The Leadership of Muslims Must Ban Paedophilic Marriage in Islam

 According to a study in 2020, Islam has 1.9 billion adherents, making up about 24.7% of the world population. Most Muslims are either of two denominations: Sunni (87–90%, roughly 1.7 billion people) or Shia (10–13%, roughly 180–230 million people).

The leadership of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) must ban the rampant sexual abuse of underaged girls by old men suffering from paedophilia (a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent girls) in Islamic communities worldwide.

Paedophilic marriage is the major cause of the millions of underprivileged girls out of school in northern Nigeria.
Any sexual intercourse with a Girl-Child is #RAPE.

Elizabeth Vargas reveals the heart-wrenching stories of child marriage victims, who against all odds, escaped the most dire of circumstances. These brave survivors tackle this taboo issue in their personal lives and help to shine a light on the national epidemic with the hope that no child will ever have to be a victim again.

 

This powerful investigation into Shia clerics in some of Iraq's holiest shrines uncovers a network of exploitation of young women and girls, trapped into prostitution and pimped out by a religious elite. Unprecedented undercover filming and victim testimony reveal how they procure young women for male clients, and are prepared to conduct 'pleasure marriages' with children.

Gyakie of Ghana is A Better Singer Than Tems of Nigeria

 #Gyakie #Ghana

#Tems #Nigeria

#Singers #heart #throat #sensous

#songs #vocals #music

#falsetto #acappella #voice #unpluggef

Jackline Acheampong who is professionally known as Gyakie of Ghana is a better singer than Nigeria's Temilade Openiyi, popularly known by her stage name Tems.

Gyakie sings from her heart, whereas Tems sings from her throat.

Her sensous falsetto is all that she has to offer and unplugged, Gyakie will make Tems an ordinary singer without powerful vocals.

Let Gyakie and Tems sing a cappella and you will hear the difference.

PS:

If you have not studied music or you don't have a good ear for music, you may not know the difference between the two singers.

A Film Adaptation of "Ameno" is Overdue

I have viewed this epic music video of "Ameno" of ERA by Eric Levi and I thought it was the trailer of the movie. The song produced in 1996 by the Baby Boomers generation is currently having worldwide resurgence by both millennials and Gen Z on TikTok.

The film adaptation is long over due and I found the historical background of the theme of the song on 
http://www.euronet.nl/users/ernstoud/era.html.

The following is enough treatment for the screenplay. And I will like to produce it.

###

WhatWhat Can I Say?

In August 1998 I visited a late 19th century fortress 'Fort Vuren' which was once part of the defense system New Dutch Waterlinie, meant to defend the Northern part of Holland, in particular the city Gorinchem. This fortress was never used in battle and is now sometimes used to house art exhibitions. During such an exhibition they played music that overwhelmed me. The cold and very damp fortress (with feet-thick concrete walls below ground level) with its church-like acoustics together with the music melted into an almost eerie experience.

I thought I heard an album by Enigma. But it turned out to be an album called 'ERA' by the French composer and guitarist Eric Levi.

The music is a weird mix of Gregorian chant (performed by the English Chamber Choir), rock and disco. Musicians are Lee Sklar, Chester Thompson, Philippe Manca, Neal Wilkinson, Patrice Tison and Eric Levi.

I only recognize Chester Thompson who always played drums with Phil Collins when Genesis was on tour.

Parts of the album remind me of the Carmina Burana by Carl Orff, other parts seem inspired by early works of Mike Oldfield.

On first sight it is hard to tell what this concept album is about. The CD sleeve contains little information apart from a two couplet verse:

When the children of Montsegur came down from the pog

The sun had not yet returned day to the world

On their pale faces could be seen their grief and sadness

Without faith they went

Time had passed, the children have grown with great hope

And sometimes, when they look up to the mountains

They can hear those strong and beautiful voices

Beating on the sound of a rhythm, the Cathar rhythm.

Based on this verse and the enormous encyclopedia the Internet has turned into, it is fairly easy to do research.

At the start of the 13th century Catholicism reigned supreme but a number of Christian diversions where popular. The acts of Pope Innocentius III made large amounts of people hostile towards Catholicism because it seemed that Church did present Rome instead of faith. A fertile environment for heresies, one of these was Catharism, of which the largest group formed in the South of France, in the Languedoc area near Toulouse.

Catharism preached that the body is evil but that one's soul is devine and therefor must be set free. During the 13th century the Inquisition and Crusades controlled from Rome eradicated the Cathars. Montsegur (Mont Segur = Safe Mountain) was one of the last Cathar bastions to fall when (after a siege of 10 months) the Cathars on Montsegur were given 14 days to surrender. They had the option to deny their faith or be killed. Almost all choose to keep faith so 205 men and women were burned at the stake on March 15th 1244.

