Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Friday, July 14, 2023

Happy Birthday To Prince Nduka Obaigbena, A Great Achiever and Outstanding Leader

Happy Birthday Prince, Nduka Obaigbena; CON; Duke of Owa Kingdom. 
Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of the THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News Channel.


I wish you many happier returns for the blessed day with all the thanksgivings to Almighty God for beautiful long life and more prosperity.
Cheers Sir!

Faithfully,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series
Nigeria Daily Twitter
New Nigeria on Pinterest


Saturday, May 6, 2023

OPEN LETTER IN RESPONSE TO: NDDC- WHAT WE MUST DO AND THE PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF NDDC

NIGER DELTA JUSTICE FORUM
No. 86 Nwaniba Road, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Telephone: 08118054076.

To: The Presidency Abuja

       The National Assembly Abuja

       All Niger Delta Stakeholders

OPEN LETTER IN RESPONSE TO: NDDC- WHAT WE MUST DO AND THE PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING BOARD OF NDDC

We are compelled to respond to the above subject matters as patriots and stakeholders because nefarious actors are monolithic in their structure, with no option to retrace their steps or even branch off from the solidity of the inflexible trunk, the source of their implacable power. To counter them, the kernel of their malevolent frameworks must be dismantled and completely laid bare.

The most important piece of real estate to stake a claim is the human mind. You make the claim by creating a perception. You create the perception by controlling the context. Control the context and you control the mind. Control the mind and you control reality, that’s the essence of the Veblen Effect. However, social psychologists are quick to remind us that “herd mentality” or “group think” has severe limitations when subjected to critical analysis or hesitation.

It is our opinion that the decision of the Chairman of the Governing Board of NDDC to hastily distance the Board from the MOU signed by the Commission in its quest to attract private capital for the development of the region based on emotions, sentiments, sense of judgment and propriety in order to curry public appeal, on deeper introspection is ruinous and far from right. We are not fooled by the beautiful prose of hired writers, the cobbled arguments of her procured craven supporters or the eloquence of her Marxian postulations about transparency and accountability. Her ambition of naked power grab was made obvious in the sponsored Vanguard newspaper advert published before the summit in Lagos where a fictitious group made legally deficient solicitations to President Buhari to quickly amend the law and further promote her to Executive Chairmanship of the Commission with unlimited powers even at the twilight of his administration.

We have experienced the confusion and dread of watching the least qualified people get promoted even when they lack the authenticity and influence to build strong teams because they are out of touch with the needs of the citizens. The government needs to cultivate and measure leadership potentials instead of the current system where authority over others is based on who you know and not what you know. Granting promotion without assessing a person’s capacity for leadership reduces the role to a mere transaction and this seems to be at the core of the public tantrums emanating from the Commission. 

The allegations of a prevailing toxic work environment and management consideration of board members as meddlesome interlopers as contained in the Vanguard newspaper publication are not only manifestly false and frivolous but absurd and hogwash. Also, the wild allegations of illegal waivers of 3% levies granted to IOC’s and the back dating of contracts to unlawfully appropriate the Commission’s resources are the imaginations of a devious mind and patently defamatory. The prevailing sense in the region is that of satisfaction because for the very first time in a long while, the Commission has a duly constituted management team deploying its resources for common good.

The Chairman’s press statement condemning the widely hailed effort of the Commission towards transitioning to a new organization that would leverage private capital for sustainable development of the region through PPP and the subsequent signing of an MOU for preliminary processes for a rail network that would connect the nine NDDC States is both reckless and ill-conceived. Her attempt to create an imprimatur of illegality and deliberate litigation of the internal affairs of the Commission in the public space is an unprecedented embarrassment to the region and its people. No matter how cleverly disguised and presented, her grudge response is simply in furtherance of her ongoing schemes at total capture of the executive powers of the Commission not institutional bargain.

How else can any rational person explain her opposition to the transformational change and Blue-Sky thinking that led to the concept of the PPP? Is she not aware that the federal government has all but abandoned the Eastern Railway Corridor due to paucity of funds? What disadvantage would the region suffer if it secures a rail network that would connect all the states and complement the Eastern Rail Corridor if it is eventually completed? Is she not aware that the Atlanta based AGRI came recommended by the US EXIM Bank and that the US Consulate was represented at the signing ceremony? Is she ignorant of the fact that several board members were present at the event? Does she not know that the outcome of the Summit is attracting global interest to the region? What exactly are her interests? There is no rule that says her arguments must make sense but we must do away with the principalities of the past.

The Chairman seems to  be suffering from the “Peter Principle” whereof she may have been promoted beyond her level of effectiveness. The region needs leaders who will allow the collective good of the people overshadow their self-aggrandizement. In view of this critical need, we hope and pray that the chairman retraces her steps and detracts from public smear and misrepresentation.

For NDDC to make progress, there is no magic bullet. What is clear is that doing nothing is not an option nor is continuing as normal the way to go. We recommend that the Board and Management should have a Shared Vision Workshop to deliberate on workable strategies and innovative ways to attract scalable development to the region. What NDDC needs is that in exchange for the greater strategic goal of developing the region, the Board and Management must embrace peace over conflict. Instead of engaging in public fits and outbursts, the board should liaise with management to rethink job creation, retool youth unemployment thereby significantly addressing insecurity and engendering the flourish of enterprise. 

