Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Miracle of Israel


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Israel: The Miracle

 
"Indeed, he [God] who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep."1

If you were to ask me what I thought might be the number one evidence for the validity of God's Word, the Bible, I would answer that question in one word by saying, "Israel."

In fact, the nation of Israel is one of the clearest evidences for the validity of God's Word. Its history is a continual story of biblical prophecy being fulfilled. For instance, some fifteen hundred years B.C., God said through Moses that Israel would turn from him and be driven by enemies from their homeland. God said, "I will bring the land into desolation … I will scatter you among the nations … your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste."2

The result? In 721 B.C., the ten northern tribes of Israel were taken into captivity by Assyria, and in 586 B.C. the two southern tribes were taken captive by Babylon. Seventy years later a small remnant of 40,000 Jews returned to Israel while the rest were scattered throughout the world. In A.D.70 Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, and the remnant of Israelites was dispersed among the nations. Israel then became desolate as predicted 1,600 years before.

God's word also stated that the nation of Israel would be restored, saying, "Neither will I destroy them utterly."3 "For I will take you from among the nations, and gather you out of all countries and will bring you into your own land."4 "I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and live in them again,"5 and the nation "will blossom as the rose."6 The beginning of these prophecies being fulfilled was on May 14, 1948 when Israel once again became a nation.

The people of Israel have survived heinous atrocities committed against them by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, the Romans, Hitler and others. And even today there are surrounding nations who want to "wipe Israel off the map." Israel's repeated survival against overwhelming odds and the rebuilding of their nation—which is still taking place at this time, twenty-five hundred years after God said that it would happen—is irrefutable evidence of the validity of the Bible.

But God has not finished with the nation of Israel by any means. According to the Bible the climax of world history as we know it will be when the nations of the world, headed by the Antichrist (Satan's emissary), will unite to come against Israel in an attempt to destroy her forever.7 This war, the like of which the world has never before seen, is known as Armageddon. At this point Jesus Christ will return to earth from Heaven, will rescue Israel and totally destroy all opposing armies. Christ will then set up his Kingdom and rule and reign on earth from Jerusalem for a thousand years8—after which he will create a new earth and a new heaven.9

Keep an eye on Israel. This tiny nation is without doubt—in God's plan—the center stage for the world's final battle between good and evil. Thus, the more we see nations uniting to oppose Israel, the more we need to realize that the setting of the stage for the entrance of the Antichrist is accelerating. At the same time the setting of the stage for the second coming of Jesus Christ will also be accelerating.

Of these yet unfulfilled biblical prophecies regarding Israel, we can be just as certain that they will be fulfilled in minutest detail just as all prior prophecies regarding Israel have been fulfilled in minutest detail.

The important issue for you and me today is that we are ready for these end-time events and especially for the return of Jesus Christ to earth. You will not want to be left behind. To make sure you are ready, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for your Word, the Bible, that informs mankind regarding the ultimate defeat of Israel's enemies and assures us of the return of Jesus Christ to earth to end forever the rule of evil over mankind, and to set up your eternal kingdom. Thank you, too, for your great gift of salvation so that all who trust in you and accept your forgiveness will be delivered from the coming evil and spend forever with you in eternity. Please help me to be absolutely certain that I am ready for the day of your return. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name."

Note: Again, if you are not absolutely certain that you are ready for Christ's return, be sure to read the article, "How to Be Sure You're a Real Christian" at: www.actsweb.org/christian.

1. Psalm 121:4 (NIV).
2. Leviticus 26:32-33.
3. Leviticus 26:44.
4. Ezekiel 36:24.
5. Amos 9:14 (TLB) (NLT).
6. Isaiah 35:1.
7. Revelation 16:12-16.
8. Revelation 20:1-6.
9. Revelation 21:1-3.

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Garland for Evang. Mrs. Ada Chioma Henrietta Eze Snr, Epitome of True Womanhood @ 50

Mrs Ada Chioma Eze formerly Miss Henrietta Nwaorgu of Ngor-Okpala in Imo State was born on 5th September, 1962 to the family of Pa Paulinus Nwaorgu and late Mrs Celine Ada Nwaorgu. She is the third child of a family of nine with a renowned Physician, Prof O.G.B.Nwaorgu of ENT Dept in UCH, Ibadan and Romanus Nwaorgu a senior Custom Officer as brothers. She started her educational career at Umuodage Ntu Primary School from 1970 to 1976 and Secondary School at Amala/Ntu Sec. School from 1976 to 1981 all in Ngor Nkpala Local Government in Imo State.