There is a lot of mystery about the Cathars and Montsegur. On July 21st the sunrays enter and leave the ruins through four openings. Did the Cathars have some solarian rites?

Also it is believed that just before the surrender of the Cathars at Montsegur, a party was secretly sent down to rescue the Cathar's treasure and hide it in secrecy, never to be found again ...

Source

http://www.euronet.nl/users/ernstoud/era.html

FESPACO 2021: The List of the Winners

 27th edition of the biennial Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), the largest African film festival in the world took place from 16 to 23 October 2021 in Burkina Faso

Photo:A host holds the Étalon de Yennenga (Golden Stallion of Yennega) won by Somali director Ahmed Khadar for his film, "The Gravedigger’s Wife" during the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) closing ceremony at Sports Palace in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso October 23, 2021. REUTERS/Anne Mimault.

"The Gravedigger’s Wife" premiered in #Cannes Critics’ Week in July and has  been selected as Somalia’s  first-ever Oscar submission for the 2022 Academy Awards.

The filmmaking was delayed as Khadar Ahmed wrote the story 10 years ago, but wanted to direct it himself and so took time to learn how to direct movies.

Newton Aduaka is the only Nigerian filmmaker who has won the grand prize, the Golden Stallion of Yennenga for his 2007 film,"Ezra’" on the civil war in Sierra Leone.

The US$36,000 Golden Stallion of Yennenga prize is named after the legendary warrior Princess Yennenga, who is called the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso.

The first Nigerian to win a prize at FESPACO, is Clarion Chukwurah, the  Best Actress prize in 1985 for her role in Dr. Ola Balogun’s film, "Owo L’agba" (Money Power). 

The List of the Winners

– Golden Stallion of Yennenga: “The gravedigger’s wife” by Ahmed Khadar (Somalia)

– Silver Stallion: “Freda” from Gessica Geneus (Haiti)

– Bronze Stallion: “A story of love and desire” by Leyla Bouzid (Tunisia)

– Best Actor Award: Alassane Sy for “Baamum Nafi” (Senegal)

– Best Actress Award: Zainab Jah for “Farewell Amor” by Ekwa Msangi (Tanzania)

– Best decor: “La Nuit des Rois” (Night Of The Kings) by Philippe Lacote (Ivory Coast)

– Best Editing: “Souad” by Amin Ayten (Egypt)

– Prize for the screenplay: “Nameless” Mutiganda Wa Nkunda (Rwanda)

– Image prize: “This is not a burial, it is a resurrection” by Jeremiah Lemohang Mosese (Lesotho)

– Sound Award: “Freda” by Gessica Geneus (Haiti)

– Best Music: “The Gravedigger’s Wife” by Ahmed Khadar (Somalia)

– Gold standard documentary feature film: “Garderie Nocturne” by Moumouni Sanou (Burkina Faso)

– Silver standard documentary feature film: “Marcher sur l’eau” by Aissa Maiga (Senegal-Mali)

– Bronze standard documentary feature film: “Makongo” by Elvis Sabin Ngaibino (Central African Republic)

– Poulain d’or short film: “Serbi” (Les Tissus blancs) by Moly Kane (Senegal)

– Silver foal fiction short film: “Amani” by Alliah Fafin (Rwanda)

– Short film fiction bronze foal: “Zalissa” by Carine Bado (Burkina Faso)

– Poulain d’Or documentary short film: “Ethereality” by Kantarama Gahigiri (Rwanda)

– Silver foal short film: “I bit my tongue” by Nina Khada (Algeria)

– Bronze foal short film: “Nuit Debout” by Nelson Makengo (DRCongo)

SPECIAL MENTIONS

– Special mention to “Tabaski” by Laurence Attali (Senegal)

– Special mention from the jury: “La traversée” by Irène Tassembedo (Burkina Faso)

OUTLOOK SECTION

– Paul Robson Prize: “Traverser” by Joël Akafou (Ivory Coast)

– Oumarou Ganda Prize: “Tug of War” Amil Shivji (Tanzania)

BURKINA FASO SECTION

– Best Burkinabè film: “In the footsteps of a migrant” by Delphine Yerbanga

– Best Burkinabè hope: “After your revolt, your vote” by Kiswendsida Parfait Kaboré

.

AFRIFF Announces Seasoned Entertainment Executive as Creative Director for its 10th Anniversary Edition

AFRIFF Announces Seasoned Entertainment Executive as Creative Director for its 10th Anniversary Edition

 

AFRIFF Announces Seasoned Entertainment Executive as Creative Director for its 10th Anniversary Edition

Lagos, Nigeria –    29/10/2021

Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) today announced seasoned global entertainment executive, Jenny Alonzo, as Creative Director for its 10th anniversary edition

The move comes as AFRIFF continues to solidify itself as Africa’s most innovative film festival, celebrating African content, film making and a unique platform for the many stories Africa has to share with the world. AFRIFF is focused on building the necessary bridge with the rest of the world.

