26 Jan 2010 13:41 Africa/Lagos
Navmii: The First Mobile Navigation Application for Nigeria
LONDON, January 26/PRNewswire/ --
- Turn by Turn Personal Navigation Made Simple for Nigerian iPhone Users
- Available Now From Apple iTunes for $84.99, no Data Plan or Cellular Signal required
Telecgsm Ltd and Geolife UK Ltd today announced the availability of the first turn-by-turn mobile navigation application, Navmii, for the iPhone 3G & 3GS in Nigeria.
Navmii transforms the Apple iPhone into a voice and visual guided navigation system with detailed maps of Nigeria, covering over 30 cities. The first turn-by-turn satellite navigation software available for Nigeria, Navmii makes navigation on the iPhone incredibly simple. Users can search for an address by city, street or junction with Navmii's address input, or select a point on a map. Navmii then calculates the best route to the destination, and automatically reroutes if you miss a turning.
Peter Atalla, CEO of Navmii said: "This is the first mobile navigation solution specifically created for the Nigerian market. Nigeria is a country that has fully embraced mobile phones and Navmii for the iPhone is a great opportunity to expand the capability of the mobile handset into navigation and location services. Navmii is available on other mobile phones too, including Nokia and Windows Mobile. Nigeria and Africa is a hugely exciting market, we are proud to be at the forefront of this market."
Foluke Oyeleye, the CEO of Telecgsm, said "Navmii raises the bar in value added services to the customers in Nigeria's telecoms industry and expands the use of navigation features on phones, as more people are bound to use this exciting service." Speaking further, Foluke noted "Telecgsm is best positioned for this pioneering project as we have the required experience, knowledge and distribution network to make Navmii succeed in the Nigerian and African markets where Telecgsm plays a key role in the telecommunications industry."
With maps of Nigeria all stored on the iPhone, Navmii is able to locate and then navigate to thousands of included Points of Interest (POI). Users can browse the map by dragging or scrolling the screen, see a clear overview of the route, and obtain accurate travel information including Time of Arrival and Distance to Destination. The new Detour feature even allows Navmii to recalculate a route around road blocks or traffic congestion; ensuring travelers safely get to where they are going every time. Future versions of Navmii will include family and car tracking capabilities direct from the handset
Notes for Editors
- Option of viewing the map in either 2D, 3D or a safety screen.
- Day & Night maps - Automatic switch to low glare maps for safer night
driving
- Compatible with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS. Requires iPhone OS 3.0 or
later.
- Price:$US: 84.99
- User Manual, and more information, is available at
http://www.navmii.com.
About GeoLife
GeoLife Limited is a leading satellite navigation software and location-based services company. GeoLife designs, develops and supplies advanced GPS navigation and location based systems including the popular Navmii software for mobile phones. GeoLife Limited is incorporated in the United Kingdom and has offices in London & Manchester, in the UK, as well as Hong Kong and a software development centre in St Petersburg, Russia.
http://www.navmii.com
About Telecgsm:
Telecgsm is a leading mobile phone distributor in Nigeria with several years of experience in the distribution of Nokia and Samsung phones alongside other IT related hardware and products.
Source: GeoLife Ltd
Media contacts: GeoLife Ltd., Chris Bignell, XL Communications, Tel: +44(0)7834-020460, Email: chris@xl-comms.com; Telecgsm Ltd, Alex Oyebamiji, 13 Amodu Ojikutu Street, Victoria Island Lagos., Tel: +234-708-999-7311, Email: alex.oyebamiji@telecgsm.com
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The President’s Cabinet Reporting to You
The President’s Cabinet Reporting to You
When President Obama and his Cabinet took office a year ago, they faced an array of historic challenges: an economy in freefall, job losses averaging almost 700,000 a month, a middle class under assault, two wars and badly frayed global alliances, and a staggering $1.3 trillion budget deficit.
Faced with these unparalleled challenges, the President and his Cabinet got to work. The Administration took bold steps to rescue the country from a potential second Great Depression; to rebuild the economy for the long-term -- so businesses can thrive, the middle class can grow and all our families can be more secure; and to restore America’s leadership in the world, as we wrestle with the global challenges of the 21st Century.
In short videos, members of the President’s Cabinet report back to you on their progress this first year and outline what lies ahead for their departments and agencies to keep America moving forward.
Watching the Cabinet’s video reports is easy. Just click on the Cabinet members group photograph above to follow the link on how to play their video.
Hot Topics
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Mixed Messages in the Data According to the S&P/Case-Shiller Home Price Indices
GM Reaches Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker
Borders Group Announces Departure of CEO Ron Marshall; Chief Merchandising Officer Mike Edwards Named Interim CEO
U.S. Preventive Medicine Offers Free Employee Wellness Guide
Target Eliminates Farmed Salmon From All Target Stores
Trust in U.S. Business Rebounds Significantly at Home and Around the World
GM to Be First Major U.S. Automaker to Manufacture Electric Motors
PBS's FRONTLINE Explores What It Means to Be Human in a World Immersed in Technology
Monday, January 25, 2010
What is Government's Role in Supporting the News Business?
