James Cameron Partners With National Geographic and Rolex To Dive to Ocean's Deepest Point

8 Mar 2012 08:00 Africa/Lagos



James Cameron stands beside his newly revealed submersible, the DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, earlier this month.


The DEEPSEA CHALLENGER sub in tests off Papua New Guinea in March. Photograph by Mark Thiessen, National Geographic

Filmmaker and Explorer James Cameron Partners With National Geographic and Rolex To Dive to Ocean's Deepest Point

Dive to Mariana Trench Will Launch Deep Ocean Research and Exploration Project



WASHINGTON, March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence James Cameron announced today that he will attempt to reach the world's deepest point, the Mariana Trench, nearly 7 miles (11.2 km) beneath the ocean's surface, in the coming weeks. Cameron's dive in his specially designed submersible marks the launch of DEEPSEA CHALLENGE, a joint scientific project by Cameron, the National Geographic Society and Rolex to conduct deep-ocean research and exploration to expand our knowledge and understanding of these largely unknown parts of the planet.

Cameron's historic DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition will be the first extensive scientific exploration by a manned vehicle to the Mariana Trench's lowest point, the "Challenger Deep." Cameron plans to spend six hours at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean trench, some 200 miles (322 km) southwest of Guam, to collect samples for research in marine biology, microbiology, astrobiology, marine geology and geophysics.

Relying on advanced engineering and technologies created by Cameron and his team, successful field tests were completed this week off the coast of Papua New Guinea. They included untethered deep-water dives — including one to a depth of more than 5 miles (more than 8 km) — in the revolutionary, single-pilot DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible, the result of an eight-year engineering effort and the deepest-diving manned marine vehicle in existence. The public will be able to follow Cameron's progress on the expedition at www.DEEPSEACHALLENGE.com; on Twitter by following @DeepChallenge or using #deepseachallenge; or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/deepseachallenge.

"The deep trenches are the last unexplored frontier on our planet, with scientific riches enough to fill a hundred years of exploration," Cameron said. "National Geographic, which has been exploring the world for nearly 125 years, is the ideal partner to help usher in a new era of deep-ocean research and exploration that supports leading scientific institutions in answering questions about the deepest, unexplored parts of the Earth. Our goal is to build a scientific legacy for generations to come. It's also to inspire people across the globe to celebrate exploration and to explore with us online and through the media we produce."

Cameron added, "Rolex is also a natural partner in this venture — unique in having reached the Challenger Deep 52 years ago and in its celebrated, century-long history of supporting exploration and helping push the boundaries of human and scientific endeavor."

The Challenger Deep has only been reached once in a manned descent, on Jan. 23, 1960, by U.S. Navy Lt. Don Walsh and Swiss oceanographer Jacques Piccard in the bathyscaphe Trieste. They spent approximately 20 minutes on the ocean floor before returning to the surface. Now, 52 years later, Cameron's DEEPSEA CHALLENGER represents breakthroughs in materials science, unique approaches to structural engineering and new ways of imaging through an ultra-small, full ocean depth-rated stereoscopic camera. Cameron's CAMERON | PACE Group, which supplies 3-D technologies and production support services, has provided the capability to document the historic expedition in high-resolution 3-D.

"Some believe the golden age of exploration is behind us. On the contrary, I believe we are at the beginning of our greatest age of exploration," said Terry Garcia, National Geographic's executive vice president for Mission Programs. "We salute James Cameron for his commitment to science and exploration, and we are delighted to be part of this groundbreaking adventure to the deepest and least explored point on Earth."

In 1960, an experimental Rolex Deepsea Special watch was attached to the hull of the Trieste and emerged in perfect working order after withstanding the huge pressure exerted at 6.78 miles (nearly 11 km) below the surface. The DEEPSEA CHALLENGER submersible will carry a new experimental wristwatch, the Rolex Deepsea Challenge, strapped to its manipulator arm, renewing the pioneering engineering challenge the Swiss watchmaker took up 52 years ago with the Trieste.

"Our affinity with the deep also extends to active and sustained support of renowned marine researchers, supporting excellence and innovation in the advancement of human knowledge," said Gian Riccardo Marini, Chief Executive Officer of Rolex SA. "I am convinced that James Cameron is bringing us to the threshold of a long-delayed revival in marine exploration. We are proud to have such a passionate and longstanding admirer of Rolex, and to return to the Challenger Deep on this historic venture to help unravel the secrets of the ocean's deepest places."

