Nigerian Star Playwright Janice Okoh Serves Egusi Soup In London

The celebrated Nigerian prize winning playwright Janice Okoh is serving her delicious Egusi Soup to the celebs and others in London.

Egusi Soup is a new play about love, life and loss, with plenty of spicy bits!

Wed 23 May – Sat 9 June, Soho Theatre, London.

Sat 16 June, Mercury Theatre, Colchester

A fast, furious and funny new intergenerational and cross-cultural Nigerian family comedy from Janice Okoh. As the Anyias, a British-Nigerian family, pack their suitcases and prepare to head home to Lagos for a memorial service in honour of the late Mr Anyia, they soon realise they will need to get rid of some excess baggage first, and not just of the material kind. The chaotic return to London from the USA of the Anyias’ eldest daughter, Anne, disrupts the family equilibrium that has settled after her father’s death, and deeply held resentments resurface dramatically.



Janice Okoh is an award winning playwright. In 2011, her play The Real House (Three Birds) won the Bruntwood Prize and was short-listed for the Verity Bargate Award and the Alfred Fagon Award. Her recent theatre productions include: Top Brass (Theatre 503, 2010), a short play written in response to The Charming Man by Gabriel Bissett-Smith. Her recent radio plays include: Reunion (BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2011); Carnival, a short play for the From Fact to Fiction series (BBC Radio 4, 2010) and SE8 (BBC Radio 4, 2010). This year, Janice has adapted Malorie Blackman’s novel Noughts and Crosses for the Saturday Play (BBC Radio 4).

Making up the cast are: Ellen Thomas, Rhoda Ofori-Attah, Anniwaa Buachie, Nick Oshikanlu and Lace Akpojaro.

Ellen Thomas is one of the country’s leading black actresses. She has been twice nominated for Best Actress in the EMMA Awards and nominated as Best Actress by Screen Nation and The Black Media Awards.

Ellen has a hugely successful TV, film and stage career. She has appeared in Eastenders as Grace and 4 series of the hugely successful Teachers. Other regular roles include: 3 series of Cardiac Arrest and leading roles in London Bridge, Holding On and The Jury. Ellen also appeared in Buried Treasure alongside John Thaw for LWT which won the 2002 BAFTA Audience Award. Theatre work includes: Tiata Delights at The Almeida; Statement Of Regret at The National Theatre; The Estate, Soho Theatre; womanliness Monologues on Tour; Blest Be The Tie at The Royal Court; Maria in Twelfth Night at The Manchester Royal Exchange and A Bitter Herb at The Bristol old Vic, for which she won fabulous reviews.

Egusi Soup is a co-production between Soho Theatre and Menagerie Theatre Company in association with Mercury Theatre, Colchester.

Menagerie is one of the UK’s leading independent new writing theatre companies, seeking out and supporting talented new writers. As well as touring widely, Menagerie curates and produces the annual Hotbed Festival in Cambridge. www.menagerietheatre.co.uk
Egusi Soup was developed at Menagerie’s Sparks programme and then at Hotbed. Janice Okoh is a Menagerie Associate Writer.

Soho Theatre aims to bring the most entertaining, brave and theatrical new work to audiences across a programme spanning comedy, cabaret and theatre; with three spaces, a late night bar, innovative education projects and world famous writers’ centre, Soho Theatre is one of the most vibrant venues on London’s cultural scene.

Egusi Soup Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EgusiSoupMenagerie


For more information, tickets for press night (Friday 25th May), biogs, interviews or photographs, please contact:

Mhari Gallagher
e: mhari@menagerie.uk.com
t: 01223 322111
m: 07725739106

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Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria

24 May 2012 05:07 Africa/Lagos


Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria - The Samsung Galaxy Pocket launches with pre-installed songs, and song credits.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 23, 2012/PRNewswire via African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The mobile music download and streaming application Spinlet will partner with Samsung Electronics in the launch of the brand's new Samsung Galaxy Pocket S5300 in Nigeria. The Galaxy Pocket will come with a pre-installed Spinlet application loaded with five songs and enough credit for consumers to purchase five additional songs from the massive music catalog available through the Spinlet app.


(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120523/SF12767)


The partnership of the recently launched cloud based service, Spinlet, and one of the forerunners in digital design and technology, Samsung, allows for a groundbreaking opportunity for consumers to enjoy their favorite music on an advanced new smart phone with TouchWiz UI multi tasking and wi-fi capabilities.


The market for digital music in Africa has been untapped by any of the major music services to date. This opened the door for the partnership with Samsung to once again be a trendsetter. The Spinlet model allows independent musicians and bands in Africa to sell their music alongside other more prominent artists in Africa and from around the world. Spinlet also provides artists with tools to better understand their fan base and interact with them through social media. By providing the application pre-installed, Samsung significantly increases the amount of listeners and potential buyers of these artists' music. "In a country riddled by piracy, the free streaming and pay per download model that Spinlet and Samsung are providing to the market really helps create value in fans eyes and a revenue stream for artists," says Eric Idiahi, Spinlet Chairman.


