 2023

AMAA Founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Dies At 54

January 10, 2023

Bob Marley’s grandson, Joseph ‘Jo Mersa’ Marley, dies...

December 31, 2022

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • iREP: Celebrating Nigeria’s Coolest Film Festival
  • US Cultural Affairs Office Commends Nigerian Film Corporation, Pledges Collaboration
  • Ooni of Ife Recognises Afro-Brazillian Settlement As Yoruba Territory
  • WTD 2023: Lagos Advocates Theatre And Culture of Peace
  • Davido Goes Timeless As Fourth Studio Album Drops

Sponsored

Recent Posts

  • iREP: Celebrating Nigeria’s Coolest Film Festival

    March 24, 2023
  • US Cultural Affairs Office Commends Nigerian Film Corporation, Pledges Collaboration

    March 23, 2023
  • Ooni of Ife Recognises Afro-Brazillian Settlement As Yoruba Territory

    March 23, 2023

Categories

  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
  • Culture Africana
  • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Music, Movies & More
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Photo News
  • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Interview
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality
  • Travel News
  • Travel Trends
  • Travelogue
  • What's Hot?
  • World Culture

Connect with us

Connect with us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

@2019 - The Culture Newspaper. All Right Reserved. Designed and Developed by Zero-One

The Culture Newspaper
  • Home
  • Arts & Exhibitions
  • Culture & Festivals
    • Culture Africana
    • Culture People
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Music, Movies & More
  • News
    • Travel News
  • Opinion
    • Reviews (The Critics)
  • TCN Literati
  • Tourism & Hospitality