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T H ESILENT LEGACY

Peace in Nigeria 15

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Face toFaceNataliePortman

A visual story of the meteoric success story - from the hands of terror to the bed of roses of success, fame and fortune

the time and turn of

[right] Daora Uka, aged 15 (2015) with her parents Aloka and Gako and brother

Idris, in the traditional garments they weaved themselves at their native tibre

near Buruku, Central Nigeria

[left] Daora aged 22 (2022) In her last picture taken before being abducted by members of Boko Haram. Days after posing by her tribes main source of water (now completely dry) she was kidnapped and forced to participate in guerrilla training somewhere in northern Nigeria (precise location remains unknown)

[up] Daoras first picture following the war, after getting a prosthetic arm. On adult class, her

first step on her path to fashion design school.

[up] On her 30th Birthday (2030), Daora poses with a garment from her newest collection in partnership wirh Robert Tepper, and her newest Virtual Reality glasses that connects her with her brands investors around the globe.

[left] models pose for her campaign Tropical Splash, which are a manifesto on her longing for the lost family and tribal traditions.

[right] Daoras partneship with Robert Tepper is already long established and successful; her designd combined with his smart materials are

a worldwide success.

[left] While having dinner in Eko Atlantic, Daora chats with her friend Natalie Portman about their collection to be released

[down] A moment where many tears were flown; after some cues and a private

investigator on duty, Daora rejoins her long lost brother Idris after being 20 years apart. They

surely have a lot to talk about.

[up] Although she claims she feels more comfortable behind the scenes than in front of the cameras, eventually she will come out and star a piece, as in this one advertising smart makeup

Ms. Portman kindly conceded us this Virtual Reality interview from her Penthouse in So Paulo, Brazil, where the actress is shooting her next production.

Face to Facewith Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman, ne Neta-Lee Hershlag, was born in Jerusalem and her family emigrated back to the US when she was three. Shes the only child of Shelley Stevens, who worked as her daughters agent, and gynecologist Avner Hershlag. Her parents met in Ohio, and Portman went to Jewish schools in Washington DC, Jericho, New York and Long Island. There she was taught about the Holocaust and the birth of Israel. Yet she now thinks that she was slightly hoodwinked into not questioning the actions of the Israeli state. As the government became more right-wing, she started to be a critical voice. She sees some of her previous opinions as being the result of her education, which she believes put too exclusive an emphasis on the Holocaust. I think a really big question the Jewish community needs to ask itself, is how much at the forefront we put Holocaust education. Which is, of course, an important question to remember and to respect, but not over other things... We need to be reminded that hatred exists at all times and reminds us to be empathetic to other people that have experienced hatred also. Not used as a paranoid way of thinking that we are victims. Sometimes it can be subverted to fear-mongering and like Another Holocaust is going to happen. We need to, of course, be aware that hatred exists, anti-Semitism exists against all sorts of peo-ple, not in the same way. I dont mean to make false equiv-alences, we need it to serve as something that makes us empathetic to people rather than paranoid. That moment was almost 30 years ago, in 2007, on a trip to Rwanda to trek with gorillas. We went to the muse-um there, and I was shocked that that [genocide] was go-ing on while I was in school. We were learning only about the Holocaust and it was never mentioned and it was hap-pening while I was in school. That is exactly the type of

problem with the way its taught. I think it needs to be taught, and I cant speak for everyone because this was my personal education. This may have been the dawn of Ms. Portmans concern with humanitarian causes and fight to end all sorts of discrimination and injustices worldwide. In 2010, Natalie helped launch the program Village Banking Campaign by FINCA (Foundation for International Community Assistance) to mobilize the people and resources needed to bring financial services to one million of the worlds lowest-income families through 100,000 Village Banks annually by 2010. Ever since, she has helped empower many lives (especially womens) in Nigeria to restructure their lives after the conflicts of 2020. While helping people finding shelter, prosthetic pieces to replace lost limbs and a career to focus, Natalies humanitarian role in aiding our country was priceless. A cer-emony is programmed to be held in January 2036 in which Ms. Portman will receive the title of Lagos Honorary citizen.

