I Am Looking For Christians In Nigeria. Please, Where Can I Find Them?

Yes, I am really looking for Christians in Nigeria. But finding them has not been easy these days.
I have been searching from the street to the pulpit, but I have only seen legions of church goers, but they don't behave like true Christians.
In fact, the Africans among them seem to fear their village Juju more than the God they confess and profess to believe in church.
They seem to go to church as a social function to display the fashion in vogue and in some churches, the girls seemed to have come dressed for night clubbing, with body hugging above the knees skirts!

In fact, saying "I am a Christian" is just another cliché to tickle the fancy. Because, what they do is totally the opposite of what they claim. And they even do so with brazen impunity and with a hiss. Their egos and lifestyles are ruled by wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
Do they really believe in God?
Because, legions of them are swayed by Mammon and other evil spirits at large.

The more I look for Christians in Nigeria, the more hypocrites I see.
In fact, I would rather dine and wine with pagans than with the so called Christians in Nigeria.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

~ Messiah Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:15-20, Holy Bible (NIV).

Let us pray lest we are ensnared and smeared.
But if we are already infected, it is not too late to disentangle ourselves from the corruption plaguing these legions before we are consumed.


~ By Ekenyerengozi מִיכָאֵל‎ Chima

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
23 May 2012
20:16	How to Enter Nigeria's Booming Consumer Market, in African Business Review
19:46	Expert Opinions on Investing in Africa, Africa's Largest Consumer Market, and KONY 2012, in African Business Review
19:41	Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria
14:00	Microsoft Announces Worldwide Finalists for Imagine Cup 2012
07:09	ALLOCUTION DE L'AMBASSADEUR RAMTANE LAMAMRA, COMMISSAIRE À LA PAIX ET À LA SÉCURITÉ DE LA COMMISSION DE L'UNION AFRICAINE, À L'OUVERTURE DE LA 3ÈME CONFÉRENCE DES MINISTRES AFRICAINS CHARGÉS DES QUESTIONS DE FRONTIÈRES
22 May 2012
21:30	The Highest Grossing Movie Actor Of All Time Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"
08:54	The African Union deploys an Observer Mission in Lesotho
05:30	PRESIDENT DEBY OF CHAD ADDRESSES THE OPENING OF THE SEVENTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE PAP
21 May 2012
20:00	IBM to Research Urban Transport Issues in Morocco
18 May 2012
20:22	Ex-Im Bank Signs Agreement With Bancoldex to Increase U.S.-Colombian Trade
17:03	Dialogue for Action Africa to Convene Women's Issues Forum June 11, 2012
13:49	At G8 Food Security Symposium, World Cocoa Foundation Announces $4 Million in New Support for Cocoa Farmers in West Africa
17 May 2012
12:21	Countering Narcotics Threats in West Africa
06:44	ECOWAS MEDIATION AND SECURITY COUNCIL TO HOLD EXTRA-ORDINARY MEETING IN ABIDJAN
06:00	New York Ranked Lowest Risk City in the World to Recruit, Employ and Redeploy Workers, According to Aon Hewitt
16 May 2012
15:50	GameTruck Aligns With Make-A-Wish®
14:57	L'un des leaders de la télécommunication lance son réseau mobile en Afrique
11:00	China Precision Steel Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results

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Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"

SAMUEL L. JACKSON. (PRNewsFoto/BET Networks)

22 May 2012 21:30 Africa/Lagos

The Highest Grossing Movie Actor Of All Time Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"

Kanye West Leads the Pack with 7 Nominations, Beyonce Close Behind with 6 Nominations and Jay-Z Rounds Things Out with 5 Nominations

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly To Be Honored with the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award'

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Confirmed As the First Performers For This Year's Award Show
LIVE from the Historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 8:00 pm* on BET

NEW YORK, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This year the BET AWARDS 12 (#BETAWARDS) will be 'Too Big To Miss.' Earlier today at a press conference held in BET's New York studios, it was announced that actor Samuel L. Jackson , declared the highest grossing movie actor of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, will be this year's BET AWARDS host. In addition, the members of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were announced to be the prestigious recipients of the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award;' and Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were revealed as the first confirmed performers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NE12049 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Currently, the Oscar-nominated actor is on screen in "The Avengers," which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend.

