Blacks Are Suffering More Discrimination Than Gays in America

 President Barack Obama is black, but that has not really reduced racism in the United States of America, because even gays are more loved and better treated than blacks in America. Realities don't lie and the following are facts even in Obama's America.
A must read for all is A Field Guide to the Racists of America by Elspeth Reeve.

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Calling All Women Scientists in Developing Countries for 2014 Chemistry Award Nominations

The winners of the 2013 Elsevier Foundation Awards for Early Career Women Scientists in the Developing World are (left to right) Dr. Nasima Akhter (Medical Sciences — Bangladesh), Dr. Huda Omer Basaleem (Community and Public Health — Yemen), Dr. Adediwura Fred-Jaiyesimi (Pharmacology and Medicinal Plants — Nigeria), Dr. Namjil Erdenechimeg (Biochemistry — Mongolia) and Dr. Dionicia Gamboa (Molecular Biology/parasitology — Peru). They are surrounded by Dr. Shirley Malcom, Head of Education and Human Resources for AAAS (back left); David Ruth, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation; Professor Maya de la Torre, VP, Latin America, OWSD; and Dr. Romain Murenzi, Executive Director of TWAS. (Photos by Alison Bert).

10 Apr 2013 12:27 Africa/Lagos

The Elsevier Foundation, OWSD and TWAS Call for 2014 Chemistry Award Nominations for Early Career Women Scientists in Developing Countries

AMSTERDAM, April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Research excellence nominations accepted through September 15 to support research, build capacity and inspire a new generation of women scientists in the developing world

The Elsevier Foundation, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world announced today their call for award nominations for the 2014 Elsevier Foundation Awards recognizing talented early career women scientists from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. This year's awards program will focus on chemistry. The five winning scientists will be celebrated for their research excellence, and receive a cash prize of US$5,000 in addition to a year's complementary access to ScienceDirect and all-expenses paid attendance at the annual American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) conference in February 2014. Nominations will be accepted from April 10th through September 15, 2013. The award winners will be announced in February 2014 at the AAAS annual conference.

Each year, the Elsevier Foundation Award Program, in collaboration with OWSD and TWAS rotates between disciplines (medical/life sciences, chemistry and physics/math) to ensure optimal exposure and networking synergies. The 2013 awards issued in Boston in February, awarded five medical and life sciences researchers from Bangladesh, Yemen, Peru, Nigeria and Mongolia for their research excellence.

Nominations for the awards will be accepted from early career scientists (within ten years of graduating with a PhD degree) from the 81 scientifically-lagging countries as defined by TWAS. All nominations will be reviewed by a committee of eminent scientists representing the five regions in the discipline selected, including members of TWAS and OWSD, and chaired by OWSD president, Prof. Fang Xin.

"Since this prize was initiated, we at OWSD have been deeply impressed by the important and inspiring research that is being done by early-career women scientists in the developing world," said Fang Xin, president of OWSD. "The 2013 competition was a great success, and we look forward to a strong new round of nominations for some of the world's most promising young scientists."

"TWAS sees these awards for early-career women scientists as extremely important," said Romain Murenzi, the Academy's executive director. "Not only do they recognize life-enhancing and life-saving research, but they send a message to younger generations of girls and women: We need you, and we need your best work, to address the great challenges that confront all people and all societies. We're honored to work with the Elsevier Foundation and OWSD to recognize this excellence in research."

"Partnering with TWAS and OWSD to pay tribute to women scientists in the developing world is an honor given their unique insights into conducting science in the Global South," said David Ruth, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation, "These awards have taught us a great deal about the challenges and dynamics faced by women scientists as they navigate their academic disciplines within their countries."

