Christian and Muslim Leaders visit Nigeria

25 May 2012 08:27 Africa/Lagos

Christian and Muslim leaders visit Nigeria

GENEVA, May 25, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- An inter-religious delegation of senior Muslim and Christian leaders has begun a fact-finding visit to Nigeria on 22 May, where in recent months an increase in violence has threatened relations between the two religious communities in Northern Nigeria.

The delegation is being led by Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan, chairman of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought.

In addition to investigating first-hand the situation and factors in the present tensions, the delegation by its presence is expressing to the political and religious leaders in Nigeria the concerns of the international community about the violence.

“The joint involvement of Christian and Muslim leaders in this visit is meant not only to encourage an end to the violence but also to serve as an example of inter-religious cooperation in fostering peace and harmony between people of different religions,” Tveit said.

“We are here, by the grace of God, to humbly learn from Nigerians about their experience and challenges in defending the harmony, unity, peace and security of their great country, and to see if and where international religious voices and institutes can be of any help,” said Prince Ghazi.

The idea of joint Christian-Muslim cooperation in response to situations of violence emerged initially from A Common Word, the global Muslim-Christian Initiative of October 2007. This was followed by a proposal made in November 2010, when a group of some 60 religious leaders met for a Christian-Muslim consultation in Geneva, Switzerland, at the WCC headquarters and reached an agreement to work more cooperatively in situations of conflict.

The statement issued at the end of the November 2010 conference highlighted the need to “find ways to disengage religion” from the role of creating conflict and to “re-engage it towards conflict resolution and compassionate justice.”

To that end, the religious leaders meeting in Geneva recommended the mobilization of a joint working group that would be activated “whenever a crisis threatens to arise in which Christians and Muslims find themselves in conflict.”

On 23 and 24 May, the delegation visited Kaduna and Jos in Northern Nigeria, areas highly affected by the violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram, a militant group. During the visits delegates met with government officials, religious leaders, traditional rulers and the families of victims of violence to gain first-hand knowledge of the situation.

A press conference will be held after the visits. Following the end of the visit on 26 May, the delegation will issue a joint report on what they saw and experienced and will identify areas and projects where Christians and Muslims can work together to end the violence.

For this visit the WCC collaborated with the Christian Council of Nigeria for preparations and logistics.

Source: World Council of Churches (WCC)

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25 May 2012
08:27	Christian and Muslim leaders visit Nigeria
24 May 2012
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Princewill Arrives and Joins Many Nigerians To Mourn Prince Olayinka Bakre (Baba Crown)

Prince Tonye Princewill and friends arriving the Funeral venue.

Princewill Arrives and Joins Many Nigerians To Mourn Prince Olayinka Bakre (Baba Crown)

Prince Tonye Princewill leader of Princewill Political Associates and a PDP chieftain who arrived Nigeria after two months holiday with his family in his London base joined other Nigerians on 19th May, 2012 to mourn the passing away of Prince Olayinka Bakre (Baba Crown the father of his childhood friend, Prince Robert Bakre an international businessman based in South Africa in Abeokuta the capital of Ogun State, Western Nigeria.


Prince Tonye Princewill exchanging pleasantries with members of Late Pa Olayinka Bakari's family.


Prince Tonye Princewill and a guest at the funeral of late Pa Olayinka Bakare.


Family members of Late Prince Olayinka Bakare, at his funeral service.


Prince Tonye Princewill with a friend at the funeral service of late Pa Olayinka Bakare.

Robert Bakare son of late Pa Olayinka Bakare; at his dads funeral service.

Prince Tonye Princewill who came with a large entourage the includes most of his core Political Associates while condoling his friend, Prince Robert and the family of late Pa Bakre counselled that their father lived an exemplary and fulfilled life and left legacy which should be a challenge to all his children and those of us who have come across him. “I actually did not come to mourn but to celebrate a legend whose life is a challenge to those who has come across him. He has played his part and ensured that both his children and grandchildren are all better citizens of Nigeria. I prayed God to grant us all the fortitude to bear the irreparable lose while we do our best to live his legacy. I am here as the Prince of the Kalabari Kingdom to console and bear the pains of my brothers and sisters in the western part of our country for this great loss”.


