Maya Angelou's Black History Month Special With Kofi Annan, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Regina Taylor and Oprah Winfrey

30 Jan 2013 11:00 Africa/Lagos

Maya Angelou, Presidential Medal Recipient of Freedom, Storied Poet, Author & Activist, Hosts 3rd Annual Black History Month Program February 2013 on Public Radio

CHICAGO, Jan. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Maya Angelou's Black History Month Special 2013, "Telling Our Stories," features five celebrated guests, Kofi Annan, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Regina Taylor and Oprah Winfrey sharing candid stories about their paths to achievement and their place in the annals of black history. The program is available to all PRI (Public Radio International) affiliated stations and African American Public Radio Consortium stations free of charge. Maya Angelou, a 2011 recipient of the President's Medal of Freedom and civil rights activist appointed by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, brings music, poetry, history and insight to the stories of her guests.

"Our stories come from our lives and from the playwright's pen, the mind of the actor, the roles we create, the artistry of life itself and the quest for peace," says Angelou.

"AT&T is honored and proud to continue our support of Dr. Maya Angelou's Black History Month Special for a third year," said Jennifer Jones, vice president of Diverse Markets, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "The candid stories that Dr. Angelou's guests share are very inspiring. We encourage consumers to tune in and enjoy these interviews with some of America's most influential individuals."

Alicia Keys , multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress describes how the sounds of her childhood in "Hell's Kitchen," shaped the chart-topping music she creates today.

Academy and Grammy Award winner, Jennifer Hudson , provides a glimpse of her astounding journey from the church steps of her Chicago neighborhood to becoming one of the country's top artists.

Regina Taylor , Golden Globe-winning actress and playwright, traces the roots of her work back to the sounds and traditions of Africa and a desire to connect generations of African Americans with a focus on the written and spoken word.

Nobel Peace Laureate and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan offers the poignant lessons learned from a life of service and pursuit of peace.

Finally, Oprah Winfrey and Maya Angelou engage in an intimate conversation about Winfrey's rise from young news anchor to Chairman and CEO, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. Winfrey also discusses her upcoming role in the Lee Daniel's film, The Butler.

For a station list, interview excerpts, guest photos and background visit www.mayaangelouonpublicradio.com. RCW Media Productions, Inc. is developing a download version of the special with its own soundtrack. Information will become available via the website and Maya Angelou's Facebook page.

Maya Angelou's Black History Month Special is underwritten by AT&T. Articles, featuring additional interview excerpts, will reside on att.com/28days. Maya Angelou will post on https://www.facebook.com/MayaAngelou with 4 million fans and tweets on Twitter.

From RCW Media Productions Inc. http://rcwmediaproductionsinc.com

SOURCE RCW Media Productions Inc.

CONTACT: Rita Coburn Whack, RCW Media Productions Inc., ritacoburnwhack@gmail.com, +1-708-274-7530

Web Site: http://www.rcwmediaproductionsinc.com

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Bill Gates Emphasizes Power of Goals and Measurement as Keys to Tackling Extreme Poverty

Bill Gates Emphasizes Power of Goals and Measurement as Keys to Tackling Extreme Poverty

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, visits a health clinic in Lucknow, India that provides prenatal and child health care services.

Fifth annual letter highlights successes from education in the United States to prenatal health care in Ethiopia, outlines vision for improving lives of the poor for the next 15 years

SEATTLE, January 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — In his fifth annual letter, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, highlights how setting clear goals and accurate measurement are key to improving the lives of poor people around the globe.

Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, visits an agricultural facility in Adama, Ethiopia that processes and ships beans and chickpeas to European markets.

“I know, it’s not the sexiest of themes, but the proof of its impact is undeniable,” Gates wrote. “The lives of the poorest have improved more rapidly in the last 15 years than ever before.”

The letter describes remarkable progress from schools in the United States to health care in Ethiopia and makes the case that continued investments in these efforts have made a measurable difference for millions of the world’s poorest people. A core reason was the world’s commitment to setting clear goals and identifying the right measures to drive progress towards those goals.

Bill and Melinda Gates, co-chairs of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, work with students at South High School in Denver, Colorado.

This is particularly true in the case of foreign aid. “Historically, aid was largely discussed in terms of the total amount of money invested. Now that we’re more precisely measuring indicators like child mortality, people are able to see the impact aid has in stark terms—that it’s the difference between putting people on AIDS treatment or letting them die,” Gates states in the letter.

