In Most Parts of the World, When A Girl is Born...

10x10 and Nigerians Report Present the Nigerian Premiere of "Girl Rising" on Friday October 11, 2013, to celebrate the United Nations' International Day of the Girl Child, from 11 am at the Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Galleria, 133, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.

 Supported by United Nations Information Center, Zonta International Clubs in Nigeria, Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), Kiddies and Brands Company and Silverbird Cinemas.

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard E. Robbins and narrated by Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Moretz, Liam Neeson, Freida Pinto, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington, the movie is at the center of 10x10 – a global campaign to educate and empower girls.

“If to see it is to know it, this film delivers hope; reasonable, measurable, tangible hope that the world can be healed and helped to a better future," said Meryl Streep, one of the film’s narrators. 

As a result of passionate organizers stepping up to captain screenings on demand in their local cinemas, more than 1,700 screenings have been requested around the U.S to date.   

“I believe in the power of education to change not only a girl, but the world,” said Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report Online and the Nigerian Captain of Girl Rising.

“By bringing Girl Rising to Nigeria, we are showing our people a beautiful film that demonstrates the impact education can have on girls’ lives around the globe.  I am proud to be part of this revolution, among hundreds of others who are organizing global screenings.”

“Girl Rising is about the world-changing power of educating girls,” said Holly Gordon, Executive Director of 10x10. “I am incredibly moved by the thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations who have stepped up to bring this important film to movie theaters and communities around the country. Girl Rising is the centerpiece of our global campaign, and these organizers are the foundation. Together, they are driving transformative change one community at a time.”

“It's a powerful film that has potential to inspire change in the world. If you're not moved, you're not breathing," said Alicia Keys, who also narrates the film.

A portion of Girl Rising ticket sales go to support girls’ programs around the world through the 10x10 Fund for Girls’ Education. The Fund is distributed to 10x10’s high-impact network of non-profit partners who are working on the ground: A New Day Cambodia, CARE, Girl Up/United Nations Foundation, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, Room to Read, UNICEF, and World Vision.

Girl Rising is from the award-winning producers of The Documentary Group and Vulcan Productions, with strategic partner Intel Corporation and global television distribution partner CNN Films.

ABOUT 10X10

10x10 was founded by award-winning journalists at The Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions, along with strategic partner, Intel Corporation. 10x10 is built on a foundation of partnerships with NGOs, corporations, policy makers, and grassroots organizations — all working to change minds, lives, and policy. 10x10’s coalition of NGO partners include a high-impact network of champions and leaders in girls’ education. These organizations provide life-changing services to girls every day, and are among the best practitioners of their kind. 10x10’s film, Girl Rising, has been acquired by CNN Films and will be broadcast on CNN in the summer of 2013.

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Our Hearts Are With the Dozens of Victims of Nairobi Terror Attack

NEW YORK, Sept. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- AJC stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the government and people of Kenya, as the country endures a horrific terrorist attack in a popular shopping mall in Nairobi. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100816/AJCLOGO) Shabab, a Somali-based Islamist group affiliated with al-Qaeda, has claimed credit for the attack, which began yesterday, and has left at least 59 dead and more than 175 wounded. "Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and our prayers are with the wounded in the hope of their full recovery," said AJC Executive Director David Harris. "Tragically, the radical Islamist group Shabab has once again demonstrated the limitless depths of its depravity, having targeted innocent men, women and children who had simply set out to shop, dine and enjoy time in the shopping mall." The United States has designated the al-Qaeda-affiliated Shabab a terrorist group. Several terrorists remain inside the Nairobi mall in a stand-off with Kenyan security forces. SOURCE American Jewish Committee CONTACT: Kenneth Band
24 September 2013
16:07	UN chief urges world leaders to answer demands of their people for dignity, development
10:59	Statement of ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda in relation to the Westgate Mall attack, Nairobi, Kenya
01:55	Communiqué of the second meeting of the Regional Oversight Mechanism of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the region, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
23 Sep 2013
20:50	L'Allemagne condamne l'attaque d'un centre commercial à Nairobi
19:30	CAIR Condemns Bomb Attacks by Extremists in Pakistan, Iraq
14:54	Ruto and Sang case: Hearing on the adjournment of the trial, 23 September 2013
11:43	Didier Reynders condamne l'attaque au Kenya
02:41	Shinnyo Lantern Floating For Peace Draws Thousands Of New Yorkers To Central Park To Celebrate Peace
01:58	Nairobi attack: PM phone call with Kenya's President Kenyatta
01:55	Foreign Secretary press conference with French Foreign Minister
01:21	Le Secrétaire général condamne une attaque contre un centre commercial à Nairobi au Kenya
00:50	Le Conseil des droits de l'homme adopte les résultats de l'examen périodique du Cameroun
22 Sep 2013
23:13	CAIR-NY: Sikh Professor Beaten, Called 'Osama,' 'Terrorist'
17:41	AJC: Our Hearts Are With the Dozens of Victims of Nairobi Terror Attack
16:59	CAIR Condemns Terror Attack on Nairobi Mall
14:39	Canada Mourns Loss of Canadian Public Servant in Kenya
14:36	UN CHIEF, SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMN TERRORIST ATTACK IN KENYA
14:32	Le Canada pleure la perte d'une fonctionnaire canadienne au Kenya
14:31	Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General
14:25	SOUTH AFRICA CONDEMNS THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN KENYA

