AT&T and Samsung Team Up With Fashion Brand Rag & Bone for the U.S. Launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note

AT&T and Samsung sponsor fashion brand rag & bone for the U.S. launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note available in stores February 19. (PRNewsFoto/Samsung Telecommunications America, Danny Clinch)

8 Feb 2012 14:00 Africa/Lagos

AT&T and Samsung Team Up With Fashion Brand rag & bone for the U.S. Launch of the Samsung Galaxy Note

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced their sponsorship of fashion brand rag & bone for the U.S. launch of their upcoming device, the Samsung Galaxy Note™ exclusively at AT&T, available in-store Feb. 19 and for pre-order now. As the ultimate device, the Galaxy Note consolidates the core benefits of a tablet while maintaining the portability of a smartphone. In celebration of the release of the Galaxy Note, rag & bone designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville have designed a custom case for the Galaxy Note, available soon.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120208/NY49341 )

In addition, AT&T and Samsung Mobile will serve as the title sponsor of the rag & bone Fall Winter 2012 Mens and Womens Collection shows on February 10th during New York Fashion Week. As a part of the sponsorship, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright will host the Galaxy Note U.S. launch party during New York Fashion Week on February 14th. The creative collaboration between the Galaxy Note and rag & bone is a perfect fit as both emphasize inspiration and ease of use whether through fashion or technology. "Working with Samsung on this project has been a very exciting process. We are looking forward to the release of the Galaxy Note and to be involved in the launch of such a cool device that merges technology and design," said Neville and Wainwright of rag & bone.

"The Galaxy Note is the perfect device for designers, such as Neville and Wainwright, as it allows everyone to sketch out thoughts and ideas, and easily share – no matter where you are," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Mobile.

AT&T, Samsung and rag & bone have created a co-branded advertising campaign, which will launch later this month, to promote the Galaxy Note™ and the rag & bone sponsorship. There will also be a Facebook page offering an interactive experience for consumers, which will feature daily giveaways including rag & bone gift cards and merchandise, Samsung Galaxy Note devices, VIP passes to rag & bone's Fashion Week show and postings by the designers. The Facebook page can be viewed by going to http://www.facebook.com/galaxynoteragandbone.

The Galaxy Note allows users to capture, create and share in new and unique ways. With a 5.3" HD Super AMOLED™ screen (1280x800), the Galaxy Note combines smartphone capabilities with an integrated S Pen™ and larger viewing screen in an easy-to-carry device. The pressure-sensitive S Pen can be used to take notes or personalize images which can be sent via email or text and its touch-screen. The Galaxy Note includes 16GB of built-in memory, an SD card slot, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. It also features an 8-megapixel camera with 1080p video recording on the back and a 2-megapixel camera on the front. The Galaxy Note will be available in carbon blue and ceramic white in AT&T stores on February 19, with pre-orders beginning on February 5.

Founded in 2002, rag & bone designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville had one objective: to make clothing they and their friends would love to wear every day. Since its inception, rag & bone has grown into a global lifestyle brand offering men's, women's, footwear and accessories collections that are available at high end boutiques and exclusive department stores worldwide. rag & bone also operates six stores in NYC, one in Washington DC, one in Tokyo and an e-commerce site at rag-bone.com.

* AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

SOURCE Samsung Telecommunications America

CONTACT: Paul Freundlich, PFA Media, +1-212-334-6116, PaulF@pfamedia.net; Jamie Simone, PFA Media, +1-212-334-6116, JSimone@pfamedia.net; Farrell Crowley, rag & bone, +1-212-278-8214, Farrell@rag-bone.com; Amy McFarland, +1-917-797-9616, Amy@amcfarlandmedia.com

Top Topics

Time Out New York Announces 2012 Food & Drink Awards Nominations: Alex Stupak, Damon Wise, Ignacio Mattos and Seamus Mullen Compete for Chef of the Year

U.S. Teen Pregnancy Rate Declines, at Lowest Rate Since 1972

McDonald's Delivers A January Comparable Sales Increase Of 6.7%

PerkStreet Announces the First Monthly Personal Finance Pulse

Quarterly Earnings Reports

American International Toy Fair

Valentine's Day

New York Fashion Week

Tweet

Mary J Blige Joins Forces With Belvedere Vodka and (RED)(TM) to Help Save Lives

7 Feb 2012 09:00 Africa/Lagos


Mary J Blige Joins Forces With Belvedere Vodka and (RED)(TM) to Help Save Lives

LOS ANGELES, February 7, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

Award-winning, multi-platinum singer Mary J Blige will be performing at a private pre-Grammy event on February, 9th 2012 to celebrate the partnership of Belvedere [http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka ], the world's first super premium vodka and (RED)(TM). [http://www.facebook.com/joinred ]

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20120207/510730 )


The exclusive performance will be followed by a private party at Bardot, Los Angeles to help raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and emphasize the need for consumers to unite in support of programs that help eliminate HIV and AIDS in Africa.