25 Jan 2010 15:40 Africa/Lagos
What is Government's Role in Supporting the News Business?
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report on the role of government in supporting newspapers and other news organizations will be released by the University of Southern California's Center on Communication Leadership & Policy on Thursday, January 28, 2010.
The report, Public Policy and Funding the News, is co-authored by Geoffrey Cowan, USC Annenberg School dean emeritus and director of the Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP), and David Westphal, former Washington Editor for McClatchy Newspapers and current CCLP senior fellow and USC Annenberg executive-in-residence.
The report examines a common myth: that the commercial press in the United States is independent of governmental funding support. According to the authors, "There has never been a time in U.S. history when government dollars were not propping up the news business. This year, federal, state and local governments will spend well over $1 billion to support commercial news publishers through tax breaks, postal subsidies and the printing of public notices."
Issues to be discussed include:
-- The impact of falling government subsidies on the news business today
-- A framework to consider various legislative and regulatory proposals
to support news and information
-- Public broadcasting support, including international broadcasting
initiatives
-- Antitrust regulations and intellectual property statutes
-- Publication requirements for public notices
-- Tax policies
-- Postal rates and regulations
-- Subsidies to expand broadband service
EVENT: Briefing on Government's role in supporting news organizations. Release of report "Public Policy and Funding the News"
LOCATION: National Press Club
DATE: Thursday, January 28, 2010
TIME: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Briefing and continental breakfast
PRESENTERS:
Geoffrey Cowan, director, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
David Westphal, senior fellow, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
About the Center on Communication Leadership and Policy
Based in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, the Center on Communication Leadership and Policy conducts research and organizes courses, programs, seminars and symposia for scholars, students, policymakers and working professionals to prepare future leaders in journalism, communication and other related fields. Current projects include: Public Policy and the Future of News; The Constitution and the Press; Media and Political Discourse; Photographic Empowerment; Children's Media; and Women and Communication Leadership.
Contact: Carrie Collins, 301-664-9000
Source: USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
CONTACT: Carrie Collins of CCLP, +1-301-664-9000
What is Government's Role in Supporting the News Business?
WASHINGTON, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report on the role of government in supporting newspapers and other news organizations will be released by the University of Southern California's Center on Communication Leadership & Policy on Thursday, January 28, 2010.
The report, Public Policy and Funding the News, is co-authored by Geoffrey Cowan, USC Annenberg School dean emeritus and director of the Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP), and David Westphal, former Washington Editor for McClatchy Newspapers and current CCLP senior fellow and USC Annenberg executive-in-residence.
The report examines a common myth: that the commercial press in the United States is independent of governmental funding support. According to the authors, "There has never been a time in U.S. history when government dollars were not propping up the news business. This year, federal, state and local governments will spend well over $1 billion to support commercial news publishers through tax breaks, postal subsidies and the printing of public notices."
Issues to be discussed include:
-- The impact of falling government subsidies on the news business today
-- A framework to consider various legislative and regulatory proposals
to support news and information
-- Public broadcasting support, including international broadcasting
initiatives
-- Antitrust regulations and intellectual property statutes
-- Publication requirements for public notices
-- Tax policies
-- Postal rates and regulations
-- Subsidies to expand broadband service
EVENT: Briefing on Government's role in supporting news organizations. Release of report "Public Policy and Funding the News"
LOCATION: National Press Club
DATE: Thursday, January 28, 2010
TIME: 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Briefing and continental breakfast
PRESENTERS:
Geoffrey Cowan, director, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
David Westphal, senior fellow, USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
About the Center on Communication Leadership and Policy
Based in Los Angeles at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, the Center on Communication Leadership and Policy conducts research and organizes courses, programs, seminars and symposia for scholars, students, policymakers and working professionals to prepare future leaders in journalism, communication and other related fields. Current projects include: Public Policy and the Future of News; The Constitution and the Press; Media and Political Discourse; Photographic Empowerment; Children's Media; and Women and Communication Leadership.
Contact: Carrie Collins, 301-664-9000
Source: USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy
CONTACT: Carrie Collins of CCLP, +1-301-664-9000
Haiti's rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture
25 Jan 2010 13:03 Africa/Lagos
Haiti's rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture / IFAD / List of accredited media and organization for the press videoconference
LAUSANNE, January 25, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- List of accredited media and organization for the press videoconference on Haiti's rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture held on January, 25 – 11:00 (Paris Time) :
Agridev-CTT - Tunisia
Columbia University - United States
Daily nawaiwaqt & Aaj tv - Pakistan
Ethiopan News Agency - Ethiopia
Frequence Teranga FM - Senegal
Ministry of Agriculture of Cameroon - Cameroon
Radio France Internationale (RFI) - France
Radio Rural - East Timor
The Nationa - Nigeria
Thomson Reuters - United Kingdom
Tickertxt - Germany
TOF Radio - Kenya
Trinity Broadcasting Namibia - Namibia
Voice of America - United States
Xinmin Weekly - China
Yossif Ayoub (Freelance) – Egypt
More information : http://appablog.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/haiti%e2%80%99s-rural-agriculture-rural-poverty-reduction-and-small-holder-agriculture-press-videoconference/
Prior to the World Economic Forum annual meeting (Davos), the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an International Financial Institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations, will hold a press videoconference regarding Haiti’s rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture.