Notes for Editors

Award Nomination forms may be downloaded from the OWSD website and submitted by September 15, 2013 to info@owsd.org

About TWAS

TWAS, the academy of sciences for the developing world, is an autonomous international organization, based in Trieste, Italy, that promotes scientific excellence for sustainable development in the South. Originally named "Third World Academy of Sciences", it was founded in 1983 by a distinguished group of scientists from the South under the leadership of the late Nobel laureate Abdus Salam of Pakistan. The Academy's strength resides in the quality and diversity of its membership - internationally renowned scientists elected by their peers. TWAS currently has more than 1,000 members from 90 countries, 73 of which are developing countries. It is administered by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and financially supported by the Italian government. http://www.twas.org

About OWSD

The Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) is an international organization affiliated to TWAS. Headed by eminent women scientists from the South, OWSD has more than 4,000 members. The central role is to promote women's access to science and technology, enhancing their greater involvement in decision-making processes for the development of their countries and in the international scientific community. Created in 1989, OWSD's overall goal is to work towards bridging the gender gap in science and technology. OWSD uses its forum to promote leadership, exchanges and networking for women scientists as well as for discussions to assist in the development of national capabilities to evolve, explore and improve strategies for increasing female participation in science. http://www.owsdw.org

About The Elsevier Foundation

The Elsevier Foundation is a corporate charity funded by Elsevier, a global provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to knowledge centered institutions around the world, with a focus on developing world libraries, nurse faculty and scholars in the early stages of their careers. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than 60 grants worth millions of dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. http://www.elsevierfoundation.org

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell , and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include ScienceDirect, Scopus, Reaxys, ClinicalKey and Mosby's Suite, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world leading provider of professional information solutions in the Science, Medical, Legal and Risk and Business sectors, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contacts:

Edward Lempinen
TWAS/OWSD
Public Information Office
+39-040-2240-512
elempinen@twas.org


Ylann Schemm
Elsevier Foundation
Senior Corporate Responsibility Manager, Elsevier
+31-6-23982359
newsroom@elsevier.com

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Billions of Pieces of Toxic Waste Are Spreading Deadly Chemicals in Our Environment

BILLIONS OF PIECES OF TOXIC TRASH ARE LEACHING DEADLY CHEMICALS INTO THE ENVIRONMENT WHERE WE LIVE, WORK, AND PLAY

New Bilingual Public Service Announcements from Legacy and Leave No Trace Shed Light on Toxic Waste Created by Cigarette Litter, Urging Americans to Reconsider and Stop Cigarette Butt Litter in Observance of Earth Day

Washington, D.C., April 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ — Littered cigarette butts are more than just an eye sore. According to environmental clean-up reports, cigarette butts are the No. 1 littered item on U.S. roadways and the No. 1 item found on beaches and waterways worldwide. A new survey conducted by Legacy, shows that while more than 88 percent of Americans surveyed think that cigarette butts are an environmental concern, more than 44 percent of those polled who had ever smoked admit to having dropped a cigarette on the ground and nearly 32 percent have dropped a cigarette out of a car window.


Cigarette butts are the number one littered item on US beaches and roadways. They leach chemicals that are poisonous to wildlife and can contaminate water sources.

Toxic tobacco trash includes a plastic filter which biodegrades only under extreme conditions, putting wildlife in danger and wreaking costly havoc on U.S. waterways, parks, beaches and roadways. Additionally, cigarette butts contain carcinogens that can leach into soil, and chemicals that are poisonous to wildlife, threatening to contaminate water sources.

This month in advance of Earth Day, Legacy has partnered with the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (Leave No Trace) to raise awareness and mobilize action surrounding this toxic problem with a new set of television and radio Public Service Announcements (PSAs) available in English and Spanish, urging the public to ‘Rethink Butts’ and take a new perspective on this environmental issue.

Over the prior 30 days, Americans surveyed reported seeing this form of toxic litter on sidewalks (80.1 percent), in parks (32.1 percent), on playgrounds (16.6 percent) and on beaches (15.7 percent). While more than 93 percent of those surveyed agree that dropping a cigarette butt on the ground is a form of littering, it is alarming that so many smokers still litter them.