The people of the region are tired of living frustrated, anxious and overwhelmed. New habits can be formed. Fresh hope can be found in the Commission. The practice of gratitude and acknowledgment of good deeds by those who dare is the missing key to unlock the hope, joy and beauty around the region. It is not particularly helpful when we try to frustrate people with good intentions. Let good conscience prevail.


- Bassey Ime Idongesit.
Convener

Joachim Dakolo                                            Publicity Secretary.

Thursday, March 9, 2023

iPost From Lagos To San Francisco

In 2013, I launched the Screen Naija Outdoor Cinema project of my Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema (SOOAC) cosponsored by the Bank of Industry (BoI) of Nigeria at the Freedom Park on Lagos Island and attracted the IMAX Corporation of Canada to come to Nigeria to meet with me the BoI and the Amuwo Odofin Local Government with the choice of having the first IMAX Cinema in West Africa. I organized the first United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child celebrated in Nigeria with the premiere of the acclaimed documentary film, "Girl Rising" at the Silverbird Cinemas in the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos. I published the first edition of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series, the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry printed in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA..And I started the development of the iPost mobile video app with developers in Asia which was one of the 10 finalists of the annualu Fundfor Internet Research and Development – FIRE Africa Awards in 2014 for outstanding tech innovation. 

https://www.fireafrica.org/2014-fire-awards

I am satisfied with the app, but I want it to offer more than news and entertainment to include eCommerce and fintech and also include a channel for blockchain. 

iPost will be more advanced than Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. It has attracted angel investors in Silicon Valley in southern San Francisco Bay Area of California, the home of Apple, Facebook and Google and recently top NIgerian unicorn Flutterwave.  iPost is already among the new most anticipated startups on AngelList which raised a $100 million Series B led by Tiger and Accomplice at a $4 billion valuation.

The preseed fundraising round of iPost Nigeria will be done by an Asian equity firm that has done successful fundraising rounds for many startups, including two Nigerian startups.

Nigeria is the capital of startups in Africa with more unicorns than in any other country on the continent. And iPost Nigeria will become one of them one fine day. 


Sunday, January 22, 2023

Is Nollywood Really Booming?

Is Nollywood Really Booming?

The sociocultural phenomenon of the guerilla filmmakers of Nollywood, the first indie film industry in Africa has been attracting global attention making news headlines of the foreign news media since the early 1990s and making the stars of the low budget movies household names across Africa.  "Nollywood is booming" echoed from the street to the internet and on the popular cable TV channels called Africa Magic on DStv and GOtv of the MultiChoice Group of South Africa. 

According to a widely circulated report since 2020:
Nigeria’s film industry contributed 2.3% and about 239 billion naira ($660 million) to the GDP and projects that the industry will increase its export revenue earnings to over $1 billion. The motion picture and music recording industry exceeded 2020 projected $806 million revenue contributing about 730 billion naira ($1.8 billion) to the country’s GDP.
The country’s television and video market grew by 7.49% to $806 million in 2020, up from $732 million in 2018. The industry is projected to earn about $900 million in 2023. The market is driven by subscription revenue, which accounted for 72.26% of total revenue in 2018. TV advertising accounts for 21.31% of total revenue.

With other similar reports; to the foreign news media, Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry is booming with references to the success stories of DStv, GOtv and Showmax of the MultiChoice Group; the increasing numbers of cinemas with all the highest grossing Nollywood movies in the box office making millions of dollars annually since 2016; the exciting attractions of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other OTT platforms with hundreds of thousands of subscribers. But the fact is; Nollywood is not among the 10 biggest film industries in the world by box office revenues, TV budgets and revenues. 
Nollywood no longer produces the often reported over 2, 000 movies annually used to rank it as the second largest film industry in the world after Bollywood of India and ahead of Hollywood of America. Since the COVID-19 pandemic with the consequences of the lockdowns and restrictions of physical contact with others at work, productions of movies and TV series have reduced in Nigeria.

Nollywood is not the biggest film industry in Africa. 
South Africa has the biggest film industry on the continent with the biggest and largest film distributors and exhibitors; including the popular Durban Film Mart, Cape Town International Film Market and Festival and MIP Africa. The biggest GSM telecom network in Nigeria is MTN from South Africa used by the majority of Nigerians for data to use the internet and the MultiChoice Group of South Africa is the biggest and largest cable TV network in Nigeria. 
The local private and public TV stations in Nigeria cannot compete with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and other broadcasting services of South Africa in the entertainment industry.
The reports that Nigeria has the biggest film industry in Africa are  false.

