Saturday, February 9, 2013

True Story Nollywood World Première on February 26 in New York City


True Story Nollywood Documentary Premieres February 26, 2013: A film about the stories written and told by the world?s third largest film industry, Nollywood

True Story Nollywood: The Trailer from TSN on Vimeo.


New York, NY February 8 -- The New York Women in Film & Television will hold a screening at Anthology Film Archives on February 26 to share the works of its talented members, including the premiere showing of True Story Nollywood (TSN) - a film documenting the opinions about the authenticity of the African narrative in Nollywood films (a fast growing African film industry thought to be losing itself to Western culture).


Produced by a young up and coming filmmaker of Nigerian/Cameroonian descent, Ihuoma Mambo Atanga, True Story Nollywood highlights various subjects of discourse surrounding the topic, among prominent Nollywood filmmakers and people based in her current city of residence, New York City including renowned Nollywood director Tunde Kelani.

Inspired by the great conversations and writings of prominent works like Chimamanda?s Danger of a Single Story, Wainaina?s How To Write About Africa, and Achebe?s An Image of Africa, Ms. Atanga notes ?I became more aware of a magnificent transitionary phase of African storytelling, from a biographical to an autobiographical state. Affordable film technology has enabled Africans to now write their own stories and broadcast it to the entire world through one of the most pervasive mediums, film. So people naturally expect that stories from Africans by Africans make up a definitive and true African story.?

The juiciest discussions about the rapidly changing Nigerian film industry (Nollywood), ranging from cultural-authenticity, her/histories, language and of course sex, can be heard in Harlem?s African Hair braiding salons, Brooklyn?s African film shops, etc., unfortunately, the best of these riveting conversations never see the light of day. True Story Nollywood examines the educated opinions, gossip, lies and truths behind the evolution and authenticity of Nollywood stories from the perspective of industry connoisseurs, Michael Nwaesi, Oliver Mbamara, Tunde Kelani, and a host of Nollywood film enthusiasts.

###

About True Story Nollywood:

A MediAfritiQ Production, True Story Nollywood, is an enthralling, honest, enlightening, comic, and educational documentary. The viewer is sure to go through an array of mixed emotions as varying opinions are categorically spewed for the audience to critically ingest. The industry practitioners interviewed bring conversations about the change in the Nollywood film industry to light. Our cast include Prominent Nollywood New York filmmakers like Oliver Mbamara, filmmaker and vendor Michael Nwaesei, and one of Nigeria?s finest directors of all time Tunde Kelani. They are unafraid to state their sentiments on the good, the bad and the ugly changes in the Nollywood film industry, whilst bringing to light the contributions of the industry not only for the face of Nigeria, and West Africa, but the face of Africa to the world. The TSN production team is an all female group consisting of co-producer Tarisai Gombe and cinematographer Olubusola Ajayi, amongst our other phenomenal crew members. This fifteen-minute documentary serves as a teaser and introduction to a much larger project due to be announced in the fall of 2013. Trailer: https://vimeo.com/59014693

Media Contact:
Public Relations Officer: Jamila Woolford
jamila@mediafritiq.com

General Inquiries:
True Story Nollywood
inquiries@mediafritiq.com

Connect:
Facebook: Facebook.com/TrueStoryNollywood
Twitter: Twitter.com/TSNdocumentary
Tumblr: truestorynollywood.tumblr.com/







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Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Home About Editorial Services Write for Us Book Awards Contact Wednesday, February 6, 2013 Invisible Giants: Changing the World One Step at a Time


6 Feb 2013 09:00 Africa/Lagos

Invisible Giants: Changing the World One Step at a Time, a Book by Lindsay Levin, is Out on 5th March


LONDON, February 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

"An extraordinary, warts-and-all account designed to jump leaders into 21st century realities." John Elkington, Executive Chairman, Volans Ventures; Co-founder of Environmental Data Services (ENDS) and SustainAbility

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130206/594060-a )

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130206/594060-b )

Invisible Giants is a book about leadership, choices in life and the potential in everyone to make a difference. Author Lindsay Levin, who founded the social enterprise Leaders' Quest in 2001, tells the stories of some of the people she has met through her work, and their impact on the world.

