Sunday, September 30, 2012

3 of 10 Nigerian Men Are Not The Fathers of Their Kids-DNA Expert


There is a shocking disclosure that Nigerian women have cheated and lied to their husbands on the paternity of their kids, because a DNA expert has dropped the bombshell that three of ten Nigerian men are not the real fathers of the kids their wives gave them!


A survey conducted by condom manufacturer, Durex, in which 29,000 people in 36 countries were interviewed has ranked Nigerian women as the most unfaithful in the world.

The following report will shock many Nigerian men who are the ignorant victims of unfaithful wives and girlfriends.

We have seen that there is serious need for it because in many homes things are happening that are scary both to the lives of children and their parents. And for the general statistics that is now available, it is found that three out of every ten men are not the fathers of their babies. Similarly, three out of every ten children are not fathered by men they have seen as their biological fathers. What we have found out is that, anytime we take ten men, at least three of them eventually found that they are not the fathers of the children they call their own. And these men would have taken care of the children for all their lives.

Now, the global statistics is 100, 000 out of every 300, 000 men. But what we have found that is that the situation is higher in Nigeria than other places. For example in our laboratory here, 50 per cent of the cases comes out negative. And we also realised that majority of the first-borns are affected. You only need to be here to see big men cry like little kids and watch children weep in agony. It has been that bad. And I dare say it is becoming something every home must do and you may be quite surprised at the level of dastard revelation.

About thirty per cent of fathers are unknowingly bringing up children who are not biologically theirs. And it is suspected that this percentage may be on the increase due to intimate recklessness. According to recent trends in intimate health, especially in Nigeria, it was suggested that unprotected sex and multiple partners are comparatively common occurrences with a large proportion of conceptions still unplanned. So, more than half, that is, 50 per cent of all paternity tests carried out by our lab comes out negative and the most affected are first-borns, except in a few cases.



Read the complete report of the exposé on
http://www.247naijagossip.com/2012/09/three-of-10-nigerian-men-are-not.html









Fidelis Duker Versus Nigerian Film Corporation

Fidelis Duker

Regulator versus operator: A ‘no support’ claim that splits moviedom

~ By Shaibu Husseini

AN interview that the founder and festival director of the yearly Abuja International Film Festival Fidelis Duker granted The Guardian and was published penultimate Sunday has generated a rejoinder from the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC).


Duker had, in the interview published in the moviedom section, alleged that the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) has held in the last nine years without any form of institutional support from any government agency including the NFC.

Asked by the reporter on why he should make such a claim since the reporter was aware that every year these agencies are listed as institutional supporters of the festival which berthed in 2004 and has held in Abuja since then, Duker charged out and reiterated that there has not been any form of support from the NFC and indeed other government agencies responsible to the film industry.

Duker had said in that interview: “Don’t be deceived by the names of supporters on our event brochure. I repeat with emphasis that there is no form of institutional support from any government agencies. The NFC, as constituted, to say the least, is bent on destroying the motion picture industry and I make bold to say it. I even have the feeling that it is because of the Zuma Film Festival, which it organizers and which I do not even see as a competitor.

“NFC is out to kill all other film festivals, as it’s only a few film festivals such as AIFF that are still surviving and it is rather unfortunate. The present management whose function is developmental has unfortunately not been performing its statutory function, which is sad. Nollywood today is at its lowest ebb, but NFC would not revamp it, rather it is wasting millions of tax payers money in attending film festivals abroad with empty stand; no films to show, not even in the market or short film corner.”

It is these remarks by Duker that infuriated officials of the NFC. The NFC in a rejoinder signed by the Head of Public Affiars, Brian Etuk dismissed Duker’s claims as mere ‘ranting’. Etuk said it was ironical that the same Duker who in an email to the NFC dated September 19, 2012 and signed by Temitope Duker commended the NFC for its previous contributions and support to the growth of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) would turn around and accuse the NFC of not supporting the festival and for trying to kill other film festivals.

The letter by the AIFF, which Etuk referenced in the rejoinder, reads: “I refer to your mail on the above subject (Re: Report on Support and Assistance 2008) dated 12th December, 2008 and received in our office on 8th January, 2009. I will start by expressing our appreciation to the corporation and its Managing Director since we started the Abuja International Film Festival in 2004 who have consistently supported the festival in the past (sic) five (5) years.

“It is also important to mention that the Abuja International Film Festival is arguably the first independent film festival in Nigeria apart from the government owned National Film Festival which became Zuma Film Festival.” signed Temitope Duker, Festival Coordinator, for Abuja International Film Festival, and dated 9th January 2009’

However the rejoinder by the NFC reads in part: “As mentioned earlier, we have in the past hosted NFC initiatives, a good example was the 2011 Babylon workshop which was held during the 8th AIFF at the Silverbird Cinemas in September 2011. The letter from his wife, Temitope Duker, Festival Coordinator, Abuja International Film Festival, dated 9th January 2009, and cited above; and his own e-mail quoted above disprove Fidelis Duker’s blatant lies, conscious denials, libel and deliberate misinformation.