Nollywood is booming continues to be echoing and repeated in the news reports, but the realities are different inside Nigeria.
Behind the showtimes of the cinemas in the big shopping malls of Lagos and other states; behind the glitz and razzmatazz of the red carpets of the premieres of movies and international film festivals in Nollywood; majority of the filmmakers with their casts and crews are struggling and suffering to make ends meet. Majority of them cannot afford brand new cars or SUVs and cannot afford to build or buy houses. 
Dozens of practitioners suffered and passed on in Nollywood last year 2022, but only the famous ones made news whilst the unknown ones passed away unsung. Many of them could not pay their medical bills.
Many of those who survived the critical financial challenges only survived by divine interventions of Almighty God through various means, including the kindness of several "Good Samaritans" who gave them helping hands to rescue them from their misery.

I had a catalog of movies, TV series and documentaries of the best quality, but all the TV channels in Nigeria could not afford to pay for the TV rights as low as US$750 per movie or episode for two years. They cannot even afford to produce content of premium quality and the employees are underpaid.
There is no single film and TV market in Nigeria and no film commission, except the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) without a film commissioner. 
The NFC does not know that there should be a film commission in every state in the country, including Abuja. 

Nollywood is far from booming, because even the fortunate ones among the filmmakers who  produced the highest grossing movies and series acquired by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Showmax and other major foreign film acquisition and distribution companies have not become multimillionaires in dollars like their counterparts in Hollywood. 
None of the highest grossing Nollywood movies made up to US$2 million.  
The Hollywood blockbuster "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" has become the first film to make N1 Billion from the box office in Nigeria and one billion naira is less than US$2 million by the  current exchange rate of the dollar to the naira of $1 for N730. $1m is about N730 million. 

A movie in a booming film industry by global valuation should be making millions of dollars within three weeks and not struggling to make two million dollars within three months of the theatrical release. Nigeria does not have up to 300 screens and the population of the country is over 200 million, the largest in Africa. Exhibitors spend millions of dollars annually on recurrent expenditures of the cinemas in a country without regular power supply for electricity and they have to use big industrial generators with daily supply of diesel or petrol. There are days a cinema will not have up to 20 moviegoers and the generator will be used for power supply for screenings without interruptions.
I don't envy the exhibitors and investors. 
Uber is making more money in Nigeria than all the members of the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN).  
It is better, richer and safer to invest in an urban taxi transport service in the country than to invest in having cinemas in Nigeria. And guess what? An Urban taxi cabs service can still make money from Nollywood without sweat. How?

Nollywood creates thousands of jobs, but over 90 percent of these jobs are not permanent, because the jobs end once the production of a movie ends. Many of the  actors have to fast and pray to get new roles in the next productions. Majority of the actors, cameramen, camerawomen, gaffers and others are among the lowest paid employees in Nigeria. Their incomes cannot make ends meet for them and their dependants without any social welfare and without any insurance policy. 

Nollywood is still a developing film industry with multiple streams of incomes. But the lack of structure is hampering the economic growth.
Movie merchandise and film tourism are still unexplored sectors of Nollywood which can be avenues to create permanent jobs for many people and increase the revenues from the film industry. 

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series,
New Nigeria on Pinterest

NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series 
First book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry available in paperback and hardcover versions.


Thursday, November 24, 2022

The Most Popular Nigerian News Blog on Pinterest

New Nigeria on Pinterest is the most popular Nigerian news blog on Pinterest with an audience of 280, 000 viewers monthly.

www.pinterest.com/nigeriansreport

New Nigeria on Pinterest is going to become bigger, greater and larger with the mobile app coming soon before the 2023 presidential election in Africa's most populous country with over 200 million people and as of 2022, Nigeria had nearly 84 million internet users.22 Aug 2022. Everyone of them can use the app to post and share news on Pinterest.

We need a New Nigeria!

Cheers!

Best regards,
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The Publisher/Editor
+234 706 637 9246


Tuesday, July 12, 2022

The Next Big Thing

 The Next Big Thing

Since 2014 I have been developing what will become the biggest and largest digital media network in the world and I have chosen to run with the vision Almighty God has shown me.
It is the greatest idea for the  digital media ecosystem.

I have shown only the MVP which will be a digital news media revolution in the history of modern news media in Africa.

My ultimate goal is the disruption of the  e-commerce and fintech industry by total decentralization of human interactions and transactions in every part of the world from the hand of everyone with a camera phone.
- Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The CEO,
International Digital Post Network Limited,
Lagos, San Francisco, New York.


#ceo #digital #network #fintech #africa #commerce #news #lagos #sanfrancisco #newyork #communications #phones #transactions #payments

Sunday, May 29, 2022

"King of Thieves" of Nollywood and the Myth of Second Largest Film Industry in the World

"King of Thieves", the current highest grossing Nigerian movie has not made up to US$1m in 7 weeks of showing in all the cinemas by the largest cinema chain in Nigeria and West Africa.

The current box office report from the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) shows that #Nollywood is not among the top 10 biggest film industries in the world in box office revenues.
The fictitious stats of UNESCO  on Nollywood must have been made up by those who failed to verify the current reports on the Nigerian film industry. They simply made the assumptions from their  laptops in Geneva and New York City and cannot even locate Asaba on the map of Africa. By the way,  Asaba presently produces more movies than Lagos and other cities in Nigeria. An actor can play major roles in ten different movies within one month in Asaba in Delta State. I doubt if any of the foreign news reporters and writers on Nollywood has been to Asaba. Most of their reports have been written in the comfort of the cozy rooms of the big hotels in Lagos and Abuja.
Now you can see why the so called "booming" second largest film industry in the world is full of hungry actors and directors who are still hustling to make ends meet.
Let us pray.