From the year 1981 to 1983 she started her higher education at FGGC, Owerri where she did her Higher School Certificate which qualified her for a direct entry admission in the famous Alvan Ikoku College of Education, Owerri and University of Calabr in 1985 but decided to choose University of Calabar where she read History and graduated in 1988. Did her Youth Service with Ministry of Sports in Rivers State and by 2006, she obtained her Master’s Degree (MPA) in Public Administration from Federal University of Technology, Yola Adamawa State.

Though married to this wonderful lady for over 23 years now, writing about her gives me a sort joy and happiness which only God can give. I met her as a student in University of Calabar, Cross Rivers in 1985 but sports brought us closer and since then we have being lovers till date and it never surprised many of her room mates (Barr Gloaria Akor, Barr Mrs Uche Uriri and Mrs Ohunene Scott-Ananaba in University of Calabar that I met recently that we were married.

Sports brought us together; I was the Faculty of Arts Sports Coordinator in 1986 and it happened that we were in the same Faculty so because of her outstanding interest and performance in Sports I appointed her to assist me coordinate the female athletes as it will be difficult for me to be visiting the female hostels to ask them to come out for training and participation in the games. At the end of that year’s Inter-Faculty Games, Faculty of Arts came tops, while she was the most outstanding female athlete, I was declared the Best Sports Coordinator that year that afforded me to be elected unopposed as the Director of Sports in the SUG Election of 1986.

With the help of this great lady and a true gift from God, I was able to manage the UNICAL Football Team to become the champions of the Maiden edition of the NFA/PEPSI COLA Football Tournament amongst Higher Institutions in Nigeria in 1987. With this feat, I was given scholarship with the rest of the players to complete our education in the University.

By 1987, she assisted me to organise the first Sports Honours Nit ever in the University where the likes of Sports Gurus and Pillars then like Alh. G.NA. Hamza, Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu were honoured.

After her youth service in Port Harcourt, she joined me in Yola in 1989 where I was posted to do my youth service. Here again, this my Angel assisted me to become the most outstanding Corps Member in the State and becoming the first Corps Member in Nigeria to have served the nation without receiving the normal allowances paid to corps member when I donated mine for the development of my host Community.

We stayed back in Yola after my youth service and by the grace of God was able to finish the normal traditional demands of her people and formerly got wedded by the then Rev, Ignatius Kagama now Bishop Kagama in charge of Jos Diocese of Catholic Church at St. Theresa Cathedral, Yola in May, 1992. Through her help we were able to establish a Sports Company (Eze Continental Sports Ltd through which we donated several cups for competitions and made our names household in the entire Adamawa State. Regrettably after several years in Yola, we were forced to leave Yola few months ago due to the menace of Boko Harams Today; through the grace of God we are blessed with six wonderful kids, four in the university and one in secondary school while the last aged nine in still in primary school.

Mrs Ada C.H. Eze was born under the Virgo Astrology sign of August 23 –September 22 and when, I wanted to write on this wonderful woman, I looked through her Horoscope star and it seems that those that drafted it had her in mind “Analytical. Observant, Helpful, Reliable and Precise as these are truly the characters of this epitome of true womanhood. Read through the Virgo Sign and u will be reading about Mrs. Ada Eze but if you are not satisfied with the Virgo Signs then read Proverbs Chapter 31 verses 10 to 31 and you would have captured Mrs Ada Eze in her true nature.

Let us consider just few of the verses of Proverbs 31 that was authored by the Holy Spirit with Mrs. Ada C.H.Eze in mind; “Proverbs 31:10. Who can find a virtuous woman? For her prize is far above rubies.11. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.12. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.13. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.14. She is like the merchant’s ships; she bringeth her food afar.15. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens.16. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.17. she girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.18. she perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.19. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20. She strectcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.21. She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her cloth is silk and purple.23. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.24. She maketh fine linen and selleth it; and delievereth girdles unto the merchant.25. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also and he praiseth her.29. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30, favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.31. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates”.

Frankly speaking all these verses have one thing or the other to express about this woman that I have prayed God to allow me marry her and marry again even in the next world to come if reincarnation truly exits. I wonder what will be my fate in this world if not for the part this special gift to me played in my life.

In line with Proverbs Chapter 31 verse 24. “She maketh fine linen and selleth it; and delievereth girdles unto the merchant”, I left our family business to her to run while I pursue my political career outside Adamawa State and she did improved so much on it that people wondered what exactly I was doing when I was in-charge.

In line with Proverbs Chapter 31 verse 20. “She strectcheth out her hand to the poor, yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy”, she founded the Compassionate Ministry through which she shares to the needy the goods that comes her way. A devout Christian who love God and committed to live out the tenets of laws of God and work hard to inculcate her beliefs in her children and the rest of her family and the PRO of the Women Fellowship of Redeemed Peoples Mission, Yola District. Drama Producer/Director of the same church from 2009 to 2011 and currently an Evangelist based in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State,

According to Chapter 31 verse 26. “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness”, she stands as my most outstanding critic as she takes time to criticise any of my works or conducts that did not meet with her obvious high standard as she believes in excellence.

