Nigerians Report Online: America

Showing posts with label America. Show all posts

Sunday, September 8, 2024

The Problem with Made in China?

The Problem with Made in China

Briefing Manufacturing in Asia

The Economist, January 13th, 2007.

Page 68-70

It is worth reading if you missed the issue.

Can Nigeria become the China of Africa?

Why did the American firms ignore Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa with the largest market on the continent for the location of their factories?

Nigeria does not have the required utilities for the mass production of their products?

Can Nigeria become in Africa what China has become in Asia?

Labour is cheaper in Nigeria than China.

Transportation by railway is also cheaper.

The major hindrance is lack of regular power supply?

CIG Motors of China has an assembly plant in Lagos in spite of the challenges of doing business in Nigeria.

The Capitalism of Made in China should be a good title for a book on how American capitalism dines and wines with communism in China.

This should be a case study on the international politics of the economics of Made in China factories of blue chip American firms.

Big American Companies with factories in China include the following:

General Motors
Nike Store
Boeing
Coca Cola
KFC

Microsoft
Procter & Gamble
Starbucks
Intel
Walmart

Like the phenomenal Asian Tigers, can we see the emergence of the African Lions in global trade led by Nigeria?

- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
The CEO,
International Digital Post Network Limited

Thursday, August 29, 2024

Statement by Binance Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Tigran’s Deteriorating Condition after 6 Months of Unjust Detention

PRESS RELEASE

Statement by Binance Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Tigran’s Deteriorating Condition after 6 Months of Unjust Detention

Despite his conditions, the Nigerian government has refused adequate medical care, including basic needs such as providing access to a wheelchair

Access Multimedia Content

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, August 29, 2024/ -- We are now at the six month mark of Tigran’s unjust detention. Tigran’s physical and mental conditions have deteriorated rapidly with his situation being more dire than ever. He is in severe pain and unable to walk due to a herniated disc. Despite his conditions, the Nigerian government has refused adequate medical care, including basic needs such as providing access to a wheelchair. Furthermore, they are refusing to provide access to his legal counsel, despite a trial commencing on 2 September, which we have been informed is unconstitutional in Nigeria. A court has demanded the government release Tigran’s medical records but after several months, they have still not complied. This week Tigran was denied access to his US consulate representative. These actions are inexplicable.

I am deeply concerned about the long-term, potentially irreversible physical and mental impact this horrific episode is having on Tigran and I appeal once again for the Nigerian government to allow him to go home to his family on humanitarian grounds so that he can seek the appropriate medical treatment in the US, recover and get back to the healthy, active life he previously had.

Baseless Allegations Should Not be Used to Continue to Hold Tigran

A reason that the Nigerian government has used for continuing to hold Tigran is because “(Binance) is operating virtually. The only thing we have to hold on to is this defendant (https://apo-opa.co/3yW0d1Q).”

This statement is far from the truth. There is no need to imprison an innocent employee to answer for any allegations against Binance. We have settled issues in countries around the world, including the US, Thailand, and most recently in Brazil (https://apo-opa.co/3MnjsEm) and India (https://apo-opa.co/3Xm3z7v), in a reasonable, collaborative and amicable manner with governments. All these were done without threat or harm inflicted to any of our employees. This is no good reason to hold an innocent employee to advance the discussion of outstanding issues.

Another claim made by the Nigerian government was that Binance was responsible for its currency decline. To everyone paying attention, this is not backed up by facts. Between 2021 and the end of 2022, the Naira traded between a relatively narrow range of USD1: 380 to USD1: 440. We have been offering P2P services as a value-added service for our users wishing to get exposure to crypto during that period of time. The end of the Naira’s currency peg by the Government in June 2023 caused the biggest fall in Naira’s history according to experts (https://apo-opa.co/4dY7P2y). It went from USD1: 460 in June 2023 to USD1: 900 by the end of 2023. The downward trend continued since. The Naira traded at a recent low of USD1: 1,660 on 31 July 2024, representing a 50% decline from the start of 2024. This downward trend continued despite Binance ceasing to offer P2P services in the country in February 2024. As economists have more elegantly explained, the movement of a country’s currency is attributable to various macroeconomic factors (https://apo-opa.co/3Mnk11h).

It is useful to point out that Nigeria has never been a big market for Binance. The Government has said that we made USD$26bn in revenue from Nigeria in 2023. That is not the case. The $21.6bn figure is the total transaction volume from 2023. To provide an understanding of transaction volume: if a person were to take $1000 and trade it 1000 times, that would represent $1m in transaction volume. Our actual revenue is based on charging a small percentage of transaction fee and we are proud to offer our users some of the lowest transaction fees of any exchange globally.