~ By Chief Eze C Eze, Media Consultant to Prince Tonye Princewill.

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Africa’s Fastest Social Networking Site Targets 20 Million Users in 2012

Africa’s Fastest Social Networking Site Targets 20 Million Users in 2012

The name Yookos stands for "You Own Your Cosmos" and it is the fastest growing social networking site in Africa developed and owned by Africans and has already attracted over 8 million users within a year. Yookos has a special focus on Africans and blacks in the Diaspora to provide a cosmopolitan hub for them on the internet and without the irrelevant junk found on the most popular Western social networking sites where pornography and antisocial trivialities have corrupted the users and polluted cyberspace.

The CEO Mr. Tomisin Fashina granted Nigerians Report a very revealing interview on Yookos drive to have 20 million users before the end of 2012.


Mr. Tomisin Fashina

NR. What makes Yookos different from Facebook, Twitter and other popular Western social networking sites?

TF: I think the big difference lies in the fact that we’re values-based. What that means is that we’re looking to reflect uniquely African values which sometimes get overlooked or diluted on other platforms and networks. Another big difference is the fact that we really try and promote discussions and conversations: people talking to each other, rather than at each other.


NR. How do you intend to make Yookos more attractive to Africans and others who are already hooked on Facebook and Twitter?

TF: For me, the real impact of Yookos lies at the level of connecting people and communities. The old cliché about it being a small world has never been truer, and suddenly we’re finding that social media is helping us create vast new communities of like-minded people, and give them a sense of belonging to something bigger. It’s also about conversations, and getting people talking about issues and things that mean something to them.

NR. Having 8 million users within 12 months is unprecedented for a made in Africa social networking site, and now you are targeting 20 million users before end of 2012. How are you going to achieve that?

TF: We think our rapid growth highlights the fact that the Africa social media market is ripe for a new entrant – and we think our secret weapon lies in providing local relevance to tell truly African stories. We also feel that Yookos has a vital role to play in breaking digital barriers by connecting the social media-savvy diaspora with family and friends back home.

NR. You have an impressive resume with years of international professional experience and expertise in IT and banking before taking up the enormous challenge of being the CEO of Yookos. Why are you doing this?

TF: The thought of being part of something that can make a real and lasting difference in the lives of millions of Africans excites me hugely! In the long run, our emphasis is on social development. Our biggest challenge in the continent is illiteracy, and we’ll be looking to find ways to be part of the solution. We care about Africa and uplifting the people, whether that’s through giving students access to educational materials or putting families in contact with their loved ones on the other side of the world. These are the challenges that I relish!


NR. How far can Yookos go against your local and global competitors?

TF: We have great – and I think realistic - ambitions for Yookos to be the number one social media platform on the continent. More broadly, I think we can realistically look forward to a medium term scenario where we co-exist comfortably with more-established players in a social media universe. Ultimately, we hope to be the African choice, and we like to think that’s because we offer something different to the other players.

NR. How is Yookos funded and will you sell Yookos if you get tempting offers, like an offer from Google or Facebook as they do to buyout their competitions?

TF: Yookos is currently a privately-funded company, which is generating a range of diverse income streams as we grow. Our long-term plans are to remain independent, so a buyout is not on the cards at all. If anything, we may consider a listing at some point in the future, but that’s still some distance off.

NR. What innovations should we expect to see on Yookos before the end of the year?

TF: We’re constantly working on refreshing our look, the range of content we have available and adding functionality. We recently started a games section, where you can play more than 800 games online for free, and have developed mobile apps that allow users to access Yookos on their mobile phones. So for now it’s not about a single great innovation, but rather a series of small changes that make the site better and more compelling for our users.


NR: Thank you sir.

This interview was facilitated by Sesema PR Ltd.