For people who may not be familiar with FINCA, how would you describe the overall goal or mis-sion of the organization?Well, its a microfinance group and it works in twenty different countries and it will be expanding to more countries this year. And what microfinance does is based on a concept called village banking, wherein FINCA will go into a small village and find clients who want to be involved. Theyre primarily women, and they start a village bank. So that means the women insure each others loan. And they get small loans - theyre called microloans - they usually start around fifty dollars, but can go up to five thousand dollars after women have been with FINCA for a while and have proven their responsibility. And the women insure each other while they start these businesses - and they make all their own rules and everything.I read in an interview that you commented about your work with FINCA, Im at my happiest when Im working on stuff like this. Why is that? What does your involvement bring to your life expe-rience? Well, it completely broadens my view of the world. I had no idea. Really. I had no idea about anything! [laughs] And I am traveling to these places and meeting people - places I would just never go. I would never have ended up in, and really to getting to talk to them also. You sit down and you really talk to people. And its just an incredible opportunity. I mean, sometimes I feel like its more for me, you know? [laughs] Im like, wow. I mean, Im not really helping them in any way near as much as they are helping me.As a woman working with an organization that puts a special focus on empowering women, what is your perspective on how the status of women relates to the problems we face around the world?Well, its a huge issue - theres an imbalance. And I dont know - you can really feel it in the way every-thing is going, I think. I dont know - sometimes I feel like its a bit of fallacy to try and say like, men are violent and women are non-violent because I dont think thats necessarily true. But I do think there is a sort of natural balance in nature between men and women, and that its being thrown off-balance by the social and economic inequities between men and women. And one of the reasons FINCAs primarily women is in many places when they would have mixed groups of men and women together, the women just wouldnt run for office, they wouldnt try and be president or vice president. And you see that so often. And thats something thats totally socialized, you know? I read some study when I was in college about how in the United States if you see class president elections, its like all girls and then in eighth grade - no girls run. Its like - what happens in there that tells girls to be quiet, be submissive, be meek? And its ridiculous - were missing out on 50% of our potential great people.Finally, how is your relationship with Daora Uka nowadsys? As most people know, you were the main catalyst actor that helped her develop and become the incredible personality she is.Daora is an absolutely brilliant person. When we first met, I was on a mission with FINCA in Lagos after all that mess following Nigerias war. She came in on the lunch line and I served her dish; from there on we talkedfor hours! She had just escaped Boko Haram and was still healing from her lost arm. I immediately called my contacts, my good friends at Harvard who had developed a minimal invasive and brainwave reader technology for prosthetics, and they flew over to test it on Daora. I had never seen anyone that excited.... I spent two more weeks in Lagos that time, and I could see her talent and desire to get in the fashion industry. Luckily FINCA was able to help her then. From that point on, nobody could stop that girl! I am so happy to have been a part of her life. Nowadays we remain friends and were launching an inclusive fashion line together!

Natalie during her period of time in Lagos, post-Nigerian War in the year of 2020.

Lagos is abuzz well before the sun rises and the energy doesnt dissipate even long after night has fallen. Street vendors, commuters, young entrepre-neurs and an older generation that has seen enough to be grateful for the relative peace in the country there is room for all of them in Lagos. The citys overwhelm-ing energy is positive and hopeful and life has returned to normal in most ways in that survival is the fore-most priority. Those who have, have a whole lot while those who dont are extremely creative in what they will do to get their share of the countrys riches. Fur-ther north, the story is quite different. Until December 1991 Lagos was the federal capi-tal of Nigeria and it is still the most populous city - not just in the nation but also on the continent. After that point the seat of political power was moved north to Abuja. The current capital is predominantly Muslim and had been dealing with the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram since 2009. Boko Haram factions started cropping up around the capital in an attempt to put the entire state under Islamic rule by first conquering Abu-ja and overthrowing the president. The Nigerian Army was able to drive some of the smaller rebel cells out of the city but many more sprung up in their place, often choosing to lay low in the towns that make up Abujas larger metropolitan area so they could avoid detec-tion but stay close to the capital. This contributed to increasing tension with residents in the capitals sur-rounding cities who wanted the security forces in Abu-ja to do more to guarantee their safety and suppress the spates of violence that were usually attributed to the Boko Haram insurgents.