How to rebuild Haiti’s rural agriculture?
What’s the role of the private sector in rural poverty reduction?
How to draw the attention of Davos business leaders to the potential of small holder agriculture?
ASK YOUR QUESTIONS THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE
WHO : Dr Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
WHEN : January, 25 – 10:50 (Paris Time)
LANGUAGES : English
HOW DOES IT WORK : This service is FREE and requires only the use of a computer connected to Internet.
APPLICATION : http://www.apo-opa.org/contactvideoconf/contact_video_conf.html?vc=IFAD
This press videoconference is organized by the African Press Organization (www.apo-opa.org).
CONTACT :
- African Press Organization : +41 22 534 96 97 / +33 661 797 718 / sec.sg@apo-opa.org
Source: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
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Quarterly Earnings Reports
Haiti's rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture / IFAD / List of accredited media and organization for the press videoconference
LAUSANNE, January 25, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- List of accredited media and organization for the press videoconference on Haiti's rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture held on January, 25 – 11:00 (Paris Time) :
Agridev-CTT - Tunisia
Columbia University - United States
Daily nawaiwaqt & Aaj tv - Pakistan
Ethiopan News Agency - Ethiopia
Frequence Teranga FM - Senegal
Ministry of Agriculture of Cameroon - Cameroon
Radio France Internationale (RFI) - France
Radio Rural - East Timor
The Nationa - Nigeria
Thomson Reuters - United Kingdom
Tickertxt - Germany
TOF Radio - Kenya
Trinity Broadcasting Namibia - Namibia
Voice of America - United States
Xinmin Weekly - China
Yossif Ayoub (Freelance) – Egypt
More information : http://appablog.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/haiti%e2%80%99s-rural-agriculture-rural-poverty-reduction-and-small-holder-agriculture-press-videoconference/
Prior to the World Economic Forum annual meeting (Davos), the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an International Financial Institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations, will hold a press videoconference regarding Haiti’s rural agriculture, rural poverty reduction, and the potential of small holder agriculture.
How to rebuild Haiti’s rural agriculture?
What’s the role of the private sector in rural poverty reduction?
How to draw the attention of Davos business leaders to the potential of small holder agriculture?
ASK YOUR QUESTIONS THROUGH VIDEOCONFERENCE
WHO : Dr Kanayo F. Nwanze, President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
WHEN : January, 25 – 10:50 (Paris Time)
LANGUAGES : English
HOW DOES IT WORK : This service is FREE and requires only the use of a computer connected to Internet.
APPLICATION : http://www.apo-opa.org/contactvideoconf/contact_video_conf.html?vc=IFAD
This press videoconference is organized by the African Press Organization (www.apo-opa.org).
CONTACT :
- African Press Organization : +41 22 534 96 97 / +33 661 797 718 / sec.sg@apo-opa.org
Source: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
Hot Topics
Earthquake in Haiti
Mayo Clinic and IBM Advance Early Detection of Brain Aneurysms
Survey Shows Concerns Over Copper Usage in Semiconductor Packaging
Topping a Record Year, Nearly All Financial Pros Take Home Bonus
Contract IT Jobs are on the Increase
PR Newswire Continues Complimentary Press Release Distribution for Haiti Earthquake Relief and Recovery News
SEI Survey: Investors' Continued Commitment to Hedge Funds Comes With Rising Expectations
Glee Produces Two Gold Soundtracks
Yogurt Named Food Trend of the Decade
Report Suggests Economic Downturn May be Changing the Face of Retail Crime
Quarterly Earnings Reports
Nigeria: Fears of Reprisal Attacks Loom in Northern Nigeria
Nigeria: Fears of Reprisal Attacks Loom in Northern Nigeria
The fears of reprisal attacks are rife in northern Nigeria after the gruesome religious mayhem in Jos and other parts of Plateau state left hundreds dead, with scores of corpses dumped in wells and toilet pits. Intolerant religious fanatics are using cell phones and other means of private communication to instigate members of their sects to mobilize for reprisal attacks to avenge the deaths of those they lost. The law enforcement agencies have been alerted and warning everyone in the middle belt and northern states to beware of Islamists who are already planning to launch widespread attacks on non-Muslims.
Unidentified men armed with guns and other weapons were arrested and detained Saturday night in Kaduna by the Nigeria Air Force.