Celebrating 10 years in the business of Communications. Sesema PR Ltd turned 10, April 1, 2012. From its humble beginings as a small agency offering traditional PR services in Nigeria, the company now also serves Ghana, and offers IT & Digital and Market Research services.

In 2007 we became the Nigerian affiliate to Edelman, and in 2009 the agency was awarded the 'Best PR Practise' award by the school of MassCom at Lagos State University.

Sesema has become the agency of choice for international companies operating in Nigeria.

For further information go to: http:// www.sesema.com

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Nigerian Star Playwright Janice Okoh Serves Egusi Soup In London

The celebrated Nigerian prize winning playwright Janice Okoh is serving her delicious Egusi Soup to the celebs and others in London.

Egusi Soup is a new play about love, life and loss, with plenty of spicy bits!

Wed 23 May – Sat 9 June, Soho Theatre, London.

Sat 16 June, Mercury Theatre, Colchester

A fast, furious and funny new intergenerational and cross-cultural Nigerian family comedy from Janice Okoh. As the Anyias, a British-Nigerian family, pack their suitcases and prepare to head home to Lagos for a memorial service in honour of the late Mr Anyia, they soon realise they will need to get rid of some excess baggage first, and not just of the material kind. The chaotic return to London from the USA of the Anyias’ eldest daughter, Anne, disrupts the family equilibrium that has settled after her father’s death, and deeply held resentments resurface dramatically.



Janice Okoh is an award winning playwright. In 2011, her play The Real House (Three Birds) won the Bruntwood Prize and was short-listed for the Verity Bargate Award and the Alfred Fagon Award. Her recent theatre productions include: Top Brass (Theatre 503, 2010), a short play written in response to The Charming Man by Gabriel Bissett-Smith. Her recent radio plays include: Reunion (BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2011); Carnival, a short play for the From Fact to Fiction series (BBC Radio 4, 2010) and SE8 (BBC Radio 4, 2010). This year, Janice has adapted Malorie Blackman’s novel Noughts and Crosses for the Saturday Play (BBC Radio 4).

Making up the cast are: Ellen Thomas, Rhoda Ofori-Attah, Anniwaa Buachie, Nick Oshikanlu and Lace Akpojaro.

Ellen Thomas is one of the country’s leading black actresses. She has been twice nominated for Best Actress in the EMMA Awards and nominated as Best Actress by Screen Nation and The Black Media Awards.

Ellen has a hugely successful TV, film and stage career. She has appeared in Eastenders as Grace and 4 series of the hugely successful Teachers. Other regular roles include: 3 series of Cardiac Arrest and leading roles in London Bridge, Holding On and The Jury. Ellen also appeared in Buried Treasure alongside John Thaw for LWT which won the 2002 BAFTA Audience Award. Theatre work includes: Tiata Delights at The Almeida; Statement Of Regret at The National Theatre; The Estate, Soho Theatre; womanliness Monologues on Tour; Blest Be The Tie at The Royal Court; Maria in Twelfth Night at The Manchester Royal Exchange and A Bitter Herb at The Bristol old Vic, for which she won fabulous reviews.

Egusi Soup is a co-production between Soho Theatre and Menagerie Theatre Company in association with Mercury Theatre, Colchester.

Menagerie is one of the UK’s leading independent new writing theatre companies, seeking out and supporting talented new writers. As well as touring widely, Menagerie curates and produces the annual Hotbed Festival in Cambridge. www.menagerietheatre.co.uk
Egusi Soup was developed at Menagerie’s Sparks programme and then at Hotbed. Janice Okoh is a Menagerie Associate Writer.

Soho Theatre aims to bring the most entertaining, brave and theatrical new work to audiences across a programme spanning comedy, cabaret and theatre; with three spaces, a late night bar, innovative education projects and world famous writers’ centre, Soho Theatre is one of the most vibrant venues on London’s cultural scene.

