Democracy Facebook: Jonathan and Obama Are Now Friends
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Democracy Facebook: Jonathan and Obama Are Now Friends
Democracy Facebook: Jonathan and Obama Are Now Friends
Four Defendants Sentenced in Human Trafficking Ring
28 Apr 2010 18:11 Africa/Lagos
Four Defendants Sentenced in Human Trafficking Ring
Conspirators Smuggled Women and Minors in from Mexico and then Compelled Them Into Prostitution in Metro Atlanta
WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Juan Cortes-Meza, 33, of Mexico; Raul Cortes-Meza, 22, of Mexico; Edison Wagner Rosa Tort, 71, of Cartersville, Ga.; and Otto Jaime Larios Perez, 27, of Guatemala were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story for participating in sex trafficking in an organization targeting young Mexican women.
Juan Cortes-Meza was sentenced today to 16 years, eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $57,600. Raul Cortes-Meza was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $7,000. Edison Wagner Rosa Tort was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $57,000. Otto Jaime Larios Perez was sentenced yesterday to two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $3,600.
"These four defendants committed heinous crimes against vulnerable women and girls who dreamed of better lives in the United States," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division. "Driven by greed, these defendants robbed their victims of basic human rights and dignities. The Department of Justice is committed to holding traffickers accountable and restoring the lives of their victims."
U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to dismantling sex-trafficking organizations that operate in the Northern District of Georgia. Those who enslave and sell young women for sex, or who profit from it, must be held accountable. Nothing we can do will fully restore these victims from the harm they suffered at the hands of these criminals, but we will do everything in our power to stop others from being abused."
"These traffickers exhibited a callous disregard for the lives of the victims whom they exploited for money," said Kenneth Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Atlanta. "While we cannot undo the terrible experiences that they endured, we hope that today's sentencing gives them some sense of closure."
According to U.S. Attorney Yates and the information presented in court, From Spring 2006 through June 2008, these defendants and others charged in the conspiracy recruited and enticed approximately 10 victims to come to the Atlanta area from Mexico and then forced them into prostitution for the financial benefit of the members of the alleged conspiracy. Often the conspirators, including Juan Cortes-Meza, would lure the women to the U.S. by promising better lives, legitimate employment, or romantic relationships with the defendants. Drivers, such as Larios Perez, Raul Cortes-Meza, and Rosa Tort, collected the victims from the homes where they lived with the defendants in Norcross and drove them to apartments and homes where paying clients waited for commercial sex.
Specifically, Juan Cortes-Meza smuggled the 17-year-old female victim into the United States by falsely promising that he would help her find employment in a restaurant or as a housekeeper. The victim was thereafter compelled to engage in commercial sex acts with numerous men every night, and to give Juan Cortes-Meza the money she collected. Juan Cortes-Meza controlled the victim's daily life and was physically violent with her.
Raul Cortes-Meza harbored and transported a victim and benefitted financially from causing her to engage in commercial sex acts. While another co-conspirator brought the victim into the United States, Raul Cortes-Meza drove her to apartments to have sex with paying clients. He then collected money and kept some for himself, giving the rest to other co-conspirators.
Rosa Tort took a victim from the Cortes-Meza trafficking ring and kept her in Cartersville, Ga., where he forced her to perform commercial sex acts against her will.
Larios Perez pleaded guilty to making false statements to law enforcement when he was intercepted with a victim in his car. When caught with a victim, Larios Perez lied to investigators about his relationship to the victim, claiming she was a family member, and falsely stated that he had never driven anyone to any location for prostitution. In fact, Larios Perez had driven at least six of the young Mexican women to locations to engage in prostitution.
