Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Nigeria's Ugochi Anyaka Wins UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Award
Ugochi Anyaka
21 Feb 2012 12:25 Africa/Lagos
Nigeria's Ugochi Anyaka Wins UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Award
NAIROBI, February 21, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- A radio journalist from Nigeria has won the United Nations Environment Programme's Young Environmental Journalist Award (YEJA), beating over 120 entries from reporters across Africa.
Ugochi Anyaka (28) received her award at a special ceremony held during the 12th Special Session of the UNEP Governing Council / Global Ministerial Environment Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.
The winning report, entitled Saving the Trees for Paper Briquettes, was broadcast on ASO Radio in Nigeria, where Ms. Anyaka works as a journalist and presenter.
The radio feature profiled a project in a low-income suburb of Abuja that manufactures briquettes from waste paper, in order to provide an alternative fuel to traditional firewood.
The project aims to reduce the health risks associated with indoor use of wood fuel, reduce deforestation and provide a source of income for the briquette makers.
Ms. Anyaka's report also discusses the role of the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).
“This story was done to show the opportunities in a changing climate - and not just the woes,” said Ugochi Anyaka.
“It also seeks to show the conflicting view points about the Clean Development Mechanism. But ultimately, it tells the story of what some Nigerians are doing to protect their vulnerable environment and save their very existence. Winning the UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Award is the greatest moment of joy in my career. It is such an honour to be recognised in this manner,” she added.
The YEJA jury described Ms. Anyaka's winning entry as a “well-researched report that clearly explained the essence of reducing green house gas emissions and the need for creating environmental development in Africa”.
The winner was presented with her specially-commissioned trophy by Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Joseph Murphy, US Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-HABITAT and Patricia Okoed-Bukumunhe, the winner of last year's Young Environmental Journalist Award
Ms. Anyaka hosts an environmental radio show "Green Angle" on ASO Radio and also works as a producer, reporter and continuity announcer with the station. She writes an environmental blog, Eco Nigeria, at www.greennigeria.wordpress.com.
She lists her main interests as sustainable development and climate change.
As part of her prize, Ms. Anyaka will take part in a professional exchange visit to the United States, following a specially-designed “green itinerary”. Last year's YEJA winner, Patricia Okoed-Bukumunhe of Uganda, took part in a week-long placement with Voice of America in Washington DC, spent time with National Geographic magazine, the US Environmental Protection Agency and attended an environmental journalism conference in Florida.
“With less than four months to go until world governments meet at the UN Sustainable Development Conference (Rio+20) in Brazil, raising public awareness of today's environmental challenges is perhaps more critical than ever,” said UN Under-Secretary-General and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner.
“The large number of entries received from journalists from Cairo to Cape Town and Dar es Salaam to Dakar for this year's award, showed that young journalists are becoming an increasingly vital voice for telling the story of Africa's changing environment - and showing the many solutions that are available on the continent. On behalf of UNEP, I congratulate Ugochi Anyaka on her achievement and wish her continued success in her work.”
Launched in 2010, the UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Award aims to showcase excellence in the field of environmental reporting and nurture new talent that will help to shape opinion on the environment in Africa, and beyond, in years to come. The award is made possible though funding support from the US Department of State.
This year, a total of 127 entries were received (in English and French) from television, radio, online and print journalists in 28 countries. The diverse topics covered included the economic and environmental impacts of invasive species in Lake Victoria, efforts to reduce plastic bag use in Togo and the breeding of climate change-resilient chickens in Namibia.
The winner was chosen by the YEJA jury, which brought together four experts from the worlds of journalism, development and science. They were Amie Joof, Executive Director of the Senegal-based Inter-African Network for Women, Media, Gender and Development (FAMEDEV), Diran Onifade, journalist and manager with the Nigerian Television Authority and President of the African Federation of Science Journalists, Stanis Nkdundiye, Steering Committee member of the Federation of African Journalists and Sunday Leonard, Special (Scientific) Assistant to the Chief Scientist of UNEP.
Notes to Editors
UNEP Young Environmental Journalist Award website: www.unep.org/yeja
Source: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
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Donate Books for Young People in Nigeria
Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka sitting with Adeleke Adeyemi and his wife Wosilat Adeyemi at the event of The Nigeria Prize for Literature award ceremony on February 6, 2012, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) on Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Dear friends,
It has been impressed on our minds for sometime now, my husband and I, to do a book drive: to collect books, used and new, for children and young people, all the way to age 18, for onward shipping to Nigeria.