“Social norms surrounding litter have shifted dramatically over the last several decades,” said Dr. Cheryl Healton, DrPH, President and CEO of Legacy, a public health non-profit based in Washington, D.C. “But despite the fact that so many Americans are hyper-concerned about the environment and are eager to recycle household items and pick up litter, there remains a total disconnect when it comes to flicking cigarette butts onto our streets and into our waterways. Through our new partnership with Leave No Trace we hope to not only begin to change the behavior of littering cigarette butts, but also highlight the fact that billions of cigarettes butts annually amount to an enormous environmental and public health threat that our communities are left to pay for.”

“Cigarette butts have a serious impact in the outdoors we create and our children explore,” according to Dana Watts, Executive Director of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. “Through this important partnership with Legacy, we hope to provide tangible and relevant public education about the issue, fostering healthier people, lands and waterways.”

In an increasingly health and environmentally conscious world, cigarette butts remain one of the only socially acceptable forms of littering left. This new set of bilingual PSAs is available online for download and distribution. Join more than a billion people in 180 countries around the world this Earth Day, and commit to promoting environmental action this year, by stopping toxic litter and starting the discussion about this global problem. Download the PSAs and read more at RethinkButts.org.

Legacy worked with The Butler Bros, an Austin Texas based branding and production company, to develop the ‘Rethink Butts’ PSA. The Butler Bros also partnered with Psyop, a production company that specializes in high-end 2D and 3D animation; live action direction and cutting-edge visual effects, for the creative animation used in the spots.

Consumer OmniPulse Survey Methodology
The Consumer OmniPulse Survey is conducted once a week among a demographically representative sample of 1,200 U.S. adults (age 18+) from the Research Now® Consumer Panel. The sample framework is selected based on U.S. Census data for age, ethnicity, gender, region, and income. We also collect and provide demographic data on educational level and marital status.

LEGACY
Legacy helps people live longer, healthier lives by building a world where young people reject tobacco and anyone can quit. Legacy’s proven-effective and nationally recognized public education programs include truth®, the national youth smoking prevention campaign that has been cited as contributing to significant declines in youth smoking; EX®, an innovative public health program designed to speak to smokers in their own language and change the way they approach quitting; and research initiatives exploring the causes, consequences and approaches to reducing tobacco use. Located in Washington, D.C., the foundation was created as a result of the November 1998 Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) reached between attorneys general from 46 states, five U.S. territories and the tobacco industry. To learn more about Legacy’s life-saving programs, visit LegacyForHealth.org.

Follow us on Twitter @legacyforhealth and Facebook www.Facebook.com/Legacy.

LEAVE NO TRACE CENTER FOR OUTDOOR ETHICS IN 2013
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics teaches people of all ages how to enjoy the outdoors responsibly, and is the most widely accepted outdoor ethics program used on public lands. Through targeted education, research and outreach, the Center ensures the long-term health of our natural world. In its simplest form, Leave No Trace is about making good decisions to protect the world around you — the world we all enjoy. Learn more at: lnt.org

###
Contact:

Sarah Shank
202-454-5561
sshank@legacyforhealth.org

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Ban Ki-moon Calls for Total Elimination of Chemical Weapons Within Five Years

9 Apr 2013 01:06 Africa/Lagos

BAN CALLS FOR TOTAL ELIMINATION OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS WITHIN FIVE YEARS

NEW YORK, 8 April 2013 / PRNewswire Africa / - Warning that the fog of war must never again be composed of poison gas, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today appealed to the 188 States Parties to the United Nations-backed treaty outlawing chemical weapons to do all in their power to bring on board the eight nations that still have not signed on.

Eight countries remain outside of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) – Angola, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Egypt, Israel, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria – and Mr. Ban has repeatedly urged them to join.

“I urge all of you who are in a position to do so to show political leadership and encouraging these countries to join the Convention,” he told Third Review Conference of the States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention in The Hague today.

“Nothing can justify the possession of this heinous category of weapons of mass destruction. Nothing,” he said, noting that 80 per cent of declared chemical weapons stockpiles have already been destroyed thanks to CWC. He voiced the hope that the 100 per cent target will be reached by the next review conference in five years' time.