In winter 2011, BELVEDERE (PRODUCT)[RED(TM)] Special Edition bottle [http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka ] launched to raise proceeds for the Global Fund(TM) to fight HIV/AIDS. The (RED) [http://www.joinred.com ] inspired packaging will contain the same unadulterated and naturally smooth(R) Belvedere vodka enthusiasts have always enjoyed. 50% of Belvedere's profits from the global sale of (BELVEDERE)[RED] [http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka ] will contribute to the Global Fund.

Mary J Blige said: "I'm delighted to be supporting (Belvedere) RED in their fight against HIV & AIDS in Africa. It is one of the most devastating issues faced by millions in Africa and if we can raise awareness with this event and encourage people to buy (PRODUCT) RED, we'll be one step closer to an HIV / AIDS free generation in 2015."

Fans can watch the party build up and Mary J Blige's performance live via Facebook at approximately 10.45pm (PST). The event will be streamed to http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka. Media can download images and B-Roll footage from the event at 6am Friday 10th February 2012, please visit http://www.epklink.com/BelvedereRedWithMaryJBlige

NOTES TO EDITOR

First introduced to North America in 1996, Belvedere Vodka was the first to create a new standard for excellence in the vodka category and is credited with creating the luxury vodka segment. Today, Belvedere's distinctive character and uncompromising integrity are recognized internationally by discriminating vodka enthusiasts, who appreciate its all-natural, additive-free character. Made entirely from Dankowskie Gold Rye and blended with water from its own pristine source, Belvedere Vodka's taste profile is distinctively soft with a subtle sweetness and naturally smooth, clean finish.

For further information on (BELVEDERE)[RED]at the Grammy Awards 2012, visit http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka
Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20120207/510730

Source: Belvedere Vodka

Sabrina Lynch / Jane Shapiro, Mission Public Relations +1-310-384-5462, +1-212-361-9483, Email: Sabrina@thisismission.com


Top Kenyan Athletes Support Half-Marathon to Celebrate UNEP's 40th Anniversary

Tweet

The Amazing Spider-Man™: Untold Story of Peter Parker World Premiere!

7th February, 2012. 22:00 Africa/Lagos

The Amazing Spider-Man


COLUMBIA PICTURES PRESENTS THE TRAILER WORLD DEBUT



CULVER CITY, Calif.

One of the world's most popular characters is back on the big screen as a new chapter in the Spider-Man legacy is revealed in The Amazing Spider-Man™. Focusing on an untold story that tells a different side of the Peter Parker story, the new film stars Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans, Denis Leary, Campbell Scott, Irrfan Khan, with Martin Sheen and Sally Field. The film is directed by Marc Webb from a screenplay written by James Vanderbilt, based on the Marvel Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko. Laura Ziskin, Avi Arad, and Matt Tolmach are producing the film in association with Marvel Entertainment for Columbia Pictures, which will open in theaters everywhere in 3D on July 3, 2012.

SATELLITE FEED INFORMATION


EUROPE

1st Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 0800-0815 GMT

2nd Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 1100-1115 GMT

3rd Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 1400-1415 GMT

Satellite: ARQIVA W2A B1 Channel: CH-3 Upper

D/L Freq: 11,014.00 Horizontal

Modulation: QPSK

Symbol Rate: 5.632

FEC : 3/4

Color: PAL

Pactv Ref: 234067 234068 & 234069

Uplink: Arqiva London +44 (0) 1962 823030 Arqiva Ref 4-153454 4-153457 & 4-153458

Also available at BT Tower from Pacific Television Center's PTC 1

UK broadcasters can call Pactv London for complementary refeeds via Tower. +44.207.702.1427


ASIA / PACIFIC

1st Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 0800-0815 GMT

2nd Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 1100-1115 GMT

3rd Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 1400-1415 GMT

Satellite: Asiasat 5 C3V Ch 2

Modulation: QPSK

Downlink: 3,735.50 Mhz Vertical

FEC: 3/4

Symbol Rate (Ms/s): 6.1113

Color: NTSC

Uplink: GCA Sydney Australia +612.8258.7966 ~ Ref 174682 174683 174684f

Pactv Ref: 234067 234068 & 234069


LATIN AMERICA

1st Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 0800-0815 GMT

2nd Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 1100-1115 GMT

3rd Feed:

Date: 7th February 2012

Time: 1400-1415 GMT

Satellite: IS-805 12/12 Slot E

Downlink: 3829.5Mhz Vertical;

Modulation: QPSK

Symbol: 6.1113

FEC: 3/4

Color: NTSC

Uplink: Crawford Atlanta - Intelsat Ref:1020020 1020021 1020022

Pactv Ref: 234067 234068 & 234069

DOWNLOAD INFORMATION
www.epk.tv

This film is not yet rated by the MPAA.

For more information regarding the feeds, please contact: Black Diamond Media, Inc. spidey@blackdiamondmedia.com / 310.451.5500

/PRNewswire -- Feb. 6, 2012/

SOURCE Columbia Pictures

Tweet

Nigerian Millionaires, Other Foreigners Spend $250 Million at W South Beach

Nigerian millionaires are among the majority of foreigners who have spent a total of $250 million dollars for luxury residences at W South Beach in Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
W South Beach is described as the playground of celebrities, a beachfront oasis on the boardwalk of the fashion jet set who can afford the upscale residences. But who are these Nigerian millionaires?