"We are massively excited about having Sam Jackson, the world's biggest box office star, host The BET Awards 12," said Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks. "His wit, presence and gigantic personality are the perfect match for our show."

On hand from BET's NYC studios to announce the nominees for the BET AWARDS 12 were Mindless Behavior, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, DJ Khaled, Astro, A$AP Rocky and Diggy, along with the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories. Leading the pack of A-list talent this year is Kanye West with an impressive 7 Nominations: Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, and 5 notable nominations for 'The Throne' with Jay-Z. 'The Throne' received nominations for Best Group, Best Collaboration ft. Otis Redding, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for "N*ggas in Paris" and "Otis." Close behind is Beyonce with 6 Nominations: Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for "Countdown" and "Love on Top."

"We have many more acts to come," added Hill, "but we're proud to have the dynamic Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj as our first-announced performers. The Shrine Auditorium will be shaking for the R&B stalwarts Maze featuring Frankie Beverly as they receive the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award. We're just getting started and already the show is living up to its slogan: it's too big to miss."


The nominees for the BET AWARDS 12 include:

Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher


Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best Collaboration
Beyonce f/ J. Cole – "Party"
Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – "Marvin & Chardonnay"
DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne – "I'm On One"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – "The Motto"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel – "Lotus Flower Bomb"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Diamond
Nicki Minaj
Brianna Perry
Trina


Video of the Year
Beyonce – "Countdown"
Beyonce – "Love On Top"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – "N***as in Paris"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Usher – "Climax"

Video Director of the Year
Beyonce & Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown & Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill

Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith

Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping The Broom
Laugh At My Pain
Red Tails
The Help

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award
Beyonce – "Love On Top"
Chris Brown – "Turn Up the Music"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – "The Motto"
Mindless Behavior – "Hello"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel – "Lotus Flower Bomb"

Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK
Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sande
Sway
Wretch 32

www.BET.com/BETAwards is the official site for the BET AWARDS 12 where fans can visit to vote for the Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award, get up-to-date info on this year's show and take a look back on past BET AWARDS. In the coming weeks, BET.com will launch a series of interactive games to make the BET AWARD's digital experience the biggest it's ever been.

"Too Big To Pick" let's fans predict who they think will win the coveted BET AWARD and compare their picks with their Facebook friends.
"The Line-Up" is a fantasy sports styled game that allows viewers to make predictions on the order performers will appear in the show and compare this line-up with their Twitter followers, Facebook friends, and their favorite celebrities.

In June, BET Mobile will also be launching the official BET AWARDS app on iPhone and Android devices with exclusive photo, video and interactive content.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET's multiple social media platforms:

On Twitter by using hashtag: #BETAWARDS, #2BIG2MISS; and following us @BETAWARDS.
On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Google plus at bet.us/gplusBET

The BET AWARDS 12 will premiere Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 8:00PM BST across BET's international platforms in the UK and Africa.

Stephen G. Hill, BET's President of Music Programming and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, BET's Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the BET AWARDS 12, along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.

Official sponsors of The BET AWARDS 12 include Cadillac®, Coca-Cola®, Ford®, State Farm® and Subway®.

About Samuel L. Jackson

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Jackson made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of 'Jules', the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Jackson recently made his Broadway debut at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, co-starring Angela Bassett and directed by Kenny Leon. The Mountaintop is set on the eve of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom Jackson portrays. The play ended its run on January 22, 2012. Jackson is currently in production on Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained." Jackson plays the role of 'Stephen,' alongside Christoph Waltz as 'Dr. King Schultz,' Jamie Foxx as 'Django' and Leonardo DiCaprio as 'Calvin Candie.' "Django Unchained" is set in the Deep South during the 1850s and tells the story of a slave-turned-bounty hunter setting out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. Jackson is currently on screen in "The Avengers," which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend. Recently, Jackson was seen in HBO's "The Sunset Limited," an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's play. Tommy Lee Jones co-starred and directed the telefilm. On television, in addition to "The Sunset Limited," Jackson starred in John Frankenheimer's Emmy Award-winning "Against the Wall" for HBO. His performance earned him a Cable Ace nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

