Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Nigerian Films in The Spotlight at New York African Film Festival



The New York première of Tunde Kelani's Maami is a must see.

Andy Amadi Okoroafor’s Relentless, Starring Hip-Hop and Soul Singer Nneka, Tunde Kelani’s Maami and Andrew Dosunmu’s Restless City are among the top Nigerian films in the spotlight as the popular New York African Film Festival returns to the Film Society of Lincoln Center from April 11 -17.

The details of the complete highlights are in the following press release.

AFRICAN FILM IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT AS THE NEW YORK AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS TO FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER APRIL 11 To 17

Highlights Include Opening Night Film Mama Africa, Celebrating the Legacy of Miriam Makeba, The Education of Auma Obama, Offering a Window into the African Family and Father of President Obama, and Centerpiece Selection Relentless, Starring Hip-Hop and Soul Singer Nneka


NEW YORK (March 15, 2012)—Film Society of Lincoln Center (FSLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) have again joined forces to present the 19th New York African Film Festival (NYAFF). Presented under the theme “21st Century: The Homecoming,” this year’s festival will explore the modern notion of home and homeland, from the legacy of music legend Miriam Makeba—subject of the Opening Night Film Mama Africa—to Diasporic visions like the New York-set Restless City. The NYAFF will also mark the 100th anniversary of the African National Congress (ANC) and the 50th anniversary of independence for Algeria, Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda and Uganda, as well as give a unique look into the life of President Obama with the New York premiere of a film on his half-sister, The Education of Auma Obama. The NYAFF will run from April 11 through 17 at Film Society of Lincoln Center, and throughout April and May at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space, Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies, Maysles Cinema Institute and the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s BAMcinématek.

“This is a continuation of the discussion about the shape of Africa that has taken place since Independence and that is now not being embraced by the younger generation,” said African Film Festival, Inc. Executive Director and Founder Mahen Bonetti. “Though these young people have not in many ways been thrown a lifeline as post-Independent conflict emerged, they have somehow managed, through technology, to craft their own narrative, unconsciously drawing on the past and creating something new and very modern without having disavowed the past.”

Special events and highlights include the Opening Night film Mama Africa by Mika Kaurismäki (Special Jury Recognition—Documentary at the 2012 Pan African Film Festival) on April 11, and the Centerpiece film Relentless by Andy Amadi Okoroafor, starring internationally renowned Nigerian-German hip hop and soul singer Nneka, a U.S. premiere, on Friday, April 13. With the election year in full swing, the NYAFF will present a film that offers a window into the African family of President Barack Obama and insight into his father, with The Education of Auma Obama by Branwen Okpako; the film won the Viewers’ Choice Award at the 2011 Africa International Film Festival and the Festival Founders’ Award at the 2012 Pan African Film Festival. The film noir How to Steal 2 Million by Charlie Vundla, a U.S. premiere, features the top South African actors Rapulana Seiphemo, Terry Pheto and John Kani.


“African cinema was born in the same year as the New York Film Festival—1963—and it's always been a source of great pleasure and pride for me that for 50 years our programs have provided a vital showcase for the best in African filmmaking,” said Film Society of Lincoln Center Program Director Richard Peña. “We also salute our dear friends and partners at the New York African Film Festival, which for almost twenty years has worked successfully to make African cinema a reality around the United States.”

The popular blog Africa is a Country (africasacountry.com) will present “Africa is a Country: Talking Media and Russian Archives,” a free panel discussion, on Saturday, April 14 from 1:30 pm to 4 pm in the Frieda and Roy Furman Gallery at the Walter Reade Theater. Featured bloggers and special guest will examine the relationship between Africa and the Soviet Union in the 1960s and 1970s, as is evidenced by Russia's extensive film archive of the continent, and then explore the relationship between film and social media movements on the continent (e.x. Tahrir revolutionary cinema, which documented the Egyptian Revolution in Tahrir Square, and Kony 2012).

“Africans in the Diaspora: Expatriates and the Homecoming,” a free festival preview will take place at The Jerome L. Greene Performance Space on April 5 at 6:00 pm to welcome audiences to the 19th edition of the NYAFF; the event, moderated by renowned journalist Femi Oke, will include a special performance by popular artist-emcee DJ Spooky in which he rescores Father of African Cinema Ousmane Sembene’s Borrom Sorret, filmmaker-scholar Yemane Demissie and music and African cinema critic Beatiz Leal. The festival then kicks off at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Walter Reade Theater at 165 W. 65th Street, Plaza Level, from April 11 through 17, then heads to Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies on Thursday, April 19 for a daylong, free public program exploring the themes of the festival. It picks up on May 4 and 5 at the Maysles Cinema Institute in Harlem and culminates over Memorial Day Weekend at the Brooklyn Academy of Music BAMcinématek—part of the dance and music festival DanceAfrica. For details, visit African Film Festival online at www.africanfilmny.org.

The programs of AFF are made possible by the generous support of the National Endowment for the Arts, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, New York State Council on the Arts, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, International Organization of La Francophonie, Domenico Paulon Foundation, New York Foundation for the Arts, Divine Chocolate, New York Times Community Affairs Department, The Ford Foundation, Bradley Family Foundation, South African Consulate General, SN Brussels, French Cultural Services, Bloomberg, Lambent Foundation, Columbia University’s Institute of African Studies, WNYC, 57 Main St. Wine Company, South African Airways, Hudson Hotel, Putumayo World Music, Flavorpill, Giant Step and Omnipak Import Enterprises, Inc.

###


Press Screening Schedule

Please join us for advance press screenings at the Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th St., between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue.
RSVP to John Wildman, jwildman@filmlinc.com, 212-875-5419.


MONDAY, APRIL 2

10AM Mama Africa (90 mins.)
11:45AM Relentless (92 mins.)
1:30PM The Education of Auma Obama (79 mins.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 3
10AM How to Steal 2 Million (90 mins.)
12PM Outside the Law (138 mins.)
2:45PM Fire in Babylon (80 mins.)

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Film Society of Lincoln Center
John Wildman, (212) 875-5419, jwildman@filmlinc.com
Davis Ninh, (212) 875-5423, dninh@filmlinc.com

For all other venues and general inquiries about The African Film Festival
Cheryl Duncan, (201) 332-8338, cheryl@cherylduncanpr.com
Alimah Boyd, (201) 332-8338, alimah@cherylduncanpr.com

ONLINE PRESS OFFICE:

Press releases and hi-res images may be downloaded from www.filmlinc.com/press

Films—Schedules & Descriptions


Directors and guest speakers will be present during the festival (indicated by an asterisk* before the show time). ALL FILMS IN NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGES WILL BE SUBTITLED IN ENGLISH.


FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER SCREENINGS
ALL SCREENINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE WALTER READE THEATER, 165 WEST 65TH STREET.