We are starting off an initiative to make books available to children in Nigeria for free, just as they are available to their peers here in the United States and other developed societies.
We believe that books do change people. Wonder of wonders, they have been known to change society at large.
We have a plan: to start a number of mini-libraries in select locations, heavy on lending out titles to patrons.
We'll keep you updated on progress.
You can start with used books in your house -- and possibly from your neighbors/co-workers/church members as well.
Simply mail them to us; we will arrange onward shipping to Nigeria.
Please forward this email to EVERYONE who comes to mind.
Let's get started!
Writing under a pen name, Mai Nasara, my husband, Adeleke, on February 6, 2012, used the occasion of the award ceremony of The Nigeria Prize for Literature which he won for his children's book, The Missing Clock, to call attention to the urgent need for all to join hands to work towards reviving a culture of reading, properly speaking, among our people.
You may read his speech at the following link:
http://groups.google.com/group/usaafricadialogue/browse_thread/thread/43dbcd8632b24a39
A report on the event is accessible here: http://www.nigerialng.com/News.aspx?&id=71
Any questions?
Meanwhile... start gathering those books!
Mail them to:
Wosilat & Adeleke Adeyemi
Sense & Century
5215 Manning Road
Indianapolis, IN 46228
Warm regards,
Abolore
CLICK HERE FOR FREE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN ARE AVAILABLE ONLINE.
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Think Media Studios' "King Me" Joins Cleveland International Film Festival
King Me from Think Media Studios on Vimeo.
21 Feb 2012 16:00 Africa/Lagos
Think Media Studios' "King Me" Joins Cleveland International Film Festival Lineup
Cleveland-based Think Media Studios Brings Unique Documentary to Popular Northeast Ohio Film Festival
CLEVELAND, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cleveland's leading video and event production company, Think Media Studios, announced its 2011 documentary, KING ME, will screen at the spring film festival in Cleveland. This is multiple Emmy award-winner Think's first foray into feature film. The documentary follows the story of one man's struggle to elevate himself from his humble roots through a very unlikely game, world championship checkers.
"KING ME is just the latest example of our innovative, creative team telling a story that inspires an audience. Whether we're creating 30-second commercials, corporate videos, or creating a film – we always have the same end goal in mind; give the audience a moving onscreen experience," says Think Media Studios Founder and Executive Producer, Brian Glazen.
Played by millions across the globe, most see checkers as simply a casual game. However, there is a competitive world of world-class checkers that features colorful characters, intense competition, and celebrated checkers champions. KING ME is the true story of a rare talent rising from obscurity and a gritty examination of South African post-apartheid race relations not seen before. The movie's protagonist, Lubabalo Kondlo, is a South African township resident who faces many obstacles in his quest to become a World Champion. KING ME's sometimes heart wrenching story is framed within the confines of the competitive checker scene and its slightly off center denizens deliver unforgettable and often hilarious moments. Click here to view the trailer.
King Me will have multiple showings during the festival that runs from March 22 nd to April 1 st. The 36th annual Cleveland International Film Festival features more than 100 feature films as well as more than 100 short subject films, from more than 50 countries. Last year's festival took in nearly 80,000 movie enthusiasts.
"We're excited to be a part of the Cleveland International Film Festival," said Think Producer and KING ME's Director, Geoff Yaw. "King Me's story takes place all over the globe from Africa to the Caribbean, and then ends up right here in Northeast Ohio. It was important to us to show the movie right here at home in Cleveland."
KING ME is certainly not the last project of its kind for Think. The company is currently editing its next long form documentary project for WVIZ.
About Think Media Studios
Think Media Studios (http://www.thinkmediastudios.com) is a privately-held, global video and event production company. The most advanced technologies are incorporated to design memorable and dynamic digital media. Producing award-winning video and multimedia assets, Think Media provides solutions for a range of uses from broadcast to web integration to world-class live events. Think Media Studios has been recognized with multiple Emmy, EMPixx, and Addy Awards.