Cameron was named a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence in 2011. While working on his film "Titanic," he took 12 submersible dives to the famed shipwreck two and a half miles down in the North Atlantic. The technical success of that expedition led Cameron to form Earthship Productions, which develops films about ocean exploration and conservation. Since then he has led six expeditions, authored a forensic study of the Bismarck wreck site and done extensive 3-D imaging of deep hydrothermal vent sites along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the East Pacific Rise and the Sea of Cortez. Cameron has made 72 deep submersible dives, including 33 to Titanic. Fifty-one of these dives were in Russian Mir submersibles to depths of up to 3.03 miles (4.87 km).

Cameron has written and directed numerous films, among them "Avatar," "Titanic," "True Lies," "Terminator 1 and 2," "The Abyss" and "Aliens." His films have blazed new trails in visual effects and have set numerous performance records, both domestically and abroad, including 11 Oscars for "Titanic." "Avatar," a 3-D science fiction epic reflecting five years of development of new production technologies, was nominated for nine Oscars and won three. "Avatar" is the highest-grossing film in history, surpassing the previous record holder, "Titanic."

The DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition will be chronicled for a 3-D feature film for theatrical release on the intensive technological and scientific efforts behind this historic dive, which will subsequently be broadcast on the National Geographic Channel, and documented for National Geographic magazine. Cameron also will collaborate with National Geographic to create broad-based educational outreach materials.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, is the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE Project's primary science collaborator. For nearly a decade, Scripps has been involved with James Cameron in developing new ways to explore and study the deepest parts of the oceans. With its decades-long history of deep-sea exploration, Scripps is recognized as a world leader in investigating the science of the deep ocean, from exploring the deep's geological features to researching its exotic marine life inhabitants.

The expedition also is collaborating with the University of Hawai'i, Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the University of Guam. Additional funding for education and digital outreach has been provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which supports original research and public understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Scientific research permits for the dive have been secured from authorities in the Federated States of Micronesia.

NOTE: In February, two members of the DEEPSEA CHALLENGE team, world-renowned filmmakers and explorers Andrew Wight and Mike deGruy, were killed in a helicopter crash in Australia (Link to NatGeo News Watch story). The team will honor their memory by moving forward with the expedition as a tribute to them and their contributions to the project.

About the National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society is one of the world's largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to "increase and diffuse geographic knowledge," the Society's mission is to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 400 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; exhibitions; live events; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 10,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program promoting geographic literacy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com.


About Rolex
Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, Rolex, headquartered in Geneva, enjoys an unrivalled reputation for quality and expertise the world over. Its OYSTER watches, all certified as chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer in the development of the wristwatch as early as 1905, the brand is at the origin of numerous major watchmaking innovations, such as the OYSTER, the first waterproof wristwatch, launched in 1926, and the PERPETUAL rotor self-winding mechanism introduced in 1931. Rolex has registered over 400 patents in the course of its history. A truly integrated manufacturing company, Rolex designs, develops and produces in-house all the essential components of its watches, from the casting of the gold alloys to the machining, crafting, assembly and finishing of the movement, case, dial and bracelet. Rolex is also actively involved in supporting the arts, exploration, sports, the spirit of enterprise, and the environment through a broad palette of sponsoring activities as well as philanthropic and patronage programmes. For more information, visit www.rolex.com.

CONTACT:

Ellen Stanley
estanley@ngs.org

Stephanie Montgomery
smontgom@ngs.org


SOURCE National Geographic
NOTE TO EDITORS: Images can be found at http://press.nationalgeographic.com/downloads/deepsea_challenge. (user name: press / password: press)CONTACT: Ellen Stanley, +1-202-744-1762 (cell); +1-202-775-6755, or Stephanie Montgomery, +1-202-857-5838

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

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VConnect YouTube Video Shows How 24/7 Tele-Search Works

This VConnect YouTube video shows how the largest local search engine in Nigeria launched the first 24/7 tele-search service providing instant product, service, business information in Nigeria and over 300,000+ businesses have been listed and winning awards!

In November 2011, VConnect won the Personalized Information Product Award of the Year from RIMA, an organization, which encourages the overall development of the information management industry in Nigeria.



Click here for VConnect Free SMS. service.