The following press release has more information on W South Beach.



Center of the style universe, heart of the action laced with edgy cool and an eclectic mix of personalities that push the boundaries. Welcome to South Beach, where you can walk out of the Atlantic Ocean and cross pristine white sands into a world of sizzling nightlife, world-class dining and hip shopping.

6 Feb 2012 17:00 Africa/Lagos

The Residences at W South Beach Hits $250 Million Dollars in Sales
Miami's landmark condo-hotel continues success through turbulent market

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Residences at W South Beach reports a total of $250 million in sales to date. This noteworthy milestone for the project follows a series of 40 closings between May and September 2011 with prices averaging over $1600-per-square-foot.

The 408-unit oceanfront condo-hotel has consistently maintained its premium price point since the inception of sales in 2006, just prior to the market crash that caused the South Florida real estate bubble to burst and a high percentage of projects to halt efforts. Pricing at W South Beach continues to far exceed that of its neighbors, with many of surrounding properties selling at over $1000-per-square-foot.

"I am thrilled with the sales results we are seeing at W South Beach," said David Edelstein, the property's co-owner and developer. "We launched this project before the market crashed, worked our way through the worst economic downturn in our lifetime, and have come through it with sustained and well-above average pricing. At the end of the day, we are delivering a truly exceptional product in a remarkable location."

The high quality and unique residential experience at W South Beach has proven to be a driving force for sales, with experienced, existing owners purchasing additional units. Forty percent of sales in 2011 were from repeat buyers or a direct result of referrals from other unit owners at the property.

The trend of repeat buyers at W South Beach has been particularly prevalent among American families. Citing three specific transactions between May 2011 and March 2012, two owners upgraded to units more than double the size of the original purchase, and one upgraded from a two to three-bedroom residence. Traditionally, the owner will enter one or both in the hotel program.

The portfolio of buyers at W South Beach is a global mix, with 65% from international markets that include Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Russia, Turkey, and Nigeria. The property's domestic buyer profile includes residents with first homes primarily along the East Coast, including New York and South Florida, as well as those from other U.S. cities such as Nashville and St. Louis.

The diverse range of buyers has helped push sales for all unit types. Studios sell in the largest volumes with upper penthouses selling at the highest absolute dollar amounts and highest price per square foot. Resales have also become a focus for W South Beach with the recent addition of an in-house division dedicated to these specific types of transactions.

W South Beach has become the go-to destination on Miami Beach's bustling Collins Avenue for both locals and jetsetters. Its extensive list of services and amenities has distinguished it from other hotels and condominiums; offerings include a designated residential concierge and W's signature Whatever/Whenever service. Additionally, W South Beach is home to the internationally renowned Mr Chow, New York's famed eatery, The Dutch, Bliss Spa, Warren-Tricomi salon, retail outpost, Therapy, and Miami's hottest nightclub, Wall. The property has attracted a slew of high-profile events and happenings during Art Basel, South Beach Wine & Food Festival, Winter Music Conference, and Super Bowl in 2010. Famous faces spotted at W South Beach include Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, Bono, Jamie Foxx, Jessica Alba, Kate Walsh, Hilary Swank, Rob Lowe, Cameron Diaz, Alex Rodriguez, Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio, among many others.

About The Residences at W South Beach
The Residences at W South Beach is the ultimate oceanfront condominium ownership opportunity. Located in one of the world's most vibrant cultural and entertainment districts, W South Beach provides privileged owners with access to every conceivable resort living luxury, including a Private Owners' Beach Club, lush pools and gardens, renowned Bliss® Spa, glamorous international hotspot restaurant MR CHOW®, the famed New York eatery, The Dutch, the chic Warren-Tricomi® Salon, basketball, tennis, and a complete fitness facility. Residents at W South Beach benefit from an exclusive, multi-lingual, international team of service professionals who are dedicated to ensuring an effortless ownership experience, including the personalized attention of the Residential Insiders. The Residences at W South Beach is fully finished and exquisitely furnished. Units range in size from 556 to over 3,000-square-feet; all offer mesmerizing ocean panoramas and generous outdoor space. Rental management programs are available. ONE Sotheby's International Realty is the exclusive marketing and sales agent. wsouthbeachresidences.com



SOURCE The Residences at W South Beach

CONTACT: CONTACT: Jessica Milton, jmilton@hs-pr.com, or Vanessa Poskanzer, vanessap@hs-pr.com, both of Harrison & Shriftman, +1-305-534-0008

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

Tweet

Nigeria Secret Police: The Problems in Domestic Intelligence

Nigeria Secret Police: The problems in Domestic Intelligence


~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D.

The various entities that are concerned with domestic intelligence matters the State Security Service (SSS) especially are faced with unusual challenges in today’s Nigeria.

The State Secret Service and other national intelligence agencies in their collective capacity, remain as the main eyes protecting various essential blind spots in our society as they relate to the safety and wellbeing of our citizens, everyone and everything representing the government’s interest.

Currently, as a people, we have become a more security-conscious society and consequently very concerned about terrorist-related crimes, and this has contributed to the increasing demand for a better output from our intelligence, security and law enforcement agents.