Call to Action

Tigran is a proud American who should not be subject to such unjust treatment. It is my sincere hope that the American government and political apparatus can exert its political will and muscle to bring Tigran home soon, so that he can get the adequate treatment and be reunited with his family and loved ones. The US administration and legislators have the power to designate Tigran as one of its “unlawfully detained” citizens overseas and there are substantial reasons to do so.

Global citizens should add their voices and concerns, convincing the Nigerian government such unilateral action without strong basis will be detrimental to the long term economic development and well-being of a country. Key stakeholders in the government of Nigeria made the decision to unfairly and unlawfully detain Tigran and they can just as easily make the fair decision to allow Tigran, a former US federal agent, to go home. We appeal on humanitarian grounds to all decision makers in Nigeria to allow Tigran safe passage home to his wife and two young children.

Once these issues are resolved, we hope to work with the Nigerian government to support development of the Web3 industry, create more opportunities for its young, talented workforce, and support the effort to attract more foreign direct investment.

Further Reading

From Richard Teng, Binance CEO: Tigran Gambaryan is Innocent and Must Be Released (https://apo-opa.co/4dZhiGU)
Statement Regarding Tigran Gambaryan (https://apo-opa.co/3ABPp9p)
Noah Perlman: Building a Culture of Compliance at Binance (https://apo-opa.co/4cNCSND)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Binance.

SOURCE
Binance

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New Original Artworks and NFTs for Sale By Ekenyerengozi Michael China

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

The Global Target Audience For Nollywood Movies and Series in Igbo and other African Content

The Global Target Audience For Nollywood Movies and Series in Igbo and other African Content in International Film Acquisition and Distribution

Using Culture and Strategy:

My market survey for a new Nigerian Igbo movie, "Infant at Heart" directed by Aguyi Ikeobi ND, a graduate of the London Film School and produced by Vera Kanu, a seasoned producer in Nollywood with famous Nollywood actor, Nkem Owoh and one of the most beautiful Nollywood divas, Monalisa Chinda in the leading roles has an estimated target audience of more than 100, 000 Igbos who will like to watch Igbo movies and can afford to pay for the tickets at the cinemas in Nigeria.

There are also thousands of Igbos in Ghana, Cameroon and Gabon who are fans of Nkem Owoh who will be excited to watch it.

The Cultural Web

There are more than 45 million Igbos in Africa and the Diaspora.
Nollywood movies still command hundreds and thousands of fans in West Africa and Central Africa.
The first Nollywood videos were actually videos of the popular Igbo TV series, "Masquerade" on the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) in the 1980s recorded on VHS tapes and watched on TV in Cameroon and Gabon.

See also Nigerian Home Videos - Festival des 3 Continents
https://www.3continents.com/en/programme/2003/home-videos-nigerianes/

The significance of cultural web is important for marketing strategy in the distribution of products and services, especially movies and TV series.
Audiences first and foremost prefer content they can identify with and then are anxious and curious about content of other cultures.

Majority of the over 11 million viewers of "The Black Book", the 2023 Nollywood crime thriller film by Editi Effiong on Netflix were South Koreans who were anxious and curious to know what is "The Black Book".

The largest market for African movies and series are the Afro-Latinos: comprising some 150 million in the Americas.
https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RL32713.html#:~:text=Afro%2DLatinos%20comprise%20some%20150,marginalized%20groups%20in%20the%20region.

Unknown to Canal Plus and other multinational entertainment providers, FRANCE 24 Español has already unlocked the market, but yet to provide the African movies and series they (Afro-Latinos) will be excited to see.

The Igbo were dispersed to colonies such as Jamaica, Cuba, Saint-Domingue, Barbados, Colonial America, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago, among others.
The Igbo language is still spoken in Cuba, along with the Efik language, but in a creolized version. In ceremonies of the Abakuá culture, you can see traces of the Igbo Culture.
These are populations waiting for Igbo movies and series and other African content.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

The first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry.

The books have been printed in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America and distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

They are the highest priced book series by an African author and publisher.

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

When the So Called Masterclass is not a Masterclass

When the So Called Masterclass is Not a Masterclass

"What makes a work of art a masterpiece is not the craft.
But the Imagination of the artist."
- Ekenyerengozi MichaeI Chima.