OPENING NIGHT SELECTION

Co-presented by Okayafrica

Mama Africa. Mika Kaurismäki, 2011, Finland/South Africa/Germany, HDCAM; 90m
Miriam Makeba was the first African musician to win international stardom, one whose music was always anchored in her traditional South African roots, as was her ceaseless message against racism and poverty. Miriam was forced into a life in exile, after exposing the harsh realities of apartheid. Singing for John F. Kennedy and Marlon Brando, performing with Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone and Dizzie Gillespie, being married to Hugh Masekela and then Stokely Carmichael, her life was a tumultuous one. Miriam stood for truth and justice on behalf of oppressed people, most importantly for Africans. She tragically died after collapsing at a concert in November 2008 in Italy at the age of 76. This documentary traces her life and music through more than fifty years of performing. Apr 11, *7:15p; Apr 13, 1:30p

CENTERPIECE SELECTION
U.S. Premiere

Relentless. Andy Amadi Okoroafor, 2011, Nigeria/France/ Spain/Germany, 35mm; 92m
Obi is a peace-keeping soldier in worn torn Sierra Leone, where he meets Blessing a Sierra Leonean woman. His life is devastated when he finds Blessing mutilated by rebels. His only option is to end her misery. On his return to Lagos, Obi is a man battling with the scars of war. By day he runs a small security company with Ola, his best friend and fellow war veteran; at night he walks the lonely streets of Lagos. A haunting story about loneliness, love and self-discovery set in Africa’s throbbing megacity Lagos, Relentless delicately explores the effects of war and loss. Plus a live dance performance by Khaleah London. Apr 13, *8:00p


U.S. Premiere

Black Africa White Marble. Clemente Bicocchi, 2011, USA/Republic of Congo/Italy; 77m
In the 1880s, there were two paths for Central Africa: Pietro di Brazza’s and Henry
Stanley’s. Italian by birth and French by education, Brazza rejected the racism of his age, using his philosophy of non-violence to penetrate the rainforests of the Congo Basin, sowing trust along the way. Meanwhile, his rival Stanley (in the service of the Belgian King Leopold II) advanced with the roar of the canon. More than a century later, when the current Congo president decides to transfer di Brazza’s remains from his grave in Algiers to a multimillion-dollar mausoleum in Congo’s impoverished capital, writer Idanna Pucci discovers an insidious hidden agenda behind the plan—one that sheds harsh light on both Central Africa’s colonial past and its corrupt present. Told using an innovative mixture of animation, puppetry and original documentary footage, Black Africa White Marble is a gripping, real-life David-and-Goliath thriller. Apr 14, *5:00p; Apr 16, 4:00p

Co-presented by Margaret Mead Film Festival
The Creators. Laura Gamse, 2011, South Africa; 83m
The story begins in the mind of Cashril Plus, a twelve-year-old animator and son of graffiti artist Faith47. Through Cashril's eyes, we see his mother paint the streets and forgotten townships haloing Cape Town. The Creators then weaves us through the lives of Faith47 and fellow artists Warongx (afro-blues), Emile (hip hop), Sweat.X (glam rap), Blaq Pearl (spoken word) and Mthetho (opera). Born in separate areas of a formerly-segregated South Africa, these artists recraft history--and the impacts of apartheid--in their own artistic languages. Director Laura Gamse’s camera reveals the impulse behind the artists’ social consciousness, their individual eccentricities, and each creator’s unique form of expression. Diving into the current of subversive art which fuels South Africa’s many clashing and merging cultures, The Creators brings into focus the invisible connections among strangers' disparate lives--and the creative expression used to traverse the divide. The result is an intimate, refreshing and deeply revealing portrait of those remolding the legacy of apartheid.


U.S. Premiere

Stocktown X: South Africa. Teddy Goitom and Benjamin Taft, 2011, Sweden/South Africa/Ethiopia; 30m
An inspiring and surprising adventure that will give you a new perspective of Africa. This film takes us on a road trip across South Africa, capturing the contemporary creative generation of this vivid and pulsating culture. Apr 14, *7:00p

N.Y. Premiere
The Education of Auma Obama. Branwen Okpako, 2011, Kenya/Germany/Nigeria, Digital; 79m
The Education of Auma Obama is a captivating and intimate portrait of U.S. president Barack Obama’s older half-sister, who embodies a post-colonial, feminist identity in her native Kenya. Nigerian-born director Branwen Okpako’s film also documents a generation of politically and socially engaged Africans whose aspirations are informed by their parent’s experiences, and whose ambition to forge a better future for their communities starts from the ground up. Apr 12, *6:00p; Apr 16, 2:00p

Elza. Mariette Monpierre, 2011, Guadeloupe/USA; 80m
Bernadette, a single mother in Paris, tries to provide her daughters with everything. She is thrilled when her eldest daughter, Elza, is the first in the family to graduate from college earning a master's degree summa cum laude. But Elza breaks her mother's heart by running away to their native Guadeloupe in search of a distant childhood memory: the father she barely remembers. Apr 12, 4:00p; Apr 15 *6:15p


Co-presented by Cinema Tropical

Fire In Babylon. Stevan Riley, 2010, UK, Digital; 80m
In a turbulent era of apartheid in South Africa, race riots in England and civil unrest in the Caribbean, the West Indian cricketers, led by the enigmatic Viv Richards, struck a defiant blow at the forces of white prejudice worldwide. Fire in Babylon is the breathtaking story of how the West Indies triumphed over its colonial masters through the achievements of one of the most gifted teams in sporting history. Their undisputed skill, combined with a fearless spirit, allowed them to dominate the genteel game at the highest level, replaying it on their own terms. This remarkable documentary is their story, told in their own words. Apr 15, 8:30p


U.S. Premiere




How to Steal 2 Million. Charlie Vundla, 2011, South Africa, Digital; 90m
Five long years...that’s how long Jack spent in prison after getting pinched for robbery. His partner in crime and best friend, Twala, never got caught and Jack never talked. But Twala proved as treacherous as Jack is honourable by marrying Jack’s former fiancée during his prison term. Upon being released, Jack decides to go straight. He wants to start a construction business, but after being rejected for a loan he must find a new source of capital. An opportunity presents itself when Twala suggests they do a home invasion with a take worth two million South African Rand. The intended victim: Twala’s father, Julius. In his search for a third partner Jack comes across the tough, but sexy Olive. When the robbery goes wrong, secret double crosses are revealed and the tension builds towards an explosive, surprising finale in this dark and stylish modern-day film noir. Apr 12, *8:15p
In Darkest Hollywood: Cinema & Apartheid. Peter Davis and Daniel Riesenfeld, 1994, USA/South Africa/Canada; 112m.