About Jesse Collins Entertainment

Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service film and television production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. Over the past decade, Collins, the company's CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television's most memorable moments in the music entertainment arena. Formerly Executive Producer/Executive Vice President of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced award winning television programming including the Grammy Awards, the BET AWARDS, BET Honors and BET's Rip the Runway and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne and many more.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET operates in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Follow us on Twitter @ BET_PR and @BETAwards


SOURCE BET Networks

CONTACT: Marcy Polanco, +1-212-975-3327, Marcy.Polanco@BET.net; Zabrina Horton, +1-310-481-3737, Zabrina.Horton@BET.net

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

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NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year

NAPCP Announces 2011 Photographer of the Year Stephanie Buckman, Stephanie Robin Photography. (PRNewsFoto/National Association of Professional Child Photographers)

22 May 2012 18:22 Africa/Lagos

National Association of Professional Child Photographers Unveils International Image Competition Winners and Photographer of the Year
Almost 1,500 Images Submitted by World's Top Child Photographers

ATLANTA, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) recently announced the results of its fourth international image competition and revealed its 2011 Child Photographer of the Year, Stephanie Buckman of Stephanie Robin Photography.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NY11804 )

With interest and participation growing each year, this latest NAPCP competition attracted images across a new range of category subjects, including maternity, newborn, baby, child, sibling, tween, seniors and family. A panel of photography experts and luminaries critiqued the thousands of image submissions for impact, technical merit, composition and creativity.

The overall NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year winner was determined by total number of points scored in both 2011 NAPCP Image Competitions.

"In reviewing the results of NAPCP's fourth image competition, we continue to be amazed by the creative passion and specialization of our dedicated child photographer community," said Alice Park, co-founder and president, NAPCP. "We congratulate Photographer of the Year Stephanie Buckman and the other winners for their stunning work and artistic ability which brings so much joy to families and loved ones around the world."

The biannual NAPCP Image Competitions reward its winners with medallions, priority listing on the NAPCP directory, vendor endorsements, and membership points.

"Given the quality evident in all of the submissions, it was not easy choosing winners," said Dana Pugh, a NAPCP image competition judge and NAPCP's 2010 Photographer of the Year. "Those talented photographers being recognized in this competition should be extremely proud of their work."

Winners of the fourth NAPCP Image Competition included:
Robin Long ; Salem, Oregon
Nicola Toon ; Cambridge, Ontario
Shona Hutchinson ; Ottawa Ontario
Marie Vanderweide-Murray ; Burlington, Ontario
Sandra Coan ; Seattle, Washington
Elizabeth Blank ; Woodstock, Georgia
Megan Drane ; Naperville, Illinois
Chritene Schaaf; Virginia Beach, Virginia

Finalists included:
Aneta Gancarz ; Manchester, United Kingodm
Stephanie Buckman ; Burlington, Ontario
Jennifer Dell ; Tomball, Texas
Lori Robison ; Fleming Island, Florida
Karen Mackie ; Dundurn, Saskatchewan
Maria Sze ; Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Christin Carruthers ; Stoney Creek, Ontario
Lora Moore-Kakaletris ; Oakville, Ontario
Melinda Worthington ; Bella Vista, Arkansas
Tamara Campbell ; Waterdown, Ontario
Jennifer Kim ; Springfield, Virginia
Meg Borders ; Richland, Washington
Adele Cabanillas ; Lacey, Washington
Tanya Alexis ; Los Angeles, California

For more details on the NAPCP Image Competition, please visit http :// napcp . com / photographers / competition /.

About NAPCP

The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) is a member-based association representing and promoting the community of professional child photographers. The NAPCP provides a valuable platform for seasoned veterans and rising professionals alike to share their experiences, hone their craft and raise their professional visibility.