Mr. Ban's words gained added urgency following allegations that chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian conflict, and he announced today that arrangements are now ready for an advance UN-team to investigate the reports in the Middle Eastern country, where over 70,000 people have been killed and more than three million displaced since the uprising against President al-Assad began in March 2011.

“We know that until the last stockpiles have been destroyed – and until the Convention is binding worldwide – the threat posed by chemical weapons will remain. Look no further than today's headlines,” he said.



“Let me reiterate my conviction: As long as chemical weapons exist, so, too, does the risk of their use – by accident or design. There are no right hands for the wrong weapons,” Mr. Ban added, noting that the probe of allegations in Syria would be the first into the use of weapons of mass destruction in the 21st century.

He called on the Parties to focus us on three issues: to build on CWC's achievements so that it remains an effective bulwark against the re-emergence and proliferation of chemical weapons, including to terrorists; to forge a stronger partnership with the chemical industry to address safety and security issues; and to make full use of the treaty's robust and reliable monitoring and verification mechanism.

“With that expertise, your Organization can play a constructive role in the process of establishing a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction,” Mr. Ban declared, referring to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, the implementing body of CWC, which entered into force in 1997.

“Let me take this opportunity to express my sincere hope that that important conference convene without further delay,” he added.

An international conference on setting up a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, which was initially planned for December 2012 in Helsinki, Finland, was postponed last year at the request of the United States, Russia and United Kingdom – the three depositary States of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – which felt that conditions were not being met for such a conference.

SOURCE : UN News Centre

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Mr. President, Nigerian Roads Are Destroying Our Best Assets, Human Beings

Mr. President, Nigerian Roads are destroying our best Assets, Human Beings

In recent days more than a hundred people, including children, have reportedly been killed across the country. These deadly collisions most often involve trailers, tankers and buses across the South, North or West and lives are being lost in greater amount due to lack of urgent official response in terms of rescue and medical aid.
Many of these crashes often result in fire or explosion burning for hours making the number of fatalities higher and worst of all, the identity and the numbers of actual victims usually remain unknown.

Mr. President as the leader of a wealthy oil African nation why are our roads still in worst shape and marked with massive potholes, poor paving, and poor lightening which is further complicated by lawless and hostile drivers?

The Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Commission an unusual name for a law enforcement body, has a rescue style that often comes very late to the accident scene with very little or no appropriate technology to aid the victims.

The same problems lies with other traffic management agencies like the Federal Road Maintenance Agency, and other state and local government traffic control agencies.
And the real agency that is the Nigeria Fire Service is hardly seen around, and even if its staff is able to show up they usually come with no suitable equipment and necessities, in terms of functioning pumping machines, water hoses and water availability.

As the President calls for prayers in regards to national transformation lets confront the evil of the Nigerian roads that are for the most part not real routes in the civil, mechanical or behavioral sense as they remain impassable and deadly.
The Nigerian Police Force in its style of traffic management remains crude at best, but we cannot put all the blame on the police as its officers are products of an almost ruined system, in the institutional health.

Who will like to maintain traffic rules in roads that lack updated or posted speed limits, lack adequate lighting, emergency telephones, rest spots, control of armed bandits and continue to lack operational rules in regards to curtailing abandoned vehicles?

The known check-points set up by the police, mainly in busy highways have a history of being grounds for serving as centers of unmanageable traffic jams, points for bribery negotiation and in some cases sites of deadly accidents.

Mr. President, it is not uncommon to find victims of fatal accidents rotting away along the highway and in nearby bushes. It is extremely common to see our roads filled with the influence of drunk drivers, under age drivers, poorly maintained vehicles, over speeding, and sleeping drivers on the steering, and poorly skilled drivers. It is time for us to vividly see functioning emergency services for distressed callers. It is time we see major sweeping improvement in the emergency highway services, traffic system, electric power, police and road safety systems. It is also time that the psychological trauma, emotional discomfort and national disaster from these fatal accidents on families and the country be addressed as our nation often remain indifferent to psychological services. It is worth noting that majority of our road accident victims are young adults, mostly males, and there goes the nation’s human assets of today and the future.