He goes on to emphasize the importance of this, given tight budgets around the world. “Not only do clear goals and measures allow governments to spend their aid money more efficiently, it builds the political will to continue funding aid programs by proving how successful they are. It’s not just about governments giving other governments taxpayer money; it’s about one community helping another raise itself out of poverty.”

Gates emphasizes the importance of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as an example of how the world is capable of achieving really big things when we come around a clear goal and develop the measurements to gauge progress. The MDGs are a set of eight specific goals that are an unprecedented global effort to meet the needs of the world’s poorest by 2015. “While we won’t reach all of the goals, the progress we’ve made toward each is staggering,” said Gates. “The MDG target of reducing extreme poverty by half has been reached ahead of the deadline, as has the goal of halving the proportion of people who lack access to safe drinking water.”

As the world looks ahead, Gates has encouraged others to submit their ideas for how to improve the world for the next generation by sharing their hopes for 2030. He hopes to spur a global conversation about effective development and how the world should best come together to achieve further progress for the world’s poorest people.

The letter outlines other key priorities for the foundation in 2013, including helping to eradicate polio, reducing the number of child deaths, increasing access to contraceptives, and improving education in the United States. Gates also announced the second Gates Vaccine Innovation Award winner, praising the innovative work of Margarida Matsinhe, a field officer for VillageReach, who has been instrumental in overhauling the vaccine logistics system by removing obstacles that prevent children from getting immunized.

To read the full letter, click here: www.gatesfoundation.org/annualletter.

For high-resolution photos and broadcast quality video footage, please visit: www.thenewsmarket.com/gatesfoundation


Email: media@gatesfoundation.org
Phone: 206-709-3400

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The Don is Back in Grand Style!

THE DON IS BACK

~ By Ingram Osigwe

When the king rises, he does so with certain panache and carriage befitting his revered status and when he enters the arena, he equally does so gracefully, showcasing his pre-eminence for all to see. Such was the case with Don Simon fruit juice when it was relaunched in Lagos on Tuesday, 29th January 2013. The ambiance that pervaded function suite of Sheraton Hotel and Towers, venue of the pre-launch gave emphatic meaning to this. Don Simon disappeared from the Nigerian market 11 years ago. The ban on the importation of foreign fruit juice by President Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2002 sent Don Simon, alongside other imported fruit juice out of the Nigerian market, but mutual partnership between Ekulo Group of Companies and J.Garcia carrion of Spain have now ensured that Don Simon is produced in Nigeria.

SIR EMMA BISHOP OKONKWO, ( OFR) ADDRESSING THE MEDIA @ THE LAUNCH.

FROM LEFT: AREA MANAGER, WEST AND SOUTH AFRICA, GARCIA AND CARRION, MR. MARIO LAFARGA, MR. LUCIANA CARRION OF J.G CARRION S.A, CHAIRMAN, BISHOP EMMA OKONKWO AND GENERAL MANAGER, JOSEPH OKONKWO BOTH OF EKULO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED DURING THE MEDIA RE-LAUNCH OF DON SIMON FRUIT JUICE HELD AT SHERATON HOTELS ON TUESDAY IN LAGOS.

THE DON IS BACK, DON SIMON FRUIT JUICE ABOUT TO BE UNVEILED.

MR PAWAN MOUDGIL, HEAD SALES AND MARKETING EKULO GROUP , MR JOSEPH OKONKWO,GENERAL MANAGER, EKULO GROUP OF COMPANIES AND MR MARIO LAFARGA, AREA MANAGER AND SOUTH AFRICA J.G CARRION.

THE DON IS BACK, MR MARIO AND SIR EMMA BISHOP OKONKWO.

CHAIRMAN OF EKULO GROUP OF COMPANIES, CHIEF (SIR) EMMA BISHOP OKONKWO(OFR) WITH MR INGRAM OSIGWE, MD FULLPAGE INTERNATIONA COMMUNICATIONS LTD @ THE LAUNCH OF DON SIMON JUICE. THE DON IS BACK.