“The NFC has cross-checked her records and we wish to place on record the corporation’s financial support/assistance to the organizers of AIFF as follows: 2011 (N250,000); 2010 (N100,000); 2009 (N100,000); 2008 (N500,000); 2007 (N400,000). NFC’s acknowledgement and logo published in the festival brochures and publicity materials of AIFF are obviously well earned. Do not be deceived!

“Apart from financial support, the corporation has also through its programme, the NFC/EU Babylon International workshop held in 2010 and 2011 in Abuja, led a delegation of her foreign partners (Scenario Films, UK, and Scripthouse, Germany), international resource persons and participants from Europe and Africa to the AIFF 2010 and 2011 editions, thereby providing AIFF institutional government support, and content.

“The Managing Director of NFC, Afolabi Adesanya, had always obliged AIFF goodwill messages (published in AIFF’s brochures) and honoured AIFF’s invitations (and non-invitations!), including participating in panel discussions. Photographs of his participation in AIFF’s programmes published in its festival brochures were definitely not photo-shopped. Do not be deceived.

“The 1992 maiden edition of the National Film Festival (which, indeed, became Zuma Film Festival) marked a milestone in NFC’s efforts to promote and develop the Nigerian motion picture using the film festival platform through her own film festival, and international film festivals. At our booths/pavilions, we screen trailers of Nigerian movies (including those of Nigerians in the Diaspora), and other nationalities; we host workshops and seminars. As the pioneer film festival organiser in Nigeria, we are certainly not the competitors. We are the leader.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we make bold to say it is not the job of the NFC to enter films she did not produce, or independent films (shorts, documentaries and features) in film festivals. That is the sole responsibility of the producer/production company.

“The second edition of the annual Lights, Camera, AFRICA!!!, a film festival aimed at stimulating discourse on issues and experiences that are rooted in the African experience, will run from September 28 to Monday, October 1, 2012, in Lagos. The opening date coincides with the closing date of AIFF. Is this another NFC strategy to, “kill all other film festivals”? in existence alongside AIFF, are independent film festivals/markets such as BOB-TV, LIFF, AMAA, FIAF, GOFEST, iRep, etc. The list is still growing. Do not be deceived!

“Further to her mandate to develop, and build human resource capacity for the Nigerian motion picture industry, NFC, in 1995, established the National Film Institute (NFI), the first of its kind in Nigeria. Between 2010 and 2011, the present management secured National Universities Commission (NUC) approval for her BFA degree programme in affiliation with UniJos; and NBTE approval for her National Diploma programme (vocational skills acquisition). NFI remains the only tertiary institution that offers training and capacity building at both levels. For the retraining of professionals on the job, the present management in 2005 introduced SHOOT!, which has boosted the careers of many professionals in both private and public employment. In partnership with the Katsina State government, NFC/NFI, have, in the past three years, been training and building capacity in the Katsina State Skill and Vocational Village’.

“NFC, in tandem with her local and international partners, such SMEDAN, NEXIM, FIRS, The Quartet (NBC, NFVCB, NCC and NFC), federal government agencies, state governments, the private sector, Scenario Films, Scripthouse, embassies, et al, will continue to provide all necessary support for the holistic growth of the Nigerian movie industry. That is our firm commitment. We remain resolved. Our enviable track record speak for itself.’

But reacting to the rejoinder, Duker explained that the monies the NFC is claiming it has spent on supporting the AIFF was for “services rendered the NFC during the festival” and not as “support for the AIFF” which Duker still insists has never come from the Afolabi led NFC for the 9 year old festival. Duker in a telephone chat clarified that the “commendation email the NFC has been citing as endorsement of their support was a generic email the AIFF sent round to even industry practitioners as a way of luring them to support and or notifying them of this edition of the festival.”

He added: “there is nothing so special about that letter. I even sent a copy to you (Shaibu Husseini) via email and it is the same wordings, what we do is to change the address and initial compliments and so there is nothing ironical about it. I challenge the MD of NFC (Afolabi Adesanya) to provide proof of support and I promise to call a press conference to disgrace and embarrass him and the entire NFC. In fact, I am going to scan several emails to you and letters confirming their inability to support the festival in the last four years.”

Duker, one time President of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria reiterated repeatedly that the AIFF has never received any institutional support from the NFC. He said: “I repeat that they have never supported the AIFF rather what they have done which they are shamelessly calling support is to pay for and negotiate as if we are selling rice and beans, the cost of placing adverts and getting space for making the presence of the NFC felt at the festival.

“When he pays 17000 Euros for the Cannes exhibition booth and advertises the NFC in the Cannes programme, is he supporting them? The NFC, I maintain has never supported AIFF and I have letters and emails to that effect. Go and ask organisers of other festivals and awards. I know of case of 150,000 that caused a quarrel between them and an award organiser and the award organiser returned the money to them. In fact, the MD actually sent an email to all film festivals that government would not support them again! Should that be coming from a developmental agency like the NFC? May be this is the time to expose all the ills going on there and I am ready for them.”

Reminded that the NFC claimed it paid the sum of N250, 000 in 2011; and paid N100,000 in 2010; and had doled out N400,000, N500,000, and N100,000 between 2007 and 2009, Duker chuckled and said: “These NFC officials are funny. Imagine that an exhibition booth is N150k and you appeal to pay 100k to exhibit and promote your agency, is that the kind of support they should be celebrating as institutional support?