In line with Proverbs 31 verse 31. “Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates”; and according to Nnenna Eze one of her fruits and her third daughter, “My Mum is a Princess in d court of d most high. I've always known my mum to be a woman of honour,prayer,virtue,wisdom, anointing, inspiration, godliness, righteousness,endurance, an instrument of Joy, dignity etc. I tell you words cannot express d exact characteristics of this woman, she's just the best mum any child can ask for and I am so proud to have her as a mother because her contributions and influence to me as a child is too infinite to be calculated for she has instilled wisdom in me” if you look at my mum, you will think that she is 40 but my mum is 50 to the glory of God”

To her son, Kelechi Eze, “my mother is an outspoken and fearless woman who only fear God and stand by the truth always, she loves and supports me in my career”. While to Monica Eze her first child, “My mum is a virtuous woman, a woman of substance, a woman that understands realities of life and gives life to the broken heart. She is my star Queen that I look up to”.

To Chinyere Celine Eze her second daughter who she calls her mother as she was named after her late mother, Madam Celine Adama Nwaorgu, “My mum and daughter is a rare gem and gift to us her child. I am proud of her and pray God to grant her long life so that I can attempt to repay her little of her love towards us her children”

When I asked the woman of the moment what she thinks about herself, she sent me a text and stated, “I am a very practical person and outspoken. I hate lying, laziness, dirtiness, unkindness, immorality. I am a natural woman that hates makeup and painting by most women. I frowns at indecent dressing; bad cooks and most importantly, I fear, love and have great CONFIDENCE in God. I give God all the Glory for what He has done in my life. If there's something the devil didn’t want me to witness, it was my 50th birthday. If there’s something I would like to be remembered for, it's my love for my fellow human beings. I want the world also to know that Ada Eze is a woman so much loved by her husband to the core and greatly cherished by her children and friends.

If you may recall and in line with her submission above, the devil did all within his powers to terminate the life of this godly woman after attacking her severally including a fatal accident on 22nd December, 2011 when she was coming back to East from Yola with five of our kids for Christmas and encountered a DAF Trailer with her Jeep and according to her; “I was awake during the accident, when the Jeep encountered the trailer, I saw the Jeep flying while I and the kids were in a sort of enclosure and after the accident the Angel of God remove the enclosure after ensuring that nothing happened to me or any of my kids but the trailer was so battered killing both the Trailer Driver and his two conductors! Somebody should tell me where such an incident ever happened in this world where a trailer encounters a smaller car and the people in the smaller car survived while the people in the trailer were all dead, if not demonstration God’s might and power?.”

In conclusion, as this pillar of my life, my best friend, my mother, my wife and the power behind apart from God behind whatever I am today celebrates her golden jubilee birthday celebration, it becomes imperative that I state this fact that Jubilee in the bible is described as the period God restores lost dreams and destiny and time of relocation! Any one in bondage at Jubilee is bound to be freed! When Moses witnessed his jubilee, he moved from the backside of the desert to the centre point of history, Joseph moved from Prison to the throne, Queen Easter from slave girl to the throne, Lazarus from stench tomb to a celebrity, Obasanjo from Prison to Aso Rock and Gov Amaechi from exile in Ghana to Rivers State Govt House and as you are related to us and opportune to read this message on Evang. Mrs Ada C. H. Eze Snr Golden Jubilee birthday and based on the principles of God and His special love for her child and this family, I hereby extends this jubilee blessing to you and surely you shall be celebrated after reading this message so accept our congratulations for your great success and freedom from every disappointments in advance!

Though, I could not organize the type of 50th birthday event that I had in mind but most importantly, I have given my soul, heart and body to this lady that God specially arranged to uplift me knowing that it is matter of time that God will provide the resources and means to enable me provide her with the resources to wax and launch her gospel musical album which she so desired to make public during her golden jubilee birthday celebration as she know that if I have the whole world I would have donated it to her.


~ Eze Chukwuemeka Eze is a Media Consultant based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.








Genevieve Nnaji Shines on Howzit MSN Africa


Queen of Nollywood Genevieve Nnaji is one of the stars highlighted on Howzit MSN Africa and calling her "Africa's Screen idol" is really what she is to millions of her fans and followers in Africa and the rest of the world. She is the hottest Nollywood star regardless of the competition in Africa's biggest and largest film industry.

If you have not seen any Genevieve Nnaji movie, then you are yet to see the best of Nollywood.