NAPCP connects parents searching for child photographers with its members by providing a comprehensive directory and informative articles on what to expect from their professional photography experience. For more information, please visit http :// www . napcp . com.


Legal Notices

Copyright © 2012 National Association of Professional Child Photographers. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE National Association of Professional Child Photographers

CONTACT: Alice Park, NAPCP, +1-404-848-9695, alice@napcp.com

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

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Presentation Genius of Steve Jobs

Presentation Genius of Steve Jobs

Download the Complimentary eBook.

For more than 3 decades, Steve Jobs transformed product launches into an art form. So, although you might not have an iPad to unveil, you can still learn a lot from his legacy.

This new eBook reveals the strategies used by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs to deliver powerful presentations that informed, educated and entertained.

Download the eBook to learn:

• Why the first lesson of presenting is to go old school
• What's behind the rule of 3 in presentations
• How to distill your product description to 140 characters or fewer
• And more...

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Famous Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe.

Books to Read about Nigeria

Nigeria has an extensive and turbulent history. As the most populous nation in Africa and containing vast oil reserves, it is poised to be an economic force for not only in Africa, but also the world. There are many historical and cultural points of interest in Nigeria. One of the best ways to gain a better understanding of this fascinating country is through literature. Here are some books to read about Nigeria.

• “Nigeria and West Africa” – “Nigeria and West Africa,” from the "World's Hot Spots" series of books, presents a comprehensive and detailed historical perspective on Nigeria and West Africa. The book, written by Wendy McElroy, discusses the roots of West Africa that date back to 700 B.C., and pivotal points in its history such as colonial rule and the internal strife and violence that has gripped Nigeria, particularly during the civil war of 1967-1970. “Nigeria and West Africa” discusses how these historical events have shaped the region as a whole as well as the state of affairs in the region today.


• “Ethnic Politics in Kenya and Nigeria” – Godfrey Mkakikagile’s “Ethnic Politics in Kenya and Nigeria” covers not only ethic politics from a comparative study point of view, but also discusses how tribalism or distinct ethnic identities, has influenced the post colonial political and cultural landscape. It goes into how corrupt dictatorships have exploited tribalism, resulting in decades of violence and strife as tribalism has been allowed expand, which has led to ethic groups fighting against each other. It also discusses the role of the overall population of the region, as quite often they have been unwilling or unable to stop the cycle of oppressive dictatorships from persisting.





• “Things Fall Apart” – Chinua Achebe is one Nigeria's most cherished novelists and poets in Nigeria and has received worldwide acclaim for “Things Fall Apart” and his other works, such as Anthills of the Savannah and Girls at War. “Things Fall Apart” is a novel that weaves two intertwining stories about an Okonkwo, strong willed and prosperous man from a village in Nigeria. The first story follows the arc of Okonkwo's troubled life and eventual exile from the village. The second story covers how the arrival of European missionaries has resulted created a culture clash and broken the cultural fabric of village life.

Perhaps you are interested in pursuing a career in a literature related field. For more information on educational opportunities, check out www.onlineuniversities.net.

Sources

Ranker (2012)

Goodreads (2012)

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Nigeria’s Leading International Film Festival Honours Nollywood Divas

Nigeria’s Leading International Film Festival Honours Nollywood Divas

The annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF), Nigeria’s leading international film festival is honoring Nollywood divas with the launch of the annual Nollywood Divas Awards to be unveiled at the 3rd Eko International Film Festival which opens on November 5, 2012, in the coastal mega city of Lagos in south western Nigeria.

“The Nollywood Divas Awards is a celebration of the accomplished actresses in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry,” said Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, the President of Eko International Film Festival and CEO of Nollywood Divas Awards as he released the maiden NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® with the announcement of the 20 nominees for the inaugural Nollywood Divas Awards in Lagos.

The top nominees include the most popular Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, multiple awards winning actresses Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa, Omoni Oboli, Monilisa Chinda, Funke Akindele, Stella Damasus, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson, Bimbo Akkintola, Nse Etim Ekpe, Uche Jumbo, Tonto Dike, Lillian Bach, Fathia Balogun, Ngozi Ezeonu, Joke Silva-Jacobs and Clarion Chukwurah who is the most accomplished Nigerian Nollywood diva to date.