“Look, the last time they came to the festival and exhibited was over four years ago and last year at the festival, we offered them the Hall free to organise their Babylon event and they did cocktail for their over 100 guests and participants with the 250k they are calling support. Look! I repeat again, again, and again that they have never supported AIFF in the manner that government should support a structure of development of the industry like a film festival. Go round and ask other event organizers in Nollywood. It’s not about tabulating figures of services we rendered like their having to spend the same N250,000 they are calling support for cocktail for their guests during the Babylon event which was held as part of our festival.

“Let them show their proof and I will call a press conference to show ours. The last time they came as NFC to AIFF was in 2008. It was the same year that they wrote us and other practitioners that they would never support any industry event again. I have the letters.”

Duker threatened to mobilise other stakeholders for a press conference after the Abuja International Film festival which ends today, “so that we can state the true position of things as it concerns our relationship with the NFC.”









Saturday, September 29, 2012

Habitat for Humanity To Commemorate World Habitat Day on Oct. 1



Supporters asked to sign pledge to help eliminate poverty housing.

ATLANTA (Sept. 27, 2012) /PRNewswire/ — In observance of World Habitat Day, Habitat for Humanity is hosting hundreds of global events to take action and help raise awareness about the issue of poverty housing in communities and the need for decent housing around the world. World Habitat Day, marked this year on Oct. 1, is designated by the United Nations as a time to reflect on the state of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter of all people.

LEOGANE, HAITI -- Homepartners sing songs to show appreciation for the volunteers of the 2011 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. --- (c)Habitat for Humanity/Steffan Hacker

This year, Habitat for Humanity is urging supporters to go online and sign the “Pledge to End Poverty Housing.” This virtual petition calls on key decision-makers to commit to recognizing the role of housing in communities, making affordable, adequate housing a priority and changing the systems and policies that lead to poverty housing.

“With so many families struggling to find a decent place to call home, World Habitat Day helps to raise awareness on how inadequate shelter impacts entire communities,” said Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International. “Ending substandard housing will require the public, private and social sectors to work together so that everyone benefits. Uniting around improved housing for all can help us to create a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

Habitat for Humanity’s theme for World Habitat Day 2012, “Many Homes, One Community,” highlights the vital role that decent and affordable housing plays in community stabilization and development.
Throughout October and November, Habitat for Humanity and affiliated organizations from around the world will host hundreds of events in honor of World Habitat Day— from builds and flash mobs to parades, contests, housing forums and everything in between — to draw attention to the need for safe, decent, affordable shelter for all. Habitat for Humanity’s two-month observance of the need for safe, decent and affordable shelter and the pivotal role of housing in community development will culminate with Habitat’s flagship annual event, the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project. The 29th annual Carter Work Project returns to Haiti as part of its two-year effort to strengthen and support Habitat’s work there.

The United Nations established World Habitat Day in 1985 to spotlight the need for adequate shelter worldwide. On the first Monday in October each year, Habitat for Humanity affiliates and national organizations raise their collective voice, take action to change the systems, policies and attitudes that lead to poverty housing, and engage partners in solutions.

The International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat, will be observed on the last Sunday in September, as a prelude to World Habitat Day. The Day of Prayer seeks to engage the entire faith community in a dedicated time of prayer and reflection for those in need of shelter.
Some of the events hosted by Habitat for Humanity include:
  • Bogota, Colombia — Habitat for Humanity International was among the organizers of the Forum on Adequate Housing in Latin America and the Caribbean, a multi-sectoral event focused on defining practical and innovative solutions for ensuring access to adequate housing in sustainable and inclusive cities, on Sept. 25-28.
  • Reading, Pa. — Students in local school districts will be allowed to donate $1 to wear a hat to school on Oct. 1 for "Hats On for Habitat" Day, benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Berks County.
  • Charlottesville, Va. — Habitat’s Youth United program is hosting a Lego Build at the Charlottesville Downtown Mall. Students from local schools will receive a handful of Legos to build models of Habitat houses from around the world.
  • La Verne, Calif. — Pomona Valley Habitat for Humanity will be partnering with student groups to raise awareness about families who live in informal settlements. Participants will build cardboard shelters that they will sleep in.
  • Warsaw, Poland — Habitat for Humanity Poland will present a photo exhibition in a Warsaw metro station depicting the realities of poverty housing.
  • Dickinson, Texas — Members of the U.S. Coast Guard will partner with Bay Area-Houston Habitat for Humanity to frame a new home Oct. 3-4 in honor of World Habitat Day.
  • Philadelphia — A “flash mob” of Habitat volunteers will descend on Center City Philadelphia to frame a house. Passersby will be invited to sign the newly framed walls in a show of support for Habitat.
For a full list of World Habitat Day events or to sign the “Pledge to End Poverty Housing,” please visit www.habitat.org/whd/2012.

About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.


Media Contact:

Adam Rondeau
Habitat for Humanity
404-420-6766
newsroom@habitat.org
www.Habitat.org/NewsRoom









Friday, September 28, 2012

World's Leading Oil Conference Reveals African Future

19th Africa Oil Week 2012 from Jerome Svikovsky on Vimeo.