In terms of technological weapons and equipment much progress has being made within these agencies with the arming of agents with powerful assault rifles. With the presence of and use of special security gadgets which include X-ray screeners for detecting bombs and other explosive devices; the use of armored cars as well as the use of other security protective devices for the protection of higher-up leaders in public areas.

Also available for these secret agencies are powerful means of communication to monitor criminal offences like terrorism and kidnapping. Yet the security and safety situations are at this time in despair and depressing to the extent that in the face of ‘hard-knock’ attack from the violent Islamic sect, members of the secret police, army and other security enforcers reportedly pick race in order to take cover, and protect their precious lives instead of containing the Boko Haram fighters. Unbelievable!

In the previous years, our nation’s hush-hush police, special detectives or intelligence agents made the peoples’ lives manageable, and gave them the feeling of being safe as evidenced in many of their good works.

These include the arrest of powerful terrorist like the Egyptian bomber Omar Mohammed Ali Rezaq in the 1990s, the occasional interception of large hidden arms and ammunition coming into the country. Also, they continue to attempt to combat kidnapping offenses.

But in recent times the continued feverish environment of the nation and the all-out breakdown of internal security in the nation require a bottom up treatment and approach in regards to matters of intelligence-gathering, public safety, and of the full enforcement of domestic security laws.

The Nigerian culture is a very diverse one, and the traditional means of solving security problems in America, Israel or in Europe do not bode well fully in this country as evidenced in the current forces of violent change occurring in the nation.
Our nation’s security detectives, operatives and agents helplessly find themselves facing these unusual forces of change which are constantly streaming from our multicultural, multilingual and multi-hardship environments.

To make the matter worse the increasingly poor confidence the government and the public appear to have about the work of many of our security and law enforcement agencies further make things appalling for these agencies and the nation. But here is the real dilemma for both the agencies and the entire society.

In the course of providing national security services and protection to the leadership, and the people of this country, our agents are faced with a society along with its communities and institutions known for their markedly conflicting customs, morals and taboos.

Thereby, making intelligence or police work unwarrantedly and extremely difficult, as well as complex anywhere and everywhere in the nation.

In a country of more than 150 million people there is no fully harmonized, integrated and manageable personal identity database in terms a national identification system. As such there is debate about who is who and no one really knows who is who.

This type of centralized identification system could make the work of the security, intelligence and law enforcement agents more effective in terms of personal identity and verification.

In spite of all the modern technologies, American or European technical support and advice being poured into our agencies, superimposing these goodies are the powerful but distracting influences coming from inside the web of cultural misunderstanding and ethnic antagonism among the people.

As such, hopelessness persists in terms of the epidemic proportions of violent extremism, domestic terrorism and dreadful killings and destruction of properties.
With every hardship, there is no ease for positive domestic intelligence work as the people remain grossly encased in abject poverty which is ravaging the body and mind of millions of Nigerians.

The security agencies become gloomily and grossly affected by these hopeless attitudes and helpless behaviors, and sometimes respond in the same manner.
As long as religion and ethnic divisions continue to prevail among our leaders and communities, it will be very difficult correcting the false image about intelligence work, and the agencies see this huge disunity as a source of heavy frustration to effectively policing the country.

In a society occupied with security needs but full of unsympathetic, critical, non-cooperating and uncomprehending groups these agencies find the demonstration and effectiveness of law enforcement very challenging.

In a society where different agencies share common interests and characteristics in terms of national security, intelligence, and safety; effective security work continue to undergo suffering due to naked rivalry and profound distrust. So what do we do? Actually nothing because these issues are awfully complex but we may try in the following ways.

Improvement on the work of security agencies could occur drastically if we can adequately begin to collects, analyzes, publish, and disseminates statistical information on criminal offenses, on law-violating behaviors, on criminal perpetrators, and on victims of crime. This type of current information will help provide a better statistical systems at all levels of criminal justice as well as provide technical avenues for agencies to develop their better trainings and capabilities.

In the government’s war on terrorism our agents are now perceived by the public as abusing their power as a result of a method of profiling which could be coined with a divisive term “Moving While Islamic” (MWI).

This method of ethnic and religious profiling, if truth be told is constitutionally wanting and Northerners the Muslims ones especially who bear the brunt of the profiling could see any intelligence or law enforcement worker as an enemy. So there is need for professional sensitivity in this area.

With the ongoing overwhelming security problems and the President’s concern that terrorists have infiltrated the Presidency, military, and the legislature, it is time that major psychological operation units be created and manned by doctorate level forensic/clinical psychologists.

This type of sensitive service is essential as it could help reveal psychological conditions or characteristics like terrorist/authoritarian /extremist personality traits which may compromise an agent’s ability to function effectively as security personnel.

In the face of all these challenges raised here, there is need to develop and plan communicational and cultural orientation services in the agencies for the people in order to begin to erect full-blown results-oriented organizational culture in intelligence and national security work.

~John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and is the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association (NPA). Jos5930458@aol.com 08126909839.