In order to bring defendants to justice, victims of crime may be eligible for immigration status in the United States to assist in the prosecution. Six of the victims addressed the court about what they suffered at the hands of this sex trafficking ring, telling of physical threats, beatings, and intimidation which caused them to work as prostitutes against their will.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Coppedge and Trial Attorney Karima Maloney of the Civil Rights Division's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
CONTACT: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs,
+1-202-514-2007, TDD +1-202-514-1888
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov/
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Four Defendants Sentenced in Human Trafficking Ring
Conspirators Smuggled Women and Minors in from Mexico and then Compelled Them Into Prostitution in Metro Atlanta
WASHINGTON, April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Juan Cortes-Meza, 33, of Mexico; Raul Cortes-Meza, 22, of Mexico; Edison Wagner Rosa Tort, 71, of Cartersville, Ga.; and Otto Jaime Larios Perez, 27, of Guatemala were sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story for participating in sex trafficking in an organization targeting young Mexican women.
Juan Cortes-Meza was sentenced today to 16 years, eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $57,600. Raul Cortes-Meza was sentenced yesterday to 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $7,000. Edison Wagner Rosa Tort was sentenced yesterday to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $57,000. Otto Jaime Larios Perez was sentenced yesterday to two years, six months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $3,600.
"These four defendants committed heinous crimes against vulnerable women and girls who dreamed of better lives in the United States," said Thomas E. Perez, Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Civil Rights Division. "Driven by greed, these defendants robbed their victims of basic human rights and dignities. The Department of Justice is committed to holding traffickers accountable and restoring the lives of their victims."
U.S. Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, "The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to dismantling sex-trafficking organizations that operate in the Northern District of Georgia. Those who enslave and sell young women for sex, or who profit from it, must be held accountable. Nothing we can do will fully restore these victims from the harm they suffered at the hands of these criminals, but we will do everything in our power to stop others from being abused."
"These traffickers exhibited a callous disregard for the lives of the victims whom they exploited for money," said Kenneth Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Atlanta. "While we cannot undo the terrible experiences that they endured, we hope that today's sentencing gives them some sense of closure."
According to U.S. Attorney Yates and the information presented in court, From Spring 2006 through June 2008, these defendants and others charged in the conspiracy recruited and enticed approximately 10 victims to come to the Atlanta area from Mexico and then forced them into prostitution for the financial benefit of the members of the alleged conspiracy. Often the conspirators, including Juan Cortes-Meza, would lure the women to the U.S. by promising better lives, legitimate employment, or romantic relationships with the defendants. Drivers, such as Larios Perez, Raul Cortes-Meza, and Rosa Tort, collected the victims from the homes where they lived with the defendants in Norcross and drove them to apartments and homes where paying clients waited for commercial sex.
Specifically, Juan Cortes-Meza smuggled the 17-year-old female victim into the United States by falsely promising that he would help her find employment in a restaurant or as a housekeeper. The victim was thereafter compelled to engage in commercial sex acts with numerous men every night, and to give Juan Cortes-Meza the money she collected. Juan Cortes-Meza controlled the victim's daily life and was physically violent with her.
Raul Cortes-Meza harbored and transported a victim and benefitted financially from causing her to engage in commercial sex acts. While another co-conspirator brought the victim into the United States, Raul Cortes-Meza drove her to apartments to have sex with paying clients. He then collected money and kept some for himself, giving the rest to other co-conspirators.
Rosa Tort took a victim from the Cortes-Meza trafficking ring and kept her in Cartersville, Ga., where he forced her to perform commercial sex acts against her will.
Larios Perez pleaded guilty to making false statements to law enforcement when he was intercepted with a victim in his car. When caught with a victim, Larios Perez lied to investigators about his relationship to the victim, claiming she was a family member, and falsely stated that he had never driven anyone to any location for prostitution. In fact, Larios Perez had driven at least six of the young Mexican women to locations to engage in prostitution.
In order to bring defendants to justice, victims of crime may be eligible for immigration status in the United States to assist in the prosecution. Six of the victims addressed the court about what they suffered at the hands of this sex trafficking ring, telling of physical threats, beatings, and intimidation which caused them to work as prostitutes against their will.