Africa's Premier International Oil & Gas Event


27 Sep 2012 09:30 Africa/Lagos

World's Leading Oil Conference Reveals African Future

CAPE TOWN, South Africa and THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, September 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

19 th Africa Oil Week held from October 29 th until November 2 nd in Cape Town

(View 19 th Africa Oil week video on http://vimeo.com/45301330)

With over 900 delegates from 75 countries and 85 presentations from leading speakers - representing super-majors, independents, national oil companies, governments, licensing agencies and banks - the 19 th Africa Oil Week shall host the world's leading deal-making and senior-level networking oil/gas industry in Africa, thus retaining its reputation as one of the top world-class conferences on the global calendar.

Global Pacific & Partners' event will be held from October 29 th until November 2 nd in the Pavilion Conference Center in Cape Town, along with the 14th Scramble for Africa Strategy Briefing, the 47th PetroAfricanus Dinner, the 9th African Independents Forum and the 19th Africa Upstream Conference, ending with the well-known traditional 'braai' (barbeque) on the Cape waterfront.

Showcase presentations are made by key companies and investors in Africa. For instance Dr Duncan Clarke, chairman and CEO of Global Pacific & Partners, tells about future opportunities for independents in Africa. During the Upstream Conference new explorations and discoveries in Equatorial New Guinea, Nigeria, Mozambique and the Maghreb countries are revealed. Executive vice-president Ian Cooling of Anadarko tells about the exploration journey his leading super-independent made across the continent during the PetroAfricanus Dinner.

Many of the leading players involved in the Eastern Africa acreage and gas boom are either on the speaker program or have registered as delegates and exhibitors.

Global Pacific & Partners celebrates over 30 years of in-depth engagement inside and within the African oil and gas industry across all regions and key countries. From 1980 on its efforts were directed at in-depth research on oil and gas across all countries and on national oil companies in Africa for governments and private clients, plus on the ventures and strategies of a growing cast of corporate competitors.

Later on the company started an advisory practice and began organizing conferences and strategy briefings. The well-established PetroAfricanus Club has hosted 46 dinners with over 4,000 guests.

CEO Duncan Clarke has published various studies and analyses on the African oil market and exploration.

More information: http://www.petro21.com/events/?id=755

CONTACT: Babette van Gessel, Vice Chairman - The Hague Global Pacific & Partners, +31-70-324-6154, babette@glopac-partners.com








British Billionaires Work for their Billions, but Nigerians Steal their Own

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria is from the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) controlled by the past leaders indicted for corrupt practices in government.
Nigeria has lost more than $300bn to corrupt leaders since independence according to the Independent Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) inaugurated on September 29th, 2000 by the Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR.

Letter to Nigerian Parents
~ By Prof. Tunde
First published on Dec 14th, 11 06:21 pm.


Friends,
Let me add the benefit of my time as a student and then resident in the UK - and I live in Lagos now. The first thing that I discovered about UK-born, white, English undergraduates was that all of them did holiday or weekend job to support themselves - including the children of millionaires amongst them. It is the norm over there - regardless how wealthy their parents are. And I soon discovered that virtually all other foreign students did the same - the exception being those of us status-conscious Nigerians.

I also watched Richard Branson (owner of Virgin Airline) speaking on the Biography Channel and, to my amazement; he said that his young children travel in the economy class -even when the parents (he and his wife) are in upper class. Richard Branson is a billionaire in Pound Sterling. A quick survey would show you that only children from Nigeria fly business or upper class to commence their studies in the UK . No other foreign students do this. There is no aircraft attached to the office of the prime minister in the UK - he travels on BA. And the same goes for the Royals. The Queen does not have an aircraft for her exclusive use.

These practices simply become the culture which the next generation carries forward. Have you seen the car that Kate Middleton the lass married to Prince William drives? VW Golf or something close to it. But there's one core difference in them and us (generally speaking). They - the billionaires among them work for their money, we steal ours!

If we want our children to bring about the desired change we have been praying for on behalf of our dear country, then please, please let's begin now and teach them to work hard so that they can stand alone and most importantly be content, and not have to "steal". This seems to be the norm these days.

"30 is the new 18", which seems to be the new age for testing out the world in Nigeria now. That seems to be an unspoken but widely accepted mindset among the last 2 generations of parents in Nigeria .

At age 18 years, a typical young adult in the UK leaves the clutches of his/her parents for the University, chances are, that's the last time those parents will ever play "landlord" to their son or daughter except of course the occasional home visits during the academic year.

At 21 years and above or below, the now fully grown and independent minded adult graduates from University, searches for employment, gets a job and shares a flat with other young people on a journey into becoming fully fledged adults.

I can hear the echo of parents saying, well, that is because the UK economy is thriving, safe, well structured and jobs are everywhere? I beg to differ and I ask that you kindly hear me out. I am UK trained Recruitment Consultant and I have been practicing for the past 10 years in Nigeria . I have a broad range of experience from recruiting graduates to executive director level of large corporations. In addition, I talk from the point of view of someone with relatively privileged upbringing.