Egusi Soup Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EgusiSoupMenagerie


For more information, tickets for press night (Friday 25th May), biogs, interviews or photographs, please contact:

Mhari Gallagher
e: mhari@menagerie.uk.com
t: 01223 322111
m: 07725739106

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Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria

24 May 2012 05:07 Africa/Lagos


Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria - The Samsung Galaxy Pocket launches with pre-installed songs, and song credits.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2012/PRNewswire via African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The mobile music download and streaming application Spinlet will partner with Samsung Electronics in the launch of the brand's new Samsung Galaxy Pocket S5300 in Nigeria. The Galaxy Pocket will come with a pre-installed Spinlet application loaded with five songs and enough credit for consumers to purchase five additional songs from the massive music catalog available through the Spinlet app.


(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/SF12767)


The partnership of the recently launched cloud based service, Spinlet, and one of the forerunners in digital design and technology, Samsung, allows for a groundbreaking opportunity for consumers to enjoy their favorite music on an advanced new smart phone with TouchWiz UI multi tasking and wi-fi capabilities.


The market for digital music in Africa has been untapped by any of the major music services to date. This opened the door for the partnership with Samsung to once again be a trendsetter. The Spinlet model allows independent musicians and bands in Africa to sell their music alongside other more prominent artists in Africa and from around the world. Spinlet also provides artists with tools to better understand their fan base and interact with them through social media. By providing the application pre-installed, Samsung significantly increases the amount of listeners and potential buyers of these artists' music. "In a country riddled by piracy, the free streaming and pay per download model that Spinlet and Samsung are providing to the market really helps create value in fans eyes and a revenue stream for artists," says Eric Idiahi, Spinlet Chairman.


According to Daesong Ra, Business Manager, Mobile Division Samsung Electronics West Africa, "Our proposition offers consumers smart phone experience that is not only affordable but 'Clearly Different, Clearly Smart.' The Samsung Galaxy pocket comes packed with over 400,000 free apps, faster internet connectivity at an amazing retail price of N18,900. In addition, consumers on the MTN network can enjoy 1 month free of internet data to experience these exciting smart phone solutions."


Spinlet and Samsung will host a collaborated launch party for the Samsung Galaxy Pocket, on Wednesday, May 23 at The Oriental Hotel as part of the high profile, on-going series, Industry Nite. Attendees will have a chance to win the brand-new Galaxy Pocket and mingle with music industry execs from all over Africa. Please contact Spinlet for more information on attending and/or covering the event.


For press inquiries please contact: Melissa Adair // E-mail: melissa@spinlet.com


About Spinlet: Spinlet is a lifestyle entertainment company focused on meeting the needs of music lovers allowing them to buy, listen, share, and manage music all within a free user friendly mobile platform. The application is currently launched and available throughout Nigeria. For more Info or to download the app visit http://spinlet.com/ .

Source: Spinlet

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Happy 21st Wedding Anniversary To Chief & Mrs Eze C. Eze

Chief & Mrs Eze C. Eze Cutting Their 20th Wedding Anniversary Cake.

TODAY, 23RD MAY, 2012 MARKS MY 21ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!

To the glory of God based on His infinite mercy and luv and with a heart full of happiness and gratitude to God Almighty, I am happy to announce to all my friends, enemies and associates that today 23rd May, 2012 marks my 21st wedding anniversary to a rare gem and embodiment of motherhood –fmr ADA CHIOMA HENRIETTA NWAORGU OF IMO STATE.


Chief & Mrs Eze C. Eze During Their 20th Wedding Anniversary.

This lady that I met on 16th January, 1986 in UNICAL we were students and thru sports came together as friends. I was then the University Students Director of Sports, UNICAL Football Team-Manager and Sports Coordinator of Faculty of Arts of UNICAL while she was the Athletics Captain and a key member of the University female Football Team. In assisting me to coordinate the female athletes in 1986, we won the 1986 Inter-Faculty Games of the University. She was a close ally in most of the key feats I achieved both as a student and student’s union activist!