This case was investigated by Special Agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Susan Coppedge and Trial Attorney Karima Maloney of the Civil Rights Division's Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit prosecuted the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
CONTACT: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs,
+1-202-514-2007, TDD +1-202-514-1888
Web Site: http://www.justice.gov/
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Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Barack Obama: Our African Dream and their American Dream
President Barack Obama
Barack Obama: Our African Dream and their American Dream
Africans see President Barack Obama first as the son of an African immigrant who married a white American in America. Africans are proud of this fact and are proud of him as the epitome of the African genius, an icon of the Black race and a worthy role model for the youths of Africa to celebrate and emulate in the pursuit of the dreams of a New Africa in the 21st century.
Barack Obama, Sr holding the younger Barack Obama in 1971.
There is a spirit of the audacity of Barack Obama in the heart and soul of every African youth in the continent and the Diaspora, propelling them to excel in the hope of the attainment of their ultimate conquest.
How great we would be when we have a Barack Obama as the President of every nation in Africa.
If Barack Obama can make it, then yes we can!
President Barack Obama has shattered the highest glass ceiling of the proverbial American Dream; the dream of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He was elected at the most challenging period in America since World War Two, when Americans were facing the premonition of another Great Depression and the heart rending sacrifice of thousands of innocent American souls in a nightmarish unconventional war against legions of lunatic fringe elements of Islamic fundamentalism. Yet, undauntedly Barack Obama has taken up the herculean challenges of the leadership of the greatest nation on earth, from confronting the goliaths on Wall Street over health care insurance and Machiavellian capitalism in his dogged defence of the common folks on Main Street to marshalling the reformation of America for the nation building of a New America in the leadership of the world.
Will Barack Obama succeed?
President Barack Obama is already galloping ahead on the highway of history and his cheerleaders are cheering him all the way and he is not looking back.
~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima
This article is from a new book on President Barack Obama by the author.
University of Miami Business Professor is World's No. 1 International Business Scholar
26 Apr 2010 19:20 Africa/Lagos
University of Miami Business Professor is World's No. 1 International Business Scholar
School of Business Administration Ranked No. 20 in the World
CORAL GABLES, Fla., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yadong Luo, Emery Findley Distinguished Chair and professor of management at the University of Miami School of Business Administration, is the world's foremost international business scholar according to a study* just published in the International Business Review. The same study ranks the School of Business No. 20 in the world for international research, ahead of such elite institutions as Harvard University and the London Business School. The findings are based on an examination of approximately 17,000 academic articles published between 1996 and 2008 in 29 international business journals deemed to be the world's best by the researchers.
The authors were ranked based on a formula that took into account the number of pages published by each author and each journal's "impact factor." In all, the study looked at articles published by nearly 4,000 authors from more than 1,200 institutions. Luo is ranked No. 1 on the list of the top 50 scholars from around the world.
"To be recognized as the world's top scholar in international business is truly remarkable and is a testament to amazing research talent. Yadong Luo's honor is well-deserved and I congratulate him," said Barbara E. Kahn, dean of the University of Miami School of Business Administration. "Great business schools are measured in large part by the strength of their faculty and we are very proud to call Yadong one of our own as we work to earn our place among the world's most elite institutions for management research and education."
As part of its effort to bolster its research reputation, the School has attracted new faculty over the past two years from some of the world's leading business schools and universities including the Wharton School, Harvard University, MIT, and Duke University. In October, 2009, the School was ranked No. 32 in the world by the influential Financial Times in the newspaper's annual rankings of Executive MBA programs, further illustrating the research strength of the School. The authors of this latest study in the International Business Review note the significance of management research, particularly research in international business and particularly that which is cross-disciplinary.
"As business continues to internationalize, the need for researchers and academic institutions to produce significant and impactful international research also increases," wrote the authors. "An important contribution of this study is its evaluation of the [international business] field across an array of business disciplines."