Police officers of the Operation Yaki in Kaduna state are patrolling towns and villages to ensure the security of lives and properties.
Many indigenes of Abia, Bayelsa, Edo and other Southern states are already leaving the northern states for the safe havens of their hometowns. Some private schools in Borno and Yobe states turned back pupils, because they cannot guarantee their safety in the tensed atmosphere of insecurity.
The fears of reprisal attacks are rife in northern Nigeria after the gruesome religious mayhem in Jos and other parts of Plateau state left hundreds dead, with scores of corpses dumped in wells and toilet pits. Intolerant religious fanatics are using cell phones and other means of private communication to instigate members of their sects to mobilize for reprisal attacks to avenge the deaths of those they lost. The law enforcement agencies have been alerted and warning everyone in the middle belt and northern states to beware of Islamists who are already planning to launch widespread attacks on non-Muslims.
Unidentified men armed with guns and other weapons were arrested and detained Saturday night in Kaduna by the Nigeria Air Force.
Police officers of the Operation Yaki in Kaduna state are patrolling towns and villages to ensure the security of lives and properties.
Many indigenes of Abia, Bayelsa, Edo and other Southern states are already leaving the northern states for the safe havens of their hometowns. Some private schools in Borno and Yobe states turned back pupils, because they cannot guarantee their safety in the tensed atmosphere of insecurity.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Two U.S. 'YOUR BIG BREAK' Finalists to Travel to New Zealand to Make Films with Barrie Osborne, Judged by Peter Jackson
100% Pure New Zealand's Filmmaking Competition will Premiere Winning Film on IFC leading into 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 5, 2010
Los Angeles and Auckland, New Zealand (January 21, 2010) /PRNewswire/ — Academy Award®-winning producer Barrie Osborne (The Lord of the Rings) and a panel of judges named the five finalists in the 100% Pure New Zealand Presents Your Big Break short film competition today. American finalists Kristi Simkins from Auburn, Wash., and Aya Tanimora from Santa Monica, Calif., will now travel to Queenstown, New Zealand, where they will work with Osborne and world class post-production facility Park Road Post Production to shoot and direct their own short films capturing the essence of the world's youngest country. Academy Award®-winning director Sir Peter Jackson will select the winning entry.
Barrie Osborne
After Jackson personally views and judges the five finalists' films, he will select one overall winner whose film will air on IFC just prior to the Spirit Awards live broadcast on March 5 at 8 p.m. Pacific/11 p.m. Eastern.
As if the opportunity to travel to Queenstown and work with the Academy Award-winning team responsible for The Lord of the Rings trilogy wasn't enough, all finalists' films will premiere in front of hundreds of the entertainment industry's brightest at the 100% Pure New Zealand lounge at the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards, of which 100% Pure New Zealand is a Principal Sponsor, and on the Your Big Break Web site, www.your-big-break.com.
"The diversity of excellent entries demonstrates the passion people have for New Zealand," says Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler. "Many of the screenplays capture the spirit of New Zealand including the country's extraordinary landscapes, people and culture; the judges had their work cut out for them selecting just four."
While Osborne and a panel selected four of the finalists, Your Big Break site visitors voted for Aya Tanimura's film as the "People's Choice" finalist.
The other three finalists include Andrés Borghi from Buenos Aires, and Tim McLachlan and Rajneel Singh from Auckland, New Zealand.
"Putting the spotlight on emerging filmmakers is the essence of the Spirit Awards, and giving the "Your Big Break' finalists the opportunity to present their work on IFC is a fantastic way to cultivate new filmmaking talent," said Jennifer Caserta, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IFC.
All of the finalists are aspiring filmmakers who've dabbled in multiple aspects of the entertainment industry. The protagonist in Simkins's film "Something Special" seeks to fulfill a promise with his trip to New Zealand, while the main character in fellow American Tanimura's script "Sweet As," uses her imagery of the world's youngest country to impress. New Zealand native Singh's submission "Blank Spaces," plays off New Zealand's pure, untouched and unmapped image, while his fellow Kiwi McLachlan's entry "Mr. Whippy and the BMX Kid," focuses on a young Maori boy's conversation with an old man searching for renewal. Borghi's screenplay for "Working Day" centers on New Zealand's creation and aims to take advantage of his post production prowess.
"Many of the entries were stellar, but our five finalists' films displayed a combination of humor, imagination and passion that brought New Zealand's spirit to life," says Osborne. "I'm looking forward to working with all of these talented individuals."
The submission and voting period ran from December 9, 2009 until January 15, 2010 on www.your-big-break.com. More than 1,000 aspiring directors from around the globe entered a screenplay for a three-minute short film that captured the spirit of New Zealand and any supporting content they thought would aid their selection. The five finalists will produce their films in New Zealand in early February.