Driven to school every day, had my clothes washed for me, was barred from taking any part-time job during my A-levels so that I could concentrate on studying for my exams?! BUT, I got the opportunity to live apart from my parents from age 18 and the only time I came back home to stay was for 3 months before I got married!

Am I saying that every parent should wash their hands off their children at age 18? No, not at all, of course, I enjoyed the savings that I made from living on and off at my parent's house in London - indeed that is the primary reason for my being able to buy myself a 3 bedroom flat in London at age 25 with absolutely no direct financial help from my parents!

For me, pocket money stopped at age 22, not that it was ever enough for my lifestyle to compete with Paris Hilton's or Victoria Beckham's. Meanwhile today, we have Nigerian children who have never worked for 5 minutes in their lives insisting on flying "only" first or business class, carrying the latest Louis Vuitton ensemble, Victoria 's Secret underwear and wearing Jimmy Choo's, fully paid for by their "loving" parents.

I often get calls from anxious parents, my son graduated 2 years ago and is still looking for a job, can you please assist! Oh really! So where exactly this “child” is my usual question. Why are you the one making this call dad/mum?

I am yet to get a satisfactory answer, but between you and me, chances are that big boy is cruising around Lagos with a babe dressed to the nines, in his dad's spanking new SUV with enough "pocket money" to put your salary to shame. It is not at all strange to have a 28 year old who has NEVER worked for a day in his or her life in Nigeria but "earns" a six figure "salary" from parents for doing absolutely nothing.
I see them in my office once in a while, 26 years old with absolutely no skills to sell, apart from a shiny CV, written by his dad's secretary in the office. Of course, he has a driver at his beck and call and he is driven to the job interview. We have a fairly decent conversation and we get to the inevitable question - so, what salary are you looking to earn? Answer comes straight out - N250,000.00. I ask if that is per month or per annum.

Of course it is per month. Oh, why do you think you should be earning that much on your first job? Well, because my current pocket money is N200,000.00 and I feel that an employer should be able to pay me more than my parents. I try very hard to compose myself, over parenting is in my opinion the greatest evil handicapping the Nigerian youth. It is at the root of our national malaise.

We have a youth population of tens of millions of who are being "breastfed and diapered" well into their 30s. Even though the examples I have given above are from parents of considerable affluence, similar patterns can be observed from Abeokuta to Adamawa! Wake up mum! Wake up dad! You practically love your children to death! No wonder corruption continues to thrive. We have a society of young people who have been brought up to expect something for nothing, as if it were a birth right.

I want to encourage you to send your young men and women (anyone over 20 can hardly be called a child!) out into the world, maybe even consider reducing or stopping the pocket money to encourage them to think, explore and strive. Let them know that it is possible for them to succeed without your "help".

Take a moment to think back to your own time as a young man/woman, what if someone had kept spoon feeding you, would you be where you are today? No tree grows well under another tree, children that are not exposed to challenges, don't cook well. That is why you see adults complaining, "my parents didn't buy clothes for me this Christmas", ask him/her how old are you? 30 years +. Because of the challenges we faced in our youth, we are where and what we are today. This syndrome-my children will not suffer what I suffered is destroying our tomorrow.

Deliberately, reduce their allowance or mum-don't cook on Saturday till late afternoon or evening-do as occasion deserve.

I learnt the children of a former Nigerian head of state with all the stolen (billions) monies in their custody, still go about with security escort as wrecks. They are on drugs, several times because of the drug, they collapse in public places. The escort will quickly pack them and off they go, what a life! No one wants to marry them. Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.- Henry Ford. Hard work does not kill; everything in Nigeria is going down, including family settings. It is time to cook our children, preparing them for tomorrow. We are approaching the season in Nigeria where only the RUGGED, will survive. How will your ward fare?

If the present generation of Nigerian pilots retires, will you fly a plane flown by a young Nigerian pilot, If trained in Nigeria ? People now have first class, who cannot spell GRADUATE or read an article without bomb blast! Which Way Nigeria ?, Which Way Nigerians!! Is this how we will ALL sit and watch this country SINK....








American Muslims Arabic Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims'



(WASHINGTON, D.C., 9/27/12) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today released a second video appeal in Arabic to those protesting an anti-Islam film "Innocence of Muslims."

[NOTE: This is the third in a planned series of such videos in various languages to be released by CAIR.]

In the CAIR video, Imam Dr. Syed Abu Abdullah of the Islamic Center of Cleveland tells Arabic-speaking viewers that the U.S. government does not support and did not authorize the film. The imam also says that Muslims should not fall into the "trap" set by the film's producers. (NOTE: The appeal was produced for CAIR by Take1Media of Cleveland, Ohio.)

Earlier this month, CAIR released a similar video appeal in Arabic. In it, CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad tells viewers in the Middle East that ordinary Americans and the U.S. government should not be blamed for the religious hatred expressed in the film.

CAIR also released a video appeal in Yoruba, a language spoken by more than 20 million people, to those protesting the anti-Islam film in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa.