- By EKENYERENGOZI Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor, NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series, Lagos, Nigeria.

#film #nigeria #lagos #africa #business #movies #news
#filmindustry #filmmakers #boxoffice #Asaba #unesco #report #geneva #newyorkcity



Sunday, May 1, 2022

This is The Future of Nigerian News Media and Entertainment Industry

Nigerians Report Online

Over 205, 000 pageviews in April.

Our target is to reach over 1 million pageviews monthly without buying fake Views, fake Likes and fake Followers like others on the internet.

The most advanced NIgerian owned digital news blog published by International Digital Post Network Limited currently in the advanced stage of launching the OTT streaming news, entertainment and eCommerce mobile video platform.

View it on https://angel.co/u/michael-chima-ekenyerengozi

Target is reach over 200 million users of GSM phones within 12 months.

This is the future of NIgerian news media and entertainment industry.


- By Ekenyerengoz Michael Chima,
The CEO, International Digital Post Network Limited, Lagos, Nigeria.
Publisher/Editor
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series 
247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/247nigeria
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Nigerians Report Online Surpasses 200, 000 Monthly Pageviews in April

Nigerians Report Online

Nigerians Report Online reached a new milestone today, Saturday, April 30, 2022 by getting over 200, 000 pageviews within 30 days without any promotion or publicity.
This Month201174
Last Month178431
Nigerians
Nigerians Report Online has been the only Nigerian news media committed to the advocacy for the education of underprivileged girls out of school in Nigeria since 2013 and the first and foremost organizer of the annual United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child in Nigeria since October 11, 2013 with totally free Nigerian premieres of acclaimed documentary films: "Girl Rising"in 2013 and "HE NAMED ME MALALA" in 2014 for over 300 secondary school girls and hosted the NIgerian premiere of "In The Name Of Your Daughter" in May, 2019.
All the events were held at Silverbird Cinemas in the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

Nigerians Report Online is published by my duly incorporated digital media company, International Digital Post Network Limited. 

We thank Almighty God for the progress and success.

- Ekenyerengoz Michael Chima,
The CEO, International Digital Post Network Limited, Lagos, Nigeria.
Publisher/Editor
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series 
247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/247nigeria
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi
Michael Chima Ekenyerengozi | AngelList
https://angel.co/u/michael-chima-ekenyerengozi


Sunday, April 24, 2022

The Renaissance Man, Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

The Renaissance Man
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

I stopped working for salaries in 2000 and registered my own company, King of Kings Books International .

After working as the youngest professional script writer.in Africa for the NIgerian Television Authority (NTA) Channel 10 at 18.

Art and Features Editor for Kiddies World magazine of Hon. Babatunde Ereola at 24-25;

National Program Consultant for the UNICEF in Nigeria at 25;

IEC Field Officer for the Center for Education, Population, AIDS and Drug Abuse (CEPADA) at 32;

Production Manager of "Money Wise" on DBN TV in Lagos at 35 and left after two  years to start my indie publishing company at 37.

Already a national celebrity at 13 when I won the first prize in the national essay competition on "What I Like Best About NIgeria".

Represented Nigeria at two international book fairs for children's books in Japan for my illustrations on traditional farming tools in Nigeria when I was 20 and the youngest participant and ten years later, I curated one of the most successful and sold out group art exhibitions in Nigeria on Arts against AIDS for the celebration of the World AIDS Day in 1993 organized by NNNGO of Nigeria at the National Museum in Onikan and National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos. My oil  paintings, "Eruption of the Love Virus" and "Metamorphosis of the HIV in the T-Cell" were the first artworks to be sold. 

Then I directed my second stage drama, "Sleepless Night" on the June 12 political crisis at the French Cultural Centre in Ikoyi in 2002 cosponsored by my United Artists for Human Development (UAHD), French Cultural Centre and Otunba Dele Momodu, Founder and Publisher of the popular OVATION lifestyle and high society magazine. Then later founded and incorporated my second company, International Digital Post Network Limited, Publisher of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series, the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013. This digital media company is developing the most advanced mobile video app in Africa that will be for news, entertainment, eCommerce and fintech combined. My ultimate goal is for the mobile video app to be used for wealth creation and distribution for the reduction of poverty by 80 percent.



Wednesday, April 13, 2022

Show Your Support for NIgerians Report Online

Show Your Support

I have been publishing Nigerians Report Online since 2008 .

Your support is valued and motivates me to stay focused and passionate about driving successes for the broadcast, production, tech, film and media industry in Nigeria.

I will appreciate both direct donations and advertisement support such as  prepaid adverts and advertorials of brands of products and services and profile features.

Nigerians Report Online has monthly views of over 170, 000 views and the 247 Nigeria on Twitter @247nigeria) / Twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/247nigeria
has over 200, 000 views monthly.