Levin takes readers on a journey from Canary Wharf to the streets of Mumbai, and from a high-security prison in Johannesburg to Chengdu, where thousands of new tower blocks are transforming the city. We meet individuals who are overcoming obstacles, and often their own frailties, to change the lives of those around them.

The invisible giants of Levin's story are grassroots leaders who, despite a lack of education and resources, are re-energising their communities, and business executives who strive to integrate purpose alongside profit, in the face of institutional resistance. They are female activists in slums campaigning to end the exclusion of girls from school, and environmentalists tackling the effects of industrialisation on the world's ecosystem. They are also ordinary Israelis and Palestinians committed to peaceful coexistence who are delivering a courageous and sometimes unpopular message to their own people.

"In my experience, people have infinite potential to grow and to create. I have written this book to try and share some of this optimism," says Levin.

After 15 years as a successful entrepreneur, Levin founded the social enterprise Leaders' Quest in 2001, to bring together people from all disciplines and sectors who want to use their unique influence to create positive change in the world. Her work has brought her into contact with an extraordinary range of leaders from across the world - some highly visible, and some not.

"Our work at Leaders' Quest is about bringing people together - from CEOs to grassroots activists - to learn from the unfamiliar and recognise the capacity they have to improve the world around them. The lives of these invisible giants have struck a chord with me. Not because they are inherently more virtuous than high profile leaders, but because their stories are rarely told and because they have a vital role to play in creating a brighter future."

"The book is also the story of my own quest to ask: "what really matters?" and to find out where the answers can take me."

Invisible Giants is published by Vala and will be available to buy online, at high street bookshops, or directly from the publishers at http://www.valapublishers.coop/invisiblegiants , from March 2013. It costs £16.99, and all the author's royalties go to the Leaders' Quest Foundation, a registered charity.

A launch event will be held on Tuesday 5th March at London's Paramount, on the 31st floor of Centre Point, 101-103 New Oxford Street (right next to Tottenham Court Road tube station), from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. It will be a stimulating gathering of corporate and community leaders, including some of the invisible giants who feature in the book. Lindsay will be speaking about the book and her work and taking part in a short Q&A.

The event is free but places are strictly limited. To reserve a place, please contact Richard.roberts@leadersquest.org.

What readers are saying

"Generous, deeply personal and beautifully written." Tom Glocer, former CEO, Thomson Reuters

"An important and enjoyable read for business leaders who want to better understand the complex relationships between people, culture, attitudes and opportunities that shape our world. Invisible Giants challenges us to think differently about business and the role of leaders. Reading it is, in itself, an inspiring journey, with wonderful stories of exceptional people beating the odds to accomplish extraordinary things." Bob Bechek, Worldwide Managing Director, Bain & Company

"It's not about privileged do-gooders who clamour for media attention, but "karmayogis": people who bring about change in quiet and purposeful ways. Truly inspiring, with powerful lessons for everyone." Anu Aga, Chairperson, Teach For India ; Director, Thermax Limited

About the author

After 15 years as a successful entrepreneur, Lindsay Levin founded Leaders' Quest in 2001, to connect leaders from all disciplines and sectors, and explore solutions to global issues.

A strong NGO advocate, her work ranges from searching for new initiatives that address poverty and environmental sustainability, to helping businesses redefine values and shift culture.

From 2008 to 2012 she was Chair of the International Steering Committee of OneVoice, a conflict resolution movement working to strengthen civil society in Israel and Palestine, and she regularly facilitates workshops and dialogues in the region.

About Leaders' Quest

Leaders' Quest works with people from all walks of life - from CEOs of multinational companies, to grassroots organisers - who use their unique influence to create positive change in the world. It designs experiential learning journeys which enable them to ask tough questions about business, society and their own leadership, and look for answers together. It runs programmes in Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East.

Find out more at: http://www.leadersquest.org

About the publisher

The Vala Publishing Co-operative is an adventure in community supported publishing. They publish high quality books that explore and celebrate the human spirit with brave and authentic ways of thinking and being.