Jenny Alonzo is a recognized leader in content, marketing, and the multicultural markets across all platforms—film, television, digital— and is an advisor to C-Level executives on the ‘super consumers,’ a segment often referred to as multicultural. She has worked on some of the strongest brands in international media, including NBC, The Wall Street Journal, and NUVOtv/FUSE, where she spearheaded the go-to-market strategy for the network’s partnership with global icon Jennifer Lopez.  Most notably, Alonzo was a member of the executive team that launched Lifetime Television and its ground-breaking market positioning of Television for Women.

Alonzo has been an advocate for diverse storytelling and representation throughout her career. She was a two-term member of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) inaugural Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age, served on Nielsen’s Advisory Council, Volvo/Jaguar/LandRover’s Advisory Council, is currently on the Board of Governors for St. John’s University, and is Chair of the Board for circlearound.com. 

Jenny Alonzo has been featured as a Broadcasting & Cable Fifth Estater, in The New York Times, Diversity Inc., Black Enterprise, and El Diario/LaPrensa. She has moderated and participated on highly visible panels at major conferences, including NCTA, CTAM, PROMAX, Black Enterprise’s Women of Power Summit, Congressional Caucuses, corporate events, and film festivals.

“I’m both humbled and excited to be working with Chioma Ude on AFRIFF. This festival is a hidden gem. AFRIFF has been a champion for African filmmakers and Chioma’s mission to amplify and elevate the stories about Africa, Africans, and its Diaspora is right in line with what my brand represents—telling and amplifying stories about women and diverse markets that continue to lead global growth. I am proud to be working with someone who demonstrates a commitment to paying-it-forward and to opening doors for those with limited access, which is still a huge problem in filmmaking and entertainment. 

Alonzo, continued, “Africa is truly the richest continent in the world and yet the stories we see paint a different picture. AFRIFF is doing everything it can to change that by providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their work and for buyers to experience authentically rich stories they can bring to the world. Chioma is on a mission to ensure AFRIFF becomes the “must attend” film festival of Africa. I’m honoured to join her on this mission,” stated Alonzo. 

AFRIFF takes pride in celebrating some of the best films in Africa in the Feature, Documentary and Short category through careful selection by its Creative Director and International Jury. This year, about 4,000 films have been submitted in all the categories and the selection process for films that will screen at the festival is currently on going. REGISTER FOR AFRIFF.

ABOUT AFRIFF

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) conceived by Ms Chioma Ude is a world class showcase that presents a complete immersion into the world of film making with participation from local and international, actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, musicians, editors, light engineers, students, equipment manufacturers and businesspeople. 

The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through several capacity development workshops; complement government’s efforts at revamping small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs).

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Igbos Are Not Ready To Become A Sovereign Nation

Igbos Are Not Ready To Become A Sovereign Nation

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo does not even know the true origins of the Igbos. And the most intellectually ignorant are the leaders of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who claimed that the Igbos are also Jews, the descendants of Abraham, when the archeological proof of Igbo Ukwu shows that Igbos have the oldest monarchy in Africa of the same period of the Indus Valley civilization before the birth of Abraham. If you don't know your history, then you cannot build the foundation for a nation. 

I have already addressed the origins of the Igbos in several writings, including the following:

The Binary Systems of AFA, IFA and EPHA Divinations and Computer Science

https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-binary-systems-of-afa-ifa-and-epha.html

Nigerians Report Online: Facts You Don't Know About the True Origins of the Igbos in Nigeria

https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2021/08/facts-you-dont-know-about-true-origins.html

Nigerians Report Online: Exposing the Historical Lies of Biafra on Abraham, Israel and the Igbos

https://nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com/2021/08/exposing-historical-lies-of-biafra-on.html

The leaders of IPOB are political opportunists who are terrorising fellow Igbos to sit at home and not to vote in the elections they have registered for. 

You are attacking the fundamental human rights of the people and using dictatorship and terrorism to force them to reject democracy in the federation they have chosen to be part of as bona fide citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but you have collected millions of naira, the official currency issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

It is Political Idiocy and Political Hypocrisy to claim you are Biafran and you support IPOB, but you are still desperately applying for or having the Nigerian passport and NIN to apply for government jobs, loans, projects and sponsorships. 

The ignorance of political education and history has made many of the Igbos to believe the shallow political propaganda of the IPOB.

Any action to force people to accept a political cause is TERRORISM.

You cannot build a nation by terrorising Igbos to join IPOB.

You cannot build a nation without love, peace and unity.