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Kofi Awoonor: 13 March 1935 – 21 September 2013

Kofi Awoonor (13 March 1935 – 21 September 2013) was a Ghanaian poet and author whose work combined the poetic traditions of his native Ewe people and contemporary and religious symbolism to depict Africa during decolonization. He started writing under the name George Awoonor-Williams.


 Professor Kofi Awoonor was among those who were killed in the September 2013 attack at Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya.


ACROSS A NEW DAWN

Sometimes, we read the
lines in the green leaf
run our fingers over the
smooth of the precious wood
from our ancient trees;

Sometimes, even the sunset
puzzles, as we look
for the lines that propel the clouds,
the colour scheme
with the multiple designs
that the first artist put together

There is dancing in the streets again
the laughter of children rings
through the house
On the seaside, the ruins recent
from the latest storms
remind of ancestral wealth
pillaged purloined pawned
by an unthinking grandfather
who lived the life of a lord
and drove coming generations to
despair and ruin

*

But who says our time is up
that the box maker and the digger
are in conference
or that the preachers have aired their robes
and the choir and the drummers
are in rehearsal?

No; where the worm eats
a grain grows.
the consultant deities
have measured the time
with long winded
arguments of eternity

And death, when he comes
to the door with his own
inimitable calling card
shall find a homestead
resurrected with laughter and dance
and the festival of the meat
of the young lamb and the red porridge
of the new corn

*

We are the celebrants
whose fields were
overrun by rogues
and other bad men who
interrupted our dance
with obscene songs and bad gestures

Someone said an ailing fish
swam up our lagoon
seeking a place to lay its load
in consonance with the Original Plan

Master, if you can be the oarsman
for our boat
please do it, do it.
I asked you before
once upon a shore
at home, where the
seafront has narrowed
to the brief space of childhood

We welcome the travelers
come home on the new boat
fresh from the upright tree


From “Promises of Hope: New and Selected Poems,” selected by Kofi Anyidoho, University of Nebraska Press and the African Poetry Book Fund, 2014


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DHL Nigeria Have Fun Day with Little Saints Orphanage to Celebrate Global Volunteer Day

All Smiles Some of the children from the Little Saints Orphanage.
  

DHL employees in Nigeria mark Global Volunteer Day by organizing outdoor fun day for children from the Little Saints Orphanage
 

Nigeria, September 23, 2013: DHL Nigeria part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world’s leading postal and logistics group, recently marked Global Volunteer Day 2013 with 100 employees taking part in organizing an outdoor fun day for children from the Little Saints orphanage as part of its global drive to give back to local communities and to inculcate a passion for volunteerism among employees.

“DPDHL is passionate about giving back to the community and Global Volunteer Day is a priority for our company. Our project locally is not only aligned to this global enthusiasm and our international goals and approach, but also fits into the national agenda, creating hope for local communities and the people of Nigeria, says Randy Buday, Country Manager, DHL Nigeria. 

Country Manager, Randy Buday with the DHL NG Volunteers and the children from the Little Saints Orphanage.

The day started bright with about 100 DHL employees turning up at the Isolo office premises to set up rides, games, music as well as food and drink serving points for the visiting children. At about 11am, two buses conveying 100 children from the orphanage drove into the DHL compound amidst smiles and cheers from the employees.