Don Simon has its origin in Spain produced by J. Garcia Carrion, a family business which has been in existence for centuries and survived many generations. J Garcia Carrion was represented @ the relaunch/ unveiling of the new look Don Simon by Mr. Luciano Carrion,During his rich educative presentation, Luciano said that Nigeria is a very large market and the main hub for business in West Africa hence the partnership with Ekulo Group. He lauded the agricultural potentials in the country and expressed the willingness of J.G Carrion to continue to partner with their credible partner, Ekulo Group to sustain fruit juice market in Africa. Luciano was not the only guest from Iberian Peninsula; he was accompanied to the event by Area Manager, West and South Africa of J Garcia and Carrion, Mr. Mario Lafarga.

THE DON IS BLACK, L-R CHICO ALI OF CLASSIC FM,  BRAND WORLD TV CEO, CLARA OKORO, MR PAWAN MOUDGIL, MR MARIO LAFARGA, MR LUCIANO GARCIA- CARRION, SIR EMMA BISHOP OKONKWO, MR JOSEPH OKONKWO AND MR INGRAM OSIGWE.

MR PAWAN MOUDGIL, MRS ARAH, WINNER OF A VINTAGE WINE, MR MARIO LAFARGA AND MR LUCIANO GARCIA- CARRION.

THE DON IS BLACK, L-R BRAND WORLD TV CEO, CLARA OKORO, MR PAWAN MOUDGIL, MR MARIO LAFARGA, MR LUCIANO GARCIA- CARRION, SIR EMMA BISHOP OKONKWO, MR JOSEPH OKONKWO AND MR INGRAM OSIGWE.

THE DONS OF DON SIMON, MR MARIO LAFARGA AND MR LUCIANO GARCIA -CARRION.

EDITOR OF DAILY SUN, MR STEVE NWOSU AND MR INGRAM OSIGWE.

The guest list for the event was intimidating, including the Chairman of Ekulo Group of Companies, Sir Emma Bishop Okonkwo, OFR who also doubled as the Chairman of the event, The presence of senior managers of Ekulo Group added the desired colour and panache to the star studded media event, The General Manager of the Group, Mr. Joseph Okonkwo and Marketing Manager, Mr. Emeka Oramadike all graced the occasion. The Head, Sales and Marketing, Mr. Pawan Moudgil was at his best, distributors of Don Simon fruit juice from the six geopolitical zones of the country were at the event.

At the interactive session, the management of Ekulo Group treated all questions posed by the media. According to them; The Don is back and back for good and they promised to ensure the constant supply of the brand to its teeming consumers. An elated Marketing Manager of the company, Mr..Emeka Oramadike, said “Taste and values change; the Nigerian consumer is discerning and sophisticated, and does not want to be taken for granted. We at Ekulo Group has it as a duty to produce quality fruit juices that will continue to satisfy the nutritional needs of our consumers, Don Simon fruit juice is poised to take back her position as the premium fruit juice in Nigerian market".

The Chairman of the company Sir Emma Bishop Okonkwo dropped the final clincher,he expressed the willingness of his company to support the investment drive of the present Federal Government, the improvement in power sector according to him is a catalyst for industrialization. He is of the opinion that his company’s foray into the manufacturing sector, will boost the economy, generate jobs and increase our GDP.
Three variants of the brand, Orange, Pineapple and Multifruta were unveiled, the Apple variant will join the stable very soon. the event had some side attractions, like raffle draws and some distributors smiled home with some vintage wines from the cellars of J.G Carrion of Spain.

MR. INGRAM OSIGWE AND MR. EMEKA ORAMADIKE, MARKETING MANAGER OF EKULO GROUP OF COMPANIES. 
\

SIR EMMA BISHOP OKONKWO(OFR) WITH MR LUCIANO GARCIA- CARRION OF J.G CARRION.

MD FULLPAGE COMMUNICATIONS LTD, MR INGRAM OSIGWE, MR MARIO LAFARGA, AREA MANAGER OF J.G.CARRION FOR , WEST & SOUTH AFRICA MARKET AND MR CHICO ALI OF CLASSIC FM.

MR PAWAN MOUDGIL, HEAD SALES AND MARKETING , EKULO GROUP OF COMPANIES LTD.


On Air Radio personalty,Chico of classic FM and CLara Okoro, CEO of Brand World TV were the comperes of the event.

It was really a fruity satisfying event because "The Don is back".

Media Contact:
Mr. Ingram Adichie Osigwe
MD/CEO Fullpage International Communications Limited
Mobile: +2348034107643; +2348020553131; +2348073916641
Alternate Email: ingram4real@gmail.com

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Thank You for All Your Best Wishes on My Birthday!