About the University of Miami School of Business Administration
The University of Miami School of Business Administration is a comprehensive business school, offering undergraduate business, full-time MBA, Executive MBA, MS, PhD and non-degree executive education programs. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Miami, the School is located in a major hub of international trade and commerce and acclaimed for the global orientation and diversity of its faculty, students and curriculum. The School delivers its programs at its main campus in Coral Gables as well as at locations across Florida and abroad. More information about the University of Miami School of Business can be found at www.bus.miami.edu.
*Trevino, L. J., et al. A perspective on the state of the field: International business publications in the elite journals as a measure of institutional and faculty productivity. International Business Review (2010), doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2010.02.004
Source: University of Miami School of Business Administration
CONTACT: Jeff Heebner of University of Miami School of Business
Administration, +1-305-284-4005, jheebner@miami.edu
Web Site: University of Miami School of Business Administration
University of Miami Business Professor is World's No. 1 International Business Scholar
School of Business Administration Ranked No. 20 in the World
CORAL GABLES, Fla., April 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Yadong Luo, Emery Findley Distinguished Chair and professor of management at the University of Miami School of Business Administration, is the world's foremost international business scholar according to a study* just published in the International Business Review. The same study ranks the School of Business No. 20 in the world for international research, ahead of such elite institutions as Harvard University and the London Business School. The findings are based on an examination of approximately 17,000 academic articles published between 1996 and 2008 in 29 international business journals deemed to be the world's best by the researchers.
The authors were ranked based on a formula that took into account the number of pages published by each author and each journal's "impact factor." In all, the study looked at articles published by nearly 4,000 authors from more than 1,200 institutions. Luo is ranked No. 1 on the list of the top 50 scholars from around the world.
"To be recognized as the world's top scholar in international business is truly remarkable and is a testament to amazing research talent. Yadong Luo's honor is well-deserved and I congratulate him," said Barbara E. Kahn, dean of the University of Miami School of Business Administration. "Great business schools are measured in large part by the strength of their faculty and we are very proud to call Yadong one of our own as we work to earn our place among the world's most elite institutions for management research and education."
As part of its effort to bolster its research reputation, the School has attracted new faculty over the past two years from some of the world's leading business schools and universities including the Wharton School, Harvard University, MIT, and Duke University. In October, 2009, the School was ranked No. 32 in the world by the influential Financial Times in the newspaper's annual rankings of Executive MBA programs, further illustrating the research strength of the School. The authors of this latest study in the International Business Review note the significance of management research, particularly research in international business and particularly that which is cross-disciplinary.
"As business continues to internationalize, the need for researchers and academic institutions to produce significant and impactful international research also increases," wrote the authors. "An important contribution of this study is its evaluation of the [international business] field across an array of business disciplines."
About the University of Miami School of Business Administration
The University of Miami School of Business Administration is a comprehensive business school, offering undergraduate business, full-time MBA, Executive MBA, MS, PhD and non-degree executive education programs. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Miami, the School is located in a major hub of international trade and commerce and acclaimed for the global orientation and diversity of its faculty, students and curriculum. The School delivers its programs at its main campus in Coral Gables as well as at locations across Florida and abroad. More information about the University of Miami School of Business can be found at www.bus.miami.edu.
*Trevino, L. J., et al. A perspective on the state of the field: International business publications in the elite journals as a measure of institutional and faculty productivity. International Business Review (2010), doi:10.1016/j.ibusrev.2010.02.004
Source: University of Miami School of Business Administration
CONTACT: Jeff Heebner of University of Miami School of Business
Administration, +1-305-284-4005, jheebner@miami.edu
Web Site: University of Miami School of Business Administration
Dear Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Tell that to the Marines
Nigeria's Acting President Goodluck JonathanDear Acting President Goodluck Jonathan, Tell that to the Marines
Dear Acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan,
The headlines of your presidential order for the manhunt and arrest of Chief James Ibori, the former governor of Delta state are all over the place online and offline.