THE SILENT LEGACYPeace in Nigeria 15 Years After The WarBy Vanessa Okoth-Obbo | June 21, 2035 5:32 pm

residents leaving Abuja towards Lagos as Boko Haram invaders took over the Capital[photo by Allison Comrie]

After enjoying a period of calm during Ramadan the rebels started launching sporadic but strategic assaults in Abuja during the sum-mer of 2019. Instead of attacking civilians, the insurgents targeted factories and other businesses in a bid to weaken the state eco-nomically and get the government to comply with their demands. Officials in Abuja started asking their counterparts in Lagos for help in August and September 2019 when it became clear that the at-tacks they would need to deploy military forces to stop the attack. Lagos was slow to react and send assistance to the north, prefer-ring instead to focus energy on protecting their financial interests until the end of the year and defending the port before the hol-iday period slowdown. The capital grew weaker as Boko Haram ramped up their attacks and by October Abuja was in the midst of a full blown conflict between the Islamists and the military, with civilians caught in the middle. Extremists had forced many Ni-gerian citizens from the north to be displaced since 2009 when they first gained traction in the region, but many of these refugees were able to return and settle in their hometowns. But because of the uncertainty of the war in 2019 many of Abujas residents, some of whom had settled there after being displaced from further north a few years prior, again had to consider fleeing their homes. Special forces from Lagos eventually came to boost the military presence in Abuja and drive out the Boko Haram rebels by January 2020. Even though the conflict did not last very long compared to the countrys previous wars many residents decided that it wasnt worth it to risk staying in the capital which had been struggling economically for the past year. Those who left either went to their hometowns in the eastern and western parts of the country, while others spilled over into neighboring towns like Kuje, Lugbe and Gwagwalada in search of refuge. Because those towns were un-derdeveloped and did not provide the economic opportunities that most were looking for, eventually they too were deserted as peo-ple ventured to other parts of the country in search of work. Some ventured further south to cities like Lokoja and Ibadan where they stopped for fear that Lagos might not be safe initially after the war.

many of the wreckage from the terrorist attacks are still intact [photo by PHC Holmes]

THE SILENT LEGACYPeace in Nigeria 15 Years After The WarBy Vanessa Okoth-Obbo | June 21, 2035 5:32 pm

In the 15 years that have passed since then, the government has made big efforts to revive the city after the population drain caused by the conflict. The revival efforts involve investing in initiatives that will encourage job growth, although so far it has been slow and there have been several obstacles to overcome. When residents initially fled from Abujas metropolitan area, the cities surround the capital turned into ghost towns that were soon taken over by people involved in undesirable activities in other parts of the country. This includes the Hyena Men, groups of men who train hyenas and other wild ani-mals to perform for money. In 2016, the Nigerian An-imal Protection Society lobbied the government to ban this activity in Lagos where it was most popular. The groups were made up of mainly of young men who lacked other employment opportunities. Many of them had been sent to Lagos to look for work so that they could earn enough to support their fami-lies in other parts of the country. When police began rounding up Hyena Men and putting them in jail, many decided to give up the practice or just take their activity underground. But sensing a new opportunity to revive this form of en-tertainment and benefit from the cash flowing into Abuja, young migrated north in droves to try their luck in the capital where the practice was not yet il-legal.Unfortunately, many of these young men were re-cruited by the remaining Boko Haram survivors that had been driven out of the capital by the army. While the militant group has been dormant for a few years now, there is a lingering fear that they are rebuilding their forces by roping in young disadvantaged men and that the peace the country had grown used to is once again under threat. the hyena gangs pose with weaponry provided by Boko Haram [photo by Allison Comrie]

THE SILENT LEGACYPeace in Nigeria 15 Years After The WarBy Vanessa Okoth-Obbo | June 21, 2035 5:32 pm

DODaora Ukas style is rad. Early adopter of the short hair looks that reflect health, cleanliness and hydration, our beloved local diva has been seen around setting trends with with colorful and vivid makeup which make her seem a beautiful bird from the rainforest. We approve!

