Viva Riva shines at 2011 AMAA in Nigeria

A scene from Viva Riva.

Viva Riva shines at 2011 AMAA in Nigeria


The thrilling Congolese gangster epic movie "Viva Riva" out shined competitors to win 6 awards from 12 nominations at the 7th Annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Sunday night at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.



Riva is a small time operator who has just returned to his hometown of Kinshasa, Congo after a decade away with a major score: a fortune in hijacked gasoline. Wads of cash in hand and out for a good time, Riva is soon entranced by beautiful night club denizen Nora, the kept woman of a local gangster. Into the mix comes an Angolan crime lord relentlessly seeking the return of his stolen shipment of gasoline. Director Djo Tunda Wa Munga’s Kinshasa is a seductively vibrant, lawless, fuel-starved sprawl of shantytowns, gated villas, bordellos and nightclubs and Riva is its perfect embodiment.
~ From South by South West

The film by Congolese director Djo Tunda Wa Munga won the awards for Best Film and Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design.
The Ghanaian film “Sinking Sands” won 3 awards, for the Best Actress, Best Screenplay and Best Make-up.
“Aramotu” won awards for Best Nigerian Film and Best Costume Design.

The Best Actor Award went to Themba Ndaba of South Africa for his role in “Hopeville” and the Best Young Actor was Edward Kagutuzi for “Mirror Boy”.

It was another disappointing AMAA for Nollywood diva Genevieve Nnaji whose role in Tango With Me was not good enough to beat Amake Abebrese of Ghana who won the Best Actress award for her role in “Sinking Sands”




The following is the complete list of nominees and winners for the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards

Best Film
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)

Best Director
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga

Best Actress In Leading Role
Amake Abebrese - Sinking Sands

Best Actor In Leading Role
Themba Ndaba – Hopeville

Best Actress In Supporting Role
Marlene Longage – Viva Riva

Best Actor In Supporting Role
Hoji Fortuna – Viva Riva

Best Young Actor
Edward Kagutuzi – Mirror Boy

Best Child Actor
Sobahle Mkhabase (Thembi), Tschepang Mohlomi (Chili-Bite) And Sibonelo Malinga (Khwezi) – Izulu Lami

Best Film In African Language
Izulu Lami – Madoda Ncayiyana (South Africa)

Best Nigerian Film
Aramotu – Niji Akanni

Best Screenplay
Sinking Sands

Best Editing
Soul Boy

Best Cinematography
Viva Riva

Best Achievement In Sound
Shirley Adams

Best Visual Effects
A Small Town Called Descent

Best Soundtrack
Inale

Best Make Up

Sinking Sands

Best Costume Design
Aramotu

Best Production Design
Viva Riva


Best Film For African Abroad
In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters - Rahman Oladigbolu (Nigeria/USA)

Best Diaspora Short Film
Precipice – Julius Amedume (UK)

Best Diaspora Documentary
Stuborn As A Mule – Miller Bargeron Jr & Arcelous Deiels (USA)

Best Diaspora Feature
Suicide Dolls – Keith Shaw (USA)

Best Documentary
Kondi Et Le Jeudi Nationale – Ariana Astrid Atodji (Cameroun)

Best Short Documentary
After The Mine – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (DRC)

Best Short Film
Dina – Mickey Fonseca (Mozambique)
http://www.chinokino.com

UN Condemns Continuing Use of Force in Western Libya

Under attack: Vehicles belonging to forces loyal to Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi explode after a coalition air strike


24 Mar 2011 14:48 Africa/Lagos

UN Secretary-General Condemns Continuing Use of Force in Western Libya

NEW YORK, March 24, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the continued use of force in the western part of Libya, including Zintan and Misrata. Once again, he reiterates his call for an immediate end to violence by all parties, in accordance with Security Council resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011), and for the responsibility to protect civilians. All those who violate international humanitarian and human rights law will be held fully accountable.