The following are the must see Genevieve Nnaji films and to see any of these movies, simply click on the posters and you will be taken straight to where you can see them at the cinema or in the privacy of your home or office. Enjoy!












































Nigerian Première of Closer by Halle Berry


Yesterday TALK OF THE TOWN broke the hottest news in the world of fragrances as Hollywood diva Halle Berry and the first and only woman of African American descent so far to have won the Academy Award for Best Actress launched her new fragrance Closer by Halle Berry.

Now to complete the celebration, TALK OF THE TOWN proudly presents the Nigerian Première of the never-before-seen Closer TV commercial starring Halle Berry. Enjoy!



Halle Berry introduces her newest fragrance, Closer by Halle Berry in a bold and sexy commercial. This online-exclusive extended cut was shot in Los Angeles by Director Francis Lawrence and features Halle Berry and a "Mystery Man" caught in the power of attraction, triggered and magnified by the power of scent. Visit www.halleberryfragrances.com for a retailer near you.

Closer by Halle Berry is a rare blend of feminine and masculine notes, creating an intriguing scent that is as alluring for men as it is for women. Renowned master perfumer Jacques Cavallier perfectly married the opposing fragrance facets, enveloping the traditional masculine fougere accord with a luscious feminine blend of violet flowers and mimosa, one of Halle's favorite flowers. A rich, warm woodsy center is surrounded by delicate notes and a bubbly fresh ozonic top accord. The result said Halle Berry, "is modern, sexy, versatile, yet timeless. A woman should wear this whenever she wants to feel sexy."

Just as the fragrance has an appeal that extends to both men and women, so too does the packaging design. Streamlined and modern, it is an instant classic. Both the bottle and the carton are adorned with intricate lines that mimic the contours of the male and female body. This provocative curvature shows up on the elegant prism-shaped bottle, creating an enticing play of opposites.

In the advertising campaign photographed by Alexei Hay and directed by Francis Lawrence, Halle Berry plays with the same gender roles of her fragrance. Donning a man's white oxford button-down accented with her monogrammed initials and tie, Halle stands confidently, a pair of bare, muscular male arms wrapped around her body. Her fragrance draws them together, a mutual attraction that cannot be denied. The bold, sexy campaign explores the innate sexual chemistry between a man and woman, triggered and magnified by the power of scent.
Closer by Halle Berry will be available at retailers worldwide in September 2012.

For more information on Halle Berry Fragrances, visit:
www.halleberryfragrances.com and www.facebook.com/halleberryfragrances

CONTACT:
Meredith Cammaker
Tractenberg & Co.
212-929-7979
meredtih@tractenberg.com

Jackie Sands
Tractenberg & Co.
212-929-7979
jsands@tractenberg.com
SOURCE Coty Beauty












Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Reforming the Nigeria Premier League


Background

The 2012 Olympics just ended with Nigerian’s rather dismal outing. Nigerians have played the blame game from the Sports Ministry to its Parastatals to the poor preparation of the Nigerian contingent. A lot of blame has also been put on the inability of developing and executing a successful  ‘grassroots sport’ policy that enables the development  and management of talents in major sporting activities across all 776 Local Government Areas in Nigeria; one of such sporting activities being the great game of Football/Soccer.

Nigerians are typical football fanatics and are followers of this great game. As the Football Premiership season starts across the globe, Nigerians are again glued to their television sets as the football fanatics starts all over again. However, are Nigerians glued to their premier league; The Nigeria Premier League or are their interests elsewhere?  

It is obvious that Nigeria has a huge followership for the foreign leagues; English premiership and to some extent the Spanish La Liga and Italia Serie A. This is largely due to the on field heroics of illustrious Nigerians such as Kano Nwankwo, John Mikel Obi, Peter Odemwingie, Yakubu Aiyegbeni and Austin Okocha amongst others. In the media we hear many stories that attest to the football ‘madness’ in the country; street fights between fans of opposing clubs; persons dying of cardiac arrest after losing a bet on their favorite club and many other stories. However, the once exciting Nigeria local league, which produced household names like Segun Odegbami, Stephen Keshi and Rashidi Yekini has become a shadow of itself. The Nigerian Premier League seems to be losing steam despite huge sponsorship deals and incentives being offered by companies to boost interest in it. The sponsorship deals rather than foster and engender development have been creating and promoting stagnancy and regression indices.Against this background, NOI Polls, an opinion polling and research organization, conducted a nationwide poll to gauge the level of interest of Nigerians in football, the leagues/teams supported and suggestions on how to reform the Nigerian Premier League.