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
6 Feb 2012
17:00	The Residences at W South Beach Hits $250 Million Dollars in Sales
03:00	Islamic Finance Training Comes to India: Ethica Grants Country Exclusivity License to Indian Partner
00:59	Ex-Im Bank Chairman in Vietnam to Promote Closure of Nearly $1.5 Billion in Critical Infrastructure Projects
3 Feb 2012
15:37	Study Warns of Rising al-Qaeda Threat in North Africa -- Urges closing Polisario camps which have become recruiting ground for terrorists
11:11	Churches are called to be peacemakers in Africa
11:05	La paix et la sécurité au cœur d'un colloque d'Églises africaines
2 Feb 2012
23:02	Bristow Group Reports Financial Performance for Its 2012 Third Fiscal Quarter and Nine-Month Period Ended December 31, 2011
15:08	Bristow Group Announces Quarterly Dividend
14:17	US Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson to Lead Energy Trade Mission to Africa
11:01	France / Nigeria - Livraison d'une aide médicale (2 février 2012)
09:41	Royal Dutch Shell plc: 4th Quarter and Full Year 2011 Unaudited Results
08:20	Royal Dutch Shell Sets Out New Growth Agenda
1 Feb 2012
16:06	The CineCause Spotlight Tour Kicks off 2012 with Happiness
31 Jan 2012
17:35	UNITED ANNOUNCES NEW DOMESTIC ROUTES FROM HUB CITIES
05:26	US Deputy Secretary Burns Completes Week-long Trip to Africa

Tweet

When We Found The Missing Clock That Won $100, 000

Adeleke Adeyemi, aka Mai Nasara, the winner of the coveted $100, 000 Nigeria Prize for Literature.

When We Found The Missing Clock That Won $100, 000

Before 10 am on Monday February 6, 2012, both the young and old, lowly and mighty and from all spheres of life thronged the main hall of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island led by the Lion of African literature Professor Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel laureate in literature and other noble men and women of the Nigerian intelligentsia. The bright-eyed pupils from the invited schools were awed by the distinguished personalities who came to celebrate the young man who found The Missing Clock of these interesting times, Adeleke Olufemi Adeyemi, aka Mai Nasara, the proud winner of the 2011 Nigeria Prize for Literature with a cash prize of $100,000 (one hundred thousand dollars), solely sponsored by the Nigeria LNG limited. The hall was packed and there were not enough seats for the large audience at the award ceremony.



"This is the biggest cash prize for literature in Nigeria," an excited guest said.
"Not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of Africa!" Enthused another guest with glints in his starry eyes.

I know that the prestige and privilege of being honoured in the presence of our great literary icons and living legends meant more to Adeleke than the cash prize of $100, 000. This is the stuff dreams are made of. Here you are making your speech on the podium with Prof. Wole Soyinka and Dr. Gabriel Okara standing behind you and surrounded by the head of the Advisory Board for the Nigeria Prize for Literature, Emeritus Prof. Ayo Banjo, chairman of the panel of judges Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo and her team, including Prof. Lekan Oyegoke of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Prof. Yakubu Nasidi of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Prof. David Ker, Vice Chancellor, The Catholic University of Nigeria, Obehi, Abia State and Prof. Ini-Obong Uko, Department of English, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State! Wow! God really knows how to reward those who truly believe and trust Him.

The judges described The Missing Clock as “a genial heartwarming account of how a young boy's simple acts inspire his family to fortune”.

The lionized literary scholars and other special guests were recognized by the Master of Ceremony, Jahman Anikulapo, who is the Editor of The Guardian on Sunday and one of the leaders of the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), a group of artistes, art enthusiasts, art promoters and art writers committed to the development of the Arts of Nigeria and their enabling environment. CORA has been a vehicle for the Nigerian renaissance for over a decade and winner of the Prince Claus Award in 2006, popularly known for its quarterly Art Stampede, the annual Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF), the quarterly Lagos The City Arts Guide, and the annual Lagos Open Air Cinema Carnival and other relevant cultural activities.
I sat among the Nigerian literati, including Prof. Bode Sowande, Prof. Umaru Shehu, Dr. Jerry Agada, National President, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Mr. Toyin Akinosho, Secretary-General of CORA, Toni Kan, the amiable award winning poet, essayist and prose writer who is also a journalist and banker, Dagar Tolar, Chairman of the Lagos Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Author (ANA), Mrs. Koko Kalango of Rainbow Book Club, founder and organizer of the annual Garden City Literary Festival (GCLF) in Port Harcourt, Ropo Ewenla, the Secretary General, Pen Nigeria Centre and others. I also met with Benny Uche of the Public Affairs Section of the United States Embassy and Ms. Siene Allwell-Brown, General Manager, External Relations of the Nigeria LNG Limited who is one of the brains behind the Nigeria Prize for Literature who did not fail to commend her bosses, the new Managing Director, Mr. Babs Jolayemi Omotowa and his predecessor Mr. Chima Ibeneche.

The runners up, Ayodele Olofintuade, author of Eno’s Story and Chinyere Obi-Obasi, author of The Great Fall were also highly commended for their outstanding sparks of beautiful prose.

Prof. Soyinka answered the questions of some anxious and curious pupils who wanted to know the secret of his celebrated genius.