Some years ago, I was invited to participate in a Masterclass on Documentary Filmmaking by the Public Affairs Section of the Consulate of the United States of America in Lagos in the Documentary Showcase Program with American documentary filmmakers. Prominent Nigerian filmmakers in Nollywood were also invited. But the workshop was rushed by the American filmmaker teaching what was nothing new or different, but documentary filmmaking for beginners and what the Nigerian filmmakers already knew. He was teaching us what students in high school were taught in America.

Then the workshop ended abruptly without the completion of the most important sessions.

The American filmmaker started the presentation of Masterclass certificates to all the participants. But I refused to accept my own certificate with my name already written on it.

"We never had any masterclass on documentary filmmaking," I said.

The others were compelling me to accept it. I reluctantly collected it. But I dumped it later in the drawer of my desk in the office of Supple Communications Limited.

Finis.

#art

#artist

#masterpice

#craft

#masterclass

#workshop

#filmmaking

#filmmakers

#Nollywood

#America

#Nigeria

#documentary

#documentaryfilm

#showcase

#unitedstates

#consulate

#Lagos

#presentation

#certificate

#office

RECOMMENDED BOOKS BY EKENYERENGOZI MICHAEI CHIMA

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Dabyna Poll-Abraham: The Best Rock Music Guitarist in Africa

Dabyna Poll-Abraham: Son of Rock

The Best Rock Music Guitarist in Africa

@dabynasonofrock is the best rock music guitarist in Africa for over 20 years and still counting.

A fact that majority of Nigerians don't know. And he is a Nigerian.

He has performed in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and other countries.

He is also amiable, humble and noble.

A very philosophical musician.

I have had the honour of performing with him in 2002 as he and his band played for the rendition of my song, "Darego! You Are the Most Beautiful Girl in the World" in honour of Agabani Darego, the first Black African Miss World crowned in 2001.

The live performance was for the graduation day of the students of the Alliance Française at the French Cultural Centre in Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

It was an unforgettable night as the girls were screaming as I sang.

Do you know that Daby Poll-Abraham also plays Afrobeats rock music?

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
Nigerians Report Online,
https://www.nigeriansreportng.blogspot.com
New Nigeria on Pinterest
www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

#rockmusic

#rock

#music

#afrobeats

#agbanidarego

#beautiful

#girls

#graduation

#graduationday

#song

#missworld

#nigeria

#africa

#guitarist

#unitedstates

#america

#uk

#france

#french

#lagos

#ikoyi

#art

#culture

#band

Monday, November 13, 2023

Digital Artworks and NFTs on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

NFT of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR of Nigeria minted on the Algorand blockchain.

Price: 100ETH

Digital animation version price: US$20, 000.

The Algorand Foundation held an event in Abuja last week for Nigerian developers.

The digital artworks by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, who has been featured in local and International art exhibitions in Nigeria and Japan since 1983.

He was the curator of the first Art Against AIDS Exhibitions in Nigeria in 1993 held at the National Museum and National Arts Theatre in Lagos where all his artworks were sold.

He is the author of "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream: My Eyewitness Account of the 2015 Presidential Election" and other books distributed by Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other booksellers.

His new books include, "Barack Obama and the American Dream" and "The Political Phenomenon of President Muhammadu Buhari".

He is currently producing the "Lagos in Motion" documentary film since 2016.

He met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu when he was invited to his birthday in 2001 as the Governor of Lagos State at the Lagos State House on the Marina, Lagos.

#Tinubu
#President
#PresidentTinubu
#Buhari
#Nigeria
#America
#Obama
#NigerianDream
#AmericanDream
#presidentialelection
#books
#Amazon
#art
#NFT
#Artexhibition
#Japan
#author
#documentaryfilm
#documentary

Monday, October 23, 2023

Official Selection of the 12th Annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF)

AFRIFF 2023 Official Selection

About AFRIFF

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is the largest annual film festival in Africa, dedicated to showcasing exceptional African cinema and nurturing emerging talent. With a diverse range of films from across the continent, AFRIFF provides a platform for cultural exchange and celebrates the rich heritage of African storytelling.

Source

https://www.afriff.com/officialselection

Sunday, May 28, 2023

MOVIE OF THE MONTH: Without Remorse

Click on the poster to watch it now.

Director: Stefano Sollima

Producers: Michael B. Jordan, Akiva Goldsman, André Nemec, more

Screenplay: Taylor Sheridan, Will Staples

Story by: Tom Clancy

Adapted from: Without Remorse

Without Remorse (also known as Tom Clancy's Without Remorse) is a 2021 American action thriller film based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Tom Clancy. It is directed by Stefano Sollima and written by Taylor Sheridan and Will Staples, and stars Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Luke Mitchell, Jack Kesy, Brett Gelman, Lauren London, Colman Domingo and Guy Pearce. The plot follows John Kelly, a U.S. Navy SEAL who sets out on a path of revenge after his pregnant wife and unit members are killed by Russian hitmen.