Source: UNITED NATIONS

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time 24 Mar 2011

14:48 UN Secretary-General Condemns Continuing Use of Force in Western Libya

23 Mar 2011 21:57 African Union Chairman Obiang Supports Conclusions of High-Level AU Committee on Libya

20:22 Focus-Libya / NATO now in play. Italy's role. Frattini reporting to the Senate today

20:05 Libya / EU imposes additional sanctions following the adoption of UNSCR 1973

13:45 Libya Retains Scud Missiles

Africa’s Academy Awards attract thousands to the Niger Delta

Africa’s Academy Awards attract thousands to the Niger Delta

The excitement is in the air this Sunday evening as thousands throng the Gloryland Cultural Centre in the capital city of Yenegoa in the oil rich Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta, to join African film makers, movie stars and movie buffs for the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

The African Movie Academy Awards has all the glitz and red carpet fanfare that can only be compared to the glamorous and prestigious Oscars of the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS)in Hollywood as AMAA celebrates the best of Nigeria’s Nollywood and the rest of Africa in one unforgettable night as African movie stars strut the red carpet to compete for the coveted trophies of the AMAA in different categories. AMAA has attracted notable Hollywood stars like Danny Glover, Forest Whitaker who won an Oscar for Best Actor for his thrilling portrayal of Ugandan military tyrant Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland", Cuba Gooding Jnr who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his memorable portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe's 1996 film "Jerry Maguire", Courtney Vance, Vivica A. Fox and Angela Basset.


South Africa dominates the 2011 AMAA with 27 nominations and followed by the host nation Nigeria with 23 nominations.

“The four South African films in competition include Hope Ville with nine nominations, Izulu Lami, seven nominations Shirley Adams, five nominations and A Small Town Called Descent with six nominations. Combined together, South Africa had the highest nominations by a country with a total of 27 nominations,” said Ms. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the CEO of AMAA.

Ghana and Congo are also competing with great movies receiving the highest nominations. Ghana’s "Sinking Sound" with 10 nominations. Kenya’s "Soul Boy" got 6 nominations.

Nigeria is a strong contender with four films. Tunde Kelani’s "Maami", Jeta Amata’s "Inale", Niyi Akanji’s "Aramotu" and Mahmood Alli-Balogun’s "Tango with Me" are movies to watch.

The most coveted prizes are the AMAA for the Best Actor and Actress in a leading role; Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Achievement in Visual award.


Famous Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji is nominated for Best Actress in Leading Role


Best Short Film

Bougfen – Petra Baninla Sunjo (Cameroun)
Weakness – Wanjiru Kairu (Kenya)
No Jersey No Match – Daniel Ademinokan (Nigeria)
Duty – Mak Kusare (Nigeria)
Bonlambo – Zwe Lesizwe Ntuli (South Africa)
Zebu And The Photofish – Zipporah Nyarori (Kenya)
Dina – Mickey Fonseca (Mozambique)
Allahkabo – Bouna Cherif Fofana (Togo)

Best Short Documentary

Symphony Kinsasha – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (Congo)
Naija Diamond (Feature On Dr. Rahmat Mohammed) – Nform Leonard (Nigeria)
After The Mine – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (Drc)
Stepping Into The Unknown – Rowena Aldous & Jill Hanas-Hancock (South Africa)
Yeabu’s Homecoming – Jenny Chu (Sierraleone)

Best Documentary

Kondi Et Le Jeudi Nationale – Ariana Astrid Atodji (Cameroun)
Headlines In History – Zobby Bresson (Kenya)
Co-Exist – Adam Mazo (Rwanda)
State Of Mind- Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)
Naija Diamonds- Nfrom Leonard (Nigeria)

Best Diaspora Feature

Suicide Dolls – Keith Shaw (Usa)
Tested – Russell Costanzo (Usa)
Nothing Less -Wayne Saunders (Uk)
The Village -Wayne Saunders (Uk)

Best Diaspora Documentary

Stuborn As A Mule – Miller Bargeron Jr & Arcelous Deiels (Usa)
Momentum – Zeinabu Irene Davis (Usa)
If Not Now – Louis Haggart (Usa)
Motherland – Owen Alik Shahadah (Usa)
Changement – Chiara Cavallazi (Italy)