Looking to get featured? 

Contact me.

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
Publisher/Editor, 
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series 

Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, a Vuulr Program Partner for global film and TV rights recently secured the biggest acquisition of a Nigerian film "Eagle Wings" by Vision Films Inc of California, USA and secured the theatrical release of "The American King" by Silverbird Group in NIgeria in January, 2022. He is NIgeria's leading film writer published by Indiewire, Black Film Maker and Shadow & Act and the Publisher/Editor of the NOLLYWOOD MIRROR® Series, the first book series on Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry since 2013.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

iPost NIgeria: News By the People for the People

My iPost, the  revolution of the news and entertainment industry in Nigeria to be launched soon.

News by the people for the people.

iPost mobile video app was one of the 10 finalists of the annual Fund for Internet Research and Development – FIRE Africa Awards in 2014 for outstanding tech innovation.

https://www.fireafrica.org/2014-fire-awards


Tuesday, September 7, 2021

247 Nigeria is 11 years on #Twitter

 #nigeria #education #africa #people #children #school #women #students #news #information #education #masscommunication #communication

WOW!
HALLELUJAH!
247 Nigeria is 11 years on #Twitter
September 2010 - September 2021!
I thank Almighty God for the abundance of His infinite grace every day by day since September 2010.
@247nigeria has been one of the leading blogs for aggregation, publication and circulation of news and information on Nigeria and Nigerians and on current affairs in the world. And fully committed to the Corporate Social Responsibility for the advocacy of the education of the millions of underprivileged girls out of school in Nigeria by coorganising the Nigerian premieres of "Girl Rising" in 2013 and "He Named Me Malala" in 2015 to celebrate the annual United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child on every October 11. We rescued a secondary school girl trafficked from Nigeria to #Libya in 2016 and successfully supported her rehabilitation with professional skills acquisition in Benin of Edo State.

 
We will continue doing our best for public enlightenment and human development.

We need the cooperation and support of all good people, companies and organisations.

- Ekeyerengozi Michael Chima,

Publisher/Editor,

247 NIGERIA

247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter



Sunday, December 6, 2020

INSIDE DOCUMENTARY: A New Channel For Documentary Films

 Inside Documentary: A New Channel For Documentary Films with special preference for documentaries of undocumented incidents, events, people, places, wildlife, and untold stories of natural and unnatural occurrences and true life experiences on earth and in outer space.


I am going to launch INSIDE DOCUMENTARY, a TV channel exclusively for documentary films. 

INSIDE DOCUMENTARY  channel will show both full length and short documentaries; showcase documentary filmmakers with interviews with the filmmakers and crews; documentary film festivals; documentary film awards; documentary film locations; premières and screenings of documentary films in Nigeria and other countries.

I welcome collaborations.  partnerships and sponsorships for the production, distribution and broadcast of documentaries on the INSIDE DOCUMENTARY Channel on.cable TV on OTT streaming platforms.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,
The CEO,
International Digital Post Network Limited
Publisher/Editor,
NOLLYWOOD MIRROR®Series
247 Nigeria (@247nigeria) / Twitter
https://mobile.twitter.com/247nigeria
https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelchimaeyerengozi
Tel: +2347066379246

Monday, June 20, 2011

Miss California USA, Alyssa Campanella is Miss USA 2011!


Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella attends the official Miss USA 2011.

20 Jun 2011 05:18 Africa/Lagos

Miss California USA Crowned Miss USA 2011 During Live NBC Telecast



PR Newswire

LAS VEGAS, June 20, 2011

LAS VEGAS, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, during one of the year's most watched live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss California USA, Alyssa Campanella, as Miss USA 2011. Bravo's "Watch What Happens: Live" host and executive producer Andy Cohen and "E! News" co-anchor Giuliana Rancic hosted the 60th Annual MISS USA® Pageant from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in one of the world's most electrifying cities, Las Vegas . Kelly Osbourne of E!'s "Fashion Police" and Susan Castillo, Miss USA 2003, were also on hand providing skybox color commentary throughout the LIVE telecast.

Alyssa Campanella is a 21 year-old model from Sherman Oaks, California. After graduating a year early from high school, Campanella moved out on her own at age 17 to conquer the world. She enjoys collecting old history books and is passionate about space exploration.



Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella attends the official Miss USA 2011 after party at Chateau Nightclub and Gardens at Paris Las Vegas, June 19, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nev. (Denise Truscello/Getty Images

The judging panel for the 2011 MISS USA® Pageant included: Tyson Chandler , Center for Dallas Mavericks and 2011 NBA Champion; Rocco DiSpirito , Celebrity chef; Mariel Hemingway , Oscar-nominated American actress and writer; Penn Jillette, the larger, louder half of comedy magic duo Penn & Teller; Lil Jon , American rapper, music producer, and "Celebrity Apprentice" finalist; Caroline Manzo , from Bravo's hit series "The Real Housewives of New Jersey"; Suzi Weiss-Fischmann , Co-Founder of OPI Products; Zuleyka Rivera , Miss Universe 2006; and Football Legend, Marcus Allen .