- By EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima 

Publisher/Editor, 

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series 

247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter

https://mobile.twitter.com/247nigeria

https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima

The Introduction To "Barack Obama, The American Dream and the American Nightmare"

The following is the introduction of my yet to be published book,
"Barack Obama, The American Dream and the American Nightmare"

For all my fellow bloggers in the blogosphere
From those croaking like frogs on the logs
To those barking and howling like dogs on their blogs
Who are not afraid to break the news
Like backbenchers screaming from the pews.

Introduction

"Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." ~ François Marie Arouet de Voltaire

"Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough."~ Franklin D. Roosevelt

"Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat." ~Jean-Paul Sartre
–posted 02/10/2008 at 10:46:07 

Barack Obama has caused me to write a book I would not have written. His political audacity provoked me to write it. Barack Obama is like seeing the American Dream unfolding like the petals of a rose before our very eyes. I am not a true artist if I cannot depict what I see. Even a mirage forms an image we cannot deny. I will separate the fantasy from the reality of this American Dream.

Yet Barack Obama would not have become so dramatic without the ironic passion of his fanatics. Barack Obama may end up as a cosmic irony in the political history of America. May God save Barack Obama from the fates of these interesting times. 

–posted 02/10/2008 at 10:23:56 

I have seen the parade of ignorance
In the masquerade of arrogance.

I prefer to call this book political graffiti on the current affairs in American politics, some aspects of global politics, and other do-or-die affairs. Please read at your own risk. Most of the political notes are (1) comments I posted in my replies to various news reports and articles on the Huffington Post and (2) informed commentaries on my political blogs. The comments are regarding the principal presidential candidates of the Democratic Party in the course of their political campaigns for the presidential caucuses and primaries before the presidential election in 2008. The headings of the comments and commentaries are the titles of the specific news reports and articles on the Huffington Post and other sources; therefore, you can use the titles to trace the sources online. Reading the original reports, articles, and blogs will give you more details and make it clear why I made the comments or wrote the informed commentaries. 

It is also an important documentary on how Barack Obama emerged as the first black President of America in the most turbulent period since World War Two and will be of immense benefit to everyone who is interested in the intellectual and political consciousness of Obama in the study of his life and the history of American politics in the 21st century.

The notes and commentaries are testimonies of my cosmopolitan political inclinations. I enjoyed the excitement of participating in the discussions on the dialectics, ethics, and polemics of American democracy and the glaring contrasts with the contortions and distortions of democracy in Nigerian politics and of course on the madness of terrorism.

Mentally Disabled Women Used in Bombings

All suicide bombers are mentally retarded morons. We should ban any religion promoting terrorism. Lest we forget, rape is also terrorism. Honor killing is equally terrorism.

All terrorists should be arrested and deported to the moon where they actually belong since they are worshippers of the moon. No wonder madness is associated with the moon’s cycle.

We, the civilized ones, cannot be safe in a world where terrorists are on the rampage. We must get rid of them before they get rid of us. No need for Guantanamo Bay—just deport them to the moon. 

–posted 02/01/2008 at 14:24:47 

Mrs. Stassinopoulos Huffington is my humorous address for the irresistibly bold and beautiful Arianna Huffington, the celebrated publisher of the Huffington Post and author of many books. This book is meant for entertainment and enlightenment, so enjoy.

~ Ekeyerengozi Michael Chima
Orikinla Osinachi
January 14, 2008
Bonny Island, Nigeria

We Cannot Build a Nation Without Love, Peace and Unity

"We cannot build a nation without love, peace and unity.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Author of "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream", "The Prophet Lied", "In the House of Dogs", "Scarlet Tears of London" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Books and other booksellers worldwide.

Do Events in Our Life Shape Us?

Photo Credit: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-51094093.amp

Do Events in Our Life Shape Us?

"It's not the events of our lives that shape us, but our beliefs as to what those events mean." 

-Tony Robbins'

How do events shape our narratives and perspectives on life as artists, filmmakers and writers?

I don't totally agree with Tony Robbins' opinion, because the events of unforeseen circumstances in human lives have shaped the characters and attitudes of many people, especially the innocent children who don't have beliefs to define or determine their reactions to the events in their lives.

They simply react by their human nature as an earthworm reacts when you drop a pinch of salt on it. 

What beliefs do children have? 

They just want to survive and live happily.

Boko Haram terrorists strapped bombs to the waists of two innocent little girls who were totally clueless about bombs. They took them to a crowded market and pushed them to go into the midst of the crowd. Then left them. Minutes later, the bomb on one of the girls exploded and blew up the girl and killed those surrounding her. The second girl screamed in fear and shock; and trembling, she ran away from the crowd helplessly trying to remove the bomb strapped to her waist. Everyone was running away from her whilst she was crying and screaming for help. The bomb exploded and left her in pieces. People were crying, screaming, yelling and wailing at the horrifying suicide bombings. The innocent girls, daughters of the victims of the Boko Haram terrorists had been used as suicide bombers without their knowledge. The horrors of the tragedies of terrorism have altered the beliefs of many people in northern Nigeria to hate the Islamic religion, to hate their political leaders or to lose faith in Almighty God.