The maiden NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® will be publicized at local and international film festivals and copies have been distributed gratis to the public and available at Ojez Chinese Restaurant and Bar inside the National Stadium in Lagos, D’Stage on Modupe Johnson Street in Surulere and other major rendezvous of Nollywood celebrities, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Ozone Cinema, Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, Media Hub, and other outlets in Lagos. The digital edition is also available on the Internet for free downloads.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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The Miraculous Escape from Autocrash

My brothers and sisters,

It may interest you to note that today, 21-05-12 marks it a month if not for ur prayers and intervention by God; I would have lost my beloved wife and five beautiful kids in a ghastly motor accident involving my jeep and a trailer on 21st Dec, 2011. Today marks d five month that I would hv bn a widower but God said no. To Him who protects His people I owe all the thanks!

Watching the video and pixs of this fateful incident makes me wonder what is so special about me that made God to love me that much and allow such a miracle to come my way!

Imagine a mere Jeep encountering a trailer (DAF) and the bodies of the driver and conductor of the trailer was picked up in pieces while my wife and five of our kids were preserved and unhurt! Have u ever seen such a miracle before? Na wao o! This God is something else o!







Pls as good friend and brother, help me to continue to thank this God as I am confused on how to go about it.

Thanks and have a great week ahead.



~ By Chief Eze C Eze

Attack on Jega’s convoy uncalled for


~ By Nwaorgu Faustinus


Professor Attahiru Jega.

Sir, the attack on the convoy of the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Attahiru Jega while emerging from the palace of Emir of Kazaure, Alhaji Najib Hussaini Adamu in Jigawa State is unwarranted. One now questions when it has become a crime to attend or honour wedding invitation of an Emir whose daughter is being wedded.

Reports said that trouble started around 12:30 pm when the INEC chairman emerged from the Emir’s palace and was identified by the youths who have gathered at the place to witness the ceremony, where upon “a young girl allegedly led the attack when she collected sand and threw it at the vehicle in which the INEC chairman was riding@”.

According to Sunday Vanguard, the youths “began to hurl stones at Jega’s convoy. Several cars in the convoy were said to have been damaged and their glasses smashed. Sources said the situation would have been worse but for the intervention of security forces. The youths sang war songs alleging betrayal on Jega’s path”.

For me this is not the best way to express one’s anger or protest for alleged election rigging as according to the youths and as reported in the Sunday Vanguard of May 20, 2012: “You cheated us, you cheated the North, you declared falsed result, you denied General Buhari the chance to be the president of Nigeria, it was injustice, we will not forgive you”, some of them said. 2015 is not too far a period, these youth should have waited till 2015 to massively vote for Buhari that is if he clinches his party’s ticket to run for the highest office in the land rather than attacking Prof. Jega.

Needless to say that this shameful act is the aftermath of the alleged inflammatory and inciting remarks made by Buhari who has been belligerent, frustrated and angry for not being able to occupy Aso Rock, having contested four times for the seat and failed.

If I were Buhari, I would have invested energy, time and money in more useful ventures than to continue to waste huge amount of money that would have impacted positively on the lives of his numerous supporters rather than chasing the wind. He should borrow a leaf from the likes of the Dangote’s, as his past records which are negative do not speak well of him. It can only be imagined what Nigerians can benefit from a coup plotter and executioner, anti-journalists, regionalist, non-conformist, alleged advocate of the sharialization of Nigeria etc. Let it be known that Buhari will be a hard Presidential aspirant to market to Nigerian electorates as he is being pursued by karma every step of the way in his bid to be president of Nigeria.

The attack on Jega should not be treated with kid’s glove as it is an indication of the alleged potency of Buhari’s remarks in the minds of his supporters.

~ Nwaorgu Faustinus writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com.

Examination malpractice: who is to blame?


~ By Nwaorgu Faustinus


Cheating at an examination. Photo Credit: The Feathers Project.