Using a wealth of archival footage and commentary by filmmakers and actors, including a young John Kani and Miriam Makeba, this two-part film examines the role of cinema in both supporting and attacking Apartheid, focusing on the impact of Hollywood films in South Africa, the depiction of South Africa in Hollywood films, and finally, the emergence of an indigenous film industry in South Africa. It also questions Hollywood’s commitment to racial stereotypes and reluctance to depict black heroes.
Apr 11, 3:30p; Apr 16, *6:00p

N.Y. Premiere
Maami. Tunde Kelani, 2010, Nigeria; 78m
Maami, and her young son Kashimawo are desperately poor. Gifted with a loving heart, enterprising spirit and brave soul, she is the center of her son’s world. Yet he longs for the father he has never known, a man with a terrible secret. Adapted by Tunde Babalola, from Femi Osofisan’s novel of the same name, this Nollywood film about love, perseverance and fate unfolds through Kashimawo’s reminiscences of his hardscrabble childhood in the southern Nigerian town, Abeokuta, and his ascent to international football fame during the 2010 World Cup. Apr 16, *8:45p

U.S. Premiere
Monica Wangu Wamwere: Unbroken Spirit. Jane Munene, 2011, Kenya; 71m
Unbroken Spirit recounts the indefatigable efforts of Monica Wangu Wamwere (a.k.a. Mama Koigi), mother of Kenyan human rights activist and political prisoner Koigi wa Wamwere. She participated (along with Noble Laureate Wangari Maathai) in the 1992 Mothers' Hunger Strike to release political prisoners and is a member of the Release Political Prisoners pressure group. Director Jane Munene’s rousing and deeply moving portrait introduces us to a largely an unknown African woman who is truly a remarkable spirit! Apr 12, 2:15p; Apr 15, *2:00p

Co-presented by 3rd I NY
Outside the Law/Hors la loi. Rachid Bouchareb, 2010, Algeria/France, 35mm; 138m
From acclaimed writer-director Rachid Bouchareb (Indigenes) comes this epic story--a 2011 Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film--of three brothers who fight for Algeria’s independence from France following World War II. After losing their family home in Algeria, three brothers and their mother are scattered across the globe. Messaoud joins the French army fighting in Indochina, Abdelkader becomes a leader of the Algerian independence movement in France, and Saïd moves to Paris to make his fortune in the shady clubs and boxing halls of Pigalle. Gradually, their interconnecting destinies reunite them in the French capital, where freedom is a battle to be fought and won. Apr 17, *8:30p

U.S. Premiere
Playing Warriors. Rumbi Katedza, 2011, Zimbabwe; 78m
When twenty-something advertising executive Nyarai finds out that her best friend Nonto is getting married, she and her lawyer friend Maxi are sent into a frenzy thinking that their time to find “Mr. Right” may be running out. Determined to marry for love--despite the insistence of her meddlesome mother that she hurry up and settle down--Nyarai sets out to find a modern man as strong and dependable as the mythical traditional warrior. Reminiscent of a Zimbabwean Sex and the City, director Rumbi Katedza’s delightful debut feature is a smart and insightful comedy about the struggle of young African women to balance modern lifestyles with the pressures of family and tradition. Apr 15, *4:00p

U.S. Premiere

Relentless. Andy Amadi Okoroafor, 2011, Nigeria/France/ Spain/Germany, 35mm; 92m



Obi is a peace-keeping soldier in worn torn Sierra Leone, where he meets Blessing a Sierra Leonean woman. His life is devastated when he finds Blessing mutilated by rebels. His only option is to end her misery. On his return to Lagos, Obi is a man battling with the scars of war. By day he runs a small security company with Ola, his best friend and fellow war veteran; at night he walks the lonely streets of Lagos. A haunting story about loneliness, love and self-discovery set in Africa’s throbbing megacity Lagos, Relentless delicately explores the effects of war and loss. Plus a live dance performance by Khaleah London. Apr 13, *8:00p


Co-presented by Okayafrica

Restless City. Andrew Dosunmu, 2011, USA/Nigeria, HDCAM; 80m



Direct from its acclaimed premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, director Andrew Dosunmu’s kinetic, gorgeously photographed debut feature tells the story of an Africa immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City where music is his passion, life is a hustle, and falling in love is his greatest risk. Djibril is a young African immigrant who's life can only go upward. He wants to be a pop star and one day return to Africa where his mother and father toil for a meager living. By day he sells merchandise on Canal Street for a small income, but he continuously seeks a way to succeed as a singer. When Djibril meets Trini, a prostitute under the control of Bekay, the local loan shark, his life assumes new purpose and momentum; however, whether Djibril and Trini can outrun Bekay’s nefarious influence is another story. Apr 14, *9:30p


U.S. Premiere

Sderot, Last Exit. Osvalde Lewat, 2011, Cameroon/Israel; 80m
Co-presented by Human Rights Watch Film Festival
Located 2 km from the Gaza border, the film school of Sderot in the south of Israel is a microcosm of the geo-political landscape, where daily life between Jews, Muslims, Christians, Palestinians, Israelis, left-wing radicals and ultranationalists is far from tranquil. Director Osvalde Lewat offers a fascinating glimpse of a film school where the issue of training is not only artistic, but clearly political and ideological.

N.Y. Premiere
Farewell Exile/Salam Ghourba. Lamia Alami, 2011, Morocco; 15m
In an underprivileged Moroccan neighborhood surrounded by misery, Fatima anxiously waits to join her husband, who emigrated to France over a year ago. Will a letter from her husband secure a brighter future, allowing her to take her son away from this harmful environment? Or will she have to make a crucial sacrifice?
AND


U.S. Premiere
Up Your Black Arse. Aurélien Bodineaux, 2011, Belgium/DRC; 12m
In a Brussels retirement home, two men--one Belgian, one Congolese--drink to their long-lasting friendship. They argue over an old story. It’s one of broken dreams and wasted lives. Up Your Black Arse stares into the colonial past, to look into our present.
Apr 13, 3:30p; Apr 17, *6:00p

World Premiere
Treasures From the Russian State Archives. (Total Running Time: 70 mins. approx.)
Don’t miss this extraordinary selection of newsreels and other rare documentary material discovered in the vault’s of Russia’s national film archives. Topics include Johannesburg in 1954, the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., South African surgeon Christian Bernard, opposition to apartheid in Johannesburg in 1976, and the liberation of Algeria. The program will also include a trailer of a new film that examines Russian-African relations, based on material from this vast archive. Presented by Russian filmmaker Alexander Markov. Apr 11, 2:00p; Apr 13, *6:00p


FOR ALL OTHER VENUES

Visit www.africanfilmny.org for updates.

Ticket Information

Ticket Prices

$13 General Public, $9 Students & Seniors, $8 Film Society Members

4 Film Package!
See 4 films for the price of 3
$9.75 General Public, $6.75 Students & Seniors, $6.00 Film Society Members
Please note: Minimum purchase of four tickets required for discount to apply. Discount does not apply to the 7:15pm Opening Night screening of Mama Africa on Wednesday, April 11 & the 8pm Centerpiece screening of Relentless on Friday, April 13.

Purchase Options
Online: FilmLinc.com
In Person: Film Society box offices

Film Society of Lincoln Center
Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street (north side) between Broadway & Amsterdam, on the upper level (212-875-5601). Box Office Hours: Mon.–Fri. opens at 12:30pm, Sat./Sun. opens 1/2 hour before first public screening. Closes 15 minutes after last public screening or at 6pm when there are no public screenings.

Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 West 65th Street (south side) between Broadway & Amsterdam. Box Office Hours: Opens 1/2 hr before first public screening. Closes 15 minutes after last public screening or at 6pm when there are no public screenings.

Opening Night & Centerpiece Receptions
Please email AFF at nyaff@erols.com or call 212 352 1720 for information about the Opening Night and Centerpiece receptions. Tickets to the receptions include the film screenings.


FILM SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER

Under the leadership of Rose Kuo, Executive Director, and Richard Peña, Program Director, the Film Society of Lincoln Center offers the best in international, classic and cutting-edge independent cinema. The Film Society presents two film festivals that attract global attention: the New York Film Festival, currently planning its 50th edition, and New Directors/New Films which, since its founding in 1972, has been produced in collaboration with MoMA. The Film Society also publishes the award-winning Film Comment Magazine, and for over three decades has given an annual award—now named “The Chaplin Award”—to a major figure in world cinema. Past recipients of this award include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, Meryl Streep, and Tom Hanks. The Film Society presents a year-round calendar of programming, panels, lectures, educational programs and specialty film releases at its Walter Reade Theater and the new state-of-the-art Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center. The Film Society receives generous, year-round support from Royal Bank of Canada, American Airlines, The New York Times, Stella Artois, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.com.

AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL, INC.
For more than two decades, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between post-colonial Africa and the American public through the powerful medium of film and video. AFF's unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management, but also by a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. AFF established the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in 1993 with Film Society of Lincoln Center. The New York African Film Festival is presented annually at the Walter Reade Theater by African Film Festival, Inc. and Film Society of Lincoln Center, in association with Brooklyn Academy of Music. AFF also produces a series of local, national and international programs throughout the year. More information about AFF is found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org.



African Cinema Explodes on the Web


Ousmane Sembène (January 1, 1923 — June 9, 2007)

The Father of African Cinema, Ousmane Sembene was assuredly one of the most prominent figures in African film and literature. One of Sembène's goals had always been to touch the widest possible audience and at age 40 he decided to become a film maker producing his first film, a short called ‘Borom Sarret’ (1963). During the following year (1964), he made another short film entitled ‘Niaye’. In 1966 he produced his first feature film ‘Black Girl’, the first feature film ever released by a sub-Saharan African director. This French-language film won the Prix Jean Vigo, bringing international attention to both African films generally and Sembène specifically.


3 Apr 2012 13:05 Africa/Lagos

African Cinema Explodes on the Web

As Africa Dominates the Headlines, South Africa's M-Net Launches the African Film Library, a Video on Demand (VOD) Service
Centerpiece of Award-Winning African Film Collection Is the Work of Ousmane Sembene, the "Father of African Cinema"

NEW YORK, April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the democratic process in Africa grows momentum and the people express their will, news from the Continent continues to dominate the headlines. The people are increasingly challenging the status quo, their efforts recalling the works and philosophy of the late author and director Ousmane Sembene, known as the "Father of African Cinema." Sembene's life work was designed to get Africans to reject deeply embedded colonial views of themselves and to recognize their collective power to solve Africa's problems. Now his films, and those of other award-winning directors, will be available for rental through digital download as Electronic Media Network (M-Net), the South African-based corporate broadcaster, producer and distributor, launches the largest-ever collection of award-winning African cinema content, the African Film Library. The Video On Demand (VOD) collection at www.africanfilmlibrary.com will provide film lovers around the world with easy and affordable access through digital download to 110 films from some of the most creative minds in the industry, while providing African filmmakers a much-needed global distribution platform.

The African Film Library's premiere will be marked by the online release of 14 films by or about Sembene. A native of the West African nation of Senegal, Sembene was first a celebrated novelist; the Los Angeles Times called him one of Africa's greatest authors. At 40, yearning to inspire social change and to reach a wider audience in Africa, he directed the first film by a sub-Saharan African, the 1963 short Borom Sarret (The Wagoner). The auteur went on to direct many feature films, cinematic works meant to help Africans liberate themselves from mental yolks that lingered long after independence from colonial rule and to urge collective action in overcoming societal ills. "Africa must get beyond deriving everything from the European view. Africa must consider itself, recognize its problems, and attempt to resolve them," said Sembene.

One of the oldest film industries in the world, African cinema—which began with Ain el Ghezel (The Girl of Carthage), the 1924 Tunisian film by Chemama Chikly—has long been overlooked by those outside the continent as being limited to educational, documentary-style productions. The programming available through the African Film Library, however, dispels this myth with a melange of short and feature films spanning the genres of comedy, drama, musical and sci-fi, both narrative and documentary.

M-Net has negotiated the rights to around 700 works. The launch is the culmination of a project which began more than three years ago and has seen the digitization and restoration of the continent's finest cinematic titles.

Film rentals are $5.00 per movie and can be accessed by registering and purchasing credits at www.africanfilmlibrary.com. Users are then able to watch the film multiple times within a 36-hour period.



SOURCE Electronic Media Network (M-Net)


CONTACT: Cheryl Duncan & Company, Inc.: Cheryl Duncan, +1-201-332-8338, cheryl@cherylduncanpr.com

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



2012 Travelers' Choice Hotels for Families


TripAdvisor’s 2012 Travelers’ Choice Hotels for Families reveals Treasure Island Resort & Holiday Park in Biggera Waters, Australia is the #1 world large hotel for families.

Select Travelers' Choice Hotels for Families Award Winners:

Top 10 World Large Hotels and Resorts:

  1. Treasure Island Resort & Holiday Park, Biggera Waters, Australia
  2. KeyLime Cove Resort and Water Park, Gurnee, Illinois
  3. Rocking Horse Ranch Resort, Highland, New York
  4. Hope Lake Lodge & Conference Center, Cortland, New York
  5. Protur Bonaire Aparthotel, Cala Bona, Spain
  6. Holiday Village Rhodes, Kolimbia, Greece
  7. Beaches Turks & Caicos, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
  8. Aparthotel Playa Mar, Port de Pollenca, Spain
  9. Alfagar II Aparthotel, Albufeira, Portugal
  10. Aquafantasy Aquapark Hotel & Spa, Selcuk, Turkey

Top 10 U.S. Large Hotels and Resorts:

  1. KeyLime Cove Resort and Water Park, Gurnee, Illinois
  2. Rocking Horse Ranch Resort, Highland, New York
  3. Hope Lake Lodge & Conference Center, Cortland, New York
  4. Disney's Wilderness Lodge, Orlando, Florida
  5. WorldQuest Orlando Resort, Orlando, Florida
  6. Woodloch Pines Resort, Hawley, Pennsylvania
  7. Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, Orlando, Florida
  8. Marriott's Harbour Lake, Orlando, Florida
  9. Floridays Resort Orlando, Orlando, Florida
  10. Homewood Suites by Hilton Anaheim-Main Gate Area, Garden Grove, California