The loss of a beloved younger sister made one of the foremost educationists in south western Nigeria to become an atheist, because his cries, prayers and tears did not save the life of his sister. If God really existed, He would have been moved by his cries, prayers and tears. I could understand his unbelief shaped by the harrowing event of the loss of his beloved sister. I reached out to him before he passed on.  Because, in our mortality, we cannot comprehend Immortality.

The catastrophic event of the internecine Nigerian civil war from 1967-1970 affected the psyches and shaped the lives of millions of Igbo children who were the worst victims of the war and actually has been more critical to my existential attitude to life and my faith into what is called Christian Existentialism.

And I agree with Jean Paul Sartre’s maxim that “man is nothing else but what he makes of himself”. But what he called the first principle of existentialism, another writer said, "flies in the face of a belief in a God greater than all of us.". What Sartre meant is, our choices in different circumstances of life will either make us succeed or make us fail in the world.

St. Augustine, the famous Catholic Philosopher and author of the classic, "The City of God" and  other books was a Christian existentialist. 

The critical events in our  formative years shape the characters of most of us before the development of our beliefs. 

I would not have been an artist and writer if my parents did not relocate our family from Obalende on the Lagos Island to Shomolu on the mainland of Lagos. I was only 13 when it happened and that disrupted my growing up, because I was separated from my childhood sweethearts and playmates in Obalende and in the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Lafiaji. To me, moving to Shomolu was a nightmare and I suddenly became an introvert and being called the "Monk of Morocco Ville", because I preferred to stay indoors after returning from school. Morocco Ville was the name of the bungalow where we resided at the Morocco Bus Stop on the Bajulaiye Road in Shomolu. I did not like the other children in the neighborhood. And I became engrossed in reading books and daydreaming and started drawing, painting and writing.

Parents don't know that relocations can affect and alter the development of the characters of their children. Relocations can cause depressions in children if you don't discuss with them before relocating your family to another environment. 

Children are innocent of our beliefs and choices in life.

No child asked to be a victim of circumstances in the existential realities of life.

No child asked to be born poor or rich.

Before we take decisions on the affairs and situations in our lives, please let us think of how the consequences will affect our innocent children and their future in the world.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Author of "Children of Heaven" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Tower Books and other booksellers.

Daflon 500mg for the Treatment of Piles or Hemorrhoidal illness

GOOD PRACTICES IN HEMORRHOID TREATMENT

Hemorrhoidal illness represents one of the most common medical conditions in man. The most recent statistics indicate a prevalence of about 25% in the adult population, and higher than 50% for those older than 50. However, the prevalence and incidence are most probably higher, considering the fact that, in certain patients, the illness begins in an asymptomatic fashion.

The origin of hemorrhoidal disease can be either mechanical or vascular (hemodynamic):
According to mechanical theory, the supportive structure of the hemorrhoidal plexus undergoes spontaneous involution which includes excessive laxity and leads to displacement of the internal hemorrhoids. Acute intrarectal or abdominal pressure are worsening factors.
Vascular factors are increasingly recognized as playing an important role in the development of hemorrhoidal disease through alterations of the vascular plexuses and dysfunction of the arteriovenous shunts, the effect of which are amplified, as above, by increased abdominal pressure.
Hemorrhoidal disease is often associated with inflammation. Therefore, the treatment of hemorrhoids has to achieve three objectives: to eliminate mechanical and local triggering factors, to reduce the inflammation, always present in acute manifestations and to reestablish optimal hemodynamic and microcirculatory conditions.

https://www.phlebolymphology.org/daflon-500-mg-in-the-management-of-acute-and-recurrent-hemorrhoidal-disease/

Traditional Banking is Obsolete

 #fintech #banking #banks #Paypal #Mastercard #Visa #Amazon #Apple #apps #smartphone #money 

Traditional Banking is Obsolete

I have not been to my bank for any transaction since 2020. I have been using only my smart phone and fintech app.
No need for bank tellers and no need for banking halls.
The big buildings and skyscrapers of big banks are soon going to become abandoned buildings before 2030. Banks don't need big buildings and staffs can be reduced by 70%, because fintech apps are what banks need now and not overstaffed branches. Decentralized fintech apps will end centralized banking and financial operations. Even #Paypal and other online payment platforms using credit cards will become obsolete if they don't change.

We will say bye, bye to #Mastercard, #Visa, #AmericanExpress and others. All the decentralized fintech apps will be on our mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
REINVENT or become EXTINCT.