Useful Links:
Your Big Break website: www.your-big-break.com
On Facebook: www.facebook.com/YourBigBreak
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/YourBigBreakNZ
For inspiration: www.newzealand.com
For information about New Zealand's extensive vacation options, log onto the 100% Pure New Zealand website at http://www.NewZealand.com.
For other media information, log on to http://www.media.newzealand.com. For high-resolution images, visit http://www.images.newzealand.com.
ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS The Film Independent Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press, the Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.
Media Contact:
Andrew Reynolds
Hill & Knowlton for Tourism New Zealand
949-223-2307
andrew.reynolds@hillandknowlton.com
Friday, January 22, 2010
So, Can We Still Say "Yes, We Can!"?
So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America’s birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:
“Let it be told to the future world ... that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive…that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet (it).”
America, in the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.
~ Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States of America
Search: Inauguration
One year ago, Barack Obama became president. Here's a look back at the Obama family's historic year, including the inaugural ball, a trillion-dollar deficit, a Nobel Peace Prize, the first lady's fashions and hug with the queen, the girls, the dog and more.
- The speech: The president delivered his historic inauguration speech in front of a record crowd. - Their walk: The Obamas surprised parade watchers when they jumped out of the car and started walking. - The balls: The couple attended several inaugural balls (watch their first dance), while daughters Sasha and Malia were getting a big surprise.- The move: They moved into the White House, which they have since redecorated. - The school: Everyone was talking about where the girls would go to school, and they ended up here.
Next Search: The promise of hope and change
More.
How would you rate President Barack Obama in his first year of leading the United States of America?
A Nigerian at Microsoft Brings Hope to African Orphans
~ ADELEKE ADEYEMI
For African orphans, sure mercies come as LittleDrops
Charles Duze, A Nigerian at Microsoft cares for orphans in Africa.
Charles Duze (pronounced dóo•zay) could not believe his eyes: Children just like him--some even younger--rifling through trashcans behind his high school cafeteria, lucky-dipping for food! Charles was enrolled at Federal Government College, Enugu, in Eastern Nigeria. Long after Nigeria’s Civil War ended, early in the ‘70s, ‘Coal City’ still bore scars of the internecine feud that left many families in tatters. A generation later, their inheritors were yet to recover lost grounds.
“Seeing this, day after day, unlocked something in me,” Charles recalls. It triggered an epiphany. “That was when I developed a real understanding and grew a passion for the plight of orphans.” There had been previous encounters pointing him to his calling. It’s all coming back as memories of his parents taking him on visits to orphanages and motherless babies’ homes in Benin City, tucked away in Nigeria’s Midwest, where he spent part of his childhood. On his own, he continued the pilgrimages to orphanages in Enugu.
After leaving Nigeria for the United States, Charles completed both first and second degrees against all odds and landed a job with Microsoft in Seattle, Washington. He thought of waiting to become wealthy to start a non-profit, but reckoned, “unless I win the lottery, becoming wealthy is way in the future for me!”
But his calling couldn’t wait. In 2005, with very little money and still lots of school loans to pay off, Charles Duze started LittleDrops Orphanage Fund. His philosophy: “Little drops of help add up. To start, you don’t need a million dollars.” Certainly not his boss Bill Gates’ billions either!
Lucky Charles, he met and married Nkiru who’s keen on the selfsame vision. She stands right by him in the trenches, saving orphaned lives from the ravages of time. Before then Charles had reached out to friends and co-workers to join his cause: Ensuring all orphans and vulnerable children on the African continent have access to food, shelter, clean water, clothes, education, healthcare and other basic necessities of life; taking care of their present needs for a healthy childhood. Charles Duze envisioned a second component to the intervention: Working to ensure that these children have a fair chance at a successful future so that they can one day stand on their own and contribute to society.
His passion was infectious; a good number pitched in with support immediately. Volunteer Ikenna Ekeh joined in early 2006, “to make an impact in my own little way.” After a couple of outings, Ikenna got hooked with a determination to not “just lend a hand once every now and then... I could go further and use my God-given talents more to support the cause.”
The vanguard volunteer, Ikenna took up driving LittleDrops’ online fundraising campaigns with vehicles such as their growing Facebook group; developing and updating LittleDropsOrphanageFund.org, their various blogs; creating promotional materials such as flyers, brochures, wristbands and t-shirts and as promoting events in such as way that they turn out successful.
LittleDrops is an all-volunteer non-profit organisation. Hence one major issue Charles Duze has had to deal with is identifying and keeping open lines of communication with legitimate orphanages in Africa. This was a big challenge because of difficulties with information infrastructure there. Many of the homes had little or no access to telephones or the internet. He soon hit on a home-grown solution: ask his parents in Nigeria to liaise with the orphanages there.
The same idea worked for other places. Volunteers who had family or friends in those countries got them liaising with the orphanages. And whenever they travel to these countries, the volunteers visit the homes. That way LittleDrops gets extensive onsite verification without attendant expenses. And soon little drops of help trickling in begin to coalesce into ocean-spanning bailout for vulnerable children.