British Rapper Tinie Tempah performed his new song, "Written in the Stars" alongside featured artist Eric Turner during the evening gown portion of the competition.

Throughout the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Rima Fakih , MISS USA 2010, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Miss Tennessee USA, Ashley Durham, will assume the duties of MISS USA 2011 if the titleholder is named MISS UNIVERSE 2011 or if for some reason MISS USA cannot fulfill her duties.

Second Runner Up: Miss Alabama USA, Madeline Grace Mitchell

Rest of Top Four: Miss Texas USA, Ana Christina Rodriguez

Rest of Top Eight: Miss Maine USA, Ashley-Lynn Marble
Miss South Carolina USA, Courtney Turner
Miss Hawaii USA, Angela Byrd
Miss Maryland USA, Allyn Rose

Rest of Top Sixteen: Miss Georgia USA, Kaylin Reque
Miss Arizona USA, Brittany Dawn Brannon
Miss Utah USA, Jamie Lynn Crandall
Miss Indiana USA, Jillian Wunderlich
Miss South Carolina USA, Courtney Turner
Miss Florida USA, Lissette Garcia
Miss Missouri USA, Hope Driskill
Miss New Mexico USA, Brittany Toll

MISS PHOTOGENIC USA™ Award: Miss Arizona USA, Brittany Brannon. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a pair of Asteria earrings from Diamond Nexus Labs.

MISS CONGENIALITY USA™ Award: Miss Kentucky USA, Kia Hampton. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the contestant's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a pair of Asteria earrings from Diamond Nexus Labs.

The MISS USA® 2011 prize package includes: a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a one year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; a year's worth of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; an assortment of high fashion bracelets made in Rwanda by women of the Same Sky Trade Initiative; an eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill ; a swimwear wardrobe by Kandy Wrappers; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry; a year's supply of nail care products from OPI Products, Inc.; a year's worth of sun care products from Australian Gold; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss USA; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon ; a year's worth of cosmetics from Rain Cosmetics; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha ; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher ; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year long consultation with Miss Universe Organization's Official Fashion Consultant, Alisha Crutchfield and access to a personal appearance wardrobe; professional media/public relations training and representation by Rubenstein Public Relations in New York City and the opportunity to represent the USA at the 2011 Miss Universe pageant this September in São Paulo, Brazil.

ABOUT THE MISS USA ® PAGEANT

The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. As part of the Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers.

For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

Follow Miss USA®:

* Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUSA
* YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUSA
* Twitter: TheRealMissUSA
* Blogs: www.missusa.com/blogs/index


SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Brenda Mendoza of The Miss Universe Organization, +1-347-247-8568, +1-212-373-4983, BMendoza@missuniverse.com; or Dara Busch, +1-212-843-8079, +1-908-672-3378 Cell, dbusch@rubensteinpr.com

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

Top News Reports




Miss California USA, Alyssa Campanella is Miss USA 2011!



20 Jun 2011 05:18 Africa/Lagos


Miss California USA Crowned Miss USA 2011 During Live NBC Telecast

PR Newswire

LAS VEGAS, June 20, 2011

LAS VEGAS, June 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This evening, during one of the year's most watched live television events, a star-studded panel of judges chose Miss California USA, Alyssa Campanella, as Miss USA 2011. Bravo's "Watch What Happens: Live" host and executive producer Andy Cohen and "E! News" co-anchor Giuliana Rancic hosted the 60th Annual MISS USA® Pageant from Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in one of the world's most electrifying cities, Las Vegas . Kelly Osbourne of E!'s "Fashion Police" and Susan Castillo, Miss USA 2003, were also on hand providing skybox color commentary throughout the LIVE telecast.

Alyssa Campanella is a 21 year-old model from Sherman Oaks, California. After graduating a year early from high school, Campanella moved out on her own at age 17 to conquer the world. She enjoys collecting old history books and is passionate about space exploration.

The judging panel for the 2011 MISS USA® Pageant included: Tyson Chandler , Center for Dallas Mavericks and 2011 NBA Champion; Rocco DiSpirito , Celebrity chef; Mariel Hemingway , Oscar-nominated American actress and writer; Penn Jillette, the larger, louder half of comedy magic duo Penn & Teller; Lil Jon , American rapper, music producer, and "Celebrity Apprentice" finalist; Caroline Manzo , from Bravo's hit series "The Real Housewives of New Jersey"; Suzi Weiss-Fischmann , Co-Founder of OPI Products; Zuleyka Rivera , Miss Universe 2006; and Football Legend, Marcus Allen .

British Rapper Tinie Tempah performed his new song, "Written in the Stars" alongside featured artist Eric Turner during the evening gown portion of the competition.

Throughout the two-hour event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Rima Fakih , MISS USA 2010, crowned her successor at the conclusion of the telecast, before an estimated worldwide viewing audience of more than 250 million.

Final Results:

First Runner Up: Miss Tennessee USA, Ashley Durham, will assume the duties of MISS USA 2011 if the titleholder is named MISS UNIVERSE 2011 or if for some reason MISS USA cannot fulfill her duties.