#America

#Russia

#USNavySeal

#actionmovie

#drama

#crime

#thriller

#Amazon

#Amazonprime

Saturday, May 13, 2023

International Branding of NOLLYWOOD for the Global Market

That the phenomenon of Nollywood has gained global recognition is a fact. But Nollywood is still lacking the required structure for competition in the global film industry and lagging behind South Africa, Egypt and Morocco.

I have addressed the shortcomings of Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry measured with the criteria for the international development of a film industry. These shortcomings are why Nigeria is not among the top 10 countries with the biggest film industries in the world.

Top 10 Film Industries

1. Hollywood Movie Industry

2. Bollywood Film Industry

3. Chinese Cinema

4. United Kingdom of Great Britain

5. Japanese Cinema

6. Cinema in South Korea

7. France

8. German cinema

9. Australia

10. Mexico

The constant emphasis on the large volume of movies produced annually making Nollywood the second largest producer of movies in the world after the Bollywood of India and ahead of Hollywood of the United States of America is not enough without film commissions and film markets.

Having the largest market is different from having the biggest economy.

South Africa has the biggest film industry in Africa and not Nigeria based on the annual revenues of the film industry from the box office, international co-productions, TV networks, movie merchandise and film tourism.

South Africa has the largest cinemas of the biggest film distribution and exhibition companies in Africa.

South Africa has film commissions which Nigeria does not have.

South Africa has a film market which Nigeria does not have.

South Africa has the biggest cable TV industry in Africa with MultiChoice which Nigeria does not have.

The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) is hyped as the largest TV network in Africa, but running a deficit annually and cannot even pay salaries without revenue allocations from the Nigerian government.

In terms of quality of TV productions, the NTA does not have local content of international standards compared to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) that has been producing content attracting international acquisition and distribution.

The criteria for the international branding of Nollywood for the highly competitive global film industry include the top priorities of having world class international film festivals to attract the participation of the best filmmakers; international co-producers; film acquisition and distribution companies and for the promotions of movie merchandise and film tourism.

Presently among the few film festivals in Nigeria, only the annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is rated as the best international film festival attracting some of the best filmmakers in the world with the potentials of having an international film market like the Durban FilmMart of the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.

AFRIFF made international news headlines in November, 2022 for cohosting the African premiere of "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever", the 2022 American superhero film produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.

My articles on how Nollywood can make the Nigerian film industry a multibillion dollar film industry through the opportunities for movie merchandise and film tourism have been published and widely circulated online. But the Nigerian government and the private sector are ignorant of the huge economic benefits.

The Global TV and Movie Merchandise Market is forecast to grow by $90.53 Billion during 2022-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 9.04% during the forecast period.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/02/06/2601901/0/en/The-Global-TV-and-Movie-Merchandise-Market-is-forecast-to-grow-by-90-53-bn-during-2022-2027-accelerating-at-a-CAGR-of-9-04-during-the-forecast-period.html

Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros, Huayi Brothers, Enlight Media, Lionsgate Films, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, TOEI COMPANY, Alpha Group, The Walt Disney Company, Twentieth Century Fox and Toho Company are the key copyright owners in the global Movie Merchandise market. The top 5 took up about 66 Percent of the global market. USA is the largest consumption regions of Movie Merchandise in the world in the past few years and it will keep increasing in the next few years. USA market took up about 50 Percent the global market, while Europe was 25 Percent, and China is followed with the share about 6 Percent.

https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/movie-merchandise-market-research-2023-2030-2023-04-13

Nigeria has awesome attractions for film tourism which I have been promoting with the publication of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series since 2013 to show the beauty of Nollywood in family friendly books to attract people worldwide.

My popular article, "The Best Film Locations in Nigeria" has attracted thousands of readers with over 17, 000 readers on TripAdvisor.

http://totnaija.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-best-film-locations-in-nigeria.html?m=1

Nollywood has attracted Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney and other leading international American film and TV production and streaming companies.

The best film locations in Nigeria should be developed as international tourist attractions like the Obudu Ranch in Cross River State. Holiday resorts and hotels should be built on the locations for filmmakers and tourists.

What is the value of the global film tourism market?