I give thanks, because I am very glad and grateful to the Almighty God for protecting and saving the beautiful and wonderful life He has given me to celebrate another birthday today. He has given me life and given me life abundantly in Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour and our Messiah.
To God and God alone be all the glory.

My special person and Nigerian sweetheart Roseline Philip woke me at about 2am with the following best wishes and prayers:

Just keep saying A-M-E-N!!!
=>SURPRISES
=>ELEVATION
=>PEACE
=>FAVOUR
=>SUCCESS
=>LONGLIFE
=>DIVINE HEALTH.
Happy birthday!!!

Followed by sweetheart Loveth Martins with the following:

May ur birthday let u create ur favourite kind of happiness 2 day&lend
u a reason 2 smile&see d glory of d lord in ur life&more yrs 2 com,hv
a wonderful &most beatiful day ever happy birthday.

Thank you Blog.Co.Uk for your Happy Birthday wishes to me.
Thank you Dapo Tinubu of Na Naija, Becky Muikia, Aloysius Raphael Onyejegbu, aka 2MS, my youngest brother Marvel Eke and many others on Facebook, Twitter and and offline.

You are already blessed and highly favoured and God will surely increase you abundantly and your own birthdays will be celebrated as well with many more happier returns for us.

Cheers and God bless you all.

My Happy Birthday song of praise is Don Moen's "Give Thanks"

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart
Give thanks to the Holy One
Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich Because of what the Lord has done for us"
And now let the weak say, "I am strong"
Let the poor say, "I am rich Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks
We give thanks to You oh Lord
We give thanks.

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Act V & Red Hot Congratulate "Blood Brother" for Winning the Sundance Festival U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the U.S. Documentary Audience Award

29 Jan 2013 19:50 Africa/Lagos


Act V & Red Hot Congratulate "Blood Brother" for Winning the Sundance Festival U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the U.S. Documentary Audience Award

New film shines a light on India's AIDS Orphans through American Rocky Braat

NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Act V: The End of AIDS and the Red Hot Organization congratulate Director Steve Hoover, Producer Danny Yourd, the ever-inspiring Humanitarian Rocky Braat, the production company Animal, and the whole Blood Brother team for winning two prestigious awards this week at the 2013 Sundance Festival: the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the U.S. Documentary Audience Award.

"Rocky's story is so inspirational. Somehow, he found home in a far away place. His compassionate care of children with HIV/AIDS proves that love can move a mountain. I believe the world will be touched, moved and galvanized to take action and join us in helping as many children as possible survive AIDS. No child should live in an institution. Its up to all of us to focus on keeping parents alive and AIDS treatment is the answer to that," said Leigh Blake, Executive Producer of Blood Brother & President of Act V: The End of AIDS.

"We hope that Blood Brother will be seen by millions of people around the World and inspire them to join the movement to defeat HIV/AIDS. Rocky Braat serves as a role model for a generation who are stepping up and taking action on behalf of the voiceless. Together we can create a world of justice where no one has to suffer and die from AIDS. Thank you Blood Brother for bringing us one step closer to the endgame on AIDS," said John Carlin, Executive Producer of Blood Brother & President of the Red Hot Organization.

Arms Around the Child (http://armsaroundthechild.org/), the sister organization of Act V, is partnering with Blood Brother in response to Rocky Braat's journey to directly help and support Rocky, the children depicted in the film, and the millions of other orphans living with HIV/AIDS in India and Africa. Please take action now: Donate $10 by texting ROCKY to 80077* or go to armsaroundthechild.org. *Messaging & data rates may apply.

Contact: Felicity Chamberlin
212-343-0043 | felicity@actfive.org

SOURCE Act V: The End of AIDS

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Criminal Tracker! App Adds New and Improved Features

29 Jan 2013 01:26 Africa/Lagos

Criminal Tracker! App Adds New and Improved Features

DETROIT, Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Criminal Tracker!, by U.S. Publications, Inc., is newly upgraded and improved making it even easier for its users to quickly track criminals and sex offenders in real time within a 40-mile radius.

Criminal Tracker! is user friendly and just a few clicks provide complete and current criminal profiles and photos.

Users can view hundreds of profiles for each specific zip code region and radius setting for free. They simply enter their zip code and mile range. Criminal Tracker! then quickly populates and tracks all offenders with names and addresses on a map within their chosen settings.