 
- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
https://angel.co/u/michael-chima-ekenyerengozi

AFRIFF Announces James Farrell and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo of Amazon Prime as Keynote Speakers for 10th Anniversary

AFRIFF announces Prime Video’s James Farrell, International Head of Local Originals, and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer, as Keynote Speakers for its 10th anniversary edition!

Lagos, Nigeria –  15/10/2021   

Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), today announces James Farrell, International Head of Local Originals at Amazon Studios, and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, Chief Marketing Officer for Prime Video & Amazon Studios, as its keynote speakers for its 10th anniversary edition. The Prime Video leaders will join together in a Fireside Chat for the session at 7.00pm WAT on Sunday 7th November, where delegates will hear more about Prime Video’s plans for future investment in local storytelling in Africa.   

James Farrell is in charge of all Original TV and film created by Amazon Studios outside the US, with recent movies and series including Mixte (France), El Juego de las Llaves (Mexico), Mumbai Diaries 26/11 (India), The Family Man (India), The Dinner Club (Italy) and LOL: Last One Laughing (versions produced in 11 countries in 2021 including Japan, Brazil and Germany). James Farrell commented: “Here at Prime Video we are constantly looking for the highest quality and most ambitious original content to satisfy our local audiences and more than 200 million Prime members globally.  Being present at the 10th edition of AFRIFF is in line with our goal to search out the most unique voices throughout the world and then move quickly to help bring their visions and stories to life. I’m thrilled to be joining Ukonwa for this keynote session, but most of all, I am looking forward to meeting the talented filmmakers at AFRIFF and start building some incredible projects with them.”

Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo, who originates from Nigeria, is an experienced global marketing leader. She joined Prime Video & Amazon Studios in 2020 as Chief Marketing Officer, leading global brand and originals marketing from Amazon Studios’ Los Angeles headquarters. Since joining, Ojo has overseen the launches of hit global Prime Video movies and series including Coming2America, Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, Cinderella and The Underground Railroad. Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo commented: “I’m thrilled to be attending in this landmark year for AFRIFF. At Prime Video we are obsessed with finding unique, authentic stories and supporting them to reach both local and global customers. I’m looking forward to sharing my passion with the talented filmmakers who attend this festival, and collaborating on how we can take African storytelling to a global audience.”

This announcement comes as AFRIFF continues to solidify itself as Africa’s most innovative film festival, celebrating African content, film making and a unique platform for the many stories Africa has to share with the world. AFRIFF is focused on building the necessary bridge with the rest of the world. 

AFRIFF founder, Ms Chioma Ude stated; “AFRIFF has continued to scale new heights year after year! After the last 18 months with the pandemic, I am beyond excited to welcome  Film and Television leaders such as James Farrell and Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo to be our 10th anniversary keynote speakers. James and Ukonwa’s visit to the festival is not only a testament to Amazon’s commitment to amplifying global and diverse stories, but also their unwavering support for the foundations built over the years by a very hard-working team, further identifying AFRIFF’s shared values with a global giant such as Prime Video!” 

 

AFRIFF takes pride in celebrating some of the best films in Africa in the Feature, Documentary and Short category through careful selection by its Creative Director and International Jury. This year, about 4,000 films have been submitted in all the categories and the selection process for films that will screen at the festival is currently on going.

 

Ends.

ABOUT JAMES FARRELL

As Head of Local Originals, James is in charge of all Original TV and film created by Amazon Studios outside the US. James joined Amazon in April 2015 to lead content for Prime Video in Japan before moving on to other roles encompassing India, Latin America, and ultimately the rest of international in 2018 reporting to Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios.

Local content has been a key driver for the success of Prime Video, and James now manages more than 20 teams based around the world including across Europe, Latin America, Asia, Canada, Australia, India and Africa.

Prior to Amazon, James spent 10 years at Sony Pictures Television with executive roles in Los Angeles, Toronto and Tokyo during that time.  He has an MBA from Columbia Business School, a BA from Middlebury College, and currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and two children.

ABOUT UKONWA KUZI-ORIZU OJO

Ukonwa Kuzi-Orizu Ojo is Chief Marketing Officer, Prime Video & Amazon Studios, responsible for leading global brand and originals marketing. She joined Amazon in September 2020 and reports directly to Mike Hopkins, Senior Vice President, Prime Video & Amazon Studios. 

Ojo was previously Chief Marketing Officer for M∙A∙C Cosmetics, where she oversaw brand positioning and increased M∙A∙C’s presence and appeal to a global consumer in growing markets around the world. She helped drive customer engagement strategies and delivered breakthrough product innovation in order to maximize consumer connection to the iconic brand.