SOURCE Think Media Studios
CONTACT: Doug Adams, Chief Marketing Officer, The Think Agency, m. +1-330-631-3292, doug@thethinkagency.com
Web Site: http://www.thinkmediastudios.com
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9 Rules to Choosing Employees with Confidence
Hunting for the best human assets. Photo Credit: Career Vanity
Hire Wisely... or Pay Later
Follow 9 Rules to Hire Employees with Confidence
Get HireRight's Complimentary Guide to Employment Background Checking
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A great hire can have a positive impact on revenue, while a bad hire can tarnish your reputation, decrease profitability, or worse, involve you in a lawsuit. Be sure to perform a background check! How do you start an employment background checking policy or optimize your existing one? Don't miss this informative guide with nine tips to help you protect your business.
You'll learn how to:
Conduct a comprehensive criminal check
Verify past employment
Comply with laws and regulations
And much more
Click Here To Download the Business Guide to Employment Background Checking today.
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Technorati Ranks Nigerian Times Higher Than TMZ on Entertainment
How can Technorati rank Nigerian Times higher than the famous celebrity gossip website TMZ on Entertainment?
Nigerian Times Technorati Authority for Entertainment is 136, Rank: 2400, while TMZ’s Technorati Authority in the same category is Entertainment Authority: 25, Rank: 20495.
I don’t know how a Nigerian news and information blog ranks higher than a hugely popular American celebrity and entertainment news gossip website that is noted for breaking news on celebrities and in fact broke the news of Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009 before anyone and many other breaking news records before then.
With over over 100,832 links to the site, Nigerian Times is among the most visited blogs in the world.
The following are the ranking of Nigerian Times in different categories on Technorati as recorded on February 21, 2012.
Entertainment Authority: 136
Rank: 2400
Politics Authority: 113
Rank: 1949
Living Authority: 90
Rank: 10802
U.S. Politics Authority: 118
Rank: 2368
World Authority: 106
Rank: 778
Film Authority: 130
Rank: 667
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Political Consultations Between Nigeria and Switzerland
BERNE, Feb. 20, 2012 / / - The Secretary of State Peter Maurer of the DFA received on February 20 in Bern a Nigerian delegation, led by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Martin Uhomoibhi, within the framework of political consultations between the two countries initiated in May 2010. This high-level meeting which helped to address various bilateral and multilateral issues is followed by technical meetings under the Partnership migratory and consultations on human rights.
The two delegations, whose countries enjoy excellent relations, were discussed areas of common interest such as the strengthening of bilateral relations, trade - Nigeria is the second economic partner for Switzerland in sub-Saharan Africa - and bilateral investment, the security situation in the Sahara-Sahel region and multilateral issues. Concerns about recent terrorist attacks in Nigeria and security issues throughout the region have been exchanged to identify solutions on a regional basis.
Relations between Switzerland and Nigeria, in the field of migration, are the subject of a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2011 in Bern between Federal Councillor Simonetta Sommaruga, head of the FOJ, and the former Minister of Nigerian Foreign Affairs, Henry Odein Ajumogobia. This memorandum establishes a migration partnership between the two countries, the first such agreement between Switzerland and an African country. The two delegations continued discussions within the framework of this partnership that allows for cooperation in the long run, the benefit and the benefit of both parties. The MOU covers cooperation particularly in strengthening the capacity of immigration, the fight against human trafficking, police cooperation and the promotion and protection of human rights. Many joint projects, dedicated to training youth and involving some Nigerian diaspora in Switzerland, are all elements of the partnership who are to be developed. Both sides stressed the importance to be given to voluntary return in safety and dignity. In 2011, 80% of Nigerian citizens to leave Switzerland is done on a voluntary basis, many of them taking advantage of a program of assisted return.
At the multilateral level, Switzerland, who chaired the Global Forum on Migration and Development in 2011, was pleased to acknowledge the commitment of Nigeria on the theme of South-South migration and expressed appreciation for continued collaboration with this country in 2012.
Further technical meetings in migration, a second round of consultations on human rights is also held in Switzerland. Both sides looked forward to this important instrument that allows both countries to deepen their cooperation in a constructive and meaningful in terms of human rights, including multilaterally.
Source: Switzerland - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Sexy Bikinis That Create Jobs in South Africa
South Africa 23-year-old Supermodel Candice Swanepoel Is Picture Perfect As She Models Flirty Victoria's Secret Bikinis.
21 Feb 2012 08:00 Africa/Lagos
Sexy Bikinis That Create Jobs in South Africa
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, February 21, 2012/PRNewswire/ --
MINX Bikini [http://www.myminx.com ] a fashion and lifestyle brand that specializes in sexy swimwear and lingerie announces the launch of its online store.