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Nigeria In My Opinion Is Now More Divided Than Ever Before - Princewill

Prince Tonye Princewill and Tony Blair (Former UK Prime Minister) at a buisness summit in New York.

Prince Tonye Princewill was the immediate past erstwhile Leader and gubernatorial candidate for the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during the general elections of 2007 in Rivers State and is popularly referred to as the Prince of Niger Delta Politics. He is the scion of the Kalabari Kingdom and hails from Buguma in Rivers State. Currently the Leader of Princewill Political Associates (PPA), he was the youngest person on the 29-member Economic Advisory Council of Rivers State also counsels the State on investment and good governance. Under Amaechi he became Investment Consultant to the Rivers State Government in 2007 and has since attracted capital, valued at billions of naira.

His dynamism and sagacity has seen his political star rising on the national horizon as well—as evinced in appointments to the Presidential Technical Committee on the Niger Delta and the Niger Delta Subcommittee of Vision 2020, which he chaired. This gentleman and son of a King did the craziest thing in the politics of Nigeria when he resigned as the Chairman of Vision2020 Sub0Committee, to protest a military assault on Gbaramatu, in Delta State by the Federal troops. Two weeks later his action and that of others resulted in a complete reversal with the same Federal Government setting up the amnesty program to arrest the militancy activities that almost crippled the main economic stay of of the country.

Such principled politics has made Prince Tonye Princewill a brand name in the Niger Delta struggle and earned him legions of awards--attesting to his emergence as an important leader. On 2nd March, 2012 while receiving members of the Rivers State Correspondents Chapel on a courtesy call at his modest country home, he made some clarifications on some national and state issues. His Media Team was at hand to capture his stand. Here are excerpts:-

1. What is my ambition in 2015?

It is way too early to start talking about 2015. I want us to resist that temptation. In Rivers state we have an administration desperate to bring the so called dividends of democracy to the people of the state and in Abuja I see the President desperate to do the same. My job as someone who is just as desperate to see my state and my region move forward is to pray for our leadership and to try and help where I can. As a PDP member, I am well aware of the President’s appeal to party faithful and our party’s reiteration of his request to remove the distraction of 2015 from governance. I Tonye Princewill am not about to go against the spirit of that appeal. If or when I decide to emerge from the shadows, it will be public knowledge, without fear or favour and it will be with the consent of a multitude of stakeholders. I think before I blink.

2. SNC. Do we need it?

We need some sort of discussion. We need a dialogue. You see, me I love peace. I really love peace. Many people would agree that they like it too but I want to emphasise that I love peace not like – me I love peace. The way we are going now will not bring us sustainable long term peace and so we that love peace need to do something about it. The country in my opinion is now more divided than ever before and the trend is only going to continue. The term SNC suggests that the nation’s sovereignty will be on the line so I am not surprised very few political office holders will agree to it but this should not deflect the need for some sort of conference (SSC). The problem is the leadership don’t want to lead. If they did, it should be them designing what this dialogue should look like after consultation with opposing stakeholders. Activists cannot design it, only leaders can. They should therefore lead and set in place a Nigeria that we all can describe as fair enough for all of us. It is easier to maintain a course than to transform. Transformation is difficult. It requires courage. It takes leadership. The more I see nothing, the more I am convinced that the South - South will not give up the Presidency because the terms on which this country is proceeding cannot guarantee them peace. There is a lack of trust amongst ethnic entities and the 50 years of neglect has created wounds that are yet to heal. They may request another four years to attempt it.




Prince Tonye Princewill addressing the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and reporters from other news media channels.

3. Security: Slow response by govt. Alliances with foreign military. Is it good?

I am one person that has been very critical of the way we handle our security in this country. But I am beginning to see a little ray of hope. Thanks to Boko Haram, we have been reminded of the years of neglect our security agencies especially our police force endured. The low morale of the rank and file if not reversed will lead to anarchy. When I heard of the President’s commitment to security in the 2012 budget, I smiled because it was long overdue. If they spend it well and I suspect that they will, we will see improved capacity and a better ability to confront terrorism in any form. I am reminded by the words of the late Teddy Roosevelt, “Speak softly, carry a big stick.” Mr President has got the first part right. Now he needs to get the second part right too.

As for the foreign governments and military alliances, I see nothing wrong with that if the sovereignty of the nation is not compromised and in as far as we realise that the priority of any nation is to their people. Just as ours should be to us, theirs will be to them. We need to remember that in all of our dealings. As long as we do, we are free to collaborate and build capacity in very many ways. Nigeria reborn is possibly the most strategic country in the world. Our stability will open up many possibilities. Our collapse on the other hand will be felt around the world.