~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D.

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RIP: Baroness Margaret Thatcher, First Iron Lady of the British Government

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, LG, OM, PC, FRS, née Roberts (13 October 1925 – 8 April 2013), former Conservative Prime Minister of Britain, the longest-serving (1979–1990) of the 20th century, and the first and only woman to have held the post.

This morning former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher passed away "peacefully at 87 following a stroke", according to the BBC.

"Margaret Thatcher succeeded against all the odds. The real thing is she didn't just lead our country; she saved our country. I believe she will go down as the greatest British peacetime prime minister."

~ David Cameron, current Prime Minister of Britain.



Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.
~ Margaret Thatcher.

If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.
~ Margaret Thatcher.

Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country.
~ Margaret Thatcher.

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
~ Margaret Thatcher.

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President Jonathan and Governor Fashola Have Done A Lot for Nollywood

President Goodluck Jonathan of Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State have done more for Nollywood than other political leaders in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan is the first Nigerian leader to launch an entertainment intervention fund and his N3billion largesse for Nollywood to boost the Nigerian film industry is unprecedented. Lest we forget, he has played a major role in the sponsorship of the annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in his home state of Bayelsa since May 30, 2005 when the first African Movie Academy Awards were held in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State in the Niger Delta of Nigeria.

The most outstanding is President Jonathan's US$200,000,000 funds for the entertainment industry he announced at the 30the anniversary of the Silverbird Group of Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce who challenged him to support the entertainment industry that can create thousands of jobs for jobless youths in Nigeria and boost the economy. And then President Jonathan added the whooping N3billion grant exclusively for Nollywood he announced during the presidential dinner with Nollywood stars and stakeholders at State House, Marina Lagos on March 2, 2013.


Governor Babatunde Fashola with top Nigerian filmmakers Tunde Kelani and Kunle Afolayan.

While Governor Babatunde Fashola has focused more in helping to save the precious lives of notable persons in Nollywood like Ifeanyi Dike of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) who received over N2million from Governor Fashola for a kidney operation in India in 2011 and the most recent beneficiary is popular Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu who received N4.5m for a successful kidney operation in India.


Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State.

Governor Fashola's administration also sponsored the production of "Champions of Our Times", the most successful multiple awards winning Nollywood movie of Macnuel Productions and made the producers richer. He has also done several favours for other Nollywood stars, but he does not like making noise about it.


Governor Fashola sponsored the production of the multiple awards winning movie, "Champions of Our Times".

Governor Fashola who is Yrouba has done more favours for Igbo Nollywood stars than their own Igbo leaders, because none of the Igbo state governors of these Igbo Nollywood practitioners have done even half of what he has done so far. But ironically most of these Igbo Nollywood stars don't even support or vote for Governor Fashola's political party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). They collect his largesse and then still return to campaign for the ruling party, People's Democratic Party (PDP) of Nigeria in elections, but the magnanimous Governor Fashola continues to help them whenever they Ask for his help and support.

Nigerian entertainers should be glad and grateful for enjoying the generosity of these two political leaders.


~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

About the Author:
Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, aka "Orikinla Osinachi", is a prize winning Nigerian writer, most prolific African blogger and author of Children of Heaven, Sleepless Night, Scarlet Tears of London, Bye, Bye Mugabe, In the House of Dogs, Diary of the Memory Keeper, The Prophet Lied, co-author of Naked Beauty and editor of The Language of True Love. He has written many articles, commentaries and news reports published by Technorati, Blogcritics, Huliq, Yahoo Voices, Shvoong, Gather, Huffington Post, Face2Face Africa, Black Film Maker, Nigeria Films and Modern Ghana. Michael Chima is also the Founder/Festival Director of the annual Eko International Film Festival and Founder/CEO of Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema, member of the Projection Foundation promoting the Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema project in Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa and home of Nollywood, Africa's largest film industry of which he is a major stakeholder in movies and cinemas.