Methodology


The opinion poll was conducted from August 7th to 9th 2012. It involved telephone interviews of a random nationwide sample.  1,176 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years and above, representing the six geopolitical zones in the country, were interviewed. With a sample of this size, we can say with 95% confidence that the results obtained are statistically precise - within a range of plus or minus 3% of what they would have been if the entire population had been surveyed.

The questionnaire was designed in English and the survey was conducted in English, Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, and Pidgin, to ensure coverage of relevant geographical and demographic groups.

Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive statistics, mainly frequencies and percentage distribution, charts (pie, component and bar) and cross tabulations were used in data analysis.


Demographic Distribution of Respondents

From the total sample size of 2000 respondents, 1176 completed interviews were conducted.
The majority (81%) of the respondents were males while 19%, females 


Furthermore, the majority of respondents were aged 30-45 (46%) and 22- 29 (37%).  The age category with the lowest frequency of respondents was 60 and above (1%).



In addition, most of the respondents (24%) classified themselves as students, followed by business man/woman (18%) and self employed trader (17%).



Findings

Followership of foreign football league
Interestingly, all respondents (100%) interviewed answered affirmatively when asked if they were football supporters. When respondents were asked if they follow any foreign football league, the overwhelming majority (89%) responded positively while only 11% responded negatively.


Foreign football leagues followed
Furthermore, respondents were asked which foreign football league they followed. The great majority (74%) said they most frequently follow the English Premier League while 17% said they mostly follow the Spanish La Liga. Only 1% said they follow the Italian Seria A most frequently.



Football Clubs Supported
When asked which football club they supported, it is not surprising that the top 3 clubs in terms of fan base are from the English Premier league since it is the most popular league. Manchester United has the slight majority (31%) followed closely by Chelsea (30%) then Arsenal (14%). Barcelona follows with 12% and Real Madrid with 6%. Only 3% and 2% are supporters of Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.




Followership of Nigerian football league
Respondents were asked if they follow the Nigerian Premier League.  The slight majority (52%) said they do not follow it while 48% said they follow it. When the respondents who do not follow it were asked for their reasons, mostly do not follow the Premier League because it is not interesting (47%) and the quality is poor (36%).





Nigerian football clubs supported
Respondents that follow the Nigerian Premier League were further asked for the club they supported. The results indicate that clearly Enyimba is the most popular with 34% of the respondents saying they are supporters,  followed by Kano Pillars with 26%.  There is a wide gap between these top 2 clubs and the rest with Shooting Stars, Enugu Rangers, Lobi Stars and Dolphins having 6%, 5%, 3% and 3% respectively.
 

Suggestions to improve the Nigerian Premier League

Respondents were asked for their opinion about things that can be done to improve the standard of the league. The majority (19%) said better quality players will help improve it while 18% think the sponsors should spend more money. Other popular suggestions are better pitches and training facilities (16%) and 15% said that football administration should be improved.  10% said better officiating and 6% said match fixing should be stopped. Only 5% said the league can improve with better marketing or televising



Conclusion
The results of the survey clearly highlight the football obsession in Nigeria particularly for the English Premier League and not for the Nigeria Premier League. The fact that all respondents (irrespective of gender, age and other demographic indicators) consider themselves football supporters shows just how pervasive this phenomenon is in Nigeria.

Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal are the top 3 foreign clubs with a large followership in Nigeria. Sentiment and not logic seems to play a large part in choosing teams to support and could explain why most fans stick with their clubs through thick and thin.

Survey results also clearly highlight the problems in the Nigerian Premier League. Even though 71% of the respondents are aware of the existence of the NPL, only 42% follow the NPL.  The main reason for following the NPL is simply patriotic and the need to support the NPL. The survey also highlights the need to improve the NPL as this would invariably increase the followership.

The main suggestion for improving the Nigeria Premier League is to improve the quality of players in the league closely followed by the suggestion that the Sponsors of the League should be spending more on the League.  The English Premier League is sponsored by Barclays Bank for a value of £40m (N10bn) for 2013/14 to 2015/16 (three seasons)[1] whilst the NPL is yet to get a sponsor as Globacom pulled out last season (the value was worth over N900m).

 For full results of the survey, please visit www.noi-polls.net








Two Great Nigerian Artists Born On the Same Day and Year

Bruce Onobrapkeya

Bruce Onobrakpeya and Francis Oladele are two great Nigerian artists who were born on the same day August 30 of the same year of 1932.