Prior to that, she served as Chief Marketing Officer of Consumer Beauty at Coty, where she led P&L, brand development strategy, advertising, innovation, social/digital, design, and media planning/buying. Other positions include Senior Vice President at COVERGIRL, and brand and general management roles at Unilever, Reckitt Benckiser PLC, General Mills Corporation and Meadwestvaco Corporation.

Over the course of her career, Ojo has been recognized with over 50 awards and honors, including Business Insider’s list of 25 Most Innovative CMOs, World Federation of Advertisers’ Global Marketer of the Year, WWD Brand Builder of the Year, Ebony Magazine Power 100, Financial Times Top 100 List of Minority Executives for three consecutive years, and Fast Company’s Top 100 list of Most Creative People in Business among others. She is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute and a Member of the Executive Leadership Council.

Ojo is a graduate of the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina and holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. 

ABOUT AFRICA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (AFRIFF)

 

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is a celebration of Cinema and filmmaking talent from Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an energetic and exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation for delivering incredible value. 

 

The objectives are to develop the film industry to a level where the products compete favourably with their contemporaries all over world; provide a growth opportunity for these film industry professionals to eventually export their products to the world; facilitate access to investors, equipment, technical and skill acquisition through several capacity development opportunities.

 

 

 

Google, Apple, and Netflix Top List of Companies Generation Z Wants To Work For

The Rise of the Gen Z VC

“The barriers to entrepreneurship and investing have never been lower, and our generation is very aware of the opportunity we have.”

Generation Z is growing up and getting a tech job.

The oldest members of the world’s first truly digital native generation—folks born from the mid-1990s to 2010—are starting their careers, and they overwhelmingly want to work in tech.

Google, Apple, and Netflix top list of companies they want to work for, and 72% fancy the idea of becoming founders themselves.

Which raises a question: Who’s going to fund all those new startups?

According to a new report from AngelList, a new crop of Gen Z investors is emerging. They’re 10k strong and launching VC funds from their dorm rooms.

Click here to read the report

Ozigbo as Anambra's Breath of Fresh Air

Ozigbo as Anambra's Breath of Fresh Air

- By Peter Osakwe

Val Ozigbo stands out in the galaxy of candidates for November 7, 2021, Anambra gubernatorial election not because he is flying the flag of a popular party but because he is the knight in the shining armour for Anambrarians.

You need not be clairvoyant to tell that Anambra is in dire need of fresh breath after eight years of mindless suffocation. And who will bail the cat?

Here is Ozigbo. Young, energetic, urbane, cerebral and unassuming yet well wired. His robust academic resume, uncanny strides and exploits in the corporate world firmly project him as the breath of fresh air Anambra urgently needs.

Valentine Ozigbo is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governorship elections in Anambra State and I dare say that the party got it right in the choice of flagbearer.

For a man who connects seamlessly with the people he is seeking to govern with his well-articulated Ka Anambra Chawapu socio-economic and infrastructural module which is also his campaign slogan, Ozigbo wears the Anambra shoe and knows where it pinches the people.

"The Chawapu project is designed to touch the future by building social and economic systems that last”, he says.

Val, as he is affectionately called by admirers, is a hard-boiled business administrator and entrepreneur and has dedicated close to three decades of his life garnering and putting into work experiences in the corporate world.

He is a thinker who thinks outside the box, visionary and purpose-driven. Ozigbo rises above the fray to stamp competency and accomplishment.

Ozigbo is not your janu-faced everyday politician. He is a straight talker who speaks the language of service delivery. This candidate comes across as a man of unadulterated zeal for enduring positivity, one who is adequately prepared for the task of reinventing Anambra.

Grassroots' favourite, Ozigbo has become a movement in Anambra. His state-wide acceptability and popularity attest to the fact that his message of redemption for the Ndi Anambra positively resonates with them.

Come November 7, Anambrarians will be saddled with a simple choice: Choose as their next governor a compassionate, shrewd, urbane and cerebral manager of men and resources or a perpetuation of the dark, anachronistic politicking and voodoo governance Anambra has endured.

Ozigbo represents the former. In him, American author John C Maxwell's characterization of a leader takes flesh and blood. Maxwell: "A leader knows the way, goes the way and shows the way."

Starting as a young goal- getting financial manager, the PDP candidate have traversed the business and financial firmament leaving impactful and enduring imprimatur in all spheres- hospitality sector, banking, manufacturing, energy etc.

Until March 2020 when he quit to explore other areas of service to humanity, including the possibility of serving Ndi Anambra as governor, Ozigbo was at the driver's seat of Transactional Corporation of Nigeria, Transcorp, a top-flight business conglomerate with an interest in agriculture, banking, hospitality among others.

Appointed President and Chief Executive officer of the Corporation in 2011, Ozigbo brought his corporate wizardry to bear on the outfit resulting in its burgeoning success.