Video: CAIR Re-Releases Arabic Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K3tZILaLTs
Video: CAIR Releases Yoruba Appeal on 'Innocence of Muslims' Protests
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJ3WPKCwVrI

In a news conference with national American Muslim leaders, CAIR condemned the killings of American diplomats in Libya and said that extremists must not be allowed to control the political and religious discourse worldwide.

Video: U.S. Muslim Leaders Condemn Killings of American Diplomats
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dI844aC1qU

CAIR had previously called on Muslims in the Middle East to ignore the distribution of the "trashy" anti-Islam film that resulted in the attacks in Libya, Egypt and other nations throughout the Muslim world.

SEE: CAIR Asks Mideast Muslims to Ignore 'Trashy' Anti-Islam Film
http://tinyurl.com/9z66a44

CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

Become a Fan of CAIR on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CAIRNational
Subscribe to CAIR's E-Mail List
http://tinyurl.com/cairsubscribe
Subscribe to CAIR's Twitter Feed
http://twitter.com/cairnational
Subscribe to CAIR's YouTube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/cairtv



CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com








Thursday, September 27, 2012

Pre Order Chinua Achebe's New Book There Was A Country on Biafra


CLICK HERE TO ORDER There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra.

Release Date: October 11, 2012


From the legendary author of Things Fall Apart comes a longawaited memoir about coming of age with a fragile new nation, then watching it torn asunder in a tragic civil war.

The defining experience of Chinua Achebe’s life was the Nigerian civil war, also known as the Biafran War, of 1967–1970. The conflict was infamous for its savage impact on the Biafran people, Chinua Achebe’s people, many of whom were starved to death after the Nigerian government blockaded their borders. By then, Chinua Achebe was already a world-renowned novelist, with a young family to protect. He took the Biafran side in the conflict and served his government as a roving cultural ambassador, from which vantage he absorbed the war’s full horror. Immediately after, Achebe took refuge in an academic post in the United States, and for more than forty years he has maintained a considered silence on the events of those terrible years, addressing them only obliquely through his poetry. Now, decades in the making, comes a towering reckoning with one of modern Africa’s most fateful events, from a writer whose words and courage have left an enduring stamp on world literature.

Achebe masterfully relates his experience, bothas he lived it and how he has come to understand it. He begins his story with Nigeria’s birth pangs and the story of his own upbringing as a man and as a writer so that we might come to understand the country’s promise, which turned to horror when the hot winds of hatred began to stir. To read There Was a Country is to be powerfully reminded that artists have a particular obligation, especially during a time of war. All writers, Achebe argues, should be committed writers—they should speak for their history, their beliefs, and their people.

Marrying history and memoir, poetry and prose, There Was a Country is a distillation of vivid firsthand observation and forty years of research and reflection. Wise, humane, and authoritative, it will stand as definitive and reinforce Achebe’s place as one of the most vital literary and moral voices of our age.

CLICK HERE TO ORDER There Was A Country: A Personal History of Biafra.











First Nollywood Outdoor Cinema Workshop In Nigeria


Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema will present the first Nollywood Outdoor Cinema Workshop
November 28-30, 2012,
Lagos, Nigeria.

It is the first ever outdoor cinema workshop in Nigeria
For only 40 participants
Fee N25, 000 only per person.

You will learn all the latest technology in outdoor cinema business to start your own outdoor cinema with equipment from Open Air Cinema USA.

Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema is duly registered to operate outdoor cinema business in Nigeria.

All Inquiries, Including Sponsorships and Partnerships, Contact:
http://screennaija.projectionfoundation.org/
International Digital Post Network, LLC
C/O Supple Communications Limited
1, Bajulaiye Road
Shomolu, Lagos, Nigeria.
Tel: 234 706 637 9246
E-mail: publisher@nigeriansreport.com








Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Oando Foundation Launches Effort to Transform African Education


26 September 2012 14:00 Africa/Lagos

Oando Foundation Launches Effort to Transform African Education at 2012 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Oando Foundation – the philanthropic arm of Oando PLC, one of Africa's leading indigenous energy solutions providers – is attending the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting this week to emphasize the urgent need to transform education in Nigeria and across the African continent. The Foundation is calling on government, business and donor organizations to make the investments necessary for Nigeria to meet the Millennium Development Goals to achieve universal primary education and lower poverty rates.

Established in 2005 by former U.S. President Bill Clinton, CGI convenes a community of global leaders to address the world's most pressing challenges and forge solutions. The Oando Foundation is a CGI member and for the first time will pledge a Commitment to Action to address the urgent need for sustainable development across Nigeria's education sector. As Africa's most populous nation, this commitment promises to transform education for more than 60,000 children in 100 public primary schools by 2015.

"We know that knowledge is the bedrock of world-class aspirations," said Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive of Oando PLC. "To ensure future generations of Africans can compete on the global stage, we need to ensure excellence at every point in the education experience."

The Oando Foundation is improving the quality of education at every level – investing in infrastructure, ICT capacity building, teacher training, scholarships, creative centers, potable water, books and other materials. The Foundation is also putting early learning centers in its funded schools. The Foundation is working with the Federal Government of Nigeria to shape education policy and the Local Government Education Authority to implement best practices at the primary school level. The Foundation also partners with the State Universal Board of Basic Education, the private-sector and NGOs to provide the resources and expertise necessary to improve education.