The beautiful wife and daughter of Adeleke and other members of his family, including his happy father and mother-in-law were there to celebrate with him in the midst of his bosom friends, Tolu Oladipo, David Toluhi and other well wishers.

Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, President of Eko International Film Festival and Publisher of Supple magazine (once edited by Adeleke), Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Founder of Eko International Film Festival and the new Cinema Naija Open Air Film Festival with the Festival Manager, Roseline Philip and several journalists were there with their cameras and lights to record the event for the news media and posterity.

~ By Orikinla Osinachi, author of Children of Heaven, Scarlet Tears of London, Bye, Bye Mugabe, In the House of Dogs, and other books.




ABOUT THE NIGERIA PRIZE FOR LITERATURE

The Nigerian Prize for Literature is an annual literary competition to honour the author of the best book of the current year or the previous three years. The prize will rotate amongst four literary genres—prose fiction, poetry, drama & children's literature.

The competition is open only to published works. The competition bestows public recognition and a monetary award of $50, 000 on the winner. Two other writers will also be cited for honourable mention.

GOALS OF THE COMPETITION
In addition to the immediate purpose of rewarding the authors of the best current writing, The Nigerian Prize for Literature has a number of other important goals. It is a means of making known to readers, publishers, booksellers and distributors, literary critics and reviewers, the latest achievements of the best writers in Nigeria. The competition contributes in a practical way to sustaining the tradition of excellence in Nigerian literature, discovering new authors and keeping older ones in focus.

The competition also serves to deepen awareness, among writers, of what literary excellence entails, by offering models and sources of inspiration. In this regard, the publicised comments of the judges' report are a means of clarifying what qualities are to be sought in good works of literature.

The publicity that comes with the awards is intended to have benefits beyond the immediate recognition for the winners. Specialists in the field of African literature are alerted to the presence of new works and writers whose achievements are worthy of scholarly attention. Through channels of information dissemination, such as the Internet, those in the international community interested in contemporary literature are also provided with an opportunity to learn about these achievements.

Finally, it is hoped that this prize will encourage publishers to be increasingly active on the literary scene, by bringing out, advertising and distributing more of the best current writing. Some of the judges' comments will concern the important role of publishers in fostering good writing, and in particular, the importance of careful editing, especially of children's books. Too often, authors feel that their main options are either to self-publish, which means bringing out unassessed and usually improvable books, or to publish abroad, relinquishing what should be their primary audience. This prize seeks to recognize those who are doing the most for Nigerian literature.

It is in everyone's long-term interest to make good writing known and more easily available, so that the local reading public grows and the market for books in turn expands.

Tweet

You Have The Right To Be Happy

Randy Taran's Project Happiness is a must see documentary film starring Richard Gere, Dr. Richard Davidson and the XIVth Dalai Lama and directed by John Sorensen.

Every young person who views this very special film will be moved by the honest intensity...This is an important film for everyone to see. --Rosemary Fillmore Rhea, Association of Unity Churches International.

This extraordinary uplifting documentary probes to the heart of what it takes to be happy. --New Consciousness Review.

Project Happiness explores what it means to be happy through a students' lens and challenges us all to question what makes us happy. --Cindy Johanson, Executive Director of The George Lucas Educational Foundation.

Project Happiness focuses on four teens from Santa Cruz, California. Each faces personal obstacles to happiness: loss, alienation and the everyday challenges of being a teenager passing into adulthood. Project Happiness introduces them to their peers in Nigeria and India and quickly leaves lectures and books behind. In addition to connecting with each other, the teens engage in conversations with cultural icons George Lucas, Richard Gere and groundbreaking neuroscientist Richard Davidson. At the end of the year together, the three groups converge in Dharamsala, India, for a rare private interview with the Dalai Lama--an event that rocks their expectations, brings more questions than answers and marks a new chapter in their lives. Shot in high definition, Project Happiness combines verite-style camera work with epic vistas. Mixing formats and shooting styles, the film conveys the ephemeral feeling of happiness found in both the profound and the mundane, juxtaposing the soaring Himalayan Mountains with unguarded moments of young people at school and home. The camera is not a passive observer, but actively engages with the kids and invites the viewer to join the class and bear witness to lives at a crossroads.

The Project Happiness Handbook by Randy Taran and Maria Lineger, with the foreword by the XIVth Dalai Lama His Holiness is also highly recommended for every literate child and adult, because it is a helpful companion in these interesting times in our turbulent world.

Happiness, joy, hope...whatever you want to call it you CAN have more. This book is not an insta-recipe for happiness, going to kill you, pointless, a competition. It's not anything but an invitation. You are not a product. We are not going to give you a one size fits all formula. The 7 chapters of the Handbook are designed to take you on an experiential journey to get to know who you really are, to learn to master emotions, to connect compassionately with yourself and the complex world around us and finally to positively share your individual gifts and passions. This happiness will be your own.