She left the University in 1988 to do her youth service in Port Harcourt while I left in 1989 to serve in Yola in the then Gongola State present day Taraba and Adamawa States. We got married formally on 23rd Dec, 1991 at her home town, Ngo-Okpala in Imo State and wedded by Bishop Ignatius Kaigama in St. Theresa Catholic Church in Yola on 23rd May, 1992. She assisted me to set up Eze Continental Investment Ltd from the scratch and today it has become a household name in the entire North East of Nigeria in areas of Sports Promotion and selling of the best quality of sports equipment until January 2012 when we were forced to leave Yola due to the menace of Boko Haram to our present abode in Abakalik, Ebonyi State.


Mrs. Eze and their son Kelechi.

To the glory of God we are blessed with six great kids. Two of them are already in the University studying Computer Science and Public Administration, two to enter university before the year runs off while the last two are in Secondary and Primary Schools.

The devil and his cohorts knowing how great this family ordain by God will be plotted to eliminate my entire family when on 21st Dec, at Ogoja in CRS my Jeep conveying my wife and five of my kids for the xmas was involved in a fatal accident with a FAD Trailer that cost the lives of the Driver and two of the conductors of the trailer while nobody in the Jeep sustained any serious injury. Just for God to prove His luv and concern for my family.

My brothers and sisters, join me to pray and thank God for seeing us through till this day as we rededicate our lives for better services to mankind!

If there is anything like reincarnation, I will still pray God to grant me the grace to remarry this great gift to mankind!


~ Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, 23-05-12

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Boko Haram Is Neither for Nigerian Muslims Nor Christians

This cartoon on Boko Haram from http://www.metransparent.com/spip.php?page=article&id_article=18382&lang=ar is the most illustrative I have seen so far.

The People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad, aka Boko Haram is an Islamic militant legion attacking the ruling government in Nigeria and those opposed to their Jihad whether Christians or Muslims.

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I Am Looking For Christians In Nigeria. Please, Where Can I Find Them?

Yes, I am really looking for Christians in Nigeria. But finding them has not been easy these days.
I have been searching from the street to the pulpit, but I have only seen legions of church goers, but they don't behave like true Christians.
In fact, the Africans among them seem to fear their village Juju more than the God they confess and profess to believe in church.
They seem to go to church as a social function to display the fashion in vogue and in some churches, the girls seemed to have come dressed for night clubbing, with body hugging above the knees skirts!

In fact, saying "I am a Christian" is just another cliché to tickle the fancy. Because, what they do is totally the opposite of what they claim. And they even do so with brazen impunity and with a hiss. Their egos and lifestyles are ruled by wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
Do they really believe in God?
Because, legions of them are swayed by Mammon and other evil spirits at large.

The more I look for Christians in Nigeria, the more hypocrites I see.
In fact, I would rather dine and wine with pagans than with the so called Christians in Nigeria.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

~ Messiah Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:15-20, Holy Bible (NIV).

Let us pray lest we are ensnared and smeared.
But if we are already infected, it is not too late to disentangle ourselves from the corruption plaguing these legions before we are consumed.


~ By Ekenyerengozi מִיכָאֵל‎ Chima

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Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"

SAMUEL L. JACKSON. (PRNewsFoto/BET Networks)

22 May 2012 21:30 Africa/Lagos

The Highest Grossing Movie Actor Of All Time Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"

Kanye West Leads the Pack with 7 Nominations, Beyonce Close Behind with 6 Nominations and Jay-Z Rounds Things Out with 5 Nominations

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly To Be Honored with the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award'

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Confirmed As the First Performers For This Year's Award Show
LIVE from the Historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 8:00 pm* on BET

NEW YORK, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This year the BET AWARDS 12 (#BETAWARDS) will be 'Too Big To Miss.' Earlier today at a press conference held in BET's New York studios, it was announced that actor Samuel L. Jackson , declared the highest grossing movie actor of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, will be this year's BET AWARDS host. In addition, the members of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were announced to be the prestigious recipients of the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award;' and Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were revealed as the first confirmed performers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NE12049 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Currently, the Oscar-nominated actor is on screen in "The Avengers," which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend.

"We are massively excited about having Sam Jackson, the world's biggest box office star, host The BET Awards 12," said Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks. "His wit, presence and gigantic personality are the perfect match for our show."