4. NDTC Report – Militants recently demanded its implementation. What do you think?

It is a dead issue. The government has signalled its intent. They did that way before and nothing in the body language of the President suggests that anything will change. It was my major grouse with the President leading up to 2011 and I made it clear. I understand there is a white paper somewhere but it has not been made public. It probably never will be.

The President should remember where he comes from and the expectations of his people. Unless he addresses the issue of the Niger Delta, there will be no peace. Boko Haram can scare a few people and alarm the Northern parts of the country; the Niger Delta can cripple the country and starve everyone. When they made the mistake of bombing Gbaramatu, see what happened to production? I rest my case.


Mr. Terver Akase, chairman of the Chapel introducing his members to The Prince.


Prince Tonye Princewill and executives of The Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Rivers State.




Prince Tonye Princewill and members of The Federated Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Rivers State.

5. UNEP report – How far? You have not said anything.

Yet another example of executive silence. A committee is set up to report back in two weeks and several months later – nothing. I hear some people from other regions saying that the President is favouring the Niger Delta over and above their region. Please come and explain this. The report does not ask for the impossible, and does not require an act of parliament to implement. It is a template that can be used across the region and even the country. The devastation is still there till today. At least let the executive show some empathy, visit the place, highlight the problem and commit to some of the recommendations of the report. Right now they have committed to nothing. That cannot be right. A Niger Deltan cannot do this to his people. I have to believe he has a plan.



6. How do you assess the rule of President Jonathan?

Too soon to tell. The handling of his Presidential bid when he started waiting for the moon to declare, his handling of the FIFA issue, his initial pace in addressing security concerns and the approach to the subsidy debacle are all examples of where he got it wrong. On each of these counts, he lost votes. But let us be fair, he has never been President before and for several years he has never been his own man. Always grateful to a Godfather who placed him, always subservient to a President who did not regard him, deputy to a Governor who was larger than life and a man who had no shoes. Criticise him all you want, but accept that people voted him into power en masse. I think he is a good man who cares and I am waiting for his government to reflect his person. I have not lost hope. I used to think he was vindictive, now I am not so sure. His handling of Ojukwu’s burial, certain strategic appointments and decisions he has made show he is either listening to good people or has stopped listening to bad ones. Nigerians forget easily. Apparently you are only as good as your last major decision. Let us give him time. For me the Niger Delta is an indicator, power is an indicator and electoral reform is an indicator.


Prince Tonye Princewill addressing the media at the Del-York Film Academy Gala Nite.

7. This 180 days rule that emanated from the amendment to the constitution. Is it not a case of judicial rascality?

Maybe you mean constitutional rascality because the courts were only interpreting the constitution. I think the spirit of the law meant well and was looking at reducing the series of long drawn out battles that bedevilled the nation. Can we still get justice within it? I believe the answer is yes. But I take on the point that some see justice as being fastracked sometimes at the expense of justice. I really do. But it’s the constitution, apparently resolved by you the people. Another reason for a dialogue.

8. Looking at East West Road and the state of it, it appears that successive governments including now one of our own have failed us. What do we do?

We pray. But this one will not be taken lightly. I know a multitude of people waiting, watching and wishing that Mr President leaves office without finishing that road. I hope he will not give them the satisfaction and I pray that God will touch his heart and give him the wisdom to finish it.

9. Corruption – Why so prevalent and what is the way forward?

It is prevalent because there are no consequences for it. Unless you can demonstrate that there is a consequence for it, then people will continue to do it and remain on the good books of government or below the radar so as to avoid prosecution. It is either we deal with people or we liberalise it and allow everybody steal with limits. Say 250 million per person. Don’t mind me o. I am only joking. But we have to take the bull by the horns. If you put me in a house of chickens and I catch one or two, that is not news. Nigeria is full of thieves. Everywhere you go. Just like MTN. So catch them and put the fear of God in Nigerians. Political witch hunting does not do the trick. We all know the difference.

