Monday, March 31, 2014

AfDB Approves US$ 125 Million Line of Credit to Zenith Bank for On-lending to SMEs




TUNIS-BELVEDERE, Tunisia, 28 March 2014 / PRNewswire Africa / - The African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved a US$ 125-million Line of Credit (LOC) to Zenith Bank PLC (Zenith) for on-lending to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria.

This 4th LOC to Zenith approved by the AfDB's Board of Directors on Wednesday 26 March 2014 in Tunis, will enable Zenith gain access to long-term foreign currency funding to generate additional lending to its SME clients operating in various sectors of the Nigerian economy including agriculture and agribusiness, transportation and manufacturing.

In approving the LOC, the Board of Directors underscored the fact that the SME sector represents a strategic pillar for Nigeria's quest to modernize and improve its economy while diversifying away from the heavy dependence on the oil industry.

According to the Nigerian Federal Office of Statistics, SMEs account for 97% of all businesses in Nigeria, contributing 50% of employment and output in the non-oil sector. This compares unfavorably with many peers, reflecting a relative underperformance of the SME sector in Nigeria. One of the major impediments to SME growth and development is limited access to bank credit and despite the various widely documented positive reforms to the banking sector since the crisis in 2009, access to credit for the SMEs is still severely constrained. The proposed LOC will therefore contribute to filling this critical financing gap.

The LOC aligns with the renewed strategy of the Government of Nigeria to revitalize the economy by developing its SME sector. It also aligns with the AfDB's country assistance strategy to support private sector led growth in Nigeria. Furthermore, it is consistent with the AfDB's strategy to support SMEs through sound and reputable financial intermediaries. Finally, it aligns with the AfDB's new inclusive growth priority by supporting SMEs in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

SOURCE African Development Bank (AfDB)

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Half of A Yellow Sun is Not the First Nigerian Film to Premiere at the Toronto International Festival


 Half of A Yellow Sun is not the first Nigerian film to premiere at the Toronto International Festival
"Half of A Yellow Sun" is not the first Nigerian film to premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival as claimed by the principal Executive Producer of the film, Mrs. Yewande Sadiku and published in The Guardian newspaper of Nigeria quoted below.
‘’I want us to see this project as our own. If it succeeds, we all take the credit. I mean for the first time in our history as a nation, a Nigerian story that was funded wholly from here screened at the Toronto International Film Festival. That for me is very huge.’’ 
http://ngrguardiannews.com/index.php/life-magazine/moviedom/155628-the-long-tortuous-road-to-half-of-a-yellow-sun-by-sadiku
Tunde Kelani's "Abeni" was the first Nigerian film to premiere at the TIFF in 2006, followed by Faruk Lasaki's film "Changing Faces" that also premiered at the TIFF the following year.
I reported it on Sola Osofisan's Naijarules on http://www.naijarules.com/xf/index.php?threads/faruk-lasaki-at-the-31st-annual-toronto-international-film-festival.18325/ and the full text is quoted below.

Caption: Faruk Lasaki and Okeke Cydrian Osita
Headline: 31st Annual Toronto International Film Festival - Planet Africa
Venue: The Drake Hotel
Location: Toronoto, Canada
Date: September 11, 2006 
http://www.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=gls====210677&nbc1=1

PRESS STATEMENT
TIFF 2006 is another visual representation of Nigeria’s greatness – Information and National Orientation Minister
Information and National Orientation Minister, Mr. Frank Nweke Jnr, has described Nigeria’s participation at the ongoing prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF 2006) as a concrete visual representation of Nigeria’s greatness and a positive outcome of President Obasanjo’s efforts to unlock all barriers undermining Nigeria’s journey to destination.
Mr. Nweke Jnr stated this at the Nigeria Stand in Sutton Place, venue of the film festival, as other participants swarmed the Nigerian stand to appreciate the features of the Nigerian film industry which has been rated the third largest in the world.


