Happy Birthday Prof. Wole Soyinka, The Lion of African Literature

Happy 85th Birthday To our very own WS, Professor Wo̩lé S̩óyinká, The Lion of African Literature. The first black winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature; iconic Philosopher, Writer and Filmmaker.
One of the greatest humans I have met and the only one I gave the first copy of my book, "The Prophet Lied" that arrived Nigeria from the United States of America. He is one of the greatest humans who have inspired me as an artist, poet, dramatist, novelist and human rights activist.
Icon of African culture and literature.
Indisputably, the greatest African writer.


Click here for his biographical information.

International Congress of Youth Voices Brings Together Authors and Activists in Puerto Rico

International Congress of Youth Voices Brings Together Authors and Activists in Puerto Rico
Founded by Author and Activist Dave Eggers, Congress Features 130 Accomplished Young Writers from Around the World August 7 through 11

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 8, 130 accomplished young writers from around the world will meet with activists, political leaders, and other changemakers to learn and collaborate as they seek to make a positive impact in their communities. The summit, co-founded by author and activist Dave Eggers and nonprofit leader Amanda Uhle, is in its second year and will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In addition to best-selling Haitian-American novelist Edwidge Danticat, winner of the National Book Award, the gathering will feature several other speakers. They include authors David Wallace-Wells, Chinaka Hodge, Alia Malek, and Nyuol Lueth Tong, along with Palestinian peace activist Huda Abu Arqoub, senior officials from Puerto Rico, and local activists such as Carla Rodriguez and Rosa Colon.

The delegates participating in the Congress hail from 26 countries around the globe, including Zambia, Iraq, Cuba, Uganda, Ireland, Burundi, Syria, Australia, Russia, Tanzania, Canada, Thailand, Pakistan, Denmark, India, Somalia, France, Nepal, Palestine, Ecuador, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Colombia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

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Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala To Speak At The First-Ever European Innovation Festival

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, economist, international development expert and former Finance Minister of Nigeria is among the leading global leaders and celebrities who will headline the  First-Ever European Innovation Festival in July.

Fast Company Brings First-Ever European Innovation Festival to Milan and Florence Powered by Gucci
THEME: THE DAWN OF SUPERINTELLIGENCE

NEW YORK, June 24, 2019  /PRNewswire/ -- Fast Company today announced the line-up for its European Innovation Festival (FCEIF) —the first-ever global thought leadership summit of its kind. The three-day event, powered by Gucci, will take place from July 9-11 in Milan and Florence. The Festival, titled "The Dawn of Superintelligence," will highlight the potential for collaboration between man and machine as society sits on the precipice of a new era of technological advancement and artificial intelligence. The Festival will bring together a high profile collection of global thought leaders to explore the opportunities and challenges that come from marrying the precision and analytics of computers with the sensitivity of humanity.          

Speakers for the Festival include: Yuval Noah Harari, historian and author; Darren Aronofsky, screenwriter and director; Jared Leto, tech investor, actor and musician; Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, economist, international development expert and former Finance Minister of Nigeria;  Alec Ross, author of "The Industries of the Future," technology policy expert, and senior innovation advisor to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton; Natalie Massenet, founder of Net-A-Porter and co-founder and managing partner, Imaginary Ventures; Riccardo Sabatini, scientist and entrepreneur; Jessica Brillhart, immersive director, writer and founder of Vrai Pictures; Dustin Yellin, contemporary artist; Chloe Macintosh, chief creative officer, Soho House, and cofounder, Made.com; Massimo Bottura, chef patron and Food for Soul founder; Marian Goodell, CEO, Burning Man; Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan, and Marco Bizzarri, President and CEO of Gucci.

Okoronkwo Takes Pharmacy to Another Level

Okoronkwo Takes Pharmacy to Another Level

Steve Okonkwo’s Principles of Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria comes handy for Pharmacy students and practicing Pharmacists.

Experts say the book is a valuable manual for quality practice and study of the profession. A product of painstaking research, Principles of Pharmacy Practice in Nigeria will be launched on 27th June 2019 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

ITUC Global Rights Index 2019: Democracy in Crisis as Brutal Repression Used to Silence Age of Anger

ITUC Global Rights Index 2019: Democracy in Crisis as Brutal Repression Used to Silence Age of Anger

BRUSSELS, 19 June 2019 / PRN Africa / -- The systematic dismantling of the foundations of workplace democracy and the violent repression of strikes and protests put peace and stability at risk, according to the annual ITUC Global Rights Index. Extreme violence against the defenders of workplace rights saw large scale arrests and detentions in India, Turkey and Vietnam.

Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation said, “From Hong Kong to Mauritania, the Philippines to Turkey, governments are attempting to silence the age of anger by constraining freedom of speech and assembly. In 72% of countries, workers had no or restricted access to justice, with severe cases reported in Cambodia, China, Iran  and Zimbabwe.”

Ford Foundation Appoints Marca Bristo and Gbenga Oyebode to its Board of Trustees

Ford Foundation Appoints Marca Bristo and Gbenga Oyebode to its Board of Trustees

20 JUNE 2019
New York, 20 June 2019 — The Ford Foundation announced today that Marca Bristo and Gbenga Oyebode have been elected to serve as members of its Board of Trustees.

A Political Title is Not a Legacy

• From left: The late Chief Awolowo, Dr Azikiwe, Alhaji Balewa, Dr E. M. Endeley and Alhaji Bello at the constitutional conference in London before the Independence in 1960.

Nigerians are so obsessed with political title chasers that they continue to be their ass lickers without asking for their achievements and legacies to posterity?

A political title is not a legacy.
Who remembers the past Presidents of the Nigerian Senate; Dennis Osadebay (1960-1963 NCNC); Nwafor Orizu (1963–1966 NCNC) and Joseph Wayas (1979–1983 NPN)?
How many past senators and representatives do Nigerians remember?

The greatest Nigerian political philosopher, Chief Ọbáfẹ́mi Awólọ́wọ̀; GCFR ( 6 March 1909 – 9 May 1987), was the first Premier of the Western Region and one of the founding fathers of the independence of modern Nigeria. He never became the President or Prime Minister, but he achieved more than the Right Honourable Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe; P.C. (16 November 1904 – 11 May 1996), who was Governor General of Nigeria from 1960 to 1963 and the first President of Nigeria from 1963 to 1966 and the Right Honourable, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa; P.C.(December 1912 – 15 January 1966) who was the only Prime  Minister of Nigeria.
In fact, no other President and Head of State has the outstanding legacies of the great Yoruba sage till date in the nation building of a New Nigeria in the leadership of Africa among the comity of nations in the world.

He was the first African political office holder to introduce free primary education for all and free health care for children which he launched as the  Premier of the Western Region; he established the first television service in Africa in 1959 and the most prolific author among political leaders in the world with over nine books on contemporary political leadership, democracy and good governance.

- By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima,

Author of "The Victory of Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Dream" and other books. https://www.amazon.com/author/ekenyerengozimichaelchima.

The Lancet: One in Five People Living in an Area Affected by Conflict Has a Mental Health Condition

The Lancet: One in Five People Living in an Area Affected by Conflict Has a Mental Health Condition

GENEVA, 11 June 2019 / PRN Africa / -- New estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) highlight need for increased, sustained investment in the development of mental health services in areas affected by conflict.

From Myanmar To the Middle East, from Vienna to Nigeria, Support Pours in for KAICIID After Austrian Vote

From Myanmar To the Middle East, from Vienna to Nigeria, Support Pours in for KAICIID After Austrian Vote

Jun 14, 2019, 19:15 WAT
VIENNA, June 15, 2019  /PRNewswire/ -- Following a motion passed on Wednesday in Parliament seeking Austria's  withdrawal from the International Dialogue Centre (KAICIID)'s Council of Parties, messages of support for the Centre have poured in from all areas of its operations across the world.

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Newly Elected Nigerian UN General Assembly President Pledges Focus on ‘Peace and Prosperity' for the Most Vulnerable

UN Photo/Evan Schneider
Ambassador Tijjani Mohammad Bande, newly-elected President of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly. (4 June 2019).

Newly Elected Nigerian UN General Assembly President Pledges Focus on ‘Peace and Prosperity' for the Most Vulnerable


NEW YORK, 04 June 2019 / PRN Africa / -- Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, Nigeria's current UN Permanent Representative, was elected to head the world body by acclamation on Tuesday in the General Assembly Hall in New York  and will succeed Ecuador's Maria Fernanda Espinosa.