10. Donations. Is it not 2015 specific? And knowing how your friend does not encourage cash, why are you giving cash?

I do not encourage cash either but there are exceptional circumstances and no what I do is not 2015 specific. Anyone who knows me knows that I am generous to a fault when it comes to dealing with a cause. Be it the less privileged, the entertainment industry, sports endeavours or the peace and stability of our region. I have been doing this from time and will continue to do this going forward because I believe that you are blessed to bless others. And if they can follow your example and bless others, the blessings will flow endlessly. For me there is no greater joy than giving. I may appear to be wealthy but that is not the case, I just give a lot but only to those that need it. Increasingly I attract the dubious and the not so needy to my door so I have learnt to become more discerning. That means getting in touch with the people directly and seeing their pains first hand. It takes more time but it is invaluable for learning. I am self-employed and most of my over 10 different businesses run themselves so I have time on my hands to do this. Many people see me as a politician but they forget my hobby is wealth creation.


11. We say there is peace but illegal bunkering is on the increase. Why?

Because people are unemployed, there is a dearth of jobs in society and they do bunkering because they can. I am what people in UK would describe politically as a Blairite. He, Clinton and Obama make up my political mentors. They appear soft but they get the job done. Tony Blair once said that he wants to be tough not just on crime but on the causes of crime. All three have a centrist ideology and so court opposition from both the left and the right of their political divides for abiding by it. But what they were able to do was create jobs and grow their economies in spite of a looming recession. They got the message. It’s about jobs.

12. Boko Haram: Intelligence reports do not seem to be acted upon. What do you advise they should learn from the Niger Delta experience?

They should learn that there are no winners. Every life is precious. You killed their leader extra judicially, they killed your policemen, you harassed their wives and children, and they attack your markets and blow up your children’s schools. You attack their mosques, they attack your churches. When will the cycle of violence end? Never. The only way to break the mould is to compartmentalise it. To each their own. This is not a one size fits all solution devised from the top and handed down to the divisions. It requires intelligence and it requires a multitude of approaches. Even footballers sitting on the bench warm up before they start playing. Our local police forces have not been serious players in the field of security all this while. They need to be kitted up, retrained, boosted morally and then sent back out to play. Properly guided. Boko Haram did not start today. There is a social element to it, a political element to it, a religious element to it and a global element to it. It needs to be compartmentalized and dealt with accordingly.

END.

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Google Says Nigeria Needs To Increase More Content Online

A Google Nigeria event. Photo Credit: No Surprises.

Google Says Nigeria Needs To Increase More Content Online

Jaraar Najeeb of Google says Nigeria needs to increase its contents online for economic growth.

Najeeb who is the Product Marketing Manager for Google’s African Operations was interviewed by Adeyemi Adepetun of The Guardian newspaper of Nigeria, published on Wednesday March 7, 2012.

Adeyemi Adepetun: How is Nigeria’s presence online presently?

Jaraar Najeeb: Lots of users are coming online, but compared to the large population in the country; I think the percentage is still low. So, Nigerians still need to be encouraged to embrace the online revolution.
There must be intense strategy to take entertainment online. So, with the increase in bandwidth, we would see more users coming online, but the environment must be conducive for this to be realizable.
So, in the coming year, more businesses will go online in emerging markets. So, activities must be created, because the more activities, the more economic growth.

Read the rest of this important interview on page 34/COMPULIFE of The Guardian newspaper of Wednesday March 7, 2012.

Google Loses Competition to Local Search Engine in Nigeria



The intense competition to secure the control of the most populous country in Africa has pitched Google the biggest and largest search engine in the world against local search engines in Nigeria and Google has lost to VConnect, a relatively new search engine launched just months ago.

Nigerians want to find more relevant and local information rather than global information and that's where VConnect comes into picture. VConnect gives more localized search results and this attracted the majority of people searching for more detailed information on people, places and things, making the new search engine the number one and largest local search engine in Nigeria.

Within a year of launch, VConnect has ranked among the top 5 Nigerian sites in Alexa Ranking and it is the only portal which allows businesses to generate real prospects and increase customers.

VConnect is also the first 24/7 tele-search service providing instant product, service, business information in Nigeria and over 300,000+ businesses have been listed and winning awards! In November 2011, VConnect won the Personalized Information Product Award of the Year from RIMA, an organization, which encourages the overall development of the information management industry in Nigeria.

VConnect provides optimized local search results, which are related to any product, service or business for a population of over 167 million people in Nigeria.
While Google aggregates search results from various websites, VConnect shows results for all businesses, products and services in Nigeria.

VConnect is not out to compete with Google globally, but locally.