© Orikinla Osinachi. 2013. No reproduction in any format of media without the authorization and permission of the copyright owner and publisher.










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President Goodluck Jonathan's N3billion Nollywood Grant Should Come Through Guilds

President Goodluck Jonathan is the first Nigerian leader to launch an entertainment intervention fund and his N3billion largesse for Nollywood to boost the Nigerian film industry.

‘N3billion Nollywood Grant Should Come Through Guilds’
Saturday, 06 April 2013 00:00 By Sony Neme Saturday Magazine - Weekend Beats

As practitioners continue to hail President Goodluck Jonathan for the N3 billion grant for structures in the movie industry, a group of Nollywood practitioners under the auspices of Nollywood Monitors has come up with a formula they believe will enable the grant serve them better. In a four-point statement signed by Ejezie Emeka Rollas, Managing Director, Rolling Pictures Ltd, the group commended President Jonathan, “For demonstrating his love once again for the Motion Picture Industry in Nigeria a.ka. Nollywood by the 3billion naira Federal Government grant he announced during the presidential dinner with Nollywood at State House, Marina Lagos on March 2, 2013. However, the group strongly objects to Nollywood representation in the committee set up by government.”


Zik Zulu Okafor, President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria (AMP).

Rising from a five-hour meeting on Saturday March 30, 2013 in Surulere, Lagos, the group issued a statement stating: “That the outcome of the so-called stakeholders meeting that held on Wednesday 27th March 2013 at Zen Garden Restaurant, No 60 Isaac John street, Ikeja, Lagos be ignored and set aside as it did not display utmost good faith both in conveyance and organization. This has become inevitable as all Guilds and Association heads were not duly consulted and represented.


Ms. Ibinabo Fiberesima, President of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN).

“That all substantive and serving Guilds and Association heads be appointed into the Federal Government Committee as true representatives of Nollywood; namely: Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), Screen Writers Guild of Nigeria (SWGN), Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN), Nigeria Society of Cinematographers (NSC), Nigeria Society of Editors (NSE), Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP), National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP), Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), Film and Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) and Motion Picture Practitioners of Nigeria (MOPPAN); That all Non Guild and Association heads presently serving in the committee be withdrawn and replaced by duly elected Guild/Association heads and That the good intention of Government culminating in the approval of the three billion naira grant for Nollywood would only be fully realized if Government deals directly with existing elected representatives of the industry.”

Click here for the complete report in The Guardian On Saturday.

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Employees Compete To Win Their Own Food Franchise In New Food Network Series Giving You The Business

Walter Bond and Contestants from Famous Famiglia in Food Network's Giving You The Business.

Employees Unknowingly Compete To Win Their Own Food Franchise In New Food Network Series Giving You The Business

One-Hour Series Premieres Thursday, April 25th at 10pm ET/PT

NEW YORK, April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Employees with qualities that make 'the perfect recipe for success' are hand-selected by the CEO of their company in Food Network's new series Giving You The Business to vie for the chance to win their own food franchise with an unexpected twist – they don't know a thing about it! Personally chosen for their loyalty and hard work, these employees are secretly entered into hidden-camera challenges that test their skills, honesty and ability to handle difficult situations that are typical in day-to-day management. Based on their actions and decision-making and judged by their company's CEO, one winner will be awarded their own franchise. Giving You The Business premieres on Thursday, April 25 th at 10pm ET/PT and is hosted by former NBA player and franchise owner Walter Bond.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/58437-food-network-new-series-giving-you-the-business

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130403/MM78162 )

In the premiere episode, four Famous Famiglia employees from across the country are secretly put to the test in a series of outrageous challenges designed to test their management skills. Hidden cameras capture their every move at the company's busiest Manhattan pizzeria, and the winner will be awarded their own franchise. Franchises featured in upcoming episodes include: 16 Handles, Freshii, Jersey Mike's Subs, La Prep, Muscle Maker Grill, Saladworks, Topper's Pizza and Wok Box.