Pa Bruce Onobrakpeya is the greatest African print-maker, sculptor who is one of the living legends of modern art and has produced dozens of accomplished younger Nigerian artists, including myself who is among the few most published and exhibited illustrators taught by the great Onobrakpeya.
Read more about Bruce Onobrakpeya on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Onobrakpeya

Francis Oladele

The name of Francis Oladele cannot be omitted in any history of African Cinema, because he is one of the veterans since when he brought Ossie Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) from Hollywood to Nigeria to shoot the film adaptation of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka's Kongi's Harvest in 1971 for his Calpenny Limited and then in 1972, Oladele engaged the foremost German director Pohland Hansjürgen to make the first film adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel Things Fall Apart featuring the famous Princess Elisabeth of Toro, who was a lawyer in Uganda and a model in New York playing the leading actress role with the late Pa Orlando Martins (1899–1985), the first Nigerian Hollywood star and the most accomplished Nigerian actor in the world until he passed on to glory.
Read more on Francis Oladele on
http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&id=96687%3Afrancis-oladele-80-the-life-of-the-picture-man&Itemid=707

I wish the two living legends of Nigerian Arts and Culture a happy 80th birthday and many happier birthdays with more health and wealth in the abundant grace of our infinite God JEHOVAH. Amen.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima













Police Arrest Suspect with the Blackberry Phone of Facebook Murder Victim

Photo of Cynthia Osokogu before her ill-fated trip to Lagos where she was raped and murdered by young men she met on Facebook.

Police Arrest Suspect with the Blackberry Phone of Facebook Murder Victim

The Nigerian police Tuesday arrested a suspect with the Blackberry phone of Cynthia Osokogu, who was lured, raped and murdered by young men she met on Facebook. The suspect Nonso Ezike, a graduate of Federal University of Science and Technology (FUTO) in Owerri, Imo state, is a close relation of Chidera Ezike, one of the prime suspects on trial for the murder of Cynthia. The police said the recovered Blackberry phone had been sold for N68, 0000.

More details of this report are published on page 4 of The Guardian newspaper Wednesday September 5, 2012.








Life is Worth More Than One Kobo Per Second

Photo Credit: Web Trends.

Life is Worth More Than One Kobo Per Second

Do you have a health insurance?
How many Nigerians have health insurance?

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) is for everyone in Nigeria for the provision of health for all. But majority of Nigerians don’t even have a health insurance as they live from hand to mouth as if all that matters most to them is just eat and drink. They careless about their health until they fall ill or have a medical emergency, then they realize our health is our greatest wealth. Only about 4.5 million Nigerians have registered for the NHIS so far since it was established by decree in 1999.

The objectives of the Scheme shall be to -

(a) ensure that every Nigerian has access to good health care services;

(b) protect families from the financial hardship of huge medical bills;

(c) limit the rise in the cost of health care services; (d) ensure equitable distribution of health care costs among different income groups;

(d) maintain high standard of health care delivery services within the Scheme;.

(f) ensure efficiency in health care services;

(g improve and harness private sector participation in the provision of health care services;

(h) ensure adequate distribution of health facilities within the Federation;

(i) ensure equitable patronage of all levels of health care;

(j) ensure the availability of funds to the health sector for improved services.

The National Health Insurance Scheme will guarantee health for all and will save lives and in fact save majority of the poor who cannot afford to pay medical bills from their meager salaries. To make sure there will be enough funds to execute the National Health Insurance Scheme so that no one is left out, everyone using a mobile phone will contribute just one kobo only from every mobile phone call made to fund the NHIS to pay the health bills of every Nigerian who cannot afford to do so in Nigeria. And I believe that the life of every Nigerian is worth more than one kobo, so all the over 100 million GSM subscribers should be really happy to contribute one kobo from every phone call.











Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Stars Pay Tribute To Michael Duncan

Michael Clarke Duncan (December 10, 1957 – September 3, 2012)



I’ve seen Michael Duncan in some movies, but the most memorable was his unforgettable role as John Coffey in Frank Darabont’s The Green Mile, for which he got nominations for the Oscar and Golden Globe. The 1999 American drama was an adaptation of the 1996 Stephen King’s novel.

Tom Hanks and Gary Sinise who were co-stars with Duncan in The Green Mile are among those shocked by the Monday news of his death. Duncan was still recovering from the cardiac arrest he suffered at his Los Angeles home in July before he died Monday morning.

His co-stars and other stars including Mia Farrow, Russell Simmons, Bobby Brown, Gabrielle Union, Timbaland, Ricki Lake and Katharine McPhee have been pouring tributes to Duncan, who was one of the most loved American actors in Hollywood.