The is one ill which has bedevilled the educational system and if honestly confronted head-on and eliminated will change the perception which the comity of nations do have about Nigeria certificates and thus make our certificates acceptable and by extension Nigeria good place where honesty and transparency is venerated. This ill that has eaten so deep into the bone marrow of our educational system is examination malpractice. Examination malpractice can be defined as any illegal and unlawful help, aid and or assistance extended to any candidate or group of candidates in an examination hall, room or auditorium. It is seen as illegal, unlawful and unauthorized because it is not permitted by examination agency.


Cheating students in Nigeria. Photo Credit. NAIJAEDU.

At present, hardly can you see candidates who are preparing for the SSCE, WASEC and NECO burning the midnight oil or having sleepless night and exam fever. Till Day Breaks (TDB’s) is no longer the norm for candidates who are preparing for their exams. It is no longer a thing of disgrace to be caught cheating in exam hall or talking to a fellow candidate to aid exam fraud. The graveyard tranquillity which characterized exam halls in the good old days has suddenly disappeared and has been replaced by “hullabaloo” as teachers read out answers to the questions asked and the inability of a greater percentage of candidates who cannot spell words, ask teachers to spell it for them, thus compelling the teacher to write the answers on the board.

These days there are no obvious signs that tell you a candidate for GCE, SSCE or NECO is preparing for it. What most candidates have imbibed is the habit to watch Nigerian Home Videos till late hours, going to parties, chatting on the internet and watching English Premiership or European Champions league. The above features have taken over the burning of midnight oil.

Most candidates especially in private secondary and even in public schools know beforehand that they will be helped or assisted during the examination by their teachers. This justifies their nonchalant attitude towards taking their studies seriously. I was appalled by the revelation of a secondary leaver who took part in the 2009 SSCE as an external candidate in one of the private schools here in Rivers state. She said they were compelled by the school authority to pay #500 per subject so that answers to the questions will be made available to them or risk the rejection of their answer script.

No doubt, most private and handful of public schools have turned into “Miracle Centre or Commercial Outfits where SSCE, NECO and GCE candidates pass their papers with ease. This accounts for the sudden upsurge in the number of candidates in such private schools who register as external candidates for the exam.

Today, the phrase “everyone has a price”, in the Nigeria context is not in doubt. This is why invigilators, supervisors and teachers appointed to conduct exam compromise their integrity by corruptly enriching themselves while aiding and abetting exam fraud. Some candidates and teachers do connive to bribe supervisors to look the other way as they unleash unprecedented fraud in the exam hall. As a result one can easily see candidates using textbook and key points freely to supply answers to questions asked. What an unfortunate state of affairs!

The apportioning of blame should not only be meted out to parents and their wards, the Miracle Centres and their teachers but also to examination agency who are not ignorant of sitting capacity of single hall facility and sitting arrangement between one seat and the other during SSCE, NECO and so on. It is not in doubt that May/June SSCE and NECO are for internal students but one wonders why examination bodies pretend and allow the schools to register out-of-school especially students who are in the universities battling to make up their papers.

Spouses who have prior knowledge of their children academic deficiencies do not only embrace the Miracle Centres by paying outrageous sums of money to have their wards registered but also go extra miles to contract the service of mercenaries. The reasons given by parent are that, they will not be able to pay such amount the following year for the same exam. As regrettable as this wisdom is, parents do not seem to look beyond their nose as to the future this fraud could usher in or portend to humanity if it is not nipped in the bud. These products of Miracle Centres are the ones finding it difficult to pass the not long post UME tests which has generated criticisms.

It therefore behoves the various actors in this fraud to re-examine themselves as unexamined life is not life and turn over a new leaf. Teachers, invigilators, students among others who collaborate to orchestrate examination malpractice should be adequately punished to serve as inhibition to would-be or prospective examination fraudsters. Students of public and private schools as well as those who aid them in this ignoble act should be reoriented on the dangers of such acts. It is when this is done that there could be some level of integrity in our examination halls.


~ Nwaorgu Faustinus writes from Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +2348035601312. Email: fausteness@yahoo.com.