Vala is co-owned and democratically managed by its members.

Find out more at: http://www.valapublishers.coop

Media contact

For more information, to order a review copy of Invisible Giants, or to schedule an interview with Lindsay Levin, please contact either Richard.roberts@leadersquest.org or melanie.george@leadersquest.org, or call +44(0)208-948-5208.










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Top Restaurants in Lagos


Top Restaurants in Lagos

The Blowfish Hotel
www.theblowfishhotel.com/
17, oju Olobun Street, Off Idejo Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
reservation@theblowfishhotel.com
+234 1463 1298 - 99

Bungalow's
1296 Akin Adesola Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 0803 403 0129
www.bungalowrestaurant.com/

Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel
Ozumba Mbadiwe Ave,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 0708 061 0000
www.radissonblu.com/

Mama Cass
Ajose Adeogun Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 01 877 3120
www.mamacassng.com/

Hillcrest Hotel
2 Afolabi Awosanya Street
Opebi, Ikeja, Lagos.
Tel: 01 270 6880
www.hillcresthospitality.com/

Piccolo Mondo Restaurant, Bar And Night C
19B, Plot 975, Idejo Street,
Off adeola Odeku Street,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 01 792 7922
www.piccolomondor/

3zees Restaurant and Lounge
46b, Ogudu Road,
Ogudu. Lagos.
reservation@3zeeslounge.com
Tel: 234 08093366987, 012957277
http://3zeeslounge.com/

is a high networking and flexible hangout spot that offers a range of entertainment and cuisine in 7 extremely different relaxing environments. It is a central joint, a community-oriented spot, a place with something for everyone and with special appeals to those who appreciate class and prestige. But the fact that best summarizes 3Zees is that there are 7 different lounges that offer 7 different experiences.

LONELY PLANET'S SELECTION.

Bangkok Restaurant
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Thai

With the best Thai food in Lagos, the Bangkok is a treat. The cooks and waitresses are all Thai, and offer you a broad menu of fragrantly spiced dishes. Portions are very generous, and if you can't finish your meal, they're used to sending people home with a doggie bag.

Sherlaton
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Indian

Vegetarians suffer a lot in Nigeria, but this Indian restaurant really comes to the rescue. With tasty and filling portions at good prices, the Sherlaton is generally considered to be the city's best curry option.

Double Four
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Lebanese

Offering mainly Lebanese dishes, the menu at Double Four tries to throw everything into the mix - Nigerian, Continental, a bit of Indian - so if you're unsure where to dine, this might be the place. It seems to work, as the place is always packed.

Museum Kitchen
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › African

At the National Museum in Onikan you'll find the Musuem Kitchen, a good place to try traditional Nigerian cuisine. To the strains of local music, you can sample dishes like yam soup, pepper soup, fufu (fermented cassava), stockfish and snails.

Santa Fe
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Tex-mex

A splurge place by Ikoyi standards, Santa Fe sells Tex-Mex food and has décor that almost has you expecting a Nigerian John Wayne to walk in and slam his gun on the bar. The live band, sadly, doesn't play mariachi music.


Pat's Place
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Diner

Pat's is popular with expats, and serves excellent pizzas, hamburgers and British pub food like steak and kidney pie. It has a well-stocked selection of imported American and European beers, and occasional live bands.

Ocean View
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › International

Almost on Bar Beach - the name is a bit of a misnomer really - this airy restaurant has lots of glass and a long bar kept cool under delicious air-con. The menu offers a mix of international dishes; steaks are good.

La Dolce Vita
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Italian

It's no surprise to find pasta and pizza on the menu in a place like this, with the setting evoking an old Italian bistro. Wash down well-cooked and appetising food with a good drop of red.

Lobster Pot
Lagos, Nigeria
Restaurants › Seafood

Next to Michael's Guesthouse, the Lobster Pot is the place to come for seafood. There's a wide selection, with the house speciality - lobster of course - worth a splurge.

Click here for locations and more details.