Best Diaspora Short Film

Cycle – Roy Clovis (Usa)
Under Tow – Miles Orion Feld (Usa)
Habitual Aggression – Temi Ojo (Usa)
Little Soldier – Dallas King (Usa)
The New N Word – Sowande Tichawonna (Usa)
Precipice – Julius Amedume (Uk)

Best Film For African Abroad

Anchor Baby – Lonzo Nzekwe (Nigeria/Canada)
In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters- Rahman Oladigbolu (Nigeria/Usa)
Mirror Boy – Obi Emelonye (Nigeria/Uk)
Africa United – Debs Gardner-Brook (Rwanda/Uk)

Best Production Design

Tango With Me
Viva Riva
Hopeville
6 Hours To Christmas
Maami

Best Costume Design

Inale
Yemoja
Sinking Sands
Aramotu
Elmina

Best Make Up

Inale
Sinking Sands
A Private Storm
Viva Riva
A Small Town Called Descent

Best Soundtrack

Aramotu
Nani
Who Owns Da City
Inale
A Small Town Called Descent

Best Achievement In Sound

Sinking Sands
Shirley Adams
Izulu Lami
Viva Riva
Tango With Me

Best Cinematography

Soul Boy
Sinking Sands
Hopeville
Shirley Adams
Izulu Lami

Best Nigerian Film

Maami – Tunde Kelani
Aramotu – Niji Akanni
Tango With Me – Mahmood Ali- Balogun
Inale – Jeta Amata
A Private Storm – Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun/Ikechukwu Onyeka

Best Film In African Language

Aramotu – Niji Akanni (Nigeria)
Izulu Lami – Madoda Ncayiyana (South Africa)
Soul Boy- Hawa Essuman (Kenya)
Suwi – Musola Catherine Kaseketi (Zambia)
Fishing The Little Stone – Kaz Kasozi (Uganda)

Best Child Actor

Sobahle Mkhabase (Thembi), Tschepang Mohlomi (Chili-Bite) And Sibonelo Malinga(Khwezi) – Izulu Lami
Eriya Ndayambaje – Dudu In Africa United
Jordan Ntunga – Anto In Viva Riva
Ayomide Abatti – Young Kashi In Maami
Benjamin Abemigish a- Zebu In Zebu And The Photofish
Shantel Mwabi – Bupe In Suwi

Best Young Actor

Yves Dusenge (Child Soldier) And Roger Nsengiyumua (Footballer) – Africa United
Samson Odhiambo And Leila Dayan Opou – Soul Boy
Edward Kagutuzi – Mirror Boy
Donovan Adams – Shirley Adams
Junior Singo – Hopeville

Best Actor In Supporting Role

Osita Iheme – Mirror Boy
Hoji Fortuna – Viva Riva
Mpilo Vusi Kunene – A Small Town Called Descent
John Dumelo – A Private Storm
Desmond Dube – Hopeville

Best Actress In Supporting Role

Mary Twala – Hopeville
Joyce Ntalabe – The Rivaling Shadow
Marlene Longage – Viva Riva
Tina Mba -Tango With Me
Yvonne Okoro – Pool Party

Best Actor In Leading Role

Themba Ndaba – Hopeville
Patsha Bay – Viva Riva
Jimmy Jean-Louis – Sinking Sands
Ekon Blankson – Checkmate
Antar Laniyan – Yemoja

Best Actress In Leading Role

Idiat Shobande -Aramotu
Omoni Oboli- Anchor Baby
Manie Malone – Viva Riva
Amake Abebrese- Sinking Sands
Denise Newman -Shirley Adams
Genevieve Nnaji – Tango With Me

Best Director

Soul Boy – Hawa Essuman
Shirley Adams – Oliver Hermanus
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga
Aramotu – Niji Akanni
A Small Town Called Descent – Jahmail. X. T Qubeka
Sinking Sands – Leila Djansi

Best Film

Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)
Sinking Sands – Leila Djansi (Ghana)
Aramotu – Niji Akanni (Nigeria)
Soul Boy – Hawa Essuman (Kenya)
Hopeville – John Trengove (South Africa)
A Small Town Called Descent – Jahmil X.T Qubeka (South Africa)

Coming Soon: 30 Day Rule, a fantastic romantic comedy

Ambitious young African American director Rahiem Shabazz is excited about his his first romantic feature the 30 Day Rule. The romantic comedy tests the premise that 'a man's lies come with an expiration date of thirty-days'.