Tweet

U.S. Policy Toward Post-Election Democratic Republic of the Congo

Roger Allen Meece, American diplomat, heads the United Nations mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

3 Feb 2012 10:54 Africa/Lagos

U.S. Policy Toward Post-Election Democratic Republic of the Congo

WASHINGTON, February 3, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Testimony

Daniel Baer

Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

Testimony Before the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights

Washington, DC

February 2, 2012


Good afternoon, Chairman Smith, Ranking Member Payne, honorable Members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the United States' policy toward the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the DRC, in light of what Secretary Clinton has described as “seriously flawed” presidential and parliamentary elections held last November 28. If I may, I'd like to commend the Committee for holding this timely hearing to draw attention to this large, troubled country and the recent elections. I also appreciate the Committee's focusing on important questions about the human rights climate.

The Administration is monitoring events closely and shares Congressional concerns. We are taking action as events unfold. For example, in recent days, the Department Spokeswoman publicly expressed our concern about reports of Radio France International (RFI) having been shut down. We urged relevant Congolese authorities to reinstate RFI's frequencies immediately (which the government did) and we continue to advocate to all Congolese political leaders and their supporters the need to act responsibly and to renounce violence.

I would also like, at the outset, to reiterate our serious concern about genderbased violence in the DRC. Every hour of the day dozens of women are raped in DRC. This is why the United States continues to champion improved protection of civilians, especially an end to the epidemic of rape and gender-based violence. The United States has worked successfully to secure new Security Council sanctions against individuals who lead armed groups operating in the DRC or are linked to crimes involving sexual and gender based violence and illegal child soldier recruiting. Additionally, the United States led the adoption of a UN Security Council resolution that supported, for the first time, due diligence guidelines for individuals and companies operating in the mineral trade in Eastern Congo.

In general, and in part as a result of the training provided by the U.S. to the Congolese National Police, the police in the DRC have l exercised restraint when dealing with provocations by demonstrators and protestors. However, in some notable instances during the run-up to the elections, and in their immediate aftermath, the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (GDRC) resorted to excessive force to break up protests. Citizens were shot and beaten; detained without charge; and, sometimes, “disappeared.” The GDRC also placed restrictions on the freedoms of speech, press and assembly in breach of democratic norms.

We expect the GDRC will be tempted to resort to such behavior in the future. For this reason, the USG has repeatedly and will continue to forcefully advise the GDRC that such violations of civil and human rights are unacceptable and must cease immediately, and that the perpetrators of human rights violations must be brought to justice. We expect that the GDRC's ability to focus on substantive issues will unavoidably be attenuated until the election controversy is resolved. We are cognizant of the dangers this presents, and will work with the international community and press the GDRC to stay focused on electoral and human rights reforms.

The court system in the DRC is dysfunctional at best, and in many parts of the country nonfunctional. The electoral law calls for the establishment of a Constitutional Court, among whose functions would be the review of electoral challenges, but to date the new Court has not been established. The existing court system will be severely challenged to judge impartially and credibly the thousands of challenges expected to be filed by disappointed parliamentary candidates. If provincial elections go forward as scheduled, the number of challenges will increase substantially. This surely will exacerbate the already troubling situation. Moreover, the Congolese Supreme Court is widely considered to be biased towards President Kabila and its decision validating his electoral victory was extensively criticized as premature, unfair, and poorly considered. Its future decisions will undoubtedly similarly be criticized.

The U.S. and international community – foreign governments, international organizations, and NGOs – have contributed billions of dollars and thousands of advisors into the DRC over the years. To date, unfortunately, the GDRC has not shown the same commitment to reform, and we need to be clear: Without a strong and sustained commitment by the GDRC to democracy and human rights, little can be done that will be sustainable. However, the very fact that the elections have been so widely condemned may provide an opening to press for internationally accepted human rights standards and norms. Certainly, as Dr. Mendelson and Ambassador Yamamoto have testified, we will be pressing the GDRC to undertake effective reforms – not just with respect to elections, but with respect to the entire spectrum of human and civil rights. enacting laws and transferring tools and know-how -- is but a small part of the solution. Helping them foster and inculcate a respect for human rights and the rule of law—and embed it institutions as a way of doing things – is the central task, and the larger part of a sustainable solution. I have already addressed the issues surrounding the courts. In addition, a free and robust media sector must be established and allowed to function freely. A vibrant civil society must be supported and recognized as a vital partner in building a stronger DRC. Children must be educated, and all people need to know their rights, and be given a chance to understand through experience how those rights undergird democratic societies.. All of these are hard, long term tasks, and none can be accomplished until the GDRC is able to provide for the physical security of its people. Democracy and human rights are both contributors to and vitally dependent on peace and security. Security agencies must be better trained on civilian protection and human rights as part of overall security sector reform. This is why we are focused on improved protection of civilians. In this regard, Dr. Mendelson and Ambassador Yamamoto have described our work with the international community, particularly MONUSCO, as well as a number of important programs that they are implementing. DRL likewise has relevant programs in the DRC, totaling some $7.5 million:

• We have granted two programs totaling approximately $4.3 million to build the capacity of Congolese justice sector actors and local leaders to investigate cases of mass violence and sexual and gender-based violence, and to initiate a pilot program to reform prisons and detention centers in Eastern DRC.