 Nigeria’s entry at Toronto 2006 is 'Abeni", a transnational love story from the stable of Mainframe Production, directed by Mr. Tunde Kelani, Nigeria’s ace cinematographer and a patron of Nigeria’s cultural entrepreneurship. An impressive global audience of film critics, journalists and enthusiasts will see "Abeni" at its first public screening on September 14, 2006, at the Royal Ontario Museum. Further screening of the film will also hold for another group of media men and industry enthusiasts on September 15.
The Minister who was evidently pleased by the reception and enthusiasm other participants showed towards Nigeria’s rising film industry said such interests certainly underscore Nigeria’s central role in a changing world and a testimony to how good leadership, right environment and a resourceful citizenry could turn around the fortunes of a nation.

Corroborating the Minister’s statement, Mr. Tunde Kelani, says art and culture remains a major vehicle for telling the Nigerian story, especially within the context of The Heart of Africa Project, a cohesive information programme for the management of Nigeria’s image, the promotion of her brand assets and tackling of the negative attitudes which undermine the image of the nation. Mr. Kelani says this is the focus of Mainframe Production, which has also been invited to submit Nigeria’s entry at FESPACO, a biennial film festival holding in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, February 2007, and solicited for government support to ensure its success. He expressed pleasure at the efforts of the Federal Government to restore the glory and pride of Nigeria as an important member of the global community through its various reforms but he urged the Federal Government to become more involved in goings-on in the film industry in Nigeria.

Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, who led a team of film producers, directors, marketers and other stakeholders from Nigeria to the Festival says although this is the first time a Nigerian movie is being premiered at TIFF in its thirty-one years history, it is a great outing for Nigeria’s film industry which home video sub-sector is the world’s largest.

Giulla Filippelli, Head, Sales and Industry Office for TIFF 2006, says “we are honoured to have Nigeria participate to showcase her greatness and limitless promises”.

The Festival is also featuring renowned names in global movie and entertainment industry including Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, WyClef, who spoke glowingly about Nigeria, as well as Nigerian actors and producers in diaspora including American-based ‘Gucci’ and Akin Omotoso, a Nigerian based in South Africa, who is currently directing a movie adaptation of "In the Shadow of a Saint", a book written by Ken Saro-Wiwa Jnr. Next year’s TIFF is expected to premiere more Nigerian films including "Changing Faces", a movie by Faruk Lasaki, a Nigerian film maker who is also attending TIFF 2006. The making of "Changing Faces", is showing today at the Nigerian stand in Sutton Place.
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng/ministers_PressStatementTIFF.aspx

It is good for every literate person and in particular those seen as well educated professionals and stakeholders in the Nigerian film industry to be factual in the information they share with the public to avoid misinformation and misleading the ignorant majority. 


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
"Orikinla Osinachi", Author of Children of Heaven, Scarlet Tears of London, Bye, Bye Mugabe, Diary of the Memory Keeper, In the House of Dogs, The Prophet Lied, co-author of "Naked Beauty" and Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report Online, Nigerian Times, Nollywood Mirror and Nollywood Digital.

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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Jumia Gets More Than 2 Million Visitors Monthly

Jumia offers more than 100,000 products online and gets more than 70,000 visitors daily. In 2013, Jumia was the first African winner of the World Retail Award for “Best Retail Launch of the Year”.

Top 10 eCommerce Facts About Nigeria


  1. According to the World Bank, 32.9% of the population in Nigeria was dependent on the technologies of this age like, High-speed Internet, Broadband and LTE Broadband amongst others, as of 2012.
  2. Nigeria ranks 8th out of a total of 212 member countries of United Nations in terms of number of internet users. Contrastingly, it occupies 128th spot in terms of internet penetration.
  3. Although, the number of internet users in Nigeria are more in absolute terms but internet penetration in percentage terms is much lower than other African countries.
  4. According to Internet World Stats, there were 55.9 million Internet users, representing 32.9% of the population of Nigeria in 2012. During the same year, number of Facebook users totaled to 6.6 million, being the most popular internet activity amongst Nigerians.
  5. According to World Economic Forum, out of every 100 urban Nigerians, 50 access the internet monthly, 58 have internet capable mobile phones and 21 have smart phones.
  6. Public expenditure on internet technologies is $3.14 per capita. It is noteworthy that 25% of expenditure on internet is due to e-government initiatives in Nigeria.
  7. According to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the number of payments in the country made by mobile phone more than doubled, to 2.4 million, in the first half of 2012, while Internet payments rose 9.3 per cent.
  8. Among urban residents, it is estimated that 99 per cent have access to mobile phones and 50 per cent go online. 
  9. Social networking is the most popular online activity, followed by reading news and watching videos.
  10. In general, urban Nigerians are more than twice as likely as the average African Internet user to conduct transactions online.