According to Nigeria's National Bureau of Statistics the country's GDP growth rate was 7.68 percent in 2011. By comparison, the United States' growth rate for the same period is estimated at 2.30 percent. In a nation of more than 158 million people where more than 60 percent of the population is under age 25, improving education is critical to ensuring Nigeria achieves its potential and remains an economic anchor in the region.

About the Oando Foundation. The Oando Foundation was established in 2011 with the aim to create long-term shared values. It has a proud heritage of reinvesting in the community with a focus on strategic partnerships with government, the private sector, NGOs and civil society. The Foundation is funded by independent contributions and corporate contributions. Oando PLC currently provides 1 percent of its annual pretax profit to fund Foundation priorities. Today 80 percent of Oando's giving is committed to primary education and 20 percent goes to special projects designed to address other key social issues. Learn more about the Foundation at oandofoundation.org.


SOURCE Oando Foundation

CONTACT: Nisha Chhabra, +1-512-965-2827, nchhabra@webershandwick.com

Web Site: http://www.oandofoundation.org

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
26 Sep 2012
14:00 Oando Foundation Launches Effort to Transform African Education at 2012 Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting
12:00 Bristow Group to Present at the Johnson Rice Energy Conference
10:18 FIFA President Joseph Blatter Congratulates Host Azerbaijan at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
04:32 Ozwald Boateng, Atlantic Energy et Made in Africa Foundation Soutiennent le « Plan Marshall » de 22 Milliards de Dollars de la BAD pour l'Afrique




13:00 LeapPad2 Wins Top Toy Status On Kmart's "Fab 15" List
13:00 Silver Bull Intersects 151.6g/t Silver Over 57.30 Meters Including 600.6g/t Over 5.95 Meters On The Sierra Mojada Project, Coahuila, Mexico  
12:00 Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Announces End Of "Go-Shop" Period 
12:00 Where Will be Good to Go in 2013
10:51 Abu Dhabi Aviation Market set for Strong Growth in 2012
10:30 Global Diabetes Devices and Drugs Market is Expected to Reach USD 98.4 Billion in 2018: Transparency Market Research
10:18 FIFA President Joseph Blatter Congratulates Host Azerbaijan at the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup
10:05 Family, Baby & Maternity Feature Package
08:00 Global Lighting Partnership to Lead Transformation in Corporate Real Estate
07:00 Online Firms Are Leading the Charge for Sustainable CSR Online Firms Are Leading the Charge for Sustainable CSR
06:53 Minister Terzi meets with Foreign Minister of Kenya Sam K. Ongeri
06:26 Migrants and the Mediterranean, next stop: Italy – UN expert continues study on EU external borders
05:42 WORKSHOP: VALIDATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY STRATEGY (2013 – 2016): FRAMEWORK ON AU WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA
05:38 Tunisia: UN and African experts on rights defenders in first official visit to North Africa since ‘Arab Spring'
04:32 Ozwald Boateng, Atlantic Energy et Made in Africa Foundation Soutiennent le « Plan Marshall » de 22 Milliards de Dollars de la BAD pour l'Afrique
04:00 STAAR Surgical To Highlight New Direct Selling Presence During Society of Spanish Ophthalmologists Conference
00:41 Equatorial Guinea Focuses On Problem-Solving, Bilateral Cooperation At UN General Assembly
00:09 Building Tomorrow Receives Major Gift at Clinton Global Initiative
 
25 Sep 2012
15:58 Invitation aux journalistes - Devoilement en avant-premiere de rarissimes pieces de la grande exposition Arts du Nigeria dans les collections privees francaises au Musee de la civilisation a Quebec
09:11 Attack in Nigeria: Minister Terzi's reaction
08:12 Ozwald Boateng, Atlantic Energy et Made In Africa Foundation apportent leur soutien au « plan Marshall » de 22 milliards $ conçu par la BAfD pour l'Afrique
07:41 Oswald Boateng: Atlantic Energy & Made in Africa Foundation Supports AfDB's $22bn “Marshall Plan” for Africa
24 Sep 2012
20:36 Ozwald Boateng, Atlantic Energy & Made In Africa Foundation Support AfDB's $22bn "Marshall Plan" for Africa









5 Things About Social Business Successes with Sandy Carter



Insights from IBM: 5 Things About Social Business Successes with Sandy Carter

On stage at Connect 2012, Sandy Carter, IBM Social Business Evangelist and Vice President Worldwide Sales, reveals five trends about social business adoption that were not expected. Thank you for reviewing this IBM YouTube presentation.
As you consider solutions for your business, we recommend
that you review this additional information specifically related
to this material. For more information on how Social software
delivers true business value, click here: http://goo.gl/7WXEj








Tuesday, September 25, 2012

There Are Over 60 Million Generators in Nigeria


"Currently, there are about 60 million generators in Nigeria at the ratio of one per household of 2.5 people with an annual spending of N1.6 trillion."

~ Dr. Kabir Usman, Director-General of Centre for Management Development.

Dr Usman further said that the presence of the too many generators has caused many deaths in the nation as a result of carbon monoxide emission.