You have said there would be no sacred cows in the anti-graft war in Nigeria. But I wonder why you have not ordered the EFCC to arrest those indicted in the Halliburton Bribery and corruption case and those indicted in the Daimler bribery scandal?
Are you afraid of these UNTOUCHABLE SACRED COWS?
Lest I forget, what of the sweetest sacred cow in your home. No, not the other woman in your life. Your private love affair is not my business oh.
I mean your CASH MADAM herself, the Acting First Lady or First Lady in Waiting, who has been fasting and praying for First Lady Turai Yar'Adua to return to Katsina state with her medically incapacitated husband and vacate Aso Villa for her BOTTOM POWER.
Is it not on record that on September 11, 2006, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized $13.5 million dollars (US) from Mrs. Patience Jonathan when you were the lucky governor of Bayelsa State? She laundered the money through an associate and in August of the same year, the EFCC had a court order to freeze N104 million Cash Madam Patience allegedly tried to launder through one Mrs. Nancy Ebere Nwosu. The EFCC confirmed that in a sworn statement, Mrs. Nwosu implicated Patience Jonathan.
Mr. Acting President, if your Acting First Lady and the other cabal of your ruling party of Sacred Cows can still be dining and wining and wishing you goodluck in your chess of political power to become the next President of Nigeria, then I am shocked that you had the audacity to order the arrest of Chief James Ibori. Is this your own style of the anti-graft war.
Please, tell that to the Marines.
Yours Proudly Nigerian,
Orikinla Osinachi
Daimler Settlements highlight higher Fines and Imposition of Monitor for Act Violators
Daimler settlements highlight higher fines and imposition of monitor for act violators
April 26 2010
Introduction
Read the full report on International Law Office
Monday, April 26, 2010
German hostages in Nigeria free
German hostages in Nigeria free
BERLIN, April 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The two German nationals kidnapped on 18 April near Port Harcourt, Nigeria, were freed today (24 April). In this connection Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle today issued the following statement:
“I'm delighted to hear that our two fellow Germans are free and in good health. They are in safe hands in Port Harcourt, and their condition is as good as can be expected under the circumstances.
I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the crisis task force and of the German and Nigerian authorities involved for bringing this kidnapping to a rapid and successful conclusion.”
Source: Germany - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
BERLIN, April 26, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The two German nationals kidnapped on 18 April near Port Harcourt, Nigeria, were freed today (24 April). In this connection Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle today issued the following statement:
“I'm delighted to hear that our two fellow Germans are free and in good health. They are in safe hands in Port Harcourt, and their condition is as good as can be expected under the circumstances.
I pay tribute to the tireless efforts of the crisis task force and of the German and Nigerian authorities involved for bringing this kidnapping to a rapid and successful conclusion.”
Source: Germany - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
LG Teams Up with Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria Parker to Promote Personal Style and Latest Handsets - LG Lotus Elite and LG Rumor Touch
LG Teams Up with Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria Parker to Promote Personal Style and Latest Handsets - LG Lotus Elite and LG Rumor Touch
Victoria BeckhamLG Mobile Phones launches multi-faceted campaign inviting consumers to ‘flaunt their fashion touch’ through two uniquely stylish touchscreen devices
Eva Longoria Parke
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – April 26, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) has forged an alliance with fashionable stars Victoria Beckham and Eva Longoria Parker to promote the company’s latest touchscreen mobile phones, the stylish LG Lotus Elite and LG Rumor Touch. The integrated campaign, called LG Fashion Touch, promotes personal style and the idea that mobile phones have become the latest in fashion communication. The partnership includes a print and online campaign, series of MTV vignettes, consumer promotion and an event in Los Angeles to celebrate the integration of fashion and technology.
The LG Fashion Touch campaign pairs two of the most fashionable phones with two of the world’s most well-known fashion enthusiasts. LG partnered with the famous friends because their unique personal styles complement the design aesthetic of the handsets and their friendship aligned perfectly with the dual product launch. LG Lotus Elite is bold and edgy, which is a reflection of Victoria’s style. LG Rumor Touch is a sleek and more classically designed handset, which is a reflection of Eva’s style.