Source: BUSINESS DAY.


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Saturday, March 29, 2014

Africa Still Rising, But Needs Economic Discipline: AfDB

Africa Still Rising, But Needs Economic Discipline: AfDB

Sub-Saharan Africa's economy will grow more than 6 percent this year, the African Development Bank said on Tuesday, but its president urged governments to build resilience to capital outflows and commodity price shocks. ..

 
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Nigeria's Troubled Road To Prosperity

Nigeria's troubled road to prosperity


Huge potential, huge challenges. As one of the 'MINTs' - the new kids on the economic block - Nigeria is trying to map a path for the future whilst confronting insurgency, corruption and .

 
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Friday, March 28, 2014

Attacks on the Press: Journalism on the World's Front Lines



Everyone who can read and really wants to know the challenges and dangers of being a journalist in the world today, should get copies of Attacks on the Press: Journalism on the World's Front Lines (Bloomberg) by Committee to Protect Journalists (2013).

Book Description
February 19, 2013 1118550552 978-1118550557 1
The world's most comprehensive guide to international press freedom
From Aleppo to Zacatecas, Beijing to Brasilia, the past decade has seen a sharp rise in the number of journalist imprisonments, assassinations, and disappearances worldwide. Caught between warlords and religious extremists, corrupt police and drug cartels, and hemmed in by increasingly oppressive censorship laws, journalists have never been at such peril, nor asked to pay such a high price for the ethical practice of their profession.
Begun as a simple typewritten list in 1986, Attacks on the Press has grown to become the definitive annual assessment of press freedoms globally. Compiled by the Committee to Protect Journalists, it provides up-to-the-minute analyses of media conditions, press freedom violations, and emerging threats to journalists in every corner of the world.
In this 2013 edition, you will find front-line reports and analytical essays by CPJ experts covering an array of topics of critical importance to journalists, including:
  • Journalist casualties at the front lines of conflicts in Syria, Nigeria, Somalia, Afghanistan, and other global hot spots
  • The curtailment of Internet freedoms across Southeast Asia, with an emphasis on the draconian measures now in place in Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand
  • The status of investigations into the disappearances of 35 journalists worldwide, and why more than half of those disappeared went missing in Mexico and Russia
  • The rise in journalist imprisonments globally, the spate of new anti-terrorism laws that made it possible, and the example set by the U.S. government in the wake of 9/11
  • The state of journalistic freedoms in Iran since the Green Movement and the practice of summary imprisonment of Iranian journalists
  • How the rise of mobile Internet technology and social media has engendered new dangers for journalists from both insurgent groups and the governments they are fighting
In addition to being an invaluable source of timely information and guidance for media professionals, Attacks on the Press gives voice to journalists globally, providing them with a platform for direct advocacy with governments and a seat in discussions at the UN, OAS, EU, AU, and other official bodies.

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Kanayo O Kanayo Calls for Anti-piracy Police for the Protection of Intellectual Property


KOK speaking at the press conference and product launch.

Nollywood actor and Chairman, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Kanayo O. Kanayo, has called for the establishment of an Intellectual Property Police in the mould of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to help fight piracy in the country.

“Piracy constitutes intellectual terrorism; it is more deadly than HIV and AIDS,” he said  at the press conference and product launching of  Job Alert Management System (JAMS), designed to curb piracy to a barest minimum by Transerve Disc Technologies Limited at the prestigious Golden Tulip in Festac Town, Lagos on Friday March 21, 2014.
Kanayo also decried the lack of quality in recent Nigerian home movies, putting blame on the activities of pirates, who he said have taken over the show from producers, starving them of remuneration.

 The Chairman/CEO  Mr. Cyprian Orakpo and his wife Mrs. Doreen Orakpo, the Director/COO of Transerve Disc Technologies Limited with KOK

Transerve Disc Technologies Limited, a company which specialises in the replication of discs, also displayed three products – DVD 5 and DVD 9 Replication, Glass Mastering (Stamper) and Job Alert Management System (JAMS), designed to curb piracy to a barest minimum.

 Mr. Cyprian Orakpo speaking at the event.