"The additions of the 'Look Up' and 'More' buttons have made a big difference in the functionality and usability of the Criminal Tracker! application," Simon Gojcaj, president, U.S. Publications, Inc., says. "Now, when a user is in their zip code area, he or she can click on specific pinpoints within the maps to view complete criminal profiles of every offender within each 'Look Up.'"

The "More" feature provides continued map page results and its new filter feature makes it possible to see the specific nature of the crime(s). For instance, was it sexual in nature? Was the person a pedophile?

"We are very excited to offer these new and improved features," Gojcaj says. "And, our new batch system also works to prevent crashes."

Criminal Tracker! is focused on keeping the public informed and the community safe. It works closely with law enforcement and the public to help ensure that its database is frequently updated with the most comprehensive National Criminal Index available.

"We are offering an invaluable service to our users," Gojcaj says. "For instance, did you know that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children reports, as of August 2012, that the total number of registered sex offenders in the U.S. was 747,408; and that 60 percent of second offenses take place while living in a supervised community? And, these statistics are only the tip of the iceberg. Criminal Tracker! empowers people to take control; they have the right to know who their neighbors are to ensure the safety of their families."

About Criminal Tracker!

Criminal Tracker! is compatible with the iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. It requires iOS 4.3 or later and is available for $1.99; the first three look-ups are free. It is available here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/criminal-tracker!/id490605714?ls.

- Logo 72dpi: Send2Press.com/mediaboom/13-0128-crimtrackr_72dpi.jpg

This release was issued on behalf of the above organization by Send2Press(R), a unit of Neotrope(R). http://www.Send2Press.com

SOURCE U.S. Publications, Inc.
Note to editors; 300dpi image for media:http://Send2Press.com/mediaboom/13-0128-crimtrackr_300dpi.jpg

CONTACT: Simon Gojcaj of U.S. Publications, +1-586-949-0762, simongojcaj@sbcglobal.net

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Hitler’s Toilet Is in New Jersey?

The Tablet gives us the photograph of Adolf Hitler’s toilet in New Jersey.
But the last thing I want to see would be Hitler's toilet.

For half a century, Greg’s Auto Repair has housed the commode from Aviso Grille, the Führer’s biggest yacht.
Read the full story on Tablet.

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God Is Not A Christian, Muslim Or Hindu

I do not believe in God, because I am a Christian.
I do not believe in God, because of the Holy Bible.
I do not believe in God, because of any religion.

To deny the existence of God is not different from to deny your own existence. Because if God does not exist, then you should not be here at all.
This is not a religious belief, but simple logic.
Think it and tinker it and it would soon sink into your consciousness.
The Holy Bible said "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us".(JOHN 1:1).
Simple scientific analysis of creation.
There was a beginning and that is why you and I are here and that beginning was and still is what we call God and He is in us and we are in Him. As He said "Let us make man in our image and after our likeness."
Lest we forget, God has no religion and has no Holy Bible or Koran.
He is not a Christian, Muslim or Hindu.
He is a Spirit and that Spirit is what makes things both living and non-living, both visible and invisible to exist.

If you don't believe in God does not mean He does not exist.
To believe in your own very existence is to believe in the logic of God.
Where is the evidence of God?
Look in the mirror.
Only a retard does not believe in God.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, aka Orikinla Osinachi, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/Orikinla, author of The Prophet Lied, Diary of the Memory Keeper and other books.

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F2FA Launch in NYC is Best Event of the New Year!

The historic launching of the pan African F2FA magazine on Friday January 11, 2013, at the Empire State Building in New York City is one of the best things celebrating Africans in America and others in the diaspora as Sandra Appiah and Isaac Boateng unveiled the much awaited Face2Face Africa print edition.

The launching of the high-end contemporary pan-African F2FA magazine attracted many dignitaries and media buffs at the awesome Empire State Building in New York City on Friday January 11, 2013.

“F2FA is a dream fulfilled. A dream stemmed from a desire to change the story for someone who is going through what I experienced as a teenager,” the 23-year-old Editor-in-Chief, Sandra Appiah said. The mission is to redefine Africa in the modern world and shape black culture.

“If you believe that our mission is important and you want to continue seeing subsequent issues, you simply have to support and spread the word,” said 28-year-old Publisher Isaac Boateng calling on the global community to support F2FA Magazine.

For more information, contact info@f2fafrica.com.

Photos By: Alex Borghi.

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