Second Runner Up: Miss Alabama USA, Madeline Grace Mitchell

Rest of Top Four: Miss Texas USA, Ana Christina Rodriguez

Rest of Top Eight: Miss Maine USA, Ashley-Lynn Marble
Miss South Carolina USA, Courtney Turner
Miss Hawaii USA, Angela Byrd
Miss Maryland USA, Allyn Rose

Rest of Top Sixteen: Miss Georgia USA, Kaylin Reque
Miss Arizona USA, Brittany Dawn Brannon
Miss Utah USA, Jamie Lynn Crandall
Miss Indiana USA, Jillian Wunderlich
Miss South Carolina USA, Courtney Turner
Miss Florida USA, Lissette Garcia
Miss Missouri USA, Hope Driskill
Miss New Mexico USA, Brittany Toll

MISS PHOTOGENIC USA™ Award: Miss Arizona USA, Brittany Brannon. The general public voted on www.nbc.com for the delegate who exemplifies beauty through the lens of a camera. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a pair of Asteria earrings from Diamond Nexus Labs.

MISS CONGENIALITY USA™ Award: Miss Kentucky USA, Kia Hampton. The award reflects the respect and admiration of the contestant's peers, who voted for her as the most congenial, charismatic and inspirational participant. She was awarded a $1,000 cash prize as well as a pair of Asteria earrings from Diamond Nexus Labs.

The MISS USA® 2011 prize package includes: a custom diamond tiara and jewelry designed by Diamond Nexus Labs; a one year scholarship (including housing) from the New York Film Academy; a year's worth of hair care products and tools from Farouk Systems; an assortment of high fashion bracelets made in Rwanda by women of the Same Sky Trade Initiative; an eveningwear wardrobe by Sherri Hill ; a swimwear wardrobe by Kandy Wrappers; a shoe wardrobe from Chinese Laundry; a year's supply of nail care products from OPI Products, Inc.; a year's worth of sun care products from Australian Gold; luxury accommodations in a New York City apartment for the duration of her reign, including living expenses; a year-long salary as Miss USA; personal services including membership to Gravity Fitness and hair services from John Barrett Salon ; a year's worth of cosmetics from Rain Cosmetics; modeling portfolio by leading fashion photographer Fadil Berisha ; dermatology and skincare services provided by Dr. Cheryl Thellman-Karcher ; professional health and nutrition consultation by Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD and dental services by Dr. Jan Linhart, D.D.S.; casting opportunities and professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization; extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable partners; access to various New York City events including movie premiers and screenings, Broadway shows and launch parties; year long consultation with Miss Universe Organization's Official Fashion Consultant, Alisha Crutchfield and access to a personal appearance wardrobe; professional media/public relations training and representation by Rubenstein Public Relations in New York City and the opportunity to represent the USA at the 2011 Miss Universe pageant this September in São Paulo, Brazil.

ABOUT THE MISS USA ® PAGEANT

The Miss Universe Organization, a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture, is a global community empowering role models of beauty, health and leadership for young women of today. As part of the Miss Universe Organization, Miss USA is dedicated to partnering with charities around the world, and to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers.

For more information, visit: www.missusa.com.

Follow Miss USA®:

* Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialMissUSA
* YouTube: www.youtube.com/OfficialMissUSA
* Twitter: TheRealMissUSA
* Blogs: www.missusa.com/blogs/index


SOURCE The Miss Universe Organization

CONTACT: Brenda Mendoza of The Miss Universe Organization, +1-347-247-8568, +1-212-373-4983, BMendoza@missuniverse.com; or Dara Busch, +1-212-843-8079, +1-908-672-3378 Cell, dbusch@rubensteinpr.com

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

Top News Reports





Friday, April 29, 2011

Most Americans Not Willing to Pay to Read News Content Online



29 Apr 2011 16:34 Africa/Lagos


Most Americans Not Willing to Pay to Read News Content Online
Even fewer than said they would pay 15 months ago

PR Newswire

NEW YORK, April 29, 2011

NEW YORK, April 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As businesses explore best practices for success in the changing landscape created by the Internet, some companies have discussed charging for access to online content that was previously free. Some media outlets have discussed doing this, and The New York Times recently began charging online readers who view over 20 articles per month. But there may be trouble ahead as a recent Adweek/Harris Poll found that a large majority said they would be willing to pay "nothing" per month to read a daily newspaper's content online (80%). Of the one in five who would pay, 14% said they would pay between $1 and $10 per month while very few said that they would be willing to pay between $11 and $20 (4%) or more than $20 per month (2%).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)

These are some of the findings of a new Adweek/ Harris Poll, survey of 2,105 U.S. adults surveyed online between March 29 and 31, 2011 by Harris Interactive.

Interestingly, while online paywalls are becoming more common, fewer people say they would be willing to pay to read content online now, than said so in late 2009—20% say they would be willing to pay for a daily newspaper's content online today, compared to 23% who said so in December 2009.