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Tuesday, February 5, 2013

A 20 Year Old Girl Raped and Beheaded in Northern Nigeria


A 20 year old girl Ramat Isah was raped and then beheaded by an expelled 500 level student of Federal University of Technology (FUT) Minna, Godwin Idoko on New Year Day in Rafin Yashin, Bosso Niger State in the Islamic northern Nigeria.

The rapist and murderer told Minna Magistrate Court that he beheaded the lady for refusing his request for sex after collecting his N2,500 as earlier bargained.
Idoko who was arraigned in accordance with section 221 of the penal code of culpable homicide stunned the court after the Police First Information Report(FIR) was read to him when he suddenly said he had a complaint against the deceased.

Read the complete report on Nigerian Info.







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The Most Romantic Hotels In The World

“Truly Heaven on Earth!”

5 Feb 2013 06:01 Africa/Lagos

TripAdvisor Reveals The Most Romantic Hotels In The World
TripAdvisor Shares the Love for Valentine's Day with the Travelers' Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels

NEWTON, Mass., Feb. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- TripAdvisor® , the world's largest travel site*, today announced the U.S. and worldwide winners of its 2013 Travelers' Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/57947-tripadvisor-reveals-the-most-romantic-hotels-in-the-world

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130205/MM53247)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080902/TRIPADVISORLOGO)

"If you need inspiration for a romantic getaway, close to home or somewhere more exotic, look no further than the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards," said Barbara Messing, chief marketing officer for TripAdvisor. "The awards are based on feedback from couples who have stayed at these hotels and given them the highest romantic stamp of approval."

Top 10 Romantic Hotels in the US:

Bardessono, Yountville, California
Koa Kea Hotel & Resort, Poipu, Hawaii
Inn of the Five Graces, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California
Honor Mansion, A Wine Country Resort, Healdsburg, California
Ocean Lodge, Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Casa Laguna Inn & Spa, Laguna Beach, California
Mountain Home Lodge, Leavenworth, Washington
Tickle Pink Inn, Carmel, California
Henderson Park Inn, Destin, Florida


Top 10 Romantic Hotels in the World:


Anastasis Apartments, Imerovigli, Greece
La Minerva, Capri, Italy
Cranleigh Boutique, Bowness-on-Windermere, United Kingdom
Cedar Manor Hotel and Restaurant, Windermere, United Kingdom
Baros Maldives, North Male Atoll, Maldives
Casa del Mar, Langkawi, Pantai Cenang, Malaysia
Bardessono, Yountville, California
Al Maha Desert Resort, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Layana Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta, Thailand
Veligandu Island Resort, North Ari Atoll, Maldives


For the complete list of winners from the 2013 Travelers' Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels, more reviews and candid traveler photos, go to www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Romance.

To see the best hotels for luxury, bargain, and more, as honored in TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for Hotels from January, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels.

Note to Editors

Awards selection:

The Travelers' Choice Awards for the Most Romantic Hotels are based on the millions of hotel reviews and opinions from travelers on TripAdvisor gathered over a 12-month period since the 2012 awards, with emphasis on insights from those who have marked, on the review form, that they stayed at the hotel as a "Couple."

About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor® is the world's largest travel site,* enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor offers trusted advice from real travelers and a wide variety of travel choices and planning features with seamless links to booking tools. TripAdvisor branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 60 million unique monthly visitors*, and over 75 million reviews and opinions. The sites operate in 30 countries worldwide, including China under daodao.com. TripAdvisor also includes TripAdvisor for Business, a dedicated division that provides the tourism industry access to millions of monthly TripAdvisor visitors.

TripAdvisor, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRIP) manages and operates websites under 19 other travel media brands, and together the sites attract more than 69 million unique monthly visitors.** TripAdvisor, Inc.'s travel media brands include www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.everytrail.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co.uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.tingo.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod.com, www.virtualtourist.com, www.whereivebeen.com, and www.kuxun.cn.

*Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Sites, Worldwide, July 2012

**Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, July 2012

©2013 TripAdvisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

SOURCE TripAdvisor

CONTACT: Julie Cassetina, +1-617-670-6529, jcassetina@tripadvisor.com

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







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Welcome To 3Zees Restaurant and Lounge, the Best in Lagos

Restaurant and Lounge is a high networking and flexible hangout spot that offers a range of entertainment and cuisine in 7 extremely different relaxing environments. It is a central joint, a community-oriented spot, a place with something for everyone and with special appeals to those who appreciate class and prestige. But the fact that best summarizes 3Zees is that there are 7 different lounges that offer 7 different experiences.



Located at 46b, Ogudu road in the heart of the energetic area we all know as Ogudu GRA, 3Zees is the new place to be. With its comfortable amenities of style, a state of the art JukeBox, wide screen Plasma TVs, custom designed lounges and sleek bar...3Zees has become a spot to reckon with in the circles of the highbrow individuals.

It’s got the best food and drink, served in a casual atmosphere not weighed down by stress or complaint. 3Zees has the perfect relaxed, comfortable environment for hours of lounging, eating, drinking, just catching up with friends or looking pretty. It also provides free internet for customers (during the day only)

The Restaurant offers continental and local dishes prepared to satisfy every individual’s craving. 3Zees Restaurant attends to Home Delivery services for people who have busy schedules, both at home and at the office.
 


The Garden Lounge: This lounge is set in a precinct of nature. Enjoy fresh air while having fun and feel the experience of companionship in a relaxing atmosphere. The Garden doors are open for unwinding, networking and enjoyment in an unrestricted area.


The Private Lounge: This Lounge for two tends to the need for confidentiality. It creates a retreat for couples who crave privacy. Feel the experience of love in an affectionate ambiance. The Private Lounge is 10k with complimentary wine or juice, nuts, small chops, total privacy and a stand-by phone for order placements.
 

Bookings made 2 weeks in advance attract a charge of 8k with the same benefits.


The Open Lounge: This bar like setting gives a feel of open friendship. Make friends while watching important matches, enjoy beside the bar privileges and view of the Juke Box activities.


The Chocolate Lounge:
Adorned with brown colour, this lounge gives the feel of security and down-to-earth company. The Chocolate Lounge relates to quality in everything - a comfortable place, the best food and drink and loyal companionship.


The Royal Lounge: Feel like a king in the Royal Lounge because that is exactly how we see you. The Lounge is themed purple due to a need for a fantasy world and an escape from the practicalities of life. It is the daydreamer way of escaping from reality.

The Red Lounge: This is the lounge of energy and action. Arouse your senses and awaken the passion inside of you with interactive fun and entertainment all the way. The Red Lounge has the ability to stimulate an appetite for the good things of life.

The Karaoke Lounge: The karaoke lounge seats 18 people comfortably and gives a feeling of communal entertainment. Sing like you never have and have fun with old & new friends. The Karaoke Lounge is open for Karaoke on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It is also open for regular hang-out on other days.

MEMBERSHIP

MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES AND BENEFITS

SILVER CARD (50k Annual) Category:

1 free meal and a cocktail drink every month (no spill-over)

5% off anything you buy (not to exceed 30 times)

Have your guest treated right even in your absence

1 access day into the Private Lounge (subject to availability on Mondays – Wednesdays)

52 Jukebox tokens every year

GOLD CARD (100k Annual) Category:

1 free meal, 1 bottle of wine and a cocktail drink every month (no spill-over)

10% off anything you buy (not to exceed 30 times)

Have your guest treated right even in your absence

3 access days into the Private Lounge (subject to availability on Mondays – Wednesdays)

52 Jukebox tokens every year

PLATINUM CARD (200k Annual) Category:

2 free meals, 1 bottle of wine and a cocktail drink every month (no spill-over)

20% off anything you buy (not to exceed 30 times)

Have your guest treated right even in your absence

5 access days into the Private Lounge (subject to availability on Mondays – Wednesdays)

52 Jukebox tokens every year

SPECIALS***


MONDAY: Happy Hour

TUESDAY: Ladies Night

WEDNESDAY: Karaoke Night

THURSDAY: Old school Night

FRIDAY: Groove Night

SATURDAY: Karaoke Night

SUNDAY: Jazz/Highlife


• Prizes to be won at The Karaoke Night every Saturday
• 40% off anything you buy on Thursday
• The Jukebox is off limits on Friday night as invited DJs take over

for Groove Night

• Free nuts for everybody (members and non-members alike)
• Note however that food and drinks bought in other lounges are
not allowed in the Karaoke Lounge
• 3Zees Restaurant Home Delivery Services

Call 234 08093366987 or 012957277 for Enquires and details.