• Two other programs, totaling approximately $2.5 million will strengthen protection of human rights defenders by helping them take on and fight impunity within security forces for attacks on defenders and other civilians. We're also supporting NGOs working to foster grass-roots action on security, human rights, and corruption. .

• And finally, we fund a program for $700,000 to support the Team of Experts of the UN SRSG for Sexual Violence in Conflict in training selected security forces in the East on how to address SGBV crimes that might be committed by colleagues, and teaching civilian protection techniques that security forces can and should employ to prevent SGBV crimes.

In conclusion, I want to assure this subcommittee that this Administration is unwavering in its commitment to move the Congo to internationally accepted human rights standards and norms. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I welcome your questions.

Source: US Department of State

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
3 Feb 2012
22:00	Ugandan President Lauds Equatorial Guinea's Progress
21:05	Equatorial Guinea and Uganda Agree to Increase Bilateral Cooperation
20:43	Equatorial Guinea and UN Discuss New Development Plan
18:20	Ziggy Marley to Host New Show on SiriusXM
17:54	Leahy Ties Egyptian NGO Raids To U.S. Aid
17:20	Noble Corporation Board Schedules Previously Approved Regular Capital Reduction Payment to Shareholders
16:01	The Dow Jones Credit Suisse Core Hedge Fund Index Closed Up 2.26% in January
15:37	Study Warns of Rising al-Qaeda Threat in North Africa -- Urges closing Polisario camps which have become recruiting ground for terrorists
15:30	NFL Stars Steven Jackson and Stevie Johnson Choose PlayUp to 'Hang Out' with Fans During Super Bowl XLVI
12:13	Harvest Natural Resources Updates Drilling Operations - Qarn Alam Block 64, Oman
11:15	MEDITERRANEAN: Morocco a crucial partner for Italy, says Massari
11:11	Churches are called to be peacemakers in Africa
10:54	U.S. Policy Toward Post-Election Democratic Republic of the Congo
09:00	New Study Shows Eating Fruit More Important Than Masculinity to Male Attractiveness
05:36	Somalia famine ends, but situation still dire / FAO's new Director-General prioritizes Horn of Africa
05:13	AUC Chairperson Receives Credentials of The New Permanent Observer of UNOCHA
05:08	AUC Chairperson Receives Credentials of The New Permanent Representative of Zambia

Tweet

Black Sistas Wedding Blues in America

Dear Single Black Sistas, You Have To Settle For Mr. Available





The collapse of marriage among blacks is well documented (see chart), but not the sexual, psychological, emotional and social toll this has taken on black women. Seven out of ten are single. Of the others, many are forced into “man-sharing”.
~ From Unmarried black women, Down or out: A black male professor kicks up a storm about black women and marriage.

According to his new book Is Marriage for White People? How the African-American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone, Ralph Richard Banks, the Stanford professor of family law says the crisis in the black “relationship market” starts with a “man shortage”.

About one in ten black men in their early thirties are in prison. As a group, black men have also fallen behind in education and income, just as black women have surged ahead. Two black women graduate from college for every black man. As these women rise into the middle class, the men stay in the lower class, becoming less compatible.

Many black women respond by “marrying down, but not out,” But that makes bad marriages. Two out of every three black marriages fail, about twice the rate of white marriages.

The real problem is the behaviour of those few black men who are considered good catches. They often stay unmarried for the opposite reason: they have too many options. As one man told Mr Banks: “If you have four quality women you’re dating and they’re in a rotation, who’s going to rush into a marriage?” Even black men who nominally commit to one woman are five times as likely as their white counterparts to have others on the side.

Majority of black men in America are sliding down the scale of preference in the social hierarchy as the facts have shown that they are lagging behind the men of other races in America and most of them are either jobless or in jail and that leaves majority of black women in the lurch, betrayed and disappointed by black brothers who have failed to catch up with the Joneses in the rat race.

“We know it’s a struggle,” said an African American single woman, “but we women got to stand by the black man. If we don’t, who will?”

What a great faith and sacrifice for the self preservation of the Black race. But the upwardly mobile black men have failed to reciprocate the sacrifices of black women, because they would rather bend backwards to impress the White chicks than their Black sistas in the hood. They often lie that they are in a catch-22 situation, like the cliche of I cannot marry, because I don’t have a job or I can’t get a job, because, I haven’t got anywhere to live, but I can’t afford a place to live until I get a job. But the real problem is the BIG MALE EGO of being superior to the female.

Majority of single black women are faced with the challenges of the snobbish Black Alpha Men who are single and successful, but very few compared to the hordes of impish Black Average Joes in majority.

So, what is the solution to the dilemma of the multitudes of still single and still searching black women who can’t find enough eligible black men to marry?
My dear black sistas, you have to settle for Mr. Available if you cannot hook Mr. Eligible.

Dear black sistas in the hood, instead of being single and miserable, you better settle for the available black brodas.
Just stoop to conquer and make the best out of Mr. Available.


~ By Orikinla Osinachi



Tweet

The Greatest Investment

The greatest investment is the one made for the improvement and empowerment of the poor and the needy among us.

~ Orikinla Osinachi, author of Children of Heaven, Scarlet Tears of London, Bye, Bye Mugabe, In the House of Dogs, and other books.

Tweet