As per a recent market analysis by Future Market Insights (FMI), the film tourism market is poised to reach a valuation of US$ 66.7 Billion in 2022. Sales are projected to increase at a 6.8% CAGR, with the market size reaching US$ 128.78 Billion by 2032.https://www.accesswire.com/717595/Film-Tourism-Market-is-anticipated-to-increase-at-a-high-CAGR-of-68-during-2022--2032-Future-Market-Insights-Inc

There are models for templates for the international branding of Nollywood for the global film industry which I have shown with the references to South Africa.

By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,

Executive Producer,

Screen Naija YouTube Channel,

Vuulr Program Partner

Cinewav Partner

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Chinonye Chukwu: From Nigeria To Alaska

Chinonye Chukwu was born in Port Harcourt in Nigeria is an Alaskan-raised screenwriter, producer and director. A recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Award, Chinonye’s short, The Dance Lesson, premiered at the Ritz Theater of Philadelphia and was later acquired by MindTV for regional network distribution. The film was also a Regional Finalist for the 2010 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Student Academy Awards and an Honorary Mention at the Los Angeles International Film Festival. Chinonye’s other work includes Igbo Kwenu!, a recipient of the PIFVA Subsidy Grant from the independent ﬁlm community and both the “Best Motion Picture Award” and “Best Screenplay Award” at the 2009 Diamond Screen Festival. In 2012 she completed her first feature narrative, Alaskaland, the story of an estranged Nigerian-American brother and sister who reunite in their Alaskan hometown. Her 2019 death row drama, Clemency, starring Alfre Woodard and Aldis Hodge, which she wrote and directed, received the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2019. She is a director on the TV series, Americanah, based on the novel of the same name by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her 2022, critically acclaimed, biographical drama, Till, based on the true story of Mamie Till-Bradley, received numerous awards and nominations.

FILMOGRAPHY

Igbo Kwenu! (2009)

The Dance Lesson (2010)

Bottom (2012)

alaskaLand (2012)

A Long Walk (2013)

Clemency (2019)

Sorry for Your Loss - Episode: I'm Here (2019)

Till (2022)

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Population of Igbos and Their Locations in the World

Population of Igbos:

Ṇ́dị́ Ìgbò. 50,366,800 (2021 est.)
Regions with significant populations
Ñigeria 45,880,000.

Igbo Americans, or Americans of Igbo ancestry, (Igbo: Ṇ́dị́ Ígbò Amerika)
Since the turn of the 21st century genealogy tracing by means of DNA testing is in part revealing the Igbo ancestry of African Americans, some notable celebrities including Blair Underwood and Quincy Jones.

1. USA (New York; Houston/Dallas, Texas; California; Maryland; Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois)
2. UK (London, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham)
3. South Africa
4. Canada
5. Germany
6. Netherlands
7. Malaysia
8. China
9. Thailand
10. Spain
11. Ghana
12. Benin
13. Equatorial Guinea

14. Gabon

15. Haiti

16. Cuba
17. Japan
18. Finland
19. Sweden
20. South Korea

Facts You Don't Know About the True Origins of the Igbos in Nigeria

IGBO AMAKA!
The Igbos of Eastern NIGERIA have the oldest monarchy in Africa dating back to the Bronze Age when the Igbo Ukwu Kingdom flourished and famous for the awesome bronze artworks of classic naturalistic sculptures of the lost wax casting of the same period of time with the Indus Valley Civilization of South Asia.

The progenitor of the Igbos was among the "Sons of God" who fell in love with the fair daughters of men before the days of Noah.

The ancient Nsibidi writings which were discovered in 1904. Historian Robert Farris Thompson erroneously misinterpreted the meaning of Nsibidi as "cruel blood thirsty". But Nsibidi actually means "In the Beginning" or "The Beginning".
Igbos are "UmuChineke" which means Children of God.
Do you know that the word, CHI which is the Igbo root for the name of Almighty God, Chineke and Destiny is a universal name for destiny as the CHI in Chinese and Japanese which means the Vital Life Force of the universe.

Symbolism Of The CHI

In Plato's Timaeus, it is explained that the two bands that form the soul of the world cross each other like the letter Χ. Plato's analogy, along with several other examples of chi as a symbol occur in Thomas Browne's discourse The Garden of Cyrus (1658).
Chi or X is often used to abbreviate the name Christ, as in the holiday Christmas(Xmas). When fused within a single typespace with the Greek letter Rho, it is called the labarum and used to represent the person of Jesus Christ.

- By EKENYERENGOZI Michael CHIma,
"Orikinla OsinaCHI
Igbo-Centric and Igbo+Centricity
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSHFpGfjKRt/?utm_medium=share_sheet

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