Rahiem has directed special music videos in the US and worked on projects involving Russell Simmons, the co-founder, with Rick Rubin of successful hip-hop label Def Jam, and Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men.

He was an Executive Producer of the award winning SAG-accredited short film "The Sun Will Rise" and film consultant and casting director on "The Kissing Bandit", a full-feature film currently touring the film festival circuit. He worked as a production assistant for Tyler Perry’s "Why Did I Get Married", "Why Did I Get Married Too" and "For Colored Girls".


Rahiem Shabazz and Writer Christal Jordan

Rahiem has won 5 awards so far, including the 2007 Atlanta Hip-Hop Film Festival for his Short Film and the YGEA Award in 2010 for Video Director of The Year and he has been a notable speaker at several film festivals and received international coverage on BET, MTV and Starz In Black.

“Every hurdle I've surpassed has been leading up to this film. Over the years I've taken compliments and accolades on my writing style coupled with my cinematic vision to heart and I believe that I have a voice that needs to be heard in film, “said Rahiem Shabazz on his upcoming film 30 Day Rule.

Rahiem's company Rasha Media Group Inc specializes in filmmaking, screenwriting talent relations and strategic marketing.

View the exclusive Photo Shoot Directed by Rahiem Shabazz.




The Synopsis of 30-Day Rule

How long can a player truly get away with a lie?

30-day rule is a romantic comedy with a message that nothing in life comes without a cost. Rome, a good-looking smooth-talking brother in his mid-twenties feels he is on top of the world. He believes he can talk any woman he meets into doing what he wants them to do. He lies, schemes and cheats all in the name of scoring and feels no guilt about his actions. Best friend Trent advises Rome that there is a 30 day expiration date on the lies he tells woman and that no good will come of his evil ways and eventually he will meet his match. Enter Katina, the beautiful vixen Rome is captivated by simply because of her beauty. Unbeknownst to Rome, Katina is the female version of himself, however her feline ways give her the unfair advantage as he under estimates her agenda because of her beauty.

Sit back and enjoy the ride as both Rome and Katina learn some very important lessons that have comedic consequences and repercussions for both sides.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Apple Wins The Business Journals' Top 2011 American Brand Excellence Award

25 Mar 2011 14:30 Africa/Lagos

Apple Wins The Business Journals' Top 2011 American Brand Excellence Award

PR Newswire

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 25, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Business Journals today named Apple, Inc. the 2011 Grand Award winner as part of its eighth-annual American Brand Excellence Awards, which recognize brands that best meet the needs of small- to mid-sized businesses.

The Business Journals also awarded Brand Excellence Awards to companies in six additional business categories:

Business Services: UPS
Financial/Insurance: Visa
Retail: Staples
Technology: Apple
Telecommunications: Verizon Wireless
Travel: Southwest Airlines

"The American Brand Excellence Awards are unique in that they represent how business owners and managers feel about the companies that best support their businesses and help them succeed," said Michael Olivieri, Chief Revenue Officer of American City Business Journals. "This year's winners are true brand leaders and The Business Journals congratulates them on being recognized by the important small and mid-sized business market."

Over 250 business brands were rated and over 2,000 SMB owners and managers participated in The Business Journals' annual proprietary study. The winning companies were chosen as the brands who best met the needs of small and mid-sized business owners and managers. The criteria used to select the American Brand Excellence Award winners include "easy to do business with," "industry leader," "forward thinking," "for growing companies," "behaves ethically," "growing in popularity" and "has a good price for what you get."

"Apple has become the premier business brand, and as the leader of the tablet category with the iPad, Apple is redefining how we work," said Godfrey Phillips, VP of Research for The Business Journals. "Our study found that nine percent of business owners currently use an iPad for business."