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F2FA Goes To Hollywood

(R-L: Fashion Designer Christopher Enuke & spouse, Peter Lentini (AFLA), Editor-in-Chief Sandra Appiah and Guests)

F2FA Magazine Hollywood Release Celebration

Cover models/actors/brothers Kwame Boateng, Kofi Siriboe, & Kwesi Boakye with Editor-in-Chief Sandra Appiah and VP of Arik Airlines Robert Brunner).

(Dunnie (right) with guest)

Face2face Africa kicked off Black History Month with a celebration of its maiden issue in Hollywood, California. Produced by Miss Dunnie O, the celebration took place at one of Hollywood's finest venues, St. Felix. We thank the Los Angeles community and the following organizations for their support: Pan African Film Festival (PAFF), Ankara Festival Los Angeles (AFLA), and Africa Fashion Week Los Angeles (AFWLA).


Special thanks to our sponsors: Arik Airlines, Otobia Collectibles, and Sumahrie Collections.

~ Sandra Appiah, Editor-in-Chief of F2FA.

Clcik here for more news and photos.







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Monday, February 4, 2013

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie


From the award-winning author of Half of a Yellow Sun, a dazzling new novel: a story of love and race centered around a young man and woman from Nigeria who face difficult choices and challenges in the countries they come to call home.
As teenagers in a Lagos secondary school, Ifemelu and Obinze fall in love. Their Nigeria is under military dictatorship, and people are leaving the country if they can. Ifemelu—beautiful, self-assured—departs for America to study. She suffers defeats and triumphs, finds and loses relationships and friendships, all the while feeling the weight of something she never thought of back home: race. Obinze—the quiet, thoughtful son of a professor—had hoped to join her, but post-9/11 America will not let him in, and he plunges into a dangerous, undocumented life in London.
Years later, Obinze is a wealthy man in a newly democratic Nigeria, while Ifemelu has achieved success as a writer of an eye-opening blog about race in America. But when Ifemelu returns to Nigeria, and she and Obinze reignite their shared passion—for their homeland and for each other—they will face the toughest decisions of their lives
.
Fearless, gripping, at once darkly funny and tender, spanning three continents and numerous lives, Americanah is a richly told story set in today’s globalized world: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s most powerful and astonishing novel yet.




“An incredibly readable and rich tapestry of Nigerian and American life, and the ways a handful of vivid characters—so vivid they feel like family—try to live in both worlds simultaneously. As she did so masterfully with Half of a Yellow Sun, Adichie paints on a grand canvas, boldly and confidently, equally adept at conveying the complicated political backdrop of Lagos as she is in bringing us into the day-to-day lives of her many new Americans—a single mom, a student, a hairdresser. This is a very funny, very warm and moving intergenerational epic that confirms Adichie’s virtuosity, boundless empathy and searing social acuity.”
< b> —Dave Eggers, author of A Hologram for the King.

“Adichie’s great gift is that she has always brought us into the territory of the previously unexplored. She writes about that which others have kept silent. Americanah is no exception. This is not just a story that unfolds across three different continents, it is also a keenly observed examination of race, identity and belonging in the global landscapes of Africans and Americans. If Joyce had silence, exile and cunning for his defense, Adichie has flair, loss and longing. And Adichie is brave enough to allow the story to unfold with a distinct straightforward simplicity that never loses its edgy intellect.”

—Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin.

















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How Many Muslims In Nigeria Support Sharia Law And Sharia States?


Sharia شريعة‎ šarīʿah religious law of Islam.