“We don’t believe you should have to compromise your personal style or productivity, when it comes to your choice of mobile phone,” said Ehtisham Rabbani, vice president of marketing and innovation for LG Mobile Phones. “With new touchscreen technology, LG Lotus Elite and LG Rumor Touch deliver the best in functionality and fashion. We are thrilled to be working with Victoria and Eva; their involvement in the campaign highlights the relevancy of our design credo and reinforces the LG style heritage.”
The series of MTV vignettes, produced and directed by documentarist Doug Keeve, depict Eva and Victoria and two very talented up and coming fashion designers -Yotam Solomon and Oday Shakar - as they collaborate together in preparation for the big fashion event in Los Angeles May 24. Tasked to create groundbreaking pieces influenced by the idea of being fashionable in a technological and socially-connected world, Yotam and Oday use their LG phones to gather inspiration for their designs. Their creations will be revealed at the event.
The print ads launch the week of May 3 nationally and will run side-by-side, allowing readers to clearly visualize the duality of the campaign. The ads were shot by fashion photographer, Ellen Von Unwerth and feature Eva and Victoria posing with their respective phones. Both women wear fashions that reflect their personal style and the design aesthetic of their handsets. The ads are featured in weekly magazines as well as fashion-driven monthlies. Banner ads also feature the images.
To engage consumers, LG created the Fashion Touch Style Quiz on the LG Fashion Touch Facebook page www.facebook.com/LGFashion. By taking the quiz, fashionistas can find out what phone and style best suits them and participants will be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win tickets to the LG Fashion Touch event in May.
To celebrate the partnership and the culmination of the campaign, Victoria and Eva will host an LG exclusive party that will reflect the intersection of fashion and technology. Guests of the party will include celebrities, stylists and fashion insiders who are known for flaunting their unique ‘fashion touch.’
The stylish LG Lotus Elite and LG Rumor Touch are successors to the popular LG Lotus and LG Rumor. LG and Sprint are proud to offer consumers LG Lotus Elite and LG Rumor Touch in an expanded variety of stylish colors. These sleek and fashionable messaging devices offer users a more advanced handset with the additions of touchscreen technology and new exclusive features. Available in new colors on April 19 in all Sprint retail channels including www.sprint.com, LG Lotus Elite will come in red and black for $99.99 with a new two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in rebate and LG Rumor Touch (currently available in black) will now be available in Red and Purple for $79.99 with a new two-year service agreement and $50 mail-in-rebate.
About LG Electronics, Inc.
LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2009 global sales of USD43.4 billion, LG is comprised of five business units –- Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is the world’s leading producer of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both a Global Partner and a Technology Partner of Formula One™. As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lgusa.com.
About LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company
The LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is a leading global mobile communications and information company. With its cutting-edge technology and innovative design capabilities, LG creates handsets that provide an optimized mobile experience to customers around the world. LG is pursuing convergence technology and mobile computing products, while continuing its leadership role in mobile communication with stylish designs and smart technology. For more information, please visit www.lgmobilephones.com.
Media Contacts:
LG Electronics Inc.
LG MobileComm U.S.A., Inc.
Demetra Kavadeles
(707) 328-5307
demetra.kavadeles@lge.com
LG-One
Erica Samadani
(310) 210-4071
erica.samadani@lg-one.com
AMMREN Works with Partners at “Counting Malaria out” in Africa
WMD 2010_AMMREN NG_L-R 'Timeless' editor Ayo Jeremiah, speaker Dr. Abayomi Afe, Country Coordinator Adeleke Adeyemi.AMMREN works with partners at “Counting Malaria out” in Africa
As part of its efforts to address the spate of malaria-related deaths on the continent, the African Media and Malaria Research Network, AMMREN, held a Media Forum on Saturday 24, eve of the third World Malaria Day (it started as African Malaria Day following the Abuja Roll Back Malaria Summit of 2000), to review progress on the Abuja Declaration targets and to reinforce the fight against the epidemic. The forum, which had for theme “Counting Malaria Out in Partnership with the Media”, is coming just as the US authorities, where the day--April 25--is marked as Malaria Awareness Day, released a six-year strategic plan to combat the scourge on the continent. Another forum was held simultaneously in Kaduna in northern Nigeria.