On hand from BET's NYC studios to announce the nominees for the BET AWARDS 12 were Mindless Behavior, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, DJ Khaled, Astro, A$AP Rocky and Diggy, along with the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories. Leading the pack of A-list talent this year is Kanye West with an impressive 7 Nominations: Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, and 5 notable nominations for 'The Throne' with Jay-Z. 'The Throne' received nominations for Best Group, Best Collaboration ft. Otis Redding, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for "N*ggas in Paris" and "Otis." Close behind is Beyonce with 6 Nominations: Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for "Countdown" and "Love on Top."

"We have many more acts to come," added Hill, "but we're proud to have the dynamic Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj as our first-announced performers. The Shrine Auditorium will be shaking for the R&B stalwarts Maze featuring Frankie Beverly as they receive the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award. We're just getting started and already the show is living up to its slogan: it's too big to miss."


The nominees for the BET AWARDS 12 include:

Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher


Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best Collaboration
Beyonce f/ J. Cole – "Party"
Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – "Marvin & Chardonnay"
DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne – "I'm On One"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – "The Motto"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel – "Lotus Flower Bomb"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Diamond
Nicki Minaj
Brianna Perry
Trina


Video of the Year
Beyonce – "Countdown"
Beyonce – "Love On Top"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – "N***as in Paris"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Usher – "Climax"

Video Director of the Year
Beyonce & Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown & Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill

Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith

Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping The Broom
Laugh At My Pain
Red Tails
The Help

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award
Beyonce – "Love On Top"
Chris Brown – "Turn Up the Music"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – "The Motto"
Mindless Behavior – "Hello"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel – "Lotus Flower Bomb"

Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK
Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sande
Sway
Wretch 32

www.BET.com/BETAwards is the official site for the BET AWARDS 12 where fans can visit to vote for the Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award, get up-to-date info on this year's show and take a look back on past BET AWARDS. In the coming weeks, BET.com will launch a series of interactive games to make the BET AWARD's digital experience the biggest it's ever been.

"Too Big To Pick" let's fans predict who they think will win the coveted BET AWARD and compare their picks with their Facebook friends.
"The Line-Up" is a fantasy sports styled game that allows viewers to make predictions on the order performers will appear in the show and compare this line-up with their Twitter followers, Facebook friends, and their favorite celebrities.

In June, BET Mobile will also be launching the official BET AWARDS app on iPhone and Android devices with exclusive photo, video and interactive content.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET's multiple social media platforms:

On Twitter by using hashtag: #BETAWARDS, #2BIG2MISS; and following us @BETAWARDS.
On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Google plus at bet.us/gplusBET

The BET AWARDS 12 will premiere Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 8:00PM BST across BET's international platforms in the UK and Africa.

Stephen G. Hill, BET's President of Music Programming and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, BET's Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the BET AWARDS 12, along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.

Official sponsors of The BET AWARDS 12 include Cadillac®, Coca-Cola®, Ford®, State Farm® and Subway®.

About Samuel L. Jackson

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Jackson made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of 'Jules', the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Jackson recently made his Broadway debut at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, co-starring Angela Bassett and directed by Kenny Leon. The Mountaintop is set on the eve of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom Jackson portrays. The play ended its run on January 22, 2012. Jackson is currently in production on Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained." Jackson plays the role of 'Stephen,' alongside Christoph Waltz as 'Dr. King Schultz,' Jamie Foxx as 'Django' and Leonardo DiCaprio as 'Calvin Candie.' "Django Unchained" is set in the Deep South during the 1850s and tells the story of a slave-turned-bounty hunter setting out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. Jackson is currently on screen in "The Avengers," which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend. Recently, Jackson was seen in HBO's "The Sunset Limited," an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's play. Tommy Lee Jones co-starred and directed the telefilm. On television, in addition to "The Sunset Limited," Jackson starred in John Frankenheimer's Emmy Award-winning "Against the Wall" for HBO. His performance earned him a Cable Ace nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