As of 2012, the following 9 states have instituted Sharia:

Zamfara State (January 27, 2000)
Kano State (June 21, 2000)
Sokoto State
Katsina State
Bauchi State (June 2001)
Borno State
Jigawa State
Kebbi State
Yobe State

the following 3 states have also instituted sharia in some parts with large Muslim populations

Kaduna State
Niger State (January 13, 2007)
Gombe State

Now, may I ask how many Muslims in Nigeria support Sharia Law and the Sharia States?

If they support Sharia Law, how many of the Muslims in Nigeria found guilty of stealing, bribery and corruption have been punished under their Sharia Law?
How many of the Muslim heads of state, governors (current and past) and other corrupt public officers and military officers found guilty of stealing public funds have been tried under their Sharia Law?

If practicing Muslims among the Yorubas say they support Sharia law, then why have they not submitted to be tried for crimes under their Sharia Law?

From the following we can see that Sharia Law is being abused and misused by Muslim clerics in Nigeria and the so called Muslims making more noise than sense on Nairaland and offline in Nigeria have not had the commonsense and honesty to SPEAK THE TRUTH AND EXPOSE THE INJUSTICES SUFFERED BY MAJORITY OF POOR MUSLIMS IN NIGERIA, BECAUSE THERE IS A SPECIAL SHARIA LAW FOR THE RICH AND ANOTHER SHARIA LAW FOR THE POOR WHO HAVE BEEN THE MOST MISLED VICTIMS OF THE WRONG INTERPRETATIONS OF THE SHARIA LAW IN NIGERIAN SHARIA STATES.

The different penalties prescribed by Shariah is not in order to inflict harm on people and make them suffer, rather the Shariah concept for imposing penalties for the various crimes is that they prevent harm, destruction and anarchy in the society. They are not prescribed in order to harm people, but the contrary.

Allah Most High says:

�In the law of retaliation there is (saving of) life to you, O you men of understanding� (Surah al-Baqarah, 179).

Due to the idea behind these various penalties being imposed not to make an individual suffer, rather to create a better society as a whole, the Shariah laid down certain strict rules and conditions in order for the punishment to be established or enforced. These strict conditions can be seen in all the various penalties that have been imposed.

The case with theft and stealing is the same in that certain conditions have been laid down for the penalty to be imposed. If the conditions are met, only then will such a penalty be enforced.

Conditions for the penalty of theft:

The following are the conditions which must be met in order to establish the penalty of theft:

1) The one who steals is sane

2) He has reached puberty

3) He steals equivalent to the amount (nisab) or more. The Nisab is one Dinar or ten Dirhams (i.e. 4.374 grams of gold). The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said:

�There is no cutting (of hands) for stealing that is less then ten Dirhams� (Musnad Ahmad).

Sayyidah Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) reports that �The hands were not cut in the time of the Messenger of Allah for stealing worthless things� (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah).

Aisha (Allah be pleased with her) narrates that: �The hand of a thief was not cut off during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give peace) except for stealing something equal to a shield in value� (Sahih al-Bukhari, 6792, & Sahih Muslim, 1685).

A shield was worth one Dinar at that time, as narrated by Ibn Abbas in Sunan Abu Dawud & Sunan Nasa�i.

4) He steals the article from a place that meets the requirements of security and safeguarding. This security is considered when the article is safeguarded by a guard or by it being locked in a place.

5) The article is in the ownership of another person

6) There is no confusion in it (as to whether he took it by way of theft or for some other reason).

7) It was stolen secretly (not by force, etc�).

If any of the above conditions are not met, then the penalty of theft will not be established.

Allah Most High says:

�As to the thief, male of female, cut off his or her hands. A punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime� (Surah al-Ma�idah, 38).

As far as the evidence and testimony is concerned, stealing will be established by self admittance once or by the testimony of two adult males. The witnesses will be asked the details of the incident, as not to make an error.