Portfolio.com, the national business news site for small and mid-sized business executives and a sister outlet to The Business Journals, has published a special feature (http://bit.ly/hDDLOM ) and in-depth interactive component (http://bit.ly/gjcZ27) on the American Brand Excellence Award winners and the overall top 25 brands named as part of The Business Journals' annual study today:

For more information regarding The Business Journals proprietary brand study, please contact Natasha Bullard, Research Analyst (212) 500-0620 nbullard@bizjournals.com.

About The Business Journals

The Business Journals is the premier media solutions platform for companies strategically targeting business decision makers. We deliver a total business audience of more than 10 million people via our 42 websites, 64 publications and more than 700 annual industry leading events.

Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, The Business Journals has sales offices in Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. It is a subsidiary of American City Business Journals, a unit of Advance Publishing, Inc., whose properties include Conde Nast Publications and the Fairchild and Golf Digest Companies.

For more information:
Jeff Sauls
SVP, Marketing & Business Development
(704) 973-1847
jsauls@bizjournals.com

SOURCE The Business Journals

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




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Apple Wins The Business Journals' Top 2011 American Brand Excellence Award

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New Sendak Picture Book to Publish in Fall 2011

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President Goodluck Jonathan and Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau woo Entertainers for votes

President Goodluck Jonathan

Dozens of political hypocrites and prostitutes posing and posturing as artistes have endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for the 2011 April presidential election after he fed them at a presidential dinner last Monday March 21, 2011 at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos. And many of the Nollywood stars scrambled for cartons of Jonathan’s branded biscuits and T-Shirts like street kids jostling for handouts. It was a show of shame.

This is not the first time they have done so. Seeing popular Nigerian singer Onyeka Owenu performing her campaign songs completes the nostalgia, because she did the same for the late military tyrant General Sani Abacha at the ill-fated pro-Sani Abacha ‘Two Million Man March’ in the company of many popular musicians and other entertainers from March 2-3, 1998. But when the despotic military tyrant suddenly died, they were all disgraced. Now they have returned.

President Jonathan said he was not meeting them to canvass for their endorsement, but I wonder if anyone believed him since the presidential election is just two weeks away. Why did he wait to meet with them until he started his presidential campaign and using all means available to woo the electorate to win their mandate?


Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau

The other presidential candidate who has also met with top Nollywood stars is Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He had dinner with them on Tuesday, March 15, 2011, at Planet One, Maryland in Lagos. But most those he met with are from the Yoruba clique of Nollywood.

Trust politicians to leave no stone unturned in their political campaigns and the popularity of Nollywood starts among the majority of Nigerians cannot be ignored.
The status quo of the corrupt ruling class has not changed and they are desperate to use all means possible to retain power at all costs.

What we need in Nigeria is not a quasi-democratic election, but a political revolution for the total eradication of corruption at all levels of governance, and for a holistic reformation and transformation of the nation.

Only a transformational revolutionary leader can liberate our beloved Nigeria from these kleptomaniacs and their dogs.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

Mobile App Company biNu Reaches 1 Million Unique Users in Less Than 6 Months

25 Mar 2011 13:00 Africa/Lagos


Feature Phone Mobile App Company biNu Reaches 1 Million Unique Users in Less Than 6 Months

Cloud-based Mobile App Platform Brings Internet Services to 95% of the World's Mobile Phone Users Who Don't Have Smart Phones or PCs

PR Newswire

SYDNEY, March 25, 2011

SYDNEY, March 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Less than 6 months after launching its service, feature phone mobile app company biNu has reached 1 million unique users per month, with a current growth rate of over 40% month on month.

biNu provides simple, ultra-fast access to popular Internet services such as Google Search, Google Translate, Wordnik Dictionary, Wikipedia, News, Weather, Cricket & Soccer scores, exchange rates, mobile app stores as well as SMS services.

biNu's 1 million unique monthly users come from over 150 countries with top markets including India, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, USA and Nigeria. This diverse popularity stems from biNu's ability to display content in any language on any handset with many popular services in Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, Arabic, Persian, Chinese and other Asian languages.