Top 10 U.S. Small Hotels and Motels:

  1. Pollace's Family Vacation Resort, Catskill, New York
  2. Starlight Motel & Luxury Suites, Ortley Beach, New Jersey
  3. Lampliter Oceanside Resorts, Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
  4. VIP Motel, Wildwood Crest, New Jersey
  5. Echo Motel & Oceanfront Cottages, Old Orchard Beach, Maine
  6. Sierra Sands Family Lodge, Mears, Michigan
  7. Park Vue Inn, Anaheim, California
  8. Country Inn & Suites Hershey at the Park, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania
  9. The Suites at Hershey, Hershey, Pennsylvania
  10. Sun Viking Lodge, Daytona Beach, Florida

For the complete list of the 2012 Travelers' Choice Hotels for Families, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Family





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2 Apr 2012 15:00 Africa/Lagos

Online Labor Demand Rises 246,300 in March, The Conference Board Reports

-- Labor demand up 473,100 over the last 4 months
-- 1.8 million gain in labor demand since the official end of the recession (June 2009)
-- Sales and Related occupations see a large increase in March

NEW YORK, April 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Online advertised vacancies rose 246,300 in March to 4,669,600, according to The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series released today. The March rise is the fourth consecutive monthly rise. The Supply/Demand rate stands at 2.9 unemployed for every vacancy; however, nationally there are still 8.4 million more unemployed than advertised vacancies.

"The March sharp rise in labor demand continued to narrow the gap between the unemployed and available job opportunities," said June Shelp, Vice President at The Conference Board. Nationally advertised vacancies are 60 percent above their levels in June 2009, the official end of the great recession. However, that increase has varied greatly among the States with some Midwestern States exceeding the national average, including Minnesota (+ 121%); Ohio (+ 102%); Wisconsin (+ 95%); Indiana (+ 92%); and Michigan (+86%). Some states where the housing market tank — including Nevada (+ 21%) and New Mexico (+ 24%) — remain well below the national average while other States like Florida (+50%), where the housing market was also an issue, showed more resiliency.


REGIONAL AND STATE HIGHLIGHTS


In March all of the largest States except Pennsylvania post gains
12 of the 20 largest States are on an upward trend in job demand

In March the South gained 74,700 advertised vacancies, with gains in all six of its largest States. Texas was up 19,000, reflecting increases of 11%+ over the last four months for labor demand in the metro areas of Austin, Dallas, and Houston. Virginia gained 9,200 for a combined three-month gain of 14,300. North Carolina rose 6,700 bringing its two-month increase to 8,500. Maryland gained 5,800 for a combined two-month gain of 9,600. Georgia was up 4,800 in March. Florida rose 2,400. Among the less populous States in the South, Tennessee rose 7,800, South Carolina increased by 1,600, Louisiana gained 1,200, and Arkansas gained 900.

The West gained 61,700 advertised vacancies, reflecting gains in all four of its largest States. California had by far the largest increase, 23,300. Over the past four months, labor demand in California was up 80,200 with gains in all of its larger metro areas, led by notable increases of 21.7 percent in San Diego and 20.6 percent in Sacramento. Washington State gained 9,600. Colorado rose 4,400 while Arizona gained a mere 500. Among the less populous States in the region, Oregon rose 4,300; Nevada gained 2,600; and Utah rose 1,500.

The Midwest region gained 48,800 vacancies in March. Ohio experienced the largest gain — 8,700 — and, at 181,900 advertised vacancies, reached its highest level since the HWOL series began in May 2005. Minnesota rose 6,700. Missouri rose 5,600 for a combined two-month gain of 8,200. Michigan gained 5,200 for a two-month gain of 6,500. Wisconsin rose 4,700. Illinois gained 1,600. Among the less populous States in the Midwest, Indiana gained 5,100, Kansas rose 1,800, South Dakota gained 1,300, and North Dakota rose 600.

Labor demand in March in the Northeast rose 23,100, which included a rise of 9,300 in New York. New York is up 17,700 over the last four months with the New York metro area up 14.8 percent and Rochester up 12.2 percent. New Jersey rose 7,100 while Massachusetts gained 4,900 for a combined four-month gain of 11,500. Pennsylvania was down 1,700 in March. Among the smaller States in the Northeast, the number of advertised vacancies in Connecticut fell by 300. Maine rose 1,000 in March while New Hampshire gained 1,400 and Rhode Island gained 300.

The Supply/Demand rate for the U.S. in February (the latest month for which the national unemployment number is available) stood at 2.90, indicating that there are just under 3 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Nationally, there are 8.4 million more unemployed workers than advertised vacancies.

The Supply/Demand rates for the states are for February 2012, the latest month available for unemployment data. The number of advertised vacancies exceeded the number of unemployed only in North Dakota, where the Supply/Demand rate was 0.88. States with the next lowest rates included South Dakota (1.23), Nebraska (1.28), Vermont (1.41), Alaska (1.56), Minnesota (1.60), and New Hampshire (1.68). The State with the highest Supply/Demand rate is Mississippi (5.97), where there are nearly 6 unemployed workers for every online advertised vacancy. Other States where there were more than 4 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy included Nevada (4.42) and Kentucky (4.13).

It should be noted that the Supply/Demand rate only provides a measure of relative tightness of the individual State labor markets and does not suggest that the occupations of the unemployed directly align with the occupations of the advertised vacancies.

METRO AREA HIGHLIGHTS

19 of the 20 largest metro areas posted gains in labor demand in March
San Francisco up 7 percent in March.

In March, 19 of the 20 large MSAs posted increases in the number of online advertised vacancies. Overall 47 of the 52 metropolitan areas for which data are reported separately also showed increases in March.

A number of the largest metro areas have shown real strength since the official end of the recession in June 2009. Four have posted increases of over 100 percent since then: Cleveland, up 142%; Minneapolis-St. Paul, up 124%; Detroit, up 116%; and San Jose, up 112%.

Six MSAs had Supply/Demand rates in January 2012 (the latest available data for unemployment) below 2, indicating there fewer than two unemployed for every advertised vacancy. Washington, DC continues to have the most favorable Supply/Demand rate (1.21) with about one advertised vacancy for every unemployed worker. Minneapolis-St. Paul (1.36), Boston (1.54), Oklahoma City (1.63), and Salt Lake City (1.67) were metropolitan locations with the next lowest Supply/Demand rates.

Metro areas where the number of unemployed is substantially above the number of online advertised vacancies include Riverside, CA — with over 8 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy (8.23) — Sacramento (4.56), Miami (4.53), Las Vegas (4.47), Los Angeles (4.19), and Memphis (4.04). Supply/Demand rate data are for January 2012, the latest month for which unemployment data for local areas are available.

OCCUPATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Supply/Demand rates range widely for the 22 major occupational categories
Labor demand for retail sales help rises in March
Demand for Healthcare practitioners dipped in March but job opportunities continue to outnumber unemployed looking for jobs

Changes for the Month of March

In March, nineteen of the 22 Standard Occupational Classifications (SOC codes) that are reported separately posted gains and three declined.

Among the top 10 occupation groups with the largest numbers of online advertised vacancies, demand for Sales and Related workers rose 35,900 to 596,500 and was led by an increase in demand for Retail Salespeople and First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Retail Sales Workers. The number of unemployed in this occupational category continues to outnumber the number of advertised vacancies by over 2 to 1 (S/D of 2.30) but is substantially below the slightly over four unemployed for every available advertised vacancy in April and May 2009.

Labor demand for Computer and Mathematical Science workers rose 25,800 to 620,700. Over the past four months, labor demand has increased by 77,100. The higher demand included increases for Computer Systems Analysts and Applications Computer Software Engineers. The number of advertised vacancies in this occupational category continues to outnumber job-seekers by over 3 to 1 (0.28 S/D based on February data, the latest unemployment data available).

Demand for Management occupations rose 25,700 to 461,200 for a combined four-month increase of 56,600. Responsible for the rise was higher demand for Marketing Managers and General and Operations Managers. The number of unemployed in these occupations was just over one (1.39) unemployed for every advertised vacancy in March and significantly below the almost three (2.9) unemployed for every advertised vacancy at the HWOL series high in October 2009.

Labor demand for Office and Administrative Support occupations rose 22,700 to 476,900 for a gain of 50,100 since January, but the March level is still slightly below the level of demand in late 2011. Largely responsible for the March increase was higher demand for Customer Service Representatives and Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants. The number of unemployed in these occupations remains above the number of advertised vacancies with close to 3.6 unemployed for every advertised vacancy.

Business and Financial Operations positions increased by 17,100 to 268,100 advertised vacancies in March. Accountants, Training and Development Specialists, and Financial Analysts were among the advertised vacancies that showed increases. In this field there are 1.56 unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy.

Healthcare Practitioners and Technical occupations fell 18,800 in March to 578,100. Largely responsible for the drop were decreased advertised vacancies for Registered Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Speech Pathologists, and Physical Therapists. The number of advertised vacancies in this occupational category continues to be quite favorable and outnumbers job-seekers by 2.4 to 1 (0.41 S/D).

The Trend in Production Occupations

In March the demand for production workers reached a series high of 148,000 — 6,000 above last month's number and 10,000 above the previous series high of 138,000 in December 2005. Production jobs, or the jobs typically associated with manufacturing, declined sharply from early 2007 and bottomed in May 2009 at 56,000. "Labor demand for production workers, which was not consistently strong in 2011, has risen over the last few months and hopefully will remain strong throughout 2012," said Shelp.

There were still over six unemployed workers for every advertised vacancy in production jobs, but it is significantly improved form the situation in June 2009, when there were over 25 unemployed for every vacancy.

Nationally the production jobs in highest demand included First-Line Supervisors and Managers, Machinists, and Helpers. Line Supervisors and Managers were in high demand in several states including California, Ohio, and Texas. In California, in addition to supervisors, online advertised jobs included Testers, Sorters, Samplers and Weighers, and Machinists. In Ohio the openings are in First-Line Supervisors / Managers of Production and Operating Workers, Helpers – Production Workers, and Machinists. High-demand opening in Texas include First-Line Supervisors / Managers of Production and Operating Workers, Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters, and Machinists.


PROGRAM NOTES


The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine ® Data Series (HWOL) measures the number of new, first-time online jobs and jobs reposted from the previous month on more than 1,000 major Internet job sites and smaller job sites that serve niche markets and smaller geographic areas.

Like The Conference Board's long-running Help Wanted Advertising Index of print ads (which was published for over 55 years and discontinued in February 2008) the online series is not a direct measure of job vacancies. The level of ads in print and online can change for reasons not related to overall job demand.

The HWOL data series began in May 2005. With the September, 2008 release, HWOL began providing seasonally adjusted data for the U.S., the nine Census regions and the 50 States. Seasonally adjusted data for occupations were provided beginning with the May 2009 release and seasonally adjusted data for the 52 largest metropolitan areas began with the March 2012 release. .

People using this data are urged to review the information on the database and methodology available on The Conference Board website and contact us with questions and comments. Background information and technical notes and discussion of revisions to the series are available at: http://www.conference-board.org/data/helpwantedonline.cfm.

The underlying online job listings data for this series is provided by WANTED Technologies Corporation. Additional information on the Bureau of Labor Statistics data used in this release can be found on the BLS website, www.bls.gov.

The Conference Board

The Conference Board is a global, independent business membership and research association working in the public interest. Our mission is unique: To provide the world's leading organizations with the practical knowledge they need to improve their performance and better serve society. The Conference Board is a non-advocacy, not-for-profit entity holding 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt status in the United States.

WANTED Technologies Corporation.

WANTED is a leading supplier of real-time sales and business intelligence solutions for the media classified and recruitment industries. Using its proprietary On-Demand data mining, lead generation and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) integrated technologies, WANTED aggregates real-time data from thousands of online job sites and newspaper sites, as well as corporate websites on a daily basis. WANTED's data is used to optimize sales and to implement marketing strategies within the classified ad departments of major media organizations, as well as by staffing firms, advertising agencies and human resources specialists. For more information, please visit: http://www.wantedtech.com.

The release schedule, national historic table and technical notes to this series are available on The Conference Board website, http://www.conference-board.org/data/helpwantedonline.cfm. The underlying data for The Conference Board HWOL are provided by Wanted Technologies Corporation.

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SOURCE The Conference Board

CONTACT: Peter Tulupman, +1-212-339-0231, peter.tulupman@conference-board.org; Jonathan Liu, +1-212-339-0257, jonathan.liu@conference-board.org

Web Site: http://www.conference-board.org



Monday, April 2, 2012

The Smartest Kid In The Bronx



Latin Heritage Foundation Publisher Announces The New Book, 'The Smartest Kid In The Bronx'

Gualdo Hidalgo, Latin Heritage Foundation Publisher, is proud to announce the release of the alluring book, 'The Smartest Kid in the Bronx,' featuring talented writers from India, Canada, England, Nigeria, Philippines, China, Romania, China, USA, Germany and other countries.

WASHINGTON, N.J., April 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- New anthology, 'The Smartest Kid in the Bronx,' contains both fictional and non fictional stories such as the compelling account of friendship of two high school boys whose lives takes surprising paths and dreadful destinies; the knotty immigrants' experiences; One People, One Love: random thoughts and aspirations; the descriptive feeling of sitting in a world above the Earth with an option of being immortal; about the grief weighing heavy upon the hearts of soldiers; the recount of the ones chosen to leave our homes; the battle for relevance in life; about not having fears, and more fascinating short stories.

The non-fictional section comprises stories about finding culture in Barcelona; whispers of change; the mundane condition; the million time rejections; the have and the have-nots; some children are lucky and how to attract women.