The chairman of the company, Cyprian Orakpo, said: “The Job Alert can help curb piracy in the sense that if you are a content owner and you bring your job to Transerve and we register it with your data, and have a record that this is the owner of this work; you are alerted on every order placed on that job. You are given opportunity to checkmate pirates from the source; if pirates should forge your authority letter, and pretend that they are the owners of the work, when they come to us, the moment we schedule this work, you will receive an alert telling you that your work has been scheduled at Transerve and that you have 12 hours to get back to us or else, we will take it that you authorised it.”

 Mr. Afam Ezekude, Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

The Director General, Nigeria Copyright Commission, Mr. Afam Ezekude, commended the company and noted that the commission is also doing its best to stamp out piracy in the country, despite low funding.

 Gabriel Onyiyechi Okoye, aka Igwe Gabosky, President of the Motion Picture Distributors of Nigeria (MOPIDON) and producer of Nollywood best selling movies Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Tycoon, Beyond the Vow, Picadilly and Wedlock of Blood.

Accomplished filmmaker Mahmood Ali-Balogun and Gabriel Onyiyechi Okoye, aka Igwe Gabosky, President of the Motion Picture Distributors of Nigeria (MOPIDON) and major stakeholders in the entertainment industry, including Director-General, Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), Mr. Afam Ezekude, Ms. Patricia Bala , Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and President of Copyright Society Of Nigeria (COSON) Mr. Tony Okoroji were among the dignitaries at the event.

Ms. Patricia Bala , Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).


Transerve, the biggest producer of audio and video CDs, DVDs and other digital products in West Africa launched the Job Alert Management System (JAMS), its pace setting anti piracy Optical Disc Software that monitors the production and distribution of all products and services from the company to all the customers in Nigeria and the rest of the world.
This is the first of its kind innovation by any manufacturer of digital distribution audio and video tapes in CDs, DVDs in Africa.




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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Digital Omnivores Craving More Content Across Devices, According to Deloitte's "Digital Democracy Survey"



NEW YORK, March. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital omnivores – those consumers who own a trio of tablets, smartphones and laptops – continue to grow, driven by the proliferation of new platforms and increased device adoption. Released today, Deloitte's eighth edition of the "Digital Democracy Survey" (formerly the "State of the Media Democracy" survey) reveals that over one third (37 percent) of U.S. consumers are now digital omnivores, a 42 percent growth over the previous year. This growth is primarily driven by continued tablet adoption (33 percent increase) and, to a lesser extent, smartphone ownership (18 percent increase).  Moreover, women, who made up over one-third (35 percent) of omnivores two years ago, now account for 45 percent of this group.

Deloitte's "Digital Democracy Survey" compares and contrasts generational preferences of more than 2,000 consumers, ages 14 and older in the U.S., revealing significant technology, media and telecommunications consumption trends, including attitudes and behavior toward advertising and social networks, mobile technologies, the Internet, and consumption preferences across platforms and devices.

"The continued rise of the digital omnivore is an indication that consumers, across generations, are hungry for content across devices, especially media and gaming content on mobile devices," said Gerald Belson, vice chairman, Deloitte LLP and U.S. Media & Entertainment sector leader.  "Consumers are often now able to watch the content they want on the device of their choosing. As an example, they have decoupled the notion that TV shows have to be watched on home TVs. This trend is particularly evident in trailing millennials (aged 14 to 24), who indicated they now spend more time watching television and movie content on non-traditional devices than on TVs."

Evolving Consumption ModelsThe survey reveals that U.S. consumer interest in streaming content has nearly doubled in the past year (from 17 percent in 2012 to 32 percent in 2013), with interest in digital formats outpacing demand for physical media. Consumption of media is increasing, but U.S. consumers prefer to rent versus purchase movies and television programming by a ratio of 3:1 in 2013, compared to 2:1 in 2012. This trend is even more pronounced for the trailing millennials.

Despite increased interest in digital formats, consumers' preference for Pay TV subscriptions remains consistent with last year's finding, as U.S. consumers indicate they are largely content with their current Pay TV services. The survey notes than only six percent of consumers who have paid TV services are considering giving up their service in the next year. Furthermore, interest in accessing and purchasing a la carte programming is equal to consumer interest in bundled cable packages with both at 47 percent in 2013.