The children were first treated to some light aerobic activities before the fun and games began with activities such as singing, dancing, bouncing, sliding and more. The children also enjoyed a wide selection of mouth watering meals as well as cotton candy, ice cream, popcorn and other kiddies favorites. By the end of the day, it was obvious the children didn’t want to leave the little wonderland the DHL employees had created for them.

After the event, one of the children had this to say: “My name is Akinyemi Ephraim George one of the children in Little Saints Orphanage. I really want to use this great opportunity to appreciate the company (DHL) and the manager for their love, care and time spent with the children. I want to say a very big thank you sir and ma and I pray may God continue to bless the company and all the staffs of DHL.”                        

The DHL NG Team of Volunteers.

                           

“At DHL we believe that people are our greatest resource and the company aims to encourage employees to actively participate in community efforts, as well as inspire the spirit of volunteerism,” says Olufunmilayo Glover, Human Resources Manager, DHL Nigeria.

Introduced in Asia Pacific in 2008, Volunteer Day has expanded into Americas, Middle East, Africa and Europe over the years, and continues to build on its success by involving more employees than ever before. In 2012, the initiative was rolled out globally with tremendous success – 62,000 volunteers in about 120 countries and territories participated in more than 1,000 community programs.

For Global Volunteer Day 2013, Deutsche Post DHL offices around the world are participating in many diverse community projects in support of various local causes. These programs deliver to the company’s three Corporate Responsibility programs – GoTeach (championing education), GoGreen (protecting the environment) and GoHelp (delivering help). 

“Global Volunteer Day is a key part of our sustainability focus and an integral part of our company’s commitment to deliver its Corporate Responsibility strategy through GoGreen, GoHelp and GoTeach,” comments Randy Buday.

“If we can just make a difference in our local communities; imagine an entire globe full of corporate volunteers banding together. Global Volunteer Day is just that – an international organisation standing together to effect change in the communities that we serve.” 

- End -

Media Contact:

olawale.adetula@dhl.com

www.dhl.com

DHL – The Logistics company for the world

DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics Company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The Group generated revenue of more than 55 billion Euros in 2012.  

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Eko International Film Festival Endorsed by Lagos State Government

Eko International Film Festival Endorsed by Lagos State Government

The annual Eko International Film Festival is now endorsed by the Lagos state government.
Receiving the endorsement from the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism and Inter governmental affairs, the President of Eko International Film Festival Mr. Hope Obioma Opara expressed his appreciation and pledged to work with his team in realizing his dream of building a big film festival in this mega city of Lagos. He stated that there is no way a film festival can be well recognized at the global level without the endorsement and support from the host state and the country at large, because film festivals are platforms that can be used to explore the tourism potentials of a country and attract direct foreign investments to Lagos state and Nigeria..

Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, President of Eko International Film Festival with top Nigerian filmmaker Jeta Amata at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, Cannes, France.


 In his interaction with Barr Mrs. A.A Agbamiloja, who represented the Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Relations, he assured the government that the next level is to attract the global film market to Lagos. Having the backing of the host state is imperative in establishing an international film festival in every city of the world.


The annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) is Nigeria’s leading international film festival in the coastal mega city of Lagos in south western Nigeria.
It was founded in August 2009 by Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima, the Publisher/Editor of Nigerians Report and CEO of International Digital Post Network Limited and Screen Outdoor Open Air Cinema, the operators of the Screen Naija One Village, One Cinema Project in Nigeria. The film festival was duly registered by Supple Communications Limited in September 2009 as the organizers.


The inaugural edition was held in the mega city of Lagos in summer, July 7-12, 2010, at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas of The Palms in Lekki, Lagos, with filmmakers from Nigeria, Kenya, UK, Germany, France, Spain and America. The second edition and third editions were held in July 2011 and 2012 at the Silverbird Cinemas of the Silverbird Galleria on Victoria Island, Lagos. The fourth edition coming up from November 18-23, 2013 has received dozens of movies submitted by filmmakers from different countries including Iran, Serbia, Holland, South Africa, Germany, France, Spain, United Kingdom, USA, Nigeria and Nigerians in Diaspora and  more entries will be accepted until the closing date of October 15, 2013.


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Dear Parents of Every Girl Child

"Girl Rising" will premiere in Nigeria on Friday October 11, 2013, see the details below.

Dear Parents of every girl child,
What kind of education are you giving your child?
You know your child is your future.