The authors produce real art that comes to the deeper intricacies of the soul of every human being. Their stories come from places geographically and culturally diversified but each story shows a serenade of love and universal feelings, expressing the most important values as are the constant questioning of man's relationship to life and the vicissitudes that it offers.

Reading and enjoyment of this work allows a better understanding of the World. According to Mariela Hidalgo, the editor, the release of this anthology is the best example of Latin Heritage Foundation interest to promote the rich values of universal culture.

Deeply linked to the vicissitudes of history, the stories express both everyday reality and the mythic roots of its inhabitants. This is, without doubt, the form of creative writing more rooted in the World oral tradition.

The authors have earned a place in this book because they venture and penetrate the interior of the magic kingdom of literature and all the subtle range of feelings, motivations and commitments that such engagement involves.

The book is available at Amazon and Latin Heritage Foundation website's Web Store page, http://www.latinhf.com/apps/webstore/

SOURCE Latin Heritage Foundation

CONTACT: Mariela B. Bonachea of Latin Heritage Foundation, +1-908-935-1045, http://www.latinhf.com/, literaryagent@latinhf.com

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





Geographic Information, A Key to Economic Development in Africa



Geographic information, a key to economic development in Africa / Regional Seminar - April 3, 2012 - Ouagadougou

OUAGADOUGOU, April 2 2012/African Press Organization (APO) / - IGN France International and the IGN (National Geographic Information and forestry - http://www.ignfi.fr), in close cooperation with the Geographic Institute of Burkina Faso (IGB), the Economic Commission for Africa, and ESRI, organized on April 3 in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) a regional seminar on the theme: "National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI): what value added for emerging countries? ".


Logo: http://www.apo-mail.org/ignfi.jpg


Program: http://www.apo-mail.org/ignfi_fr.pdf


This seminar comes as more and more aware that geomatics is one of the keys to economic development, many African countries enter into discussions or undertake the implementation of infrastructure projects of national geographic data. Several countries such as Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Nigeria are the forerunners although progress is needed in Africa to raise awareness of the importance of geographic information. Valued, it can indeed improve the competitiveness of state agencies and the private sector, facilitates decision making at the highest level, and optimizes public expenditure in general, reinforces good governance.


But while eager to carry out these projects, most countries face difficulties in mobilizing the necessary resources, whether financial, technical or human. Necessarily the role to be played by motor highest political reluctance or difficulties encountered are often underestimated.


This regional event which will bring together leading decision makers in fifteen African countries and representatives of major donors on this issue, will focus on different aspects to consider in these very ambitious projects that engage successfully . Testimony from several African countries will enhance trade.


By valuing the experience of those who have already undertaken a proactive approach in the field, the seminar will therefore encourage the sharing of experiences. It will also take stock of the road map to follow and the different phases that mark these essential projects, from design to implementation and finally, we will look towards Europe, which he initiated Several years ago this same discussion with the implementation of the INSPIRE Directive.


In addition to the Burkinabe policy makers, delegations from several African countries including Algeria, Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Guinea, Uganda ..., will travel. Please note the participation of Minister of Infrastructure and the opening of Burkina Faso, Mr. Ouedraogo, the Ambassador of France and Head of Delegation of the European Union in Burkina Faso.


Distributed by the African Press Organization for IGN France International.


Contact

Aude Areste LAMENDOUR

alamendour@ignfi.fr - + 226 72 06 30 65


IGN France International (http://www.ignfi.fr) since 1986 is the international subsidiary of IGN. It is an indispensable interlocutor in its two areas: geographic information (acquisition, processing, modeling) and geographic information systems (installation and integration). It works on all types of projects in the following sectors: land, land use, environmental risks, agriculture ....


Find projects by IGN France International by visiting http://www.ignfi.com


Source: IGN France International



How To Reduce Inmates in Nigerian Prisons



National Assembly, how to reduce prison congestion caused by Awaiting-Trial Inmates in Nigeria.

~ John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D.

Over the years much have been said about decongesting prison population in Nigeria, yet the ever-growing population of people awaiting trials continues persistently.
It is believed that 36,217 or so out of a population of about 74, 000 inmates, are suffering at various prisons without undergoing trial for years. This is certainly no fault of the prison management.

The legislative arm of the government have had hearings on this national challenge, yet the Nigeria prison authorities remain helpless as their prisons remain dumping grounds for all sort of cases from the police and the courts. The current troubles of the entire criminal justice system of Nigeria which is a direct result of decades of out dated governmental and administrative policies keeps the police, prisons and the judicial continuously in a state of dislocation and lack of proper linkages in terms of functional roles and workable connections.

Consequently, the prisons have become overwhelmed with the pressures of overpopulation, congestion and destabilization.

The effects of congestion and of having overpopulated number of awaiting inmates as well as institutionalizing them along with convicted inmates make the Nigerian prisons grounds for developing psychological or mental health as well as physical ailments.

Our courts remain overburdened with no clear system of modern resolution-based placement systems as in incarceration, probation, community control, community supervision, home supervision, and other diversion or controlled alternative methods. As a result, our prison system is left in a state of chronic congestion, crowdedness and security risk.

It is a fact that the increasing number of mentally ill persons has continued to contribute to congestion of the courts and consequently the prisons. Yet the federal government continues to have no clear system of removing the severely mentally ill inmates from our overburdened prisons.

One common sense way to seek solution to the increasing prison congestion is to create policies that will assist in differentiating the meaning of a jail and its use as against the role of a prison.

There is a place for holding offenders awaiting trials for various crimes, they are called jails. The Nigeria correctional Service with adequate technical assistance, expert help, and special financial resources could open separate jails.
As it stands now there is currently a lack of unified jail/prison effectiveness with regard to utilization systems.

The jail in every rational and contemporary society operates on a short term basis, while the prison is all about long-term punishment.

By designation, jails are locally operated by municipalities or local councils, or even by private corporations in advanced countries but in the case of Nigeria the federal government could set up, manage or operate jails in various towns as it is currently the practice with prisons.

Jails are used to hold individuals waiting for trial, or in the middle of legal proceedings, and certainly, and they are not located within the prison environment.
Jails, in many cases, serve as settings for serving a short term sentence, such as 364 days or less than a year.

Usually, the prison, by designation, operates as a federal penal system where convicted felons (not misdemeanor convicts) are kept for at least a year or more.
Both jails and prisons are supposed to have up-to-date classification, therapeutic and mental health systems to help in the areas of general placement, re-entry of the mentally ill into the society and in the discharge of inmates.

On the other hand, the prison setting has minimum, medium and maximum custody levels for felons. Some convicts, who are almost completing their sentences in prison, could be placed in what are known as prison-operated halfway houses, community-based restitution programs and work release centers.

Also, it is essential to treat rather than punish the mentally disordered, terminally ill offenders and drug addicts in highly supervised mental health/home-based centers. There is no reason why the Federal Ministry of Interior cannot create jails, as extension of the police and courts to hold criminal violators awaiting trial, to house persons revoked of their probation status, or serve those under short term sentences.