For example, while at Transcorp, Val developed five new projects worth over $500 million including two new hotels in Lagos and Port Harcourt as well as other retail facilities that catapulted the conglomerate to a global height.

Born on July 20, 1970, Valentino Ozigbo attended Christ the Redeemer College where he obtained his SSCE certificate.

He obtained a degree in accounting from the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) in 1994 and an MBA in Banking and Finance from the same University in 2000.

In 1998, he obtained a professional qualification in accounting from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Taxation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria in 2000.

In 2004, Val Ozigbo obtained an MSc in finance from Lancaster University, United Kingdom.

Val Ozigbo obtained a professional qualification in Credit Administration from the Institute of Credit Administration in 2015. 

Ozigbo's rise to the top of the corporate ladder was swift and meritorious. Before he was appointed the CEO of Transcorp, he had17 years of experience in the banking sector working with notable Nigerian banks including NAL Merchant Bank, Diamond Bank, Continental Trust Bank, FSB International Bank, Standard Trust Bank, United Bank for Africa and Bank PHB.

Between 1995 and 2000, he was the Head of Commercial Banking at Diamond Bank Plc. He proceeded to become the business manager at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2000.

In 2001, Ozigbo was Acting Regional Director of FSB International Bank but returned to pick up the position of Head of International Banking at the United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2004.

He left UBA for Keystone Bank as the Global Transaction operation in 2008.

Anambra is in for impactful, purposeful leadership as Ozigbo awaits coronation on November 7.

Congratulations to Ndi Anambra in advance.

***

Peter Osakwe wrote from Inland Town, Onitsha.

What Makes A Great Movie?

Hundreds of thousands of movies of different genres have been made since  the Skladanowsky brothers who used their self-made Bioscop to display the first moving picture show to a paying audience on November 1, 1895 in Berlin to the Lumière brothers who showed their short films in Paris on December 28, 1895 .

What Makes A Great Movie?

What makes a great movie is not the size of your camera;

It is not the size of your cast;

It is not the size of your crew;

It is not the size of your budget;

But the size of your IMAGINATION.

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Artist, writer, filmmaker and publisher.

Author of "Children of Heaven", "Scarlet Tears of London", "Bye, Bye Mugabe", "In the House of Dogs", "Diary of the Memory Keeper", "The Prophet Lied",  "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream" and co-author with Dr. Chika Christian Onu of "Naked Beauty", the first Nigerian screenplay published for commercial distribution.

One of Chima's most popular short stories, "Daughter of a Beggar" is included as "Beggar's Daughter" in the critically acclaimed "CAMOUFLAGE: Best of Contemporary Writing from Nigeria".

United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child: My Voice, Our Equal Future

 

What's the 2021 theme?

The 2021 theme is: 'Digital generation. Our generation.' This theme is a call for equal access to the internet for girls as well as digital devices. It also supports targeted investments to facilitate opportunities for girls to safely and meaningfully access, use, design and lead technology.

For International Day of the Girl (11 October) 2021, girls from across the world are speaking up against false information online.

UN Women has said on its website girls are a "fundamental source of transformational change for gender equality, and technology is a crucial tool to support their work, activism and leadership".

Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person” – Mother Teresa

"My mother always told me, ‘hide your face people are looking at you.' I would reply, ‘it does not matter; I am also looking at them.” – Malala Yousafzai

My Voice, Our Equal Future

Digital generation. Our generation.

Girls know their digital realities and the solutions they need to excel on their diverse pathways as technologists for freedom of expression, joy, and boundless potential. Let’s amplify the diversity of these tech trailblazers while simultaneously widening the pathways so that every girl, this generation of girls – regardless of race, gender, language, ability, economic status and geographic origin – lives their full potential.

In 2021 we commemorate the Generation Equality Forum (GEF), launching 5-year commitments from civil society leaders, governments, corporations and change makers from around the world for bold gender equality impacts. At the same time, we are in the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated digital platforms for learning, earning and connecting, while also highlighting girls’ diverse digital realities

The gender digital divide in connectivity, devices and use, skills and jobs is real. It is an inequity and exclusion gap across geographies and generations that is our challenge to address if the digital revolution is to be for all, with all, by all. Let’s seize the momentum to drive action and accountability of GEF commitments made, for and with girls to achieve a bold vision of bridging the digital gender divide.

Ways to get involved

Share stories / blogs / videos of inspiring adolescent girls who are tech trailblazers while collectively amplifying our call to action to expand these pathways for every girl, everywhere.

Amplify your GEF and other commitments to address the gender digital divide experienced by today’s generation of girls, illustrating that we must take a strong generational gender lens to the digital divide if we are to achieve meaningful and sustainable change for a digital revolution by, with and for all.

https://www.un.org/en/observances/girl-child-day

Photos Courtesy of Dreamtime httpshttps://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/computer-kid-africa.html