Multitasking on the riseAs new media devices become easily available and ownership increases, U.S. consumers continue to be more distracted while watching home TVs, with 86 percent multitasking, up from 72 percent in 2011. Millennials are the most active multitaskers, engaging in an average of four activities while watching TV. Gen-Xers and boomers are also multitasking more, with both generations engaging in more than one additional activity in 2013 while watching TV. However, fewer than one-quarter (22 percent) of multitasking activities are directly related to the programs that consumers are watching.

"This year's results indicate an economic shift in the content industry. Consumer preference for renting instead of buying is driving content distribution models toward a higher volume, lower revenue rental model," said Alma Derricks, director, Deloitte Consulting LLP. "Coupled with the increase in multitasking and the fact that viability of second screen services remains unproven, consumers are driving a fundamental shift in industry practices. Even with so much fragmentation in the market, there's an enormous opportunity to capitalize on these behaviors and create offerings that engage consumers in new, meaningful ways."

Gaming Beyond the ConsoleAs mobile device ownership grows, interactive videogaming is expanding beyond dedicated gaming consoles, with consumers spending nearly a quarter (23 percent) of their gaming time on smartphones and tablets. This trend is even more pronounced among younger generations, led by females who spend 26 percent of their time gaming on smartphones and tablets.

Consumers also continue to utilize the multi-functionality of gaming consoles, with 42 percent using their console to play physical discs, 32 percent to stream movie and TV content, and 26 percent using their console to watch online content.

Social Media Influences AllThe impact of social media on consumers' daily lives is profound, with more than half (54 percent) of U.S. consumers checking social networks daily, some as often as 10 times a day or more.

Social media's impact on consumers' buying decisions is also profound. Online reviews or recommendations from someone within an individual's social media circles are especially impactful, even when the reviewer has no relationship to the consumer. Among U.S. consumers, the majority (68 percent) say that online reviews or recommendations from someone within their social media circles have a high or medium level of influence over buying decisions. Online reviews by strangers are also gaining credibility with 60 percent of consumers reporting online reviews by someone they do not know having a high to medium influence over their buying decisions.

"Changes in how content is consumed across multiple devices accelerates as new technology is introduced," concludes Belson. "This trend will continue as more consumers gain access to new media devices and consumption platforms. It brings about new challenges and exciting opportunities for organizations in the technology, media and telecom industries."

For more information on Deloitte's "Digital Democracy Survey," please visit: http://www.deloitte.com/us/tmttrends. Connect with us on Twitter: @DeloitteTMT and #tmttrends.

About Deloitte's Technology, Media & Telecommunications PracticeDeloitte's technology, media & telecommunications practice serves more than 1,400 clients in the U.S., including the vast majority of market category leaders across all sector segments. Deloitte practitioners, many with direct industry experience, deliver a breadth of services including professional audit, consulting, enterprise risk management, financial advisory and tax. The practice is also home to the Deloitte Center for the Edge, which conducts original research and develops substantive points of view for new corporate growth. The Silicon Valley-based Center helps senior executives make sense of and profit from emerging opportunities on the edge of business and technology.

As used in this document, "Deloitte" means Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120803/MM52028LOGO-a
 
SOURCE Deloitte
CONTACT: Anisha Sharma, Public Relations, Deloitte, +1 917 464 3713, anissharma@deloitte.com, Kelly Williams, Hill & Knowlton Strategies, +1 310 633 9443, kelly.williams@hkstrategies.com

 
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People Without Culture Are Animals - Alake And Hails Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr

 People without culture are animals–Alake *Hails Adenuga’s virtues

Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr has stressed the need for the preservation and propagation of Africa’s rich cultural heritage and values as a means of building a greater tomorrow.

Dr. Adenuga who stated this in a goodwill message to the 28th Lisabi Festival,, explained that Globacom as a proudly Nigerian company is sponsoring Lisabi Festival to keep the legacies of the Egba hero alive and impart young ones with the values which Lisabi Agbongboakala stood for

“Our robust partnership with Lisabi Festival is to keep Lisabi’s pioneering, courageous and excellent spirits alive in Egbaland with a view to imbuing young ones with the noble values of hard work, integrity, honesty, love, and patriotism which are some of the hallmarks of Egba ethos,” Dr. Adenuga stated.