Yes, there are going to be challenges in a society with a dysfunctional system of telecommunication, poorly codified street/home address and poorly-lit roads, adequate house arrest and probation systems. But we can try.

However, these alternatives to lock-up remain essential as they will make the correctional system function better financially, cost-wise and organizationally. These alternatives also help reduce the pattern of making prisons dumping ground or dumpsites, especially for those with little means or nuisance to families or society.
Note that if there are no improvements in our courts in terms of providing adequate system of court administration or record management, we will remain disorganized as such system helps to account fully for the status of a case, or to track a case up to the penal system.

The unbearable prison backlog for persons in the middle of legal proceedings will continue if the entire criminal justice system, the correctional system especially does not get the modern help it deserves from the legislature. No reasonable mind or government wants our prison system to remain an unsafe or inadequate place for managing inmates or convicts.



~ John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., is a Forensic/Clinical Psychologist and the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association (NPA), Abuja. E-mail: Jos5930458@aol.com. Tel: 08126909839.




Sunday, April 1, 2012

14th Ceremony for the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science


The 2012 Laureates and International Fellows gathered on stage after a week dedicated to exciting scientific exchanges.

14th Ceremony for the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards For Women in Science:


Laureate for Africa and the Arab States, Jill Farrant (South Africa) is Professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of Cape Town. She has been recognised for discovering how plants survive under dry conditions.

L’Oréal and UNESCO renew their support for science



Laureate for Latin America, Susana López (Mexico) is a Professor of Genetics and Molecular Physiology at the National University of Mexico. She has been recognised for her studies on rotaviruses that cause the death of 600,000 children each year.

PARIS 30 March/PRNewswire/ – The L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Awards Ceremony, presided by Professor Günter Blobel, Nobel Prize in Medicine 1999, took place last night at UNESCO headquarters. Five exceptional women scientists who contribute to resolving major global challenges were distinguished by the awards, presented by Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO and Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation.



Laureate for Asia-Pacific, Ingrid Scheffer (Australia) is a paediatric neurologist and Professor at the University of Melbourne. She has been awarded for identifying genes involved in some forms of epilepsy.



Laureate for Europe, Frances Ashcroft (United Kingdom) is a Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics Professor at the Oxford University. She was honored for advancing our understanding of insulin secretion and of neonatal diabetes.

Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO, commented, “In order to meet the challenges of the future, we must encourage science and women’s potential.”
Sir Lindsay Owen-Jones, Chairman of the L’Oréal Corporate Foundation reaffirmed, “This award has changed the lives of numerous scientific women. In becoming emblematic of the ethical commitment of our company, this program has inspired and motivated us all.”

For more information, visit : www.fwis2012.com

Press contacts:

L’Oréal
Catherine Rose / +33 1 47 56 85 42 / catherine.rose@loreal.com
Laura Lovasik / +33 1 47 56 76 77 / laura.lovasik@loreal.com

Publicis Consultants
Florence Marin / +33 1 44 82 45 17 / florence.marin@consultants.publicis.fr
Colette Genin / +33 1 44 82 45 31 / colette.genin@consultants.publicis.fr

UNESCO Press Office
Sue Williams / +33 1 45 68 17 06 / s.williams@unesco.org
http://www.unesco.org


About the L’Oréal Foundation


The L’Oréal Foundation, created in 2007, pursues the goal of making the world a better place each day. It draws on the Group’s values and business to strengthen and perpetuate the Group’s commitment to social responsibility. As the second-largest corporate foundation in France, the L’Oréal Foundation is committed to three types of action: promoting scientific research in the fundamental and human sciences, supporting education and helping individuals made vulnerable by alternations to their appearance to reclaim their rightful place in society.


About UNESCO


Since its creation in 1945, UNESCO has pursued its mission of promoting science at the service of sustainable development and peace. It focuses on policy development and building capacities in science, technology and innovation and promoting and strengthening science education and engineering. UNESCO fosters the sustainable management of freshwater, oceans and terrestrial resources, the protection of biodiversity, and using the power of science to cope with climate change and natural hazards. The Organization also works to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to promote equality between men and women, especially in scientific research.



President Obama, View Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Through Your Own Lens


Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

President Obama, View Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Through Your Own Lens

~ By John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D.

Mr. President, throughout your life you have always believed that ‘may the best win’ and with this philosophy the world believed in you, and today as the President of the free world, you remain the pride of America, Africa and the entire globe.

In the same vein, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of Nigeria who is currently a nominee for President of the World Bank ought to be viewed by you through your own lens.

Through the possibilities of individual achievement, personal merit, adept background, and celebrated expertise in public and private works you became America’s first African-American President.

This American historic presidency happened amidst backgrounds like racist attacks, ethnic animosity and social antagonism toward you in terms of your cultural and ancestral history.


President Barack Obama and Dr. Jim Yong Kim.

Sir, you will agree that what could not be questioned successfully were your impeccable credentials as a candidate for the presidency.
Along these lines of reasoning the extremely public picture you are pushing against Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala compare to your candidate, Dr. Jim Yong Kim is far from who you are in terms of both words and deeds.

In the last few days there is an unbelievable display of unfairness against the psychology of merit, expertness and measured experience in favor of undue power and influence—the America might.

President Obama, if the World Bank is an international financial institution which provides aids and finances to developing countries for capital programs, how does a man with proficiency in infectious diseases, anthropology and university administration occupy and take on such financial headship?

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as you are truly aware of is a woman with a far reaching wealth of experience in world economy, in emerging economies, in economics, in finance and in government.

Yet, you Sir appear to be trying to impose an American public-health professor on the affairs of the World Bank and could this be unconsciously or consciously due to the reality that Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is from black Africa, from a purported notorious society, and of a female background?

Sir, some of these characterizations is what you successfully fought against in terms of your being black and different in racist America.

Sir, sure it is civically proper that you support an American and one of your citizens for any global position. But here is the reality.

This World Bank position is about who has more qualifications and experience. While Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala comes from a nakedly driven culture of corruption—Nigeria, she presents as a woman within the black Africa community who has struggled individually and pulled herself up by her own bootstraps and now wants to use her skills and efforts as well as her knowledge about the world stage to help emerging nations.

Sir, there is certainly nothing wrong with this type of course especially when you have always fought for persons that have pulled themselves up through their own bootstraps.

Sir, you must not allow a well-educated, a well experienced and a solution driven authority like this woman to back down for a questionable and unsuitable American nominee like Dr. Jim Yong Kim, at least by the standards of the widely known reputable London-based weekly publication, The Economist.

Sir, you have always demanded of America and the world in general; that fairness and clearness must always be respected. So if the World Bank presidency position is contested under the air of freedom, fairness and transparency your long distance sister will win the presidential race for the World Bank.

~ John Egbeazien Oshodi, Ph.D., is the Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association (NPA), Abuja. E-mail: Jos5930458@aol.com. Tel: 08126909839.