Walter Bond uses what he learned on the basketball court and franchise world in his many speaking engagements around the country, discussing how to excel in business with owners and employees. He is a former NBA athlete who rose from being a reserve player coming off the bench to becoming the first rookie-free agent to start for the Dallas Mavericks. This journey provides the foundation for the principles he teaches to empower people in their own lives. Today he is recognized as one of the world's preeminent experts on personal accountability. Walter has impacted hundreds of thousands of people in his rapid rise to the top of the speaking industry.

Giving You The Business is produced by Cineflix.

FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and averages more than 9.9 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine has tripled its rate base and delivers a circulation of 1.5 million. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24 hour networks in Great Britain, India, Asia and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive (NYSE: SNI), which also owns and operates HGTV (www.hgtv.com), DIY Network (www.diynetwork.com), Great American Country (www.gactv.com) and Cooking Channel (www.cookingchanneltv.com), is the manager and general partner.

SOURCE Food Network

CONTACT: Lauren Sklar, 646-336-3745, lsklar@foodnetwork.com

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

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New Shell Research Busts Myths On American Drivers' Views About Fuel Efficiency

5 Apr 2013 15:30 Africa/Lagos

New Shell Research Busts Myths On American Drivers' Views About Fuel Efficiency
US Launches Target One Million to help develop smarter drivers

HOUSTON, April 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- For years, American car culture has influenced US motorist behavior, affecting everything from what we drive to how we drive and maintain our vehicles. Shell announced results from a new national study today that provides insight into current US driver attitudes on fuel efficiency and compares them to those of drivers in other countries. The results counter some common myths about national views on energy use, revealing that Americans care about using energy resources wisely, understand the importance of fuel efficiency and want to learn more about how to save fuel.



(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130405/DA89359-INFO)

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120917/MM76045LOGO)

From this study's findings, Shell also announced the US launch of Target One Million, as part of its Smarter Driving program. The goal of this initiative is to show one million people worldwide how easy it is to become more fuel efficient.

The survey results show:

Americans are more concerned about energy waste compared to other countries surveyed[1], with half of US drivers bothered by people wasting energy and 54 percent seeing it as a waste of resources beyond just money.
US drivers recognize the positive impact of fuel efficiency both financially and out of respect for the planet's resources. Seventy-seven percent see being fuel efficient as an important way for them to personally use resources in a more sustainable way, while 86 percent also see it as important for saving money.
While 63 percent of drivers indicate a willingness to change their driving behaviors to be more fuel efficient, nearly one in three US drivers also indicated they don't know how to drive more efficiently.

When it comes to maintenance behaviors, the survey showed that while most US drivers take care of their vehicles' basic needs, they could do more to be fuel efficient. Items noted include:

Half of the people surveyed keep items in the trunk of their vehicles, with 23 percent using it as a permanent storage space, and
Many are not servicing their vehicle properly, with 40 percent missing maintenance checks and another one in 10 not getting regular maintenance done on their vehicles.

"Shell has more than 100 years of experience showing the world's drivers how to get more out of their fuel," said Elen Phillips, vice president, Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing Americas. "From this new research, it's clear that Americans want to know more. Programs like Smarter Driving and Target One Million are extremely important in demonstrating simple changes motorists can make to their driving habits to become more fuel efficient and to save at the pump."

Shell Smarter Driving and Target One Million
Shell developed a Smarter Driving program for motorists to help them go further on less fuel by helping them "M.A.P." their own journey to Smarter Driving. M.A.P. stands for:

Maintenance : Perform smart maintenance before you drive;
Actions : Practice smart behaviors while you're behind the wheel; and
Products : Purchase smart products and services without sacrificing price or quality.

As part of Smarter Driving, the launch of the Target One Million initiative in the US means the release of an interactive, online mini-game, the Shell Smarter Driving Challenge at www.shell.us/smarterdriving. The game has been designed to be shareable across social media platforms. It shows motorists how a few simple changes to driving habits, such as ensuring proper vehicle maintenance and using high quality products, like Shell fuels and lubricants, can help them stretch their fuel purchases. To date, more than 300,000 people globally have taken the challenge.