Back in 1845 Julia Carney captured what Charles Duze is doing today, in her classic poem “Little Drops of Water.” On the strength of Charles Duze’s vision, over two thousand orphans sheltered in 24 homes scattered on six African countries know indeed that,
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.
To date, volunteers remain critical to LittleDrops. For instance, their wow Website was built entirely from the time, ideas and generosity of volunteers. “It is part of fiscal responsibility for us,” Charles explains, “to ensure that at least 90% of all donations make it to the children who need it so much. Volunteers are so important to our work.”
At Hopeful Grandmothers Orphanage, Nyahururu, Kenya
This no-frills model of doing non-profit, popularised by Microsoft alumnus John Wood (Room to Read), is now the toast of the corporate world. The business community is eager to see excellent results as turnover, with goodwill showing up on the bottom line as visible impact. For potential sponsors, it’s more than a mantra that doing good is good for business.
John Wood’s widely celebrated intervention in the education sub-sector is what Charles Duze is taking on in cheerful strides on this critical social front, with his many innovative orphan empowerment programs and lines of action.
Wearing a gentle, sunny smile Charles points to the similarity in operating system of LittleDrops and Room to Read as “something that runs in the Microsoft family!”
Indeed. From the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington, LittleDrops has leapt onto the front page as an outstanding example of doing non-profit right. It made a big impression at the company’s Non-profit Fair recently held to take stock of the abundant volunteer spirit resident in Microsoft’s employees.
St. Mary
It is Charles Duze’s concrete conviction that orphans are people, too – with voices that deserve to be heard. This is why LittleDrops does fund-raising enthusiastically around innovative ideas like “Express Your Dreams” contest. LittleDrops’ objects of attention can bank on such opportunities to showcase their aspirations creatively in art and writing, to open a window into their lives through which present and prospective supporters can get to appreciate them and their views of the world.
It’s a great way to connect to the world of the children of Africa. For LittleDrops, it is a way to help correct the perception of the adult population about vulnerable children. An orphan is way beyond a statistic; she exists on a very personal and individual level.
A different kind of fundraiser – LittleDrops 5Km Run For Their Lives – shook select streets of Seattle, Washington on Sunday, October 11th 2009. Before then, Laughs For Hope comedy shows set Atlanta, Georgia and Seattle, WA, agog with LittleDrops buzz: If you laugh, they won’t cry.
On the LittleDrops Website two hundred orphans, so far, have submitted essays and artworks on their dreams, passions and role models; they “now invite YOU to journey into their world to READ, VIEW, VOTE and HELP give breath to their dreams.”
The invitation had a democratic imperative. Although voting is now closed, enlistment into the cause continues: “Your vote could help some orphans and/or their homes win prizes,” the LittleDrops Web site invites. “We believe we can find 25,000 people who will care enough to listen to their stories.”
Related links:
http://www.littledropsorphanagefund.org/ExpressYourDreams/default.aspx
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/community/67323397.html
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/68929382.html
http://littledropsfund.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-we-snatched-3-young-lives-from.html
For African orphans, sure mercies come as LittleDrops
Charles Duze, A Nigerian at Microsoft cares for orphans in Africa.
Charles Duze (pronounced dóo•zay) could not believe his eyes: Children just like him--some even younger--rifling through trashcans behind his high school cafeteria, lucky-dipping for food! Charles was enrolled at Federal Government College, Enugu, in Eastern Nigeria. Long after Nigeria’s Civil War ended, early in the ‘70s, ‘Coal City’ still bore scars of the internecine feud that left many families in tatters. A generation later, their inheritors were yet to recover lost grounds.
“Seeing this, day after day, unlocked something in me,” Charles recalls. It triggered an epiphany. “That was when I developed a real understanding and grew a passion for the plight of orphans.” There had been previous encounters pointing him to his calling. It’s all coming back as memories of his parents taking him on visits to orphanages and motherless babies’ homes in Benin City, tucked away in Nigeria’s Midwest, where he spent part of his childhood. On his own, he continued the pilgrimages to orphanages in Enugu.
After leaving Nigeria for the United States, Charles completed both first and second degrees against all odds and landed a job with Microsoft in Seattle, Washington. He thought of waiting to become wealthy to start a non-profit, but reckoned, “unless I win the lottery, becoming wealthy is way in the future for me!”
But his calling couldn’t wait. In 2005, with very little money and still lots of school loans to pay off, Charles Duze started LittleDrops Orphanage Fund. His philosophy: “Little drops of help add up. To start, you don’t need a million dollars.” Certainly not his boss Bill Gates’ billions either!
Lucky Charles, he met and married Nkiru who’s keen on the selfsame vision. She stands right by him in the trenches, saving orphaned lives from the ravages of time. Before then Charles had reached out to friends and co-workers to join his cause: Ensuring all orphans and vulnerable children on the African continent have access to food, shelter, clean water, clothes, education, healthcare and other basic necessities of life; taking care of their present needs for a healthy childhood. Charles Duze envisioned a second component to the intervention: Working to ensure that these children have a fair chance at a successful future so that they can one day stand on their own and contribute to society.