Other findings of the recent poll include:





* Younger adults are more likely than those older to pay for a daily newspaper's content online—over a quarter of adults aged 18-34 say they would (26%) compared to between 15% and 18% of all other age groups;

* Men are more willing to pay than women are—a quarter of men say they would (25%) with 18% saying they would pay between $1 and $10 per month, while only 15% of women say they would pay anything to read a daily newspaper's content online; and,

* The more education a person has the more likely they are to be willing to pay to read a daily newspaper's content online—over a quarter of college graduates say they would pay (28%) compared to one in five people who have attended some college (19%) and just 15% who have not attended any college at all.


So What?

Currently several major publications charge readers for their content online including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and most recently The New York Times . Unfortunately it seems that as these companies are adapting to a business environment increasingly dominated by the Internet, their readers are slower to embrace, or are resistant to, certain changes, especially when it comes to paying for something that has been free for so long. This raises several questions and areas for more research, including: how many Americans rely on the Internet for their news content, how particular are Americans about what publication or source they go to for their news, and, how do people think that media companies with large online presences should pay for the work that they do.


Click here for the complete details.



Friday, November 5, 2010

24/7 Nigeria is it!




24/7 Nigeria is attracting more foreigners than Nigerians and their commendations are really overwhelming.

24/7 Nigeria brings the latest news and information on Nigeria to the rest of the world and reports the rest of the world to Nigeria.

I am happy I started this news and information website with the cooperation and support of my younger brother Clarke EkenediriChukwu Eke. You see the power in brothers supporting each other to make a positive impact in the world.

Go and start something great and positive today.


~ Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
The Publisher/CEO
International Digital Post Network (IDPN)

Fast developing the largest Nigerian online news and information media network




Friday, September 24, 2010

Alliances With A24Media and Afrik.com Further Cements APO's Position as Global Leader in Dissemination of Africa-Related News

24 Sep 2010 10:00 Africa/Lagos

Media Relations - Alliances With A24Media and Afrik.com Further Cements APO's Position as Global Leader in Dissemination of Africa-Related News

DAKAR, Senegal, September 24, 2010/PRNewswire/ -- The African Press Organization (APO) announced today an alliance with A24 Media, Afrik.com and Afrik-News.com to distribute its wire service via http://www.a24media.com, http://www.afrik.com and http://www.afrik-news.com.


Through an agreement with the multi-lingual wire service, news releases issued by governments, political organizations, NGOs and United Nations duty stations across Africa concerning the continent's political, legal and social events and news will be made available to the more than 1.1 million readers of these well recognized leading websites concerning Africa affairs.


"As global leader in media relations services related to Africa, the African Press Organization is constantly exploring opportunities that provide quick access to current news releases from the African's most important institutions and companies," says Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard, APO's Franco-Gabonese General Secretary.


"Aligning with A24 Media, Afrik.com and Afrik-News.com further cements our position as the global leader in distribution of Africa related press releases," Mr. Pompigne-Mognard added.


A24 Media is Africa's first online delivery site for material from journalists, African broadcasters and NGO's from around the continent.


Afrik.com and Afrik-News.com are a reference point for Afro-centric news items online as well as one of Google's best referenced pages concerning African news and events.


The African Press Organization is already engaged in active partnerships with PR Newswire, global leader in news and information distribution services for professional communicators (http://www.prnewswire.com), with LexisNexis, the worldwide leader in legal and News & Business information ( http://www.lexisnexis.com), and with BurrellesLuce, a 120-year-old media-monitoring service provider located in the U.S. ( http://www.burrellesluce.com).


About the African Press Organization (APO)


APO owns a media database of 25,000 contacts and is the most trusted and important Africa-related news online community. APO offers a complete range of media relations tools including press release distribution, press videoconference, webcasts, events promotion, and media monitoring.


The African Press Organization provides free services to African journalists, innovative communications products to Public authorities, companies, and supports many African and International institutions in their strategic communications.


http://www.apo-opa.org


Logo: http://www.apo-opa.org/LogoHD.JPG


Contact: Carine KAZADI, bdm@apo-opa.org, +41-22-534-96-75;


About Afrik.com and Afrik-News.com


Established in the year 2000, Afrik.com has grown to become a reference in afro-centric news items online as well as one of Google's well referenced pages. The website is the proud host of over a million visits per month.


About 1 million readers translates to over 5 million ads viewed each month by virtue of our satellite sites, which deal with cultural, beauty, travel, and economic issues among others. Popular among our readers is our newsletter, which is blasted off to thousands of registered visitors on weekly basis.


http://www.afrik.com and http://www.afrik-news.com


Contact: Frank SALIN, salinfranck@afrik.net, +33-140284938;


About A24 Media


A24 Media is Africa's first online delivery site for material from journalists, African broadcasters and NGO's from around the Continent.


More informations about A24 Media: http://www.apo-opa.org/A24Media.pdf


http://www.a24media.com


Contact : Asif SHEIKH, asif@a24media.com, +254-735-967-402.

Source: The African Press Organization (APO)

Contact: Frank SALIN, salinfranck@afrik.net, +33-140284938; Contact: Carine KAZADI, bdm@apo-opa.org, +41-22-534-96-75; Contact : Asif SHEIKH, asif@a24media.com, +254-735-967-402.