WMD 2010_AMMREN NG_L-R Guest, 'Timeless' editor Ayo Jeremiah, speaker Dr. Abayomi Afe, Country Coordinator Adeleke Adeyemi, award-winning children's malaria author, Ndidi Enenmor.
In a goodwill message at the forum, held at Timeless Media, AMMREN’s main media partner for the Lagos Forum, the Executive Secretary of the body, Mrs. Charity Binka, based at the award-winning network’s secretariat in Accra Ghana, who was represented by Mr. Adeleke Adeyemi, Country Coordinator of AMMREN Nigeria, said the group has over the years pursued projects to bring to the front burner the fight against malaria in Africa through the use of different media and training tools and through partnering with stakeholders in the fight against the disease. Mr. Adeyemi also reiterated the importance of the ongoing INDEPTH Effectiveness and Safety Studies of Antimalarials in Africa (INESS) Project in selected African countries. INDEPTH is an international organisation involved in the demographic evaluation of populations and their health in developing countries.
Meanwhile, according to Mrs. Binka, “there remains a missing link between the work of malaria researchers to tackle the reality on our hands and media coverage of it that is begging to be bridged,” she said. “This is amply demonstrated by the lack of sustainable media follow up on the Abuja Targets by 2005”, which set out to achieve among others, that 60% children under-five with fever symptoms will have prompt access to care and that 60% of pregnant women will be placed on appropriate medical care to pre-empt malaria in mother and child. Also glaring for tracking are the progressively tougher Abuja Targets By 2010, like reducing malaria morbidity (infection rate) by half of the 2000 levels.
Speaking at the forum, Dr. Abayomi Afe of the of Nigeria (IHVN), affiliate of Institute of Human Virology, Maryland, USA, said in his presentation “Defeating World’s Public Health Enemy Number one (Malaria Facts, Figures & Fallacies)” that about 40% of the world’s population are at risk of malaria; however, due to worldwide climate change, the figure is expected to jump to 60% before long. According to the speaker, the epidemic kills between 1.1 and 2.7 million people every year, 90% of them in Africa. Out of this, one million are children under the age of five, two die every minute.
Dr. Afe further pointed out that between 300 and 500 million clinical cases of malaria occur every year, “80% of them in Africa.” According to Dr. Afe, a review of the Abuja Targets for 2010, due to expire at the end of the year, shows minimal progress in the fight against malaria.
Responding to questions from members of the press and Café Scientifique Nigeria audience the moderator, Ayodeji Jeremiah, editor of Timeless, hinged the continuing prevalence of malaria on the lack adequate coverage by the media all along in the fight. He argued that malaria, which kills more people that HIV/AIDS, simply isn’t getting the attention it deserves; creating that awareness, he stressed, is the responsibility of the media. He called on the media to brace up in the fight against the scourge by being innovative in generating adequate coverage for creating and sustaining buzz on malaria among the populace and indeed all stakeholders.
There was an excerpt reading from a section highlighting the knotty issue of patient compliance and antimalarial drugs provider compliance from the recent Oprah-nominated, rave-making collection of short stories by Nigerian Roman Catholic Jesuit priest Uwem Akpan, “Say You’re One of Them” at the occasion.
AMMREN is a network of African journalists and scientists working together towards the eradication of Malaria in Africa. The group has a membership of over fifty journalists drawn from 10 African countries: Burkina Faso, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania, where a highly successful media sensitisation workshop under the aegis of the INESS Project was held for AMMREN members and communication officers from select malaria research institutes recently.
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