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Cuba is Far Ahead of America in HIV/AIDS Control and Prevention

Juan Carlos Miranda, an AIDS patient, with Dr. Victor Maracha at an AIDS treatment sanitarium near Havana.

By DONALD G. McNEIL Jr.

Fidel Castro Foretold the Pandemic before any American President even uttered the word AIDS.
Fidel Castro reads a lot. That is why he sees far ahead of others.



HAVANA — Yudelsy García O’Connor, the first baby known to have been born with H.I.V. in Cuba, is not merely still alive. She is vibrant, funny and, at age 25, recently divorced but hoping to remarry and have children.

Her father died of AIDS when she was 10, her mother when she was 23. She was near death herself in her youth.

“I’m not afraid of death,” she said. “I know it could knock on my door. It comes for everyone. But I take my medicine.”

Ms. García is alive thanks partly to lucky genes, and partly to the intensity with which Cuba has attacked its AIDS epidemic. Whatever debate may linger about the government’s harsh early tactics — until 1993, everyone who tested positive for H.I.V. was forced into quarantine — there is no question that they succeeded.

Cuba now has one of the world’s smallest epidemics, a mere 14,038 cases. Its infection rate is 0.1 percent, on par with Finland, Singapore and Kazakhstan. That is one-sixth the rate of the United States, one-twentieth of nearby Haiti.

The population of Cuba is only slightly larger than that of New York City. In the three decades of the global AIDS epidemic, 78,763 New Yorkers have died of AIDS. Only 2,364 Cubans have.

Other elements have contributed to Cuba’s success: It has free universal basic health care; it has stunningly high rates of H.I.V. testing; it saturates its population with free condoms, concentrating on high-risk groups like prostitutes; it gives its teenagers graphic safe-sex education; it rigorously traces the sexual contacts of each person who tests positive.

By contrast, the response in the United States — which records 50,000 new infections every year — seems feeble. Millions of poor people never see a doctor. Testing is voluntary, and many patients do not return for their results. Sex education is so politicized that many schools teach nothing about protected sex; condoms are expensive, and distribution of free ones is haphazard.

Cuba has succeeded even though it has the most genetically diverse epidemic outside Africa. Almost all American cases are of one strain, subtype B. Cuba has 21 different strains.

The genetic diversity is a legacy of its foreign aid. Since the 1960s, Cuba has sent abroad thousands of “internationalists” — soldiers, doctors, teachers and engineers. Stationed all over Africa, they brought back a wide array of strains. According to a study in 2002, 11 of Cuba’s 21 strains are unknown elsewhere, formed when two others mixed.

And Cuba’s success has come despite its being a sex tourism destination for Europeans and Canadians.

While the police enforce laws against overt streetwalking, bars and hotel lobbies in downtown Havana are filled with young women known as jineteras — slang for “jockeys” — who approach foreigners, asking if they would like to go for a drink, or perhaps dancing, with the unspoken assumption that it will lead to more. Even so, of the roughly 1,000 new infections diagnosed each year, 81 percent are among men and very few among young unmarried women.

“Most of those who sleep with tourists know to use condoms,” said Dr. Ribero Wong, an AIDS specialist here.

In a survey in 2009, 77 percent of all sex workers said they regularly used condoms.

There are male jineteras for gay tourists too, of course, “but we believe the main vector is within the people,” said Dr. Luis Estruch Rancaño, deputy minister for public health. “Mainly, the very promiscuous group in the homosexual community who have many partners and don’t take precautions.”

One example is Carlos Emilio García, 50, a registered nurse who lives and works at a former quarantine sanitarium outside Havana. He had negative H.I.V. tests at his job every six months from 1990 to 1996, but became infected in 1997.

He admits to having had many partners; as he put it, “No, I don’t know who my assassin is.”

Asked why a well-educated nurse would risk sex without a condom, he waved his hands in the air and replied, “You know — because we all do crazy things sometimes.”

The few Cuban women who are infected usually get the virus from partners who are secretly bisexual, experts said.