He said Globacom would continue to be in the vanguard of efforts to project African values and cultures whilst building the best and biggest brand focused on making life more fulfilling for the people through innovative offerings and pocket friendly tariffs.

In his address, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo stressed the need to teach young ones the Egba core values of honesty, industry and integrity and described a people without culture as animals.

He thanked Globacom for robustly supporting Egbaland to fulfil its obligations to the future generation and congratulated Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr for being honoured as one of the influential one hundred personalities that have been outstanding in the last one hundred years of our nationhood.



He commended the Ogun State Government for the numerous developments going on across the state and pleaded with indigenes to continue to support the government through sacrifice, adding that eggs could not be enjoyed without breaking the shell.

Prizes were awarded to winners in the various competitions while numerous groups and chiefs paid homage to the monarch during the celebrations. The theme of the 28th Lisabi Festival sponsored by Globacom was “Amalgamation in Nigeria and Egba National Independence”.

 
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Monday, March 24, 2014

Nigeria's LASAA to Host Africa's Biggest Signage and Outdoor Conference and Exhibition in Lagos


LAGOS, Nigeria, March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Nigeria's first structured outdoor media regulator, Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), is to host Africa's  most anticipated signage & Outdoor conference and exhibition in  Lagos, between June 22 - 27th this year.   In addition to 4,000 visitors  expected for the event,  about 300 exhibitors and conference participants from 30 countries drawn from Europe, Asia, America, Africa and within Nigeria will be taking part.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140324/675541 )

The Nigerian regulator says this maiden edition of what may become an annual international conference & exhibition in Lagos, is geared at creating a convergence of stakeholders within the out-of-home advertising industry.  It will focus on trends, best practices, innovations and challenges within the Nigerian and African context.  Conference participants will include advertising agencies, outdoor practitioners, media owners,  signage fabricators, printers, advertisers, regulators, government Officials, event companies, outdoor protection services, retailers, franchisees and marketing professionals.
 
Speaking on this new initiative, the Managing Director of LASAA, Mr George Noah,  who is steering this development said:  ''The objective is to provide a veritable platform for the growth and development of signage and outdoor advertising in Lagos State, Nigeria and Africa.  The event is expected to attract from within and outside the country,  industry regulators, consultants, designers,  researchers, brand managers, media buying agencies, event companies,  suppliers, manufacturers, exhibitors in the signage, digital signage, retail signage solutions, outdoor media as well as screen and digital printing industries''.

Commenting further, Noah said: ''Our objective is to create an enabling environment that will help all players in our sector to grow their business and to keep abreast with new innovations from across the globe. Visitors and participants are expected  to discover the latest developments in equipment, software, signage and outdoor materials, systems, fittings and fixtures. Participants can maximise their time at the event by taking part in the tailored conference sessions as well as experiencing live demonstrations and networking opportunities. In addition the  conference & exhibition will deliver new market breakthroughs, significant on-site sales, joint venture opportunities, new trading partners and an improved regional profile for manufacturers''.

Exhibitors already committed to the event include: Rotapanel (Holland) Primedia (South Africa)  Agfa (Belgium) Saga Group (Dubai)  and Invent Media (Nigeria).  Similar exhibitions in Dubai, London and Milan are reported to generate billions of dollars of sales for exhibitors serving the printing, signage and outdoor advertising industries.


Signed

Temitope Akande,
Manager, Corporate Affairs/PR Department
E-mail- takande@lasaa-ng.com
Tel-07043281292
Twitter- @lasaaonline
Skype- lasaacustomerservice
http://www.lasaa.com

SOURCE Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency


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Chika Anadu’s B for Boy, Kenneth Gyang’s Confusion Na Wa for Colours of the Nile International Film Festival 2014



Two major Nigerian films Chika Anadu’s B for Boy, Kenneth Gyang’s Confusion Na Wa are among the 48 African films for second edition of Colours of the Nile International Film Festival opening today in Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia.




Colours of the Nile International Film Festival 2014: Line Up
Lenses on African Renaissance
Press Release
Colours of the Nile International Film Festival Launches Monday 24 March 2014

48 African films from around the continent will be highlighted during the festival, which runs from 24 – 31 March 2014.

The second edition of Colours of the Nile International Film Festival (CONIFF) launches on Monday 24 March 2014 highlighting 48 African film offerings from around the continent, all of which will be African, East African or Ethiopian premieres from African directors or producers. There will be competitive categories for features, documentaries and short films, with ten awards being given out, including The Great Nile Award for Best Feature Film Director.