We want to talk to you on educating our daughters and lest we forget, our housemaids or house-girls are not left out.
You must not deprive any housemaid or house-girl of education.

The kind of education you give your housemaid or house-girl will affect and reflect in the life of your own child, because you often leave your child in the care of your housemaid or house-girl while you are at work or elsewhere and it is what she knows she will share or teach your child. So, it would be best and of great benefit to you to make sure that you don't deprive your housemaid or house-girl of a good education for the mutual benefit of your own child.
Your own daughter and the housemaid or house-girl are going to share many things in common as long as they live in the same environment and as the Laws of Harvest prove and the Word of God says, what we sow is what we shall reap sooner or later in life. So, please care and love every housemaid or house-girl as you care and love your own child. 
Don't maltreat your housemaid or house-girl lest she will also maltreat your child or become a negative influence in the upbringing of your child.

If you don't educate your housemaid or house-girl, you are only showing a bad example that will definitely harm you in the future, because our daughters regardless of their social class backgrounds are the future mothers of our nations. 

Now here are the facts you should know.

66 million girls across the world are out of school.

Source: UNESCO - UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics estimation

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Globally, 1 in 5 girls of lower secondary school age is out of school

Source: UNESCO - UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics estimation

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Girls’ primary school completion rates are below 50% in most poor countries.

Source: UNESCO - UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics estimation PDF

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Every year, 10 million girls are forced or coerced into marriage.

Source: Bruce, J. and S. Clark (2004), “The Implications of Early Marriage for HIV/AIDS Policy”, Brief based on backgroundpaper prepared for the WHO/UNFPA/Population Council Technical Consultation on Married Adolescents New York

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Every 3 seconds, another girl is forced or coerced to marry.

Source: Plan’s ‘Breaking Vows: Early and Forced Marriage and Girls’ Education, 2011

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1 in every 3 girls in the developing world is married by the age of 18.

Source: UNICEF (2011), “The State of the World’s Children 2011, Adolescence: An Age of Opportunity”, New York: UNICEF Population Council.

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1 in 7 marries before they reach the age of 15.

Source: The Elders (2010), “Child Marriage”.. Accessed 24 May 2011.

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150 million girls, and 73 million boys, under 18 have experienced rape or other forms of sexual violence.

Source: According to the World Health Organization based on estimates by Andrews, G., et al. 2004. “Child Sexual Abuse,” Chapter 23 in Ezzati, M., et al. 2004. Comparative Quantification of Health Risks: Global and Regional Burden of Disease Attributable to Selected Major Risk Factors. Vol. 2. WHO, Geneva: 1851-1940 and data of the Population Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs for population under 18 years. See WHO. 2006. Global Estimates of Health Consequences due to Violence against Children. Background paper for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children. WHO, Geneva, cited in General Assembly. 2006. Report of the Independent Expert for the United Nations Study on Violence against Children.

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The leading cause of death for young women aged 15-19 in developing countries is pregnancy.

Source: Because I am a Girl. The State of the World’s Girls 2009. Girls in the Global Economy: Adding It All Up, p.51. London, Plan. World Health Organization WHO, Women and Health

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An extra year of secondary school increases a girl’s potential income by 15 to 25%.

Source: Psacharopoulous, G. et al. “Returns to Investment in Education: A further Update. Policy Research Working Paper 2881 (Washington, DC: World Bank 2002).

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Each extra year of a mother’s schooling cuts infant mortality by between 5 and 10%.

Source: Herz, B. And Sperling G. (2004). What Works in Girls’ Education: Evidence and Policies from the Developing World. Council on Foreign Relations: New York

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An increase of only 1% in girls secondary education attendance, adds 0.3% to a country's GDP.

Source: Plan International (2008) 'Paying the Price, the economic cost of failing to educate girls.

 
Holly Gordon, the Executive Director of 10x10 and Executive Producer of "Girl Rising" will be the Special Guest of Honor and Guest Speaker at the Nigerian Premiere of "Girl Rising" to celebrate the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child on Friday October 11 and also on Saturday October 12, 2013.

Come and join us to celebrate the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child on Friday October 11, 2013. And we are having the big event.
The Nigerian premiere of "Girl Rising", the phenomenal CNN film by 10x10, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Silverbird Galleria, 133, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Lagos.
For advance bookings for the tickets for the special screening of "Girl Rising", email: publisher@nigeriansreport.com.

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