His passion was infectious; a good number pitched in with support immediately. Volunteer Ikenna Ekeh joined in early 2006, “to make an impact in my own little way.” After a couple of outings, Ikenna got hooked with a determination to not “just lend a hand once every now and then... I could go further and use my God-given talents more to support the cause.”
The vanguard volunteer, Ikenna took up driving LittleDrops’ online fundraising campaigns with vehicles such as their growing Facebook group; developing and updating LittleDropsOrphanageFund.org, their various blogs; creating promotional materials such as flyers, brochures, wristbands and t-shirts and as promoting events in such as way that they turn out successful.
LittleDrops is an all-volunteer non-profit organisation. Hence one major issue Charles Duze has had to deal with is identifying and keeping open lines of communication with legitimate orphanages in Africa. This was a big challenge because of difficulties with information infrastructure there. Many of the homes had little or no access to telephones or the internet. He soon hit on a home-grown solution: ask his parents in Nigeria to liaise with the orphanages there.
The same idea worked for other places. Volunteers who had family or friends in those countries got them liaising with the orphanages. And whenever they travel to these countries, the volunteers visit the homes. That way LittleDrops gets extensive onsite verification without attendant expenses. And soon little drops of help trickling in begin to coalesce into ocean-spanning bailout for vulnerable children.
Back in 1845 Julia Carney captured what Charles Duze is doing today, in her classic poem “Little Drops of Water.” On the strength of Charles Duze’s vision, over two thousand orphans sheltered in 24 homes scattered on six African countries know indeed that,
Little deeds of kindness,
Little words of love,
Make our earth an Eden,
Like the heaven above.
To date, volunteers remain critical to LittleDrops. For instance, their wow Website was built entirely from the time, ideas and generosity of volunteers. “It is part of fiscal responsibility for us,” Charles explains, “to ensure that at least 90% of all donations make it to the children who need it so much. Volunteers are so important to our work.”
At Hopeful Grandmothers Orphanage, Nyahururu, Kenya
This no-frills model of doing non-profit, popularised by Microsoft alumnus John Wood (Room to Read), is now the toast of the corporate world. The business community is eager to see excellent results as turnover, with goodwill showing up on the bottom line as visible impact. For potential sponsors, it’s more than a mantra that doing good is good for business.
John Wood’s widely celebrated intervention in the education sub-sector is what Charles Duze is taking on in cheerful strides on this critical social front, with his many innovative orphan empowerment programs and lines of action.
Wearing a gentle, sunny smile Charles points to the similarity in operating system of LittleDrops and Room to Read as “something that runs in the Microsoft family!”
Indeed. From the Microsoft Campus in Redmond, Washington, LittleDrops has leapt onto the front page as an outstanding example of doing non-profit right. It made a big impression at the company’s Non-profit Fair recently held to take stock of the abundant volunteer spirit resident in Microsoft’s employees.
St. Mary
It is Charles Duze’s concrete conviction that orphans are people, too – with voices that deserve to be heard. This is why LittleDrops does fund-raising enthusiastically around innovative ideas like “Express Your Dreams” contest. LittleDrops’ objects of attention can bank on such opportunities to showcase their aspirations creatively in art and writing, to open a window into their lives through which present and prospective supporters can get to appreciate them and their views of the world.
It’s a great way to connect to the world of the children of Africa. For LittleDrops, it is a way to help correct the perception of the adult population about vulnerable children. An orphan is way beyond a statistic; she exists on a very personal and individual level.
A different kind of fundraiser – LittleDrops 5Km Run For Their Lives – shook select streets of Seattle, Washington on Sunday, October 11th 2009. Before then, Laughs For Hope comedy shows set Atlanta, Georgia and Seattle, WA, agog with LittleDrops buzz: If you laugh, they won’t cry.
On the LittleDrops Website two hundred orphans, so far, have submitted essays and artworks on their dreams, passions and role models; they “now invite YOU to journey into their world to READ, VIEW, VOTE and HELP give breath to their dreams.”
The invitation had a democratic imperative. Although voting is now closed, enlistment into the cause continues: “Your vote could help some orphans and/or their homes win prizes,” the LittleDrops Web site invites. “We believe we can find 25,000 people who will care enough to listen to their stories.”