About Jesse Collins Entertainment

Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service film and television production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. Over the past decade, Collins, the company's CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television's most memorable moments in the music entertainment arena. Formerly Executive Producer/Executive Vice President of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced award winning television programming including the Grammy Awards, the BET AWARDS, BET Honors and BET's Rip the Runway and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne and many more.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET operates in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Follow us on Twitter @ BET_PR and @BETAwards


SOURCE BET Networks

CONTACT: Marcy Polanco, +1-212-975-3327, Marcy.Polanco@BET.net; Zabrina Horton, +1-310-481-3737, Zabrina.Horton@BET.net

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

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NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year

NAPCP Announces 2011 Photographer of the Year Stephanie Buckman, Stephanie Robin Photography. (PRNewsFoto/National Association of Professional Child Photographers)

22 May 2012 18:22 Africa/Lagos

National Association of Professional Child Photographers Unveils International Image Competition Winners and Photographer of the Year
Almost 1,500 Images Submitted by World's Top Child Photographers

ATLANTA, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) recently announced the results of its fourth international image competition and revealed its 2011 Child Photographer of the Year, Stephanie Buckman of Stephanie Robin Photography.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NY11804 )

With interest and participation growing each year, this latest NAPCP competition attracted images across a new range of category subjects, including maternity, newborn, baby, child, sibling, tween, seniors and family. A panel of photography experts and luminaries critiqued the thousands of image submissions for impact, technical merit, composition and creativity.

The overall NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year winner was determined by total number of points scored in both 2011 NAPCP Image Competitions.

"In reviewing the results of NAPCP's fourth image competition, we continue to be amazed by the creative passion and specialization of our dedicated child photographer community," said Alice Park, co-founder and president, NAPCP. "We congratulate Photographer of the Year Stephanie Buckman and the other winners for their stunning work and artistic ability which brings so much joy to families and loved ones around the world."

The biannual NAPCP Image Competitions reward its winners with medallions, priority listing on the NAPCP directory, vendor endorsements, and membership points.

"Given the quality evident in all of the submissions, it was not easy choosing winners," said Dana Pugh, a NAPCP image competition judge and NAPCP's 2010 Photographer of the Year. "Those talented photographers being recognized in this competition should be extremely proud of their work."

Winners of the fourth NAPCP Image Competition included:
Robin Long ; Salem, Oregon
Nicola Toon ; Cambridge, Ontario
Shona Hutchinson ; Ottawa Ontario
Marie Vanderweide-Murray ; Burlington, Ontario
Sandra Coan ; Seattle, Washington
Elizabeth Blank ; Woodstock, Georgia
Megan Drane ; Naperville, Illinois
Chritene Schaaf; Virginia Beach, Virginia

Finalists included:
Aneta Gancarz ; Manchester, United Kingodm
Stephanie Buckman ; Burlington, Ontario
Jennifer Dell ; Tomball, Texas
Lori Robison ; Fleming Island, Florida
Karen Mackie ; Dundurn, Saskatchewan
Maria Sze ; Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Christin Carruthers ; Stoney Creek, Ontario
Lora Moore-Kakaletris ; Oakville, Ontario
Melinda Worthington ; Bella Vista, Arkansas
Tamara Campbell ; Waterdown, Ontario
Jennifer Kim ; Springfield, Virginia
Meg Borders ; Richland, Washington
Adele Cabanillas ; Lacey, Washington
Tanya Alexis ; Los Angeles, California

For more details on the NAPCP Image Competition, please visit http :// napcp . com / photographers / competition /.

About NAPCP

The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) is a member-based association representing and promoting the community of professional child photographers. The NAPCP provides a valuable platform for seasoned veterans and rising professionals alike to share their experiences, hone their craft and raise their professional visibility.

NAPCP connects parents searching for child photographers with its members by providing a comprehensive directory and informative articles on what to expect from their professional photography experience. For more information, please visit http :// www . napcp . com.


Legal Notices

Copyright © 2012 National Association of Professional Child Photographers. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE National Association of Professional Child Photographers

CONTACT: Alice Park, NAPCP, +1-404-848-9695, alice@napcp.com

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

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