New research from Asymco shows there are 3.5 billion mobile subscribers in emerging and developing nations without smart phones or mobile broadband. While the feature phones they use are data capable, it is not easy, fast or cheap to access Internet services. Even in the U.S., 72% of mobiles are feature phones.

Snaptu – acquired earlier this week by Facebook – shares biNu's focus of providing Internet services to the 95% of mobile users that don't use smart phones. In addition biNu offers an open developer platform (http://www.developer.binu.com) which means any organisation or developer can utilize the biNu platform to dramatically improve access to Internet based services for feature phone users.

"Facebook's acquisition of Snaptu highlights the strategic value of providing a much better way to deliver Internet services to 3.5 billion feature phone users. But you don't have to buy a company like Snaptu to do it," said Gour Lentell, CEO for biNu. "Our strategy is to provide an open development platform that companies and developers can use to deliver a more effective mobile Internet experience."

The biNu mobile app delivers ultra-fast, easy-to-use, multi-lingual Internet services to virtually any mobile phone, from mass-market feature phones through to Android smart phones, with Blackberry support coming soon.

The end-user biNu experience is 5-10 times faster – using much less bandwidth – compared with the standard browsing experience on 2G feature phones. There is minimal processing performed on the user's mobile device with 100% application processing performed on biNu's cloud-based servers.

To demonstrate the speed and ease of use of biNu, the company has created a video demonstration at www.binu.com/demo comparing the performance of a Google Search on biNu compared to Google Search in a standard mobile web browser.

Editorial Contact
David Sanday
Bowes Communications
+61 (0)2 9387 2333
david.sanday@bowespr.com

SOURCE biNu Pty Ltd

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

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
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13:42	Glide from iPad2 to Touchpad and XOOM to Playbook, Galaxy and Beyond; Glide OS Adds

Menthol Smokers less likely to quit than regular smokers

In a study led by Kolawole Okuyemi, M.D., M.P.H., African American smokers showed greater brain responses to smoking cues, such as images of individuals smoking, than did Caucasian smokers.
Click here for the full report of the study.


The following is the latest survey on African American smokers.



24 Mar 2011 16:42 Africa/Lagos

New Survey Finds Menthol Smokers Feel "Twice-Addicted"
Ban on Menthols Seen as an Opportunity to Quit, Particularly among African Americans

PR Newswire

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 24, 2011

PARSIPPANY, N.J., March 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey conducted this month, sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, uncovers the perceptions and habits of menthol cigarette smokers, particularly among African Americans, who disproportionately smoke menthols over any other group.(1) The survey shows that menthol smokers feel "twice-addicted" – both to the menthol and to the tobacco – and most are attracted by the taste and feel of menthol cigarettes.(1) Almost three-quarters (74 percent) of menthol smokers believe that menthol makes it easier for them to inhale, when almost 40 percent say that menthol flavoring is the only reason they smoke.(1)

Additionally, if the FDA were to ban menthol cigarettes, four out of five menthol smokers (82 percent) say they are likely to try quitting.(1)

"Almost all menthol smokers in the survey reported they want to quit, but were less likely to have tried quitting than regular smokers. They are also less likely to have tried using treatment," said Cedric Bright*, M.D., president-elect of the National Medical Association and associate professor of medicine in the Departments of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine at Duke University Medical Center. "With the high interest in quitting among these smokers, more needs to be done to educate smokers about accessible resources, such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapy, which are proven methods for improving success rates."