“I am terribly saddened at the loss of Big Mike. He was the treasure we all discovered on the set of ‘The Green Mile.’ He was magic. He was a big love of man and his passing leaves us stunned.”
~ Tom Hanks

“Had the pleasure of working on 2 things with Michael Clark Duncan. The Green Mile, & as guest star on ‘CSI: NY.’ A real gentleman. R.I P my friend.”
~ Gary Sinise

“Michael Clarke Duncan always had a smile on his face & a big bear hug ready for you. My thoughts & prayers are with his family & friends.”
~ Olivia Munn

“We shared sum (some) great times! C (see) u (you) on the other side friend.”
~ Comedienne Niecy Nash

“R.I.P. my friend MCD. I will miss you.”
~ David Boreanaz

‏“Devastated … RIP Michael Clarke Duncan. Heaven has an amazing new angel. I will miss your smile most.”
~ Holly Robinson Peete

“My prayers are with the family and to the loved ones of Michael Duncan Clark. What a kind sweet & loving guy you were! May you R.I.P.”
~ La Toya Jackson

“RIP Michael Clarke Duncan. Thank you for being so kind to me & for sharing your talent with the world. You will be truly missed.”
~ Jordin Sparks

“Michael Clarke Duncan I’ll never forget you. Such an awesome man taken way too soon. Rest in peace my friend.”
~ Donald Faison

“Can’t believe it MCD! What a good man! Always a laugh! He will be greatly missed.”
~ Christian Slater

“He was one of the finest people I’ve ever had the privilege to work with or know. Michael was the gentlest of souls – an exemplar of decency, integrity and kindness. The sadness I feel is inexpressible. Our experience making ‘The Green Mile’ together was immersive and incredible, an once-in-a-lifetime journey. What sticks most in my mind was his devotion to his craft and the strides he made as an artist during that time, which was beyond inspiring to those of us who took the journey with him. Never has an actor more richly deserved the recognition of an Academy Award nomination than Michael did for his performance as John Coffey. Michael has left us far, far too soon. We lost a great man and a great spirit today. My thoughts and condolences go out to his fiancée, Omarosa, and to his family.”
`~ Frank Darabont, director of The Green Mile.







KPMG Rates Nigeria Higher Than Ghana in Investment Opportunities

A view of the trading floor at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) at the end of trading hours in Lagos April 24, 2012. (Akintunde Akinleye/Courtesy Reuters)

KPMG Rates Nigeria Higher Than Ghana in Investment Opportunities

A 2012 KPMG Report still rates Nigeria higher than Ghana in investment opportunities in spite of all the infrastructural shortcomings and security challenges in Africa’s most populous nation. So, no matter what Mr. Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Atlantic thinks of doing business in Nigeria, don't lose faith in Nigeria.

Yeah, big risks also come with big returns if you don’t give up
Just focus more on the positives than the negatives.

The following is the KPMG report comparing the investment climate in both countries.


Weighing up Nigeria and Ghana
Two West African countries are attracting the lion's share of investor attention - but for dramatically different reasons.

By Paul Kalu, advisor and analyst working for clients in the private and non-profit sectors on investments in Africa. He is based in Lagos, Nigeria Ghana and Nigeria appear to be at the forefront of the new scramble to tap the vast resources and economic potential of Africa. World Bank data shows Nigeria was at the top of the list in Africa for private sector investments in utilities including water, telecommunications, roads, and energy from 2001 to 2009. Ghana was in position seven.
West Africa is dominated by Nigeria in terms of population and sheer market potential, but it is only in the last ten years that steady economic growth and an influx of foreign investments has unlocked this potential and brought it to the point where it can now be considered along with other key developing nations as a serious destination for investment by foreign companies.

Nearby Ghana with its much smaller population and economy has always been in Nigeria's shadow, though it has traditionally received attention and development aid from the donor community. But the recent discovery of oil off Ghana's coast also brings it into the international private investment arena.

This is evident in the fact that private sector investments in infrastructure were barely US$70m over the last ten years of military rule in Nigeria (1990-1999), compared with US$600 million in Ghana during the same period. However, the tables turned in the next ten years as Nigeria saw private sector investments in infrastructure in excess of US$23 billion while Ghana's investments rose by a healthy - albeit small in comparison - 500 percent to US$3.8 billion. The majority of infrastructure investment has been in telecoms sector, generating phenomenal growth rates.

Mobile phone penetration in Ghana and Nigeria reached 65 and 50 percent respectively in 2010, up from virtually nothing in 2000. So although growth in many African countries is hindered by infrastructural constraints such as poor roads and inadequate power supply, the rapid growth in mobile phones have helped overcome some of these hurdles and given many countries the opportunity to surge forward. It is estimated that a 10 percent rise in mobile phone penetration can increase the GDP of developing markets by as much as 1.2 percent.

Traders work on the floor of the Ghana Stock Exchange in Accra, Ghana.

All that glitters
Africa's growth has also come from more traditional primary sector sources, not least due to recent high prices for mineral and agricultural commodities. Ghana's gold mines have been the main driving force of its economy for the best part of a century and its cocoa industry has also contributed its fair share, but in 2008 the country's long search for that elusive black gold finally paid off with the discovery of a reserve of 15 billion barrels of oil off the country's coast, and in 2010 the country produced its first barrel of oil.