MINX [http://www.myminx.com ], a manufacturer of luxury ethically made designer swimwear based in Cape Town, South Africa today announced that they are open for business.
The company, prides it's self on creating sexy little bikinis that create jobs for previously disadvantaged South Africans in Cape Town.
Bianca Kellaway, Co-founder of myminx.com [http://www.myminx.com ] had this to say,
"We were inspired to set up MINX [http://www.myminx.com ] not only because we love the beach but also because we wanted to give back to the local community by only employing local traditional artisans to create each garment. Creating employment opportunities in South Africa is one of the best ways to prevent poverty and pay for the education of future generations."
About MINX
Established in January 2012 myminx.com [http://www.myminx.com ] is the brainchild of Bianca & Mike Kellaway. The brand specializes in woman's wear across sexy bikinis [http://myminx.com/collections/classic-collection ], resort wear [http://myminx.com/collections/chic-collection ] and lingerie. [http://www.myminx.com ]
MINX the brand is inspired by the sexy, healthy beach lifestyle of Cape Town [http://myminx.com/pages/about-minx-bikini-shop ], South Africa.
To learn more about MINX or to enquire about job opportunities, contact Mike Kellaway, michael.kellaway@minxbikini.com or visit the website at http://www.myminx.com
Source: MINX
+27-764-308032
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84.4 Percent of the U.S. Internet Audience Viewed Online Video
84.4 percent of the U.S. Internet audience viewed online video.
181 million U.S. Internet users watched nearly 40 billion videos of online video content in January.
The duration of the average online content video was 6.1 minutes, while the average online video ad was 0.4 minutes.
Video ads accounted for 12.2 percent of all videos viewed and 0.9 percent of all minutes spent viewing video online.
Top 10 Video Content Properties by Unique Viewers
Google Sites, driven primarily by video viewing at YouTube.com, ranked as the top online video content property in January with 152 million unique viewers, followed by VEVO with 51.5 million, Yahoo! Sites with 49.2 million, Viacom Digital with 48.1 million and Facebook.com with 45.1 million. Nearly 40 billion videos views occurred during the month, with Google Sites generating the highest number at 18.6 billion, followed by Hulu with 877 million and VEVO with 717 million. The average viewer watched 22.6 hours of online video content, with Google Sites (7.5 hours) and Hulu (3.2 hours) demonstrating the highest average engagement among the top ten properties.
Click here for the details with tables and figures.
*A video is defined as any streamed segment of audiovisual content, including both progressive downloads and live streams. For long-form, segmented content, (e.g. television episodes with ad pods in the middle) each segment of the content is counted as a distinct video stream.
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Monday, February 20, 2012
Nollywood Producer Sells Over One Million Copies of His Hit Home Video
A Nollywood producer Ifeanyi Onyekwelu, claims that he has sold over one million copies of his home videos on the terrifying crimes of kidnappers in Nigeria.
The Nollywood hit movie Most Wanted Kidnappers has broken all previous sales records in Nollywood, the popular Nigerian home videos movie industry by selling over one million copies so far according to the Aba based Nollywood moviemaker, Ifeanyi Onyekwelu, Producer and Director of the Most Wanted Kidnapper series.
From The King of Kidnappers to his Most Wanted Kidnappers starring popular Nollywood actors like Charles Awurum, Amaechi Muonagor, Eze Okechukwu, John Okafor and others, the movies have kept marketers busy in the eastern states where Nollywood is still booming.
A notable stakeholder in the Nigerian film industry Mr. Madu Chikwendu, founder of Leap International Film Festival (LIFF) in Aba confirmed that The Most Wanted Kidnappers has broken the sales record of Nollywood bestsellers like Living in Bondage, Nneka the Pretty Serpent, Osuofia in London, Dangerous Twins and other Nollywood blockbusters.
“He has sold over 500, 000 copies so far, “ said Mr. Chikwendu, who recently had a successful launch of his Leap International Film Festival in Aba, the commercial capital of the eastern states.
“Who says Nollywood has crashed? Asaba is now the production hub of Nollywood and movies are still being made frequently like in the heyday of home videos,” he added affirmatively.
~ By Orikinla Osinachi
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Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time | |
20 Feb 2012 | |
10:53 | Minister of State announces €5 million in funding for emergency relief in the Sahel |
05:26 | The U.S. Government Working for the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting |
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