According to data from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 82 percent of African-Americans choose menthol cigarettes, versus just one-quarter of adult smokers of other races.(2) The survey shows, one-quarter of African-American menthol respondents have not tried treatment such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) because they don't know enough about it, or they think they can quit cold turkey, or without treatment.(1) In reality, smokers who try to quit cold turkey result in less than a five percent chance at success.(3) Using counseling, along with treatment such as NRT, can double a smoker's chances of successfully quitting.(4)

Other research shows menthol smokers smoke fewer cigarettes per day than those who smoke regular cigarettes.(5) However, they may be inhaling as much if not greater nicotine levels creating a stronger addiction.(6) Still, it's not the number of cigarettes smoked per day that determines what level of treatment a smoker should choose.(6) Menthol smokers who plan to quit should be aware of their smoking behaviors when choosing the right NRT dosage – such as when they smoke their first cigarette of the day.(6)

A new analysis, presented last month at the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, demonstrated that smokers choosing an NRT product should select their dose according to their time to first cigarette (TTFC) compared to the number of cigarettes they smoke per day.(6) The study showed higher quit rates for those smokers who used the TTFC method to determine the strength of medication needed, showing that it is essential to choose the right dosage based on a smoker's level of addiction to quit successfully.(6)

NRT products have helped millions of people around the world quit smoking and, as a result, have significantly reduced their exposure to the risks of cancer and other smoking-related diseases.(7) They are recommended as first-line treatments for smoking addiction in the U.S. and can reliably increase long-term smoking abstinence rates.(4) Smokers interested in quitting can access free tools and resources at Nicorette.com.

About NRT

Nicotine replacement therapy, such as Nicorette® gum and lozenge, and NicoDerm®CQ® patch, offers a step-down therapy weaning a smoker off of nicotine gradually.(4) It is a first-line treatment for smoking cessation, and can double a smoker's chances of quitting over cold turkey.(4) NRT has safely and effectively helped millions of people around the world quit smoking over the past 20 years, and, as a result, have significantly reduced their exposure to the risks of cancer and other smoking-related diseases.(7)

About the Survey

An online survey was conducted among 616 adult smokers in the U.S., including 308 menthol cigarette smokers and 308 regular (non-menthol) cigarette smokers. The sample included 252 African American smokers (a deliberate oversample), including 152 menthol smokers, and 100 regular smokers. For analysis, sample data were statistically weighted by race, gender, income, and menthol versus non-menthol smoking to accurately reflect the current population of adult smokers on each of these dimensions. Weighting was based on data from the 2009 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), conducted by United States Department of Health and Human Services. Data were collected between March 2 and March 10, 2011. Survey design, data collection, and analysis were done by Versta Research and sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare.(1)

About GlaxoSmithKline ® Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette®, NicoDerm®CQ®, and Commit®, as well as many products such as alli®, Aquafresh®, Sensodyne®, and TUMS® -- which are trademarks owned by and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of Companies.

About GlaxoSmithKline ®

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world's leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: GSK.com.

*Dr. Bright is a paid spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare but his opinions regarding smoking cessation are his own.

(1) Survey of 616 smokers. Versta Research. March 2011.

(2) United States Department of Health and Human Services. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Office of Applied Studies. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2009 [Computer file]. ICPSR29621-v1. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2010-11-16. doi:10.3886/ICPSR29621

(3) American Cancer Society "Cigarette Smoking" Available at http://www.cancer.org/docroot/PED/content/PED_10_2X_Cigarette_Smoking.asp?sitearea=PED

(4) Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence: 2008 Update. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. May 2008.

(5) Foulds J, Hooper MW, Pletcher MJ, Okuyemi KS. Do smokers of menthol cigarettes find it harder to quit smoking? Nicotine Tob Res. 2010 Dec;12 Suppl 2:S102-9.

(6) Shiffman, et. al. Assigning dose of nicotine gum by time to first cigarette, rather than cigarette consumption. SRNT 2011 presentation.

(7) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Use of FDA-approved pharmacologic treatments for tobacco dependence.

Contacts:


Deborah Bolding

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

412-200-3872

deborah.g.bolding@gsk.com




Teresa Murtaugh

GolinHarris

312-729-4229

tmurtaugh@golinharris.com


SOURCE GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

• Cigarette Smoking
• Taking care of yourself
• What is in tobacco?
• Why quit smoking?
• Additional resources
• References

Open session on sexual violence, women and children in armed conflicts

Mass raped women protesting in DRC, Africa.Photo Credit: Trends Updates.