The feature selection of 11 films spans a number of debut features: Chika Anadu’s B for Boy, Kenneth Gyang’s Confusion Na Wa, Soussaba Cisse’s Rumours of War, David Tosh Gitonga’s Narobi Half Life, Shams Bhanji’s Zamora: to the more established names of Lincino Azavedo’s Virgin Margarida; Moussa Toure’s La Pirogue; Ntshaveheni Wa Luruli (Elelwani) and Judy Kibinge’s Something Necessary. The list is completed with the Second feature from Ethiopian Director Yidnekachew Shumete, Nishan.

“The festival provides an opportunity to showcase some of the latest films by African filmmakers in its competition sections and to introduce audiences also to older films that they may not have had the opportunity to see, out of competition, including a country focus this year inviting the audience to look back at some of the films from the post-apartheid South Africa, a country which has had a very unique journey of renewal” says June Givanni, the artistic director of the festival.

The line-up of seven impressive documentaries in competition includes both of the filmswhich are from North Africa in this festival: Bout de Vie: Bout de Reve (Algeria/France) and Boxing with Her (Tunisia) presenting unusual and radical perspectives of the world.  All of The films in this section were made in the last two years. Here again, established names of Jean Marie Teno (Leaf in The Wind), William Mbye (President Dia): rub shoulders with the rising stars such as Mati Diop; Lovinsa Kavuma; and Shannon Walsh&Arya Lalloo (Jeppe on a Friday).

The short films competition contains 14 films which were all made in the last 12 months and which provide a kaleidoscopic vision of images, sounds and stories of the continent that will provide audiences with a real treat.  The section included five films which have resulted from the Focus Features Africa First Short Film Programme, Twagga,Security, Adamt, Kwaku Ananse, and Berea. The range of genres and styles attest to the fact that the skills and ambitions of young filmmakers remain as varied and ambitious powered with a Renaissance vision and spirit.

In its country focus section dedicated fully to South African cinema this year, CONIFF programmed a tribute to Nelson Mandela – Madiba, the Great Man of Peace who has marked humanity. Nelson Mandela: “The Struggle Is My Life” by the ANC member Lionel Ngakane will be one of the films to be screened in this section. Oliver Schmitz’s Hijack Stories and Mapantusla, Zola Maseko’s Drum and Madoda Ncayiyana’s Izulu Lami are the other films screened in the South African focus together with a documentary by David Forbes, The Cradock four.

The non-competitive section of the festival “Best of the Rest”  includes a retrospective of the works of Newton Aduaka and an important ‘Mockumentary’ by Cameroun DirectorJean-Pierre Bekolo that sets a challenge to spirit of Renaissance (The President). The feature Kinshasa Kids by Marc-Henri Wajnberg and three engaging documentaries Creativity in Exile:  Joy its Nina; and Messages by Music that are linked in their expressions of migration and PanAfricanism, complete the out of competition section.   
“Our selection captures the shifting paradigm in African cinema that is brought forward by extremely talented young African filmmakers. At the same time the festival upholds and celebrates the extraordinary work of established names of African cinema. This flavour opens a new window to dive into the captivating yet unexplored world of African cinema” says Abraham Haile Biru, CONIFF’s founder and president.  

Oliver Smitz’s film Life above All will open the festival.

The 2nd Edition of Colours of the Nile International Film Festival is organized by Blue Nile Film and Television Academy in partnership with the Ethiopian Filmmakers Association.  The festival is made possible with the generous support of the European Union, Institut Francais, UNESCO, Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie, Alliance Ethio-française d'Addis-Abeba, Embassy of the Republic of France in Addis Ababa, Embassy of the Republic of France in Kenya, The Italian Cultural Institute, Timret Lehiwot Ethiopia, W/Loul Travel and Tour, Reporter News Paper, KETA Printers Plc and Leyu Design.


For more information:
Contact Joy Sapieka
joyls@mweb.co.za  +27  73 212 5492
or
Call: +251 930099127

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