Millions of Nigerians and others are connecting on VConnect where they can make the right connections for countless opportunities in Nigeria and beyond.

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~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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NNEKA's New Album Soul Is Heavy Released

NNEKA's Album Soul Is Heavy Released on Yo Mama's Recordings/Decon, Appears on BET's 106 & Park on 3/6

Download her track with The Roots' Black Thought "God Knows Why" HERE

Award winning songwriter, Nneka, has just released her third album Soul is Heavy. The album is an effortlessly balanced combination of hip-hop beats, reggae grooves, brass riffs and African-pop are the canvas for the motif of love, pain, politics and God.

In honor of her release, Nneka will be performing on BET's 106 & Park this Tuesday, March 6th, performing the track “God Knows Why” with Black Thought and J.Period. As a featured artist on BET's Music Matters, Nneka will also be appearing at the BET SXSW Showcase on March 15th. Other performances for Nneka at SXSW include March 13th at Clive Bar for the Pandora/DMX Showcase, an Acoustic performance for Ben Sherman/Clash Music on March 16th, KUT Showcase on March 16th and the National Geographic Showcase at The Stage on Sixth on March 17th.

Soul is Heavy is both affirmative and compelling in addressing the tough realities and uncomfortable truths of modern politics – both personal (‘Stay’) and international (‘Soul is Heavy’) - and adding credence to the Lauryn Hill / Erykah Badu references so often cited in comparison of her.

Catch Nneka on tour at one of the dates below:

3/6: Vancouver @The Biltmore Cabaret

3/7: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile

3/8: Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge

3/10: San Francisco, CA @ Red Devil Lounge

3/11: West Hollywood, CA @ Troubadour

3/13 – 3/17: Austin, TX @ SXSW

3/18: Houston, TX @ House Of Blues Bronze Peacock

3/21: Chicago, IL @ Double Door

3/23: Toronto @ Virgin Mobile Mod Club "Canadian Music Week"

3/24: Montreal @ Cabaret du Mile End

3/26: Cambridge, MA @ T.T. The Bear's

3/27: New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre

3/28: Philadelpha, PA @ Johnny Brenda's

3/29: Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java Music Club & Cafe

3/31: Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl

Check out Nneka's latest video for “Shining Star” HERE.

www.nnekaworld.com/

twitter.com/NNEKAWORLD

www.facebook.com/NnekaWorld

For more information please contact:

Pam Nashel Leto @ Girlie Action (212) 989-2222 x 111 Pam@Girlie.com

Jess Torraca @ Girlie Action (212) 989-2222 x 123 Jess@Girlie.com

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So, What Made Ojukwu A Hero?

The whole funeral fanfare of the passage of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ikemba of Nnewi and Eze Igbo Gburugburu was nothing more than a grand opera of infantile fears and crocodile tears in the wedlock of hypocrisy and ignorance by strange bed fellows.

The charade of the apologists, charlatans, hypocrites, opportunists and sycophants of the warlord of a stupid tribal war ironically mislabeled as a civil war by reporters, historians and others whose ignorance of the facts of the tyrannical dictatorship that ruined Biafra was on parade in their ethnic bigotry and idolatry in their so called heroic funeral of Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Ikemba of Nnewi and Eze Igbo Gburugburu from February to his internment on March 2, 2012.

Lest we forget, if these multitudes had rallied to his sick bed before he was even flown for better medical services overseas, the Lion of Biafra would have fared better and might have recuperated. If these political contractors and their hordes of political charlatans and sycophants have been really patriotic all these years, they would not have turned the eastern states into a haven for armed robbers, kidnappers, crude oil thieves, incompetent and corrupt governors and their equally incompetent and corrupt subordinates, occultists, ritualistic natives and others abnormal homo sapiens of the lunatic fringe who have turned the lives of the innocent majority into Kafkaesque nightmares.


Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu and soldiers of his self-proclaimed Republic of Biafra.


Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu as head of state of Biafra and Lt. Col. Yakubu Gowon as head of state of Nigeria during the uncivil war.

So, leading a tribe ruled more by their herd instinct than intellect to a stupid suicidal war that neither redeemed nor salvaged the Igbos from the woes of their foes, but only caused their worst catastrophe with nearly one million people dead after two and half years of man's inhumanity to man makes one a hero? When an intelligent, smart and wise leader would have avoided that internecine uncivil war and saved hundreds of thousands of lives of mostly innocent children who were not killed by the bombs and bullets of the enemies, but by kwashiorkor and other infections and afflictions of the calamities precipitated by the hostilities of the war, such as hunger, collapsed Medicare, collapsed economy, dysfunctional families, etc.