Appropriately, Shell announced this new program and the research findings on fuel efficiency at the seventh annual Shell Eco-marathon Americas running this weekend in Downtown Houston. Phillips added, "Shell Eco-marathon isn't about breaking speed records or racing other teams to the finish line, instead, the competition honors the students who go furthest using the least amount of energy."

Fuel efficiency experts John and Helen Taylor, also known as the world's most fuel efficient couple, are helping launch the Target One Million initiative at the event.

"We are thrilled American motorists want to learn how to drive more fuel efficiently and be kinder to their wallets at the same time," said Helen Taylor. "The Shell Smarter Driving Challenge mini-game is a fun way to learn, without taking too much time. Learning to be a smarter driver doesn't have to be a hassle; it's easy!"

Visit www.shell.us/smarterdriving for more information.

The Shell Smarter Driving Survey was commissioned by Shell and conducted by Edelman Berland, an independent market research and insights firm. An unbranded online survey was conducted in March 2013 and randomly sampled 1,591 American drivers across the U.S. A result of 50% is +/- 2.5% at the 95% confidence interval.

About Shell Oil Company

Shell Oil Company is an affiliate of the Royal Dutch Shell plc, a global group of energy and petrochemical companies with 93,000 employees in more than 90 countries. We deliver a diverse range of energy solutions and petrochemicals to customers worldwide. These include transporting and trading oil and gas, marketing natural gas, producing and selling fuel for ships and planes, generating electricity and providing energy efficiency advice.

CAUTIONARY NOTE

The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate entities. In this press release "Shell", "Shell group" and "Royal Dutch Shell" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These expressions are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular company or companies. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this press release refer to companies in which Royal Dutch Shell either directly or indirectly has control, by having either a majority of the voting rights or the right to exercise a controlling influence. The companies in which Shell has significant influence but not control are referred to as "associated companies" or "associates" and companies in which Shell has joint control are referred to as "jointly controlled entities". In this press release, associates and jointly controlled entities are also referred to as "equity-accounted investments". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect (for example, through our 23% shareholding in Woodside Petroleum Ltd.) ownership interest held by Shell in a venture, partnership or company, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''will'', ''seek'', ''target'', ''risks'', ''goals'', ''should'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for the Group's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserve estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including potential litigation and regulatory effects arising from recategorisation of reserves; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; and (m) changes in trading conditions. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2012 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These factors also should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, April 5, 2013. Neither Royal Dutch Shell nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits oil and gas companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose only proved reserves that a company has demonstrated by actual production or conclusive formation tests to be economically and legally producible under existing economic and operating conditions. We use certain terms in this press release that SEC's guidelines strictly prohibit us from including in filings with the SEC. U.S. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov. You can also obtain these forms from the SEC by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.

[1] Based on a 10-country survey of Europe (United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Turkey) and Asia (Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore).


SOURCE Shell Oil Company
NOTE TO EDITORS:Footage available: Smarter Driving on display (https://www.yousendit.com/dl?phi_action=app/orchestrateDownload&rurl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.yousendit.com%252Ftransfer.php%253Faction%253Dbatch_download%2526send_id%253D2038147180%2526email%253D819ea5cb7cec9597762591b5159bf3f6&s=19105&cid=tx-0200220835020) and a demo (https://www.yousendit.com/dl?phi_action=app/orchestrateDownload&rurl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.yousendit.com%252Ftransfer.php%253Faction%253Dbatch_download%2526send_id%253D2038147180%2526email%253D819ea5cb7cec9597762591b5159bf3f6&s=19105&cid=tx-0200220835020) on The Smarter Driving Challenge game.

CONTACT: Cecilia Fan, Edelman +1-323-202-1465, Janna Hughes, Edelman +1-713-970-2151, Shell Media Line, +1-713-241-4544

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

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