As a result, Ghanaian GDP growth, which averaged 5.4 percent between 2000 and 2010, is forecast to surge to almost 14 percent in 2011. This is driven by oil-related investments and it is anticipated that Tullow Oil's US$120 million IPO on the Ghana Stock Exchange in June will be the first of many.

Although Ghana was until now often seen as an investment backwater, it is increasingly on many an investor's travel itinerary. Atose Emmanuel Aguele, managing director of Union Petroleum, a regional leader in the liquefied petroleum sector, maintains that the allure of Ghana is growing. "Ghana runs a relatively efficient refining and distribution oil and gas sector," says Aguele. "When I joined the industry 20 years ago, Nigeria LPG consumption was 150,000 million tonnes per year, Ghana's was 12,000 million tonnes," says Aguele. "I had visited Ghana with a view to invest in that country, I remember walking away saying the market in Ghana was too small and concentrating my efforts in Nigeria. Today the Nigerian market stands at 70,000 million tonnes and Ghana is nearly at 150,000 million tonnes."

Big brother
However you look at it, Ghana still presents a small investment opportunity next to Nigeria, its regional big brother. Nigeria has many strikes against it in the international investing community, and it is certainly not for the faint of heart, as Aguele attests. Nigeria is often at the top of corruption league tables. Priorities are often askew here; a UN report on oil spills in the Niger River Delta, caused by vandalism and aging pipelines, claims it will take 30 years to clean them up. But with these high risks come high returns, as Nigeria's GDP growth of 400 percent over the 10 years to 2009 demonstrates. Add to this a young and growing educated population, estimated to hit 250 million by 2050, and a burgeoning middle-class with an increasing appetite for consumer goods and services, investors are overcoming their fear of the country.

Confidence in the consumption capacity of Nigeria is well illustrated by significant investments in the cement and drinks industries, alongside the now commonplace investments in telecommunications.

The Dangote Group, for instance, is pumping US$3.9 billion into new cement plants across Africa with a combined capacity of 50 million tonnes of cement over the next two years. More than half of this is being invested in Nigeria where the company aims to more than raise its production capacity from 8 to 20 million tonnes. Dangote's CEO, Aliko Dangote, once quipped to journalist that, "If I have any money in this life, I would invest it in Africa." The irony is that Dangote is already ranked the wealthiest man in Africa by Forbes.

South Africa's SABMiller has also announced that it is investing US$100 million in a new plant in eastern Nigeria to boost its brewing capacity in the country. SABMiller only entered the Nigerian market in 2009 with the acquisition of a small brewery in Port Harcourt; now the company plans to give the current market leaders - Heineken with 70 percent of the market, and Guinness with 20 percent - a run for their money. But even they are not resting on their laurels - Heineken announced in January the acquisition of five existing breweries in the country for an estimated US$750 million, and Guinness announced in March a US$350 million investment to expand its biggest plants.

Size isn't everything
For all its size, Nigeria is, on a per capita basis, still on a par with Ghana on many things. Both countries have seen GDP per capita virtually triple in the last ten years from less than US$400 per head to over US$1,200, and electricity production in Nigeria may be 2.5 times more than Ghana but amounts to slightly less than 20 watts per person, compared with 50 watts per person in Ghana. Hence, Ghana may be relatively small next to its big brother Nigeria, but on a like for like basis, it holds its own.

Ghana's projected GDP growth of 14 percent this year coupled with the relative ease of doing business (the World Bank's annual Doing Business report, ranked Ghana at No.67 in 2011, compared with No.137 for Nigeria) makes this an attractive combination for some investors.

Another oil industry executive with extensive experience of both countries recognizes the attractions of Nigeria in the form of market size, natural resource wealth, and an energetic workforce. But he is deterred by the lack of infrastructure and the high levels of fraud and corruption he has experienced in Nigeria. "I would invest in Ghana for the short-term while waiting for Nigeria to organize itself," says the insider, who asked not to be named. "But I wouldn't be there for long, Nigeria still has all the opportunities."

But Ghana's positive factors probably lend themselves better to investors looking to set up and run a business in Ghana, than to those just looking to make a financial investment. In Nigeria, the reverse is the case; the market is deep, wide, and liquid enough to sustain significant financial investments. For instance, the Nigerian stock market is currently worth US$50 billion and lists 215 equities with a turnover ratio in 2010 of 13 percent; Ghana's stock market on the other hand lists 35 equities and is currently valued at US$3.5 billion and had a turnover ratio of just 3 percent last year.

http://www.kpmg.de/WhatWeDo/26469.htm