If Ojukwu and his ill conceived cabinet and allies had read Sun Tzu's Art of War, they would have known that only fools rush into a war they are not prepared
for, because the Igbos had no means to combat the fully equipped and prepared armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Majority of Igbo youths were conscripted into the rag tag Biafran Army with majority of boy scouts recruited to join their uncles at the war fronts to commit suicide.

Lest we forget the wanton misappropriation of revenue allocations and relief supplies by the powerful and rich elites and their cronies in Biafra who later swept the many cases of corruption in Biafra under the carpet of the corrupt cabinet.

Finally, from testimonies of reliable people in Biafra, there was no justification for the trial, conviction and execution of Brigadier Victor Banjo, Colonel Emmanuel Ifeajuna, Major Philip Alale and Mr. Samuel Agbam, and several other victims not recorded by historians of the Nigerian uncivil war.

So, what made Ojukwu a hero?
For having both legitimate and illegitimate children in and out of wedlock, for fighting an avoidable and stupid suicidal war that did more harm than good to his tribe or for publishing a collection of his notes on his ego trips, political apologia to trivia and how he lured and intimidated a beauty queen who is one of the younger daughters of his friend?
What else?


~ By Orikinla Osinachi, author of Children of Heaven, Scarlet Tears of London, Bye, Bye Mugabe, In the House of Dogs and the two new books to be released before the end of 2012.



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Bringing Islamic Finance to Africa: How one Training Company Does it

6 Mar 2012 03:00 Africa/Lagos

Bringing Islamic Finance to Africa: How one Training Company Does it

DUBAI, UAE, March 6, 2012/PRNewswire/ --

How do you bring training in interest-free finance to a vast continent historically crippled by interest-based lending? Ethica Institute of Dubai may have solved the problem. Already in 11 African countries, Ethica is now the most heavily enrolled Islamic finance training and certification institute in the world with over 20,000 paying users in 44 countries and over 100 institutions.

But what makes Ethica different? Part of its success comes from a 100% online platform accessible from any corner of the globe, requiring only 4 months to go from newcomer to advanced. And part of it comes from being fully AAOIFI-compliant, the Islamic finance industry's leading standard-setting body.

What makes Ethica quite different from other training institutes is its readiness to go on the ground in Africa. Ethica has licensed resellers in North Africa and West Africa and has delivered face-to-face sessions to African bankers in both Africa and the Middle East.

Dr. Binta Jibril of the International Institute for Islamic Banking and Finance in Nigeria said about her recent Ethica training, "I really enjoyed every hour of the training. It has added immensely to my little knowledge about Islamic finance and increased my interest in it." She was trained by one of Ethica's AAOIFI-certified scholars Sheikh Ashraf Muneeb.

Ethica's spokesperson said, "We are very fortunate that our recent growth across the continent coincides with Ethica's plans to launch specially discounted pricing for African countries. Africa has too long been on the receiving end of failed interest-based lending programs and we are delighted to be part of a new Africa based on sustainability and self-sufficiency." Ethica's core product is their 4-month Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) program, the only 100% AAOIFI-compliant, 100% online Islamic finance certificate in the market today. AAOIFI stands for the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions, the leading Islamic finance standard in the world and the de facto standard for over 90% of the world's jurisdictions.

About Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance

Winner of "Best Islamic Finance Qualification" at the 2011 Global Islamic Finance Awards, Ethica (http://www.EthicaInstitute.com) is chosen by more professionals and students for Islamic finance training and certification than any other organization in the world. With over 20,000 paying users in 44 countries, the Dubai-based institute is accredited by leading scholars and serves banks, universities, and professionals across over 100 organizations. To watch an Ethica training video click here http://bit.ly/FCWhyIF. For more information about this article, or to schedule an interview with Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance, please call Sameer Hasan at +971-4-455-8690 or e-mail at info@ethicainstitute.com.

Source: Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance

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VConnect Holds Business Forum for SME Owners on Digital Marketing

Press Release

VConnect Holds Business Forum for SME Owners on Digital Marketing

SME’s Owners Converges at VConnect Business Forum on Digital Marketing

Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday February 23, 2012. VConnect, Nigeria’s largest Local Search Engine and leading Information service provider recently converged Small and Medium Enterprise SME’s Owners in Lagos for a Business forum on Digital Marketing.