Related links:
http://www.littledropsorphanagefund.org/ExpressYourDreams/default.aspx
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/red/community/67323397.html
http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/east_king/bel/community/68929382.html
http://littledropsfund.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-we-snatched-3-young-lives-from.html
Thursday, January 21, 2010
SPECIAL 3-D TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON TO FEATURE
SPECIAL 3-D TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON TO FEATURE
by admin on Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:10 pm
SPECIAL 3-D TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL JACKSON TO FEATURE
NEVER-BEFORE-SEEN "THIS IS IT" TOUR FILM AND PERFORMANCES BY CELINE DION, JENNIFER HUDSON,
SMOKEY ROBINSON, CARRIE UNDERWOOD, AND USHER ON THE 52ND ANNUAL GRAMMY® AWARDS JAN. 31 LIVE ON CBS
CBS and Target Partner to Provide Millions of Free "3-D GRAMMY® Glasses" So That Viewers Can Enjoy Unique TV Experience from Home
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Jan. 20, 2010) — GRAMMY® winners Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Carrie Underwood, and Usher will join together, along with the voice of Michael Jackson, in a moving tribute to Jackson at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Sun. Jan. 31, 8 – 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature the never-before-seen 3-D mini-movie for "Earth Song" that was created by Jackson as the centerpiece of his much anticipated "This Is It" tour, but was never seen by the public prior to this GRAMMY performance.
The 3-D film was created to support the performance of "Earth Song," an original composition and a No. 1 hit for Jackson. The song has a strong theme about the future of the planet, and Jackson saw it as a unique opportunity to deliver a message to millions of people who would have seen him on tour.
"It was one of the most important portions of the concert tour to Michael and when Michael saw the film for the first time at his last rehearsal, there were tears in his eyes," according to Ken Ehrlich, GRAMMY co-Executive Producer and longtime Jackson associate, who was also at the rehearsal that night.
"This very special GRAMMY Moment will feature some of our most respected GRAMMY recipients, all of whom have a great love for Michael," added Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "This segment promises to be an emotional highlight of this year's show, and is sure to join the unique list of amazing performances for which the GRAMMY Awards have become renowned."
This special segment also represents another GRAMMY technical breakthrough in that it will be the first time a major awards show broadcasts in 3-D. The GRAMMY Awards also were the first awards show to broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound (2003).
So that viewers can enjoy this unique 3-D TV experience at home, CBS and Target have partnered to provide millions of free 3-D GRAMMY Glasses. From Sunday, Jan. 24, through Sunday, Jan. 31, Target stores nationwide will exclusively offer these 3-D GRAMMY Glasses so that fans have the opportunity to see the film that was very personal to Jackson. Additionally, the audience at STAPLES Center will share the 3-D experience, wearing the same glasses as those being worn by viewers at home.
This GRAMMY tribute to Michael Jackson joins previously announced performances by nominees Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Bon Jovi, the Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga, Maxwell, P!nk, Taylor Swift, and the Zac Brown Band. Presenters include actress
Kristen Bell, pop/R&B singer Justin Bieber, actor Jeff Bridges, pop singer and actress Miley Cyrus, actor Josh Duhamel, pop sensation the Jonas Brothers, nine-time GRAMMY winner Norah Jones, pop singer/songwriter Ke$ha, two-time GRAMMY winner LL Cool J, GRAMMY winner and three-time Latin GRAMMY® winner Ricky Martin, 10-time GRAMMY and three-time Latin GRAMMY winner Carlos Santana, and nine-time GRAMMY winner Ringo Starr. The music industry's premier event will take place live on Sunday, Jan. 31, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio via Westwood One worldwide, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook: http://www.twitter.com/thegrammys, http://www.facebook.com/thegrammys.
All five Album Of The Year nominees are set to perform on Music's Biggest Night®: Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga, the Dave Matthews Band, and Taylor Swift.
Current nominee Carrie Underwood is up for two awards this year: Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Just A Dream," and Best Country Collaboration With Vocals for "I Told You So" (with Randy Travis).
As part of Bon Jovi's performance on the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, fans will have an opportunity to decide which Bon Jovi hit the band will perform. For this "You Pick It, They Play It!" special segment, viewers can log on to http://www.cbs.com/grammys and vote in two phases for one out of six of their favorite hit Bon Jovi songs: "Always," "Bed Of Roses," "Have A Nice Day," "It's My Life," "Livin' On A Prayer," and "Wanted Dead Or Alive." There is no registration to vote, and fans may vote as often as they wish. Additionally, a 30-second clip of each song may be viewed. The deadline to vote on the first phase is Sunday, Jan. 24, 11:59 p.m. ET. The second phase starts on Jan. 25, when the list will be narrowed down to the top three songs and fans may again vote at http://www.cbs.com/grammys for which hit song the band should perform as part of their segment. Voting will continue until Bon Jovi's performance on the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 31.
The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich and John Cossette are executive producers, Louis J. Horvitz is director.
Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit http://www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, join the organization's social networks as a Twitter follower at http://www.twitter.com/thegrammys, a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/thegrammys, and a YouTube channel subscriber at http://www.youtube.com/thegrammys.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Barb Dehgan/The Recording Academy/310.392.3777
Kate Fisher or Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i/CBS Television
Nigeria: The Ugly, the Sick and the bad.......A new Movie-
The Ugly, the Sick and the bad.......A new Movie-
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