“Homo-bisexual transmission” is its own category in Cuba; socially, a man who occasionally has sex with other men is not considered gay if he is a “top” — the penetrative partner, explained Ramón Arango García, a fashion designer and educator at the National AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevention Center.

Heroin use, which drives epidemics in many countries, is virtually nonexistent in Cuba, officials insist.

And since 1986, only 38 babies have been born with the virus. In Cuba’s cradle-to-grave health care system, pregnant women get up to 12 free prenatal checkups, during which they are tested for H.I.V. at least twice.

Before antiretroviral drugs were available, H.I.V.-infected women were offered abortions or, if they chose to deliver, Caesareans and free infant formula to discourage breast-feeding and reduce the risk of transmission. Now they get the drugs free.

Universal Coverage

As broken as it is economically, Cuba still points proudly to one legacy of its 1959 revolution: Basic health care is universal and free. Cuba has 535,000 health care workers (“We’re all either doctors or baseball players,” one hospital microbiologist joked) and each citizen is officially registered with a family doctor nearby;

Click here to read the rest of the report on the New York Times.




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Didier Drogba, the King of Europe

Drogba lifting up the UEFA Champions League Cup

Didier Drogba, the King of Europe

Didier Drogba is one of the highly gifted soccer players I respect from our motherland Africa. Since he has been playing for the famous Chelsea Football Club of England, he has proved himself in so many ways on and off the soccer pitch.

Drogba is the African pride, the predator, the gladiator and now the king of Europe as he scored the equalizer and also the clincher in the European Champions League Final last night as Chelsea defeated FC Bayern Munich by penalties at the Allianz Arena in Germany.

Drogba is an outstanding goal getter that is full of confidence whenever he is playing against any team, even if it is half a chance he will utilize it without wasting time. And thanks to Chelsea FC for parading the highest number of African players in their winning squad. Not only that they are there in Chelsea FC, but in every match one of them always plays. I wish them more exploits .The sky is blue!


~ By Hope Obioma Opara, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Supple magazine and President Eko International Film Festival in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Dagrin the True Story Set for Premiere

Dagrin the True Story Set for Premiere


The biopic on Dagrin is set to premiere this summer as many of his thousands of fans shared his memories on April 22 the second anniversary of the shocking death of the phenomenal Yoruba hip hop rapper whose real name was Olaitan Olaonipekun. Dagrin lost his life in a ghastly auto crash on April 22, 2010. The movie directed by Joshua Ojo tells the true rags to riches story of Dagrin with his younger sister playing a leading role. Dagrin: The True Story is definitely a must see movie.

“It took me eight months to complete the research and another six months for the filming, because I believe so much in doing a great job and you cannot make a film on such a phenomenal young artiste without doing a thorough homework,” said Ojo.

“The whole idea of the movie is to show what Dagrin went through before his fame.”

Ojo said he spent quality time interviewing Dagrin’s mother, sister, relations, friends and associates who were closest to him until his untimely death.

“I used an actor who really looks like Dagrin and other actors who look like the real characters in his life.”


Joshua, the producer/director of the movie.

The young filmmaker, a graduate of the University of Ibadan who studied theatre arts also did a directing course at the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN) and at the famous New York Film Academy. He has directed and produced a couple of movies and other projects for clients before he decided to make a biopic on Dagrin.

The movie was shot in Lagos, Ibadan in Oyo State, Osun State, and Ijebu in Ogun State and in London.

“It was a very challenging experience and at the end of the production we were so happy, but soon discovered that ninety percent of the original film had been eaten up by a virus in the editing system that we used. It would not have been an issue for me if I used an H.D /D.V camera. But it was shot with the latest camera, a 7D. And you know how it works. It uses card and not tapes. The whole thing got wiped out. Meaning, we had to go back to the locations to start all over again! It was not an easy task for me starting all over again, getting more funds to move the cast and crew. It was not an easy thing at all. Well, we shot every thing again, except the London part and some of the Ibadan scenes where we couldn’t get enough crowds and some of the scenes of the accident, because the guy playing Dagrin also had an accident on location. And we had to wait for three weeks for his face to heal. It was hell for the cast and crew until we were done."


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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