DONTNo matter how fun the party is buddy, dont abuse the dangerously dehydrating alcoholic drinks. On top of the massive hangover you will lose liters of liquids!

DOThe future is here! Metalic and mirrored clothing are no longer sci-fi. Obunta clothing released garments that reflects sunheat while generating power enough to drop your thermal feeling by up to 5 Celsius!Use all you want this summer as forecast for the next for four months is dry and hot... phew.

DONTSomebody missed the news for the past decades...Please shave that head, miss! Nobody wants water down the drain just to keep that natural wig clean!

DOOn spot, boys! Not only that style is cool, bold and edgy, but the use of the smart faux-fur covered in fluorescent paint is sure to keep them bugs away while doing the catwalk on the Eko Atlantic shores.

DONTOf course this umbrella is F A B U L O U S and I want one in my purse too (although how long has it been it hasnt rained in Lagos? 8 months now, is that right?), but that wont protect you from the UV rays, maam. Remember to get one with the clever Keuyas Fungus!

LAGOS IN FRENZYAll you need to know to be inside Nollywood Festivals second edition

The Lagos Film Festival was founded by Indieground which is a cohort of veteran Nigerian film makers, and funded by the Central Bank of Lagos (CBL). Johannes Von Rittershausen came up with the idea and brought the film makers together with the CBL so that the festi-val could happen.

The mission of the film festival is to increase awareness of the Lagos economy, how it works, and how it was created. The festival is politically agonistic and it accepts entries from entrants who are both for and against the Lagos Water Economy.

The 1st Annual Festival was a smash hit and the films that came out of that festival have circulated the world. There was even Oscar talk for the winner of the do-cu-short category called: Garbage, staring a gang of homeless kids working their way out of the streets by recycling garbage with the help of Lagos Businessman Robert Tepper.

The winner of best narrative feature was: The Great Game about the group of renegade Lagos business-men, economists, and politicians who met in secret to create the Lagos Water Economy. The Great Game went on to win Nigerias version of the Academy Award, called the Gold Star.

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PROJECT CREDITSProject developed for IML-575 World Building as a Design Practice for Storytelling at the School of Cinematic Arts at the University of Southern California by graduate student Ronaldo Bell from the School of Architecture during Fall 2015 advised by Instructor Alex McDowell and assistants Laura Chechanowicz and Brandon Cahoon.

A special Thank You to Professor Desa Philadelphia, student Allison Comrie (M.F.A. in Interactive Media and Games - USC SCA) and Journalist Vanessa Okoth-Obbo (MSc. in Journalism - USC Annenberg) for the help in making this a great project.

Articles THE SILENT LEGACY - Peace in Nigeria 15 Years After The War developed by journalist Vanessa Okoth-Obbo Face to Face with Natalie Portman extracted excerpts from Interview with Natalie Portman by Kaleem Aftab for The Independent and Natalie

Portman on Her New Role: Giving Women Hope by Marianne Schnall for the Huffington Post. Last paragraph about Natalie in Nigeria is fictional and was written by Ronaldo Bell.

Images references Photograph collages on article THE SILENT LEGACY - Peace in Nigeria 15 Years After The War developed by student Allison Comrie Face to Face with Natalie Portman held a collage developed by Ronaldo Bell and a photograph by Dave Hughes for Getty Images. Smart Skin Architecture Ad developed by student Anwesha Kundu Nollywoods Festival Poster developed by student John Shaff Golden Comb Ad GIF and collage developed by student Ronaldo Bell Private Investigator Ad background illustration developed by designer Vlad Gerasimov available at thezinx.com All Daora collages based on model Ajak Deng photographes by Julia Noni and Alek Wek for Vogue Magazine. Prosthetic Arm used by Daora designed by Han s Alexander Huseklepp Images with no citation taken from tumblr.com without further reference.Music References Opening song - Starwin by Boys Noize, Boysnoize Records, 2013

IML-575Ronaldo Bell