He revealed that the Nigeria's highly inadequate supply of electricity adds 40 per cent to the cost of goods produced in the country. According to him, "the situation has compelled many industries to either shut down or relocate to neighbouring countries."

He also said that the poorest Nigerians paid more than N80/kwh burning candles, kerosene and firewood while manufacturers paid between N45 and N60/kwh on diesel to run their generators.

Read more on Nairaland.








9th Abuja International Film Festival Opens Today


All roads lead to the 9th Abuja International Film opening today at the prestigious Silverbird Entertainment Centre, Plot 1161, Memorial Drive, By Musa Yar'adua Center, Central Business District, F.C.T, Abuja.

Fidelis Duker, Founder and festival director of the yearly Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF).

The Founder and Festival Director, Fidelis Duker told The Guardian of Nigeria that there will be over 70 screenings in the three day film festival with a special summit on the 20th Anniversary of Nollywood.

"We are very much ready for the 9th edition of the festival. It’s instructive to mention that our preparedness is very simple, as we don’t bite more than we can chew. We are prepared to host the world even with our challenge. It must be said that every year, AIFF comes out with a new flavour. This year we are celebrating Nollywood at 20 and part of the plan is a retrospective segment where films such as Living In Bondage, Ti Oluwa Nile, Unforgiven Sin, Rattle Snake, Silent Night and Circle of Doom will be screened. Also, we have introduced an industry focus segment. During the festival, Kannywood, the producers of Hausa films, will be our focus," Duker told Shaibu Husseini of The Guardian's Moviedom magazine.

Filmmakers from the host country Nigeria, USA, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Poland, Taiwan, Israel, Lebanon, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Ghana and other countries are participating in the official competition.

9TH ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - 2012 OFFICIAL NOMINEES LIST


Best Feature Nigeria

1. Phone Swap – Kunle Afolayan
2. I will take my chances – Desmond Elliot
3. Married but Living Single – Tunde Olaoye
4. Holding Hope – Desmond Elliot
5. Jejeloye – James Muyiwa
6. True Citizens – Elvis Chuks

Best Feature Foreign

1. Brother – Venezuela
2. Marieke Marieke – Belgium
3. Without – USA
4. The Christening – Poland
5. Marhejaan - Bangladesh

Best Short Film Nigeria

1. Till Death Do Us Part – Tope Oshin Ogun
2. 500 Dollars - Mohammed Musulumi
3. Young Smoker – Tope Osin Ogun

Best Short Film Foreign

1. Double Happiness - Taiwan
2. Barefoot Humanity - Italy
3. Behind The Window – Lebanon
4. 0507 - UK
5. Zambezi News - Zimbabwe
6. The Substitute - Israel
7. Light Hearted Boy – Italy

Best Documentary

1. Goge Africa – Nigeria
2. Rent Boys – Germany
3. Sex In City – Zimbabwe
4. Ginger -

Best Experimental Film

1. Retribution – Nigeria
2. Game Over - Ghana
3. Campus Life – Zimbabwe

Best Animation Film

1. Mission – Nigeria
2. Zaniek Geliago – France
3. A Mysterious Fish - Spain
4. Losser Leg - Italy

Outstanding Male Act

1. Joseph Benjamin – Nigeria – Married But Living Single
2. Desmond Elliot - Nigeria – Holding Hope
3. Bryan Okwere – Nigeria – I will take my Chances
4. Ron Carrier –USA – Without
5. Wole Ojo – Nigeria – Phone Swap

Outstanding Female Act

1. Nse Ikpe Etim – Nigeria – Phone Swap
2. Uche Jombo – Nigeria – Holding Hope
3. Ini Edo – Nigeria – I will take my chances
4. Joselyn Jensen – USA - Without
5. Amara Amoji – Nigeria – Till Death Do Us Part

Outstanding Film In Directing

1. Holding Hope – Nigeria – Desmond Elliot
2. Phone Swap – Nigeria – Kunle Afolayan
3. Without – USA – Maric Jckson
4. Till Death Do Us Part – Nigeria – Tope Oshin Ogun
5. Married But Living Single - Nigeria – Tunde Olaoye

Golden Jury

1. Phone Swap – Nigeria
2. Without – USA
3. Married but Living and Single – Nigeria
4. Holding Hope - Nigeria
5. Maherjaan – Bangladesh
6. Double Happiness – Taiwan
7. Behind the Window - Lebanon










Monday, September 24, 2012

Single Girl Infects 90 People with HIV/AIDS


Single Girl Infects 90 People with HIV/AIDS

The shocking news of a 1st year student at Moi University who infected 90 people with HIV/AIDS virus in only 60 days has sent shivers down the spines of those who had sex with her, their lovers, spouses and others in relationship with them after the girl even went ahead to expose their names to the Kenyan Daily Post.

Another female student at University of Nairobi had also claimed that she infected 322 men with HIV/AIDS.
“I am a student and I am HIV-positive. I swore I would spread the thing because I got infected during my first experience. I have slept with 322 guys in my campus and two outside. I wanted to infect 2,500 people but the guilt is now killing me,” she said in a text message she sent to a close friend.