A person�s hand is not amputated when he steals less than the equivalent of 4.374 grams of gold, from place that does not meet the requirements of security, something that is useless, something that is in general ownership such as water in the river, sticks from the wood, etc�, food that rots very quickly such as milk, meat, fruits, etc�, articles that are unlawful due to the possibility that one had an intention of getting rid of it, such as musical instruments.

The penalty:

The penalty for the one who steals (when the above conditions are met) is that his/her right arm is amputated. If a person steals a second time, his left foot is amputated; if a third time, then he will be imprisoned until he repents, but no further amputation will take place.

Sayyiduna Ali (Allah be pleased with him) says:

�I feel guilty in front of Allah if I leave him without hands (i.e. amputating both) by which he eats, and feet, by which he walks� (Sunan Darqutni, al-Bayhaqi & Musannaf ibn Abi Shayba).

The above are some of the important aspects relating to the penalty of theft. It has been primarily based on the famous Hanafi work al-Ikhtiyar li ta�lil al-Mukhtar, P341-351).

And Allah knows best

Muhammad ibn Adam al-Kawthari
Darul Iftaa, Leicester, UK
www.daruliftaa.co.uk







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Saturday, February 2, 2013

American Student Wins Grand Prize in Lions International Peace Poster Contest


1 Feb 2013 22:30 Africa/Lagos

American Student Wins Grand Prize in Lions International Peace Poster Contest

OAK BROOK, Ill., Feb. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Jenny Park, a 13-year-old from California, USA, has been named the grand prize winner of the Lions International Peace Poster Contest.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130201/DC52949)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121001/DC82808LOGO)

Lions Clubs International is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Peace Poster contest, which was created to showcase the importance of world peace to young people everywhere. More than 400,000 students worldwide, ages 11-13, submitted posters to be considered for the grand prize or one of the contest's 23 merit awards. Entries were judged for originality, artistic merit and portrayal of this year's contest theme, "Imagine Peace."

Park represented her image of peace through portraits of influential individuals who have made an impact on world peace. "These are people from different places and different times, of different faith, of different race, gender, ages and many more characteristics. Yet, they all share one thing in common: they all found peace within themselves," said Park.

The poster features portraits of the Dalai Lama, Barack Obama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Ban Ki Moon, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, Woodrow Wilson and -- a self-portrait of Park.

"The reason why I decided to draw a self-portrait in the middle of this poster is because I wanted to convey that peace begins with any regular individual, just like me and you," said Park. "We don't have to be the Dalai Lama or Mother Teresa to be creators of peace."

As the grand prize winner, Park will receive US$5,000 and a trip to a special awards ceremony at the 96th Lions Clubs International Convention in Hamburg, Germany. She will be accompanied by two family members and the president of the Northridge Lions Club in California, USA, which sponsored her local contest.

"We knew Jenny's poster was special the minute we saw it," said Yasin Lakhani, president of the Northridge Lions Club and a past district governor. "This contest is just one of many programs our club is sponsoring to serve residents in our community, and because of these efforts, we are seeing more people ask how they can become Lions."

"In addition to promoting peace on a global scale, Lions utilize this contest to encourage youth to think about the people and the world around them and creatively express their feelings," said Lions Clubs International President Wayne Madden.

In addition to the grand prize winning poster, there were 23 merit award winners who receive a certificate of merit and US$500. This year's merit-award-winners live in Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cyprus, Ecuador, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, Philippines, Republic of South Africa and the United States (Alaska, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon and West Virginia).

The grand prize Peace Poster and the 23 merit award winners' Peace Posters will be featured prominently at the 96th annual Lions Clubs International Convention. Visit the Lions Clubs International Web site, www.lionsclubs.org, to view winning Peace Posters, learn more about the contest and send Peace Poster e-cards.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.3 million men and women in 207 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. Lions created the Peace Poster Contest to foster a spirit of peace and international understanding in young people worldwide. For additional information about Lions Clubs International Peace Poster Contest and media resources, visit www.lionsclubs.org/mediaresources.

SOURCE Lions Clubs International

CONTACT: David Clifford, Lions Clubs International, +1-630-468-6883, david.clifford@lionsclubs.org

Web Site: http://www.lionsclubs.org







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