23 Mar 2011 20:32 Africa/Lagos

Open session of the PSC on sexual violence, women and children in armed conflicts

ADDIS ABABA, March 23, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) will hold an open session on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts” on Monday, 28 March 2011 at the Headquarters of the AU in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.


The event, which has been institutionalized in 2010, will provide an opportunity to the survivors of sexual violence and representatives of grassroots rehabilitation projects to address the PSC. Speakers will also include relevant departments of the AU Commission, the Panel of the Wise and Mrs Margot Wallstrom, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General against sexual violence.


For the record, the 2010 briefing of the PSC on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts”, held in the framework of the Year of Peace and Security in Africa, provided a general overview of the scope of the issue. It coincided with the celebration of the 10th Year Anniversary of UN Resolution 1325, the thematic reflection of the Panel of the Wise on “Women and Children in Armed Conflicts” and the launch of the African Women Decade.

Journalists are invited to attend throughout, in the balcony, the open session with the exception of the interactive discussions and the adoption of the communiqué. A press conference is scheduled to take place at the end of the PSC meeting. The panel will include the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Lamamra Ramtane, the Chair of the PSC for March (Nigeria), the Panel of the Wise and Mrs Margot Wallstrom, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General against sexual violence



Source: African Union Commission (AUC)

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Happy winners of the Mouka True Love Valentine Promo.

The winners of the Mouka True Love Stories Valentine promo have been rewarded as promised by Mouka luxury brands of Royal, Regal and Regina.

The prizes included an all expense paid romantic weekend get-away to a luxurious Nigerian hotel for the lucky winners and their spouses.

The winners emerged from the votes cast by their families and friends who voted for the romantic love stories posted on the websites from February 1st to 21st 2011 with participants from across the major regions of Nigeria..

STORY TITLE Am Sorry Omowale;"Cause Now I Know I Can't Live Without You."
NAME Ajibola Rotimi
PARTNER'S NAME Lawal Omowale

STORY TITLE Everlasting love
NAME Afolabi Idowu
PARTNER'S NAME Funmilayo Idowu

STORY TITLE Creative Lives
NAME Dimbo Atiya
PARTNER'S NAME Karachi Dimbo Atiya

STORY TITLE Unexpected love
NAME Christiana
PARTNER'S NAME James




L-R: Mr. Benson Osieme, Chief Financial Officer, Mouka Limited, Mrs. Christiana Ayoo and husband, Mr. James Ayoo with their baby, Winners of an all expense paid weekend getaway and Mr. Jude Abonu, Head of Commercial, Mouka Limited at the Prize Presentation Ceremony for winners of the Mouka True Love Stories Valentine Promo held at Mouka Office in Lagos.



L-R: Chief Financial Officer, Mouka Limited, Mr. Benson Osieme, Winners of an all expense paid weekend getaway, Mr. Dimbo Atiya and wife Mrs. Atiya and Head of Commercial, Mouka Limited at the Prize Presentation Ceremony for winners of the Mouka True Love Stories Valentine Promo held at Mouka Office in Lagos




L-R:Mrs. Omowunmi Adefila, Senior Retail Manager, Mouka Limited, Mr. and Mrs. Idowu Afolabi, Winners of an all expense paid weekend getaway and Mrs. Georgina Ezekwem, Regional Sales Manager, Lagos, Mouka Limited at the Prize Presentation Ceremony for winners of the Mouka True Love Stories Valentine Promo held at Mouka Office in Lagos.


From right: Winners of the Mouka True Love Stories Valentine Promo, Mr. and Mrs. Idowu Afolabi, Mr. and Mrs. Dimbo Atiya and Mr. and Mrs. James Ayoo, ready to leave in the limousine that conveyed the winners to their hotels at the Prize Presentation Ceremony held at Mouka Office in Lagos.


Winners of an all expense paid weekend getaway to a luxury hotel, Mr. and Mrs. Dimbo Atiya and Mr. and Mrs. Idowu Afolabi in the limousine conveying the winners of the Mouka True Love Stories Valentine Promo to their hotels in Lagos.