The Business Forum with the theme ‘The Power of Digital Marketing’ which was held at Planet One Event Centre, Maryland, Lagos on Thursday February16,2012 was organised to help business owners achieve a paradigm shift from traditional marketing methodologies to digital marketing which is more efficient and cost effective.

Speaking at the forum, the facilitator and Territory Sales Manager VConnect Global Services Limited, Mr. Wale Onibudo disclosed that digital marketing has great edge of advantages over traditional marketing in that it is focus targeting, cost effective and measureable in terms of Returns on Investment (ROI).

“Traditional marketing is costly, fragmented and difficult to measure. It’s a fact that a small and medium business owner will not able to afford high investment driven marketing channels such as TV or Radio. However, in the hyper competitive world, if one must survive, marketing has become a NEED but not a comfort” he said.

He stressed further that with internet becoming an integral parts of our lives, various new forms of advertising using internet (E-Mail, Websites) and mobile phones (SMS) have emerged and are now dominating the traditional means

Mr. Onibudo also explained that VConnect is positioned to cater for the digital marketing needs of businesses in Nigeria by making SMEs wide ly visible through an online presence by listing them on www.vconnect.com, leads forwarding, where prospective customers are referred to businesses, Targeted SMS (help the send promotional messages to targeted audience (based on LGA, age, profession etc) as well as Website designing at very affordable prices.



He declared that VConnect has already trained more than 1000 business owners till date in the Business Forum series which will continue on a weekly basis for the next ten months. He then urged any business owners who want to get a free IV for the next training session to visit http://vconnect.com or simply call 070 0000 8888.
Some of the participants who spoke at the end of the forum described the forum as an informative and fresh insights on how to do marketing for their business in a more efficient and cost effective way.

Reacting shortly after the session, Mr. Dennis, Business Development Manager, Excellence Awards International (dealers in Medals and Awards),Lagos lauded the business forum initiative of VConnect for exposing business owners to the magic of digital marketing.


Also Mrs. Sade Soderu, of SonShade Meadows (Branding and printing company) commended VConnect for organizing the forum which she said will give more leverage to SME’s at less cost and help grow the businesses.


More facts:
More about VConnect.
VConnect is Nigeria’s Largest Local Search engine where 300,000+ businesses have been listed and reaping the benefits!

VConnect is the first 24/7 tele-search service, which provides product, service, business information in Nigeria

Youngest Nigerian website, to be Ranked 4th most visited websites in Nigeria by Alexa.com (Feb 2012)

In November 2011, VConnect Won ‘Personalized Information Product’ Award of the Year from RIMA. RIMA is an organisation, which encourages the overall development of the information management industry in Nigeria

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Nigeria Has Never Had Ten Years of Peace Since 1960 To Date

Do you know that Nigeria has never had ten years of peace since 1960 to date?

Nigeria, is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populated country in the world and among The Next Eleven (or N-11) including Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Turkey, South Korea, and Vietnam rated by Goldman Sachs investment bank and Jim O'Neill to join the BRICS, with all the resources of becoming the world's largest economies in the 21st century. But rampant ethnic/religious and political crises and wanton corruption have been plaguing Nigeria even before she gained political independence from the colonial British Empire on October 1, 1960. And since then Nigeria has never experienced ten years of peace and political stability, because of the spate of coups and ethnic and religious upheavals of which the most catastrophic has been the uncivil war of 1967 to 1970.

Between 1960 and 1970, there were two military coups, and between 1970 and 1980, there were two military coups and between 1980 and 1990, there were four coups and between 1990 and 2000, there was a military coup and the June 12 crisis. Then from 2000 to 2010, there have been several ethnic, religious and political crises. And the same crises have not abated since 2010 to date.

Why is Nigeria so blessed and yet cursed by these horrifying and terrifying human conflicts with innocent children and women among the worst casualties of the recurrent calamities?


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, author of Children of Heaven, Scarlet Tears of London, Bye, Bye Mugabe, In the House of Dogs and the two new books to be released before the end of 2012.



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Photo of the Day: Nollywood Actor 2MS in Action

Nigerian Times Photo of the Day is the action photograph of upcoming Nollywood actor Aloysius Raphael, aka 2MS.

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