According to Daesong Ra, Business Manager, Mobile Division Samsung Electronics West Africa, "Our proposition offers consumers smart phone experience that is not only affordable but 'Clearly Different, Clearly Smart.' The Samsung Galaxy pocket comes packed with over 400,000 free apps, faster internet connectivity at an amazing retail price of N18,900. In addition, consumers on the MTN network can enjoy 1 month free of internet data to experience these exciting smart phone solutions."


Spinlet and Samsung will host a collaborated launch party for the Samsung Galaxy Pocket, on Wednesday, May 23 at The Oriental Hotel as part of the high profile, on-going series, Industry Nite. Attendees will have a chance to win the brand-new Galaxy Pocket and mingle with music industry execs from all over Africa. Please contact Spinlet for more information on attending and/or covering the event.


For press inquiries please contact: Melissa Adair // E-mail: melissa@spinlet.com


About Spinlet: Spinlet is a lifestyle entertainment company focused on meeting the needs of music lovers allowing them to buy, listen, share, and manage music all within a free user friendly mobile platform. The application is currently launched and available throughout Nigeria. For more Info or to download the app visit http://spinlet.com/ .

Source: Spinlet

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Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
24 May 2012
05:31	Airtel harmonizes its calling rates to all African Destinations
05:07	Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria - The Samsung Galaxy Pocket launches with pre-installed songs, and song credits.
23 May 2012
22:05	Bristow Group Reports Financial Results For Its 2012 Fiscal Fourth Quarter And Year Ended March 31, 2012
21:50	Bristow Group Announces 33 Percent Dividend Increase
20:16	How to Enter Nigeria's Booming Consumer Market, in African Business Review
19:46	Expert Opinions on Investing in Africa, Africa's Largest Consumer Market, and KONY 2012, in African Business Review
19:41	Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria
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07:09	ALLOCUTION DE L'AMBASSADEUR RAMTANE LAMAMRA, COMMISSAIRE À LA PAIX ET À LA SÉCURITÉ DE LA COMMISSION DE L'UNION AFRICAINE, À L'OUVERTURE DE LA 3ÈME CONFÉRENCE DES MINISTRES AFRICAINS CHARGÉS DES QUESTIONS DE FRONTIÈRES
22 May 2012
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08:54	The African Union deploys an Observer Mission in Lesotho
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21 May 2012
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18 May 2012
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17 May 2012
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Happy 21st Wedding Anniversary To Chief & Mrs Eze C. Eze

Chief & Mrs Eze C. Eze Cutting Their 20th Wedding Anniversary Cake.

TODAY, 23RD MAY, 2012 MARKS MY 21ST WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!!

To the glory of God based on His infinite mercy and luv and with a heart full of happiness and gratitude to God Almighty, I am happy to announce to all my friends, enemies and associates that today 23rd May, 2012 marks my 21st wedding anniversary to a rare gem and embodiment of motherhood –fmr ADA CHIOMA HENRIETTA NWAORGU OF IMO STATE.


Chief & Mrs Eze C. Eze During Their 20th Wedding Anniversary.

This lady that I met on 16th January, 1986 in UNICAL we were students and thru sports came together as friends. I was then the University Students Director of Sports, UNICAL Football Team-Manager and Sports Coordinator of Faculty of Arts of UNICAL while she was the Athletics Captain and a key member of the University female Football Team. In assisting me to coordinate the female athletes in 1986, we won the 1986 Inter-Faculty Games of the University. She was a close ally in most of the key feats I achieved both as a student and student’s union activist!



She left the University in 1988 to do her youth service in Port Harcourt while I left in 1989 to serve in Yola in the then Gongola State present day Taraba and Adamawa States. We got married formally on 23rd Dec, 1991 at her home town, Ngo-Okpala in Imo State and wedded by Bishop Ignatius Kaigama in St. Theresa Catholic Church in Yola on 23rd May, 1992. She assisted me to set up Eze Continental Investment Ltd from the scratch and today it has become a household name in the entire North East of Nigeria in areas of Sports Promotion and selling of the best quality of sports equipment until January 2012 when we were forced to leave Yola due to the menace of Boko Haram to our present abode in Abakalik, Ebonyi State.


Mrs. Eze and their son Kelechi.

To the glory of God we are blessed with six great kids. Two of them are already in the University studying Computer Science and Public Administration, two to enter university before the year runs off while the last two are in Secondary and Primary Schools.

The devil and his cohorts knowing how great this family ordain by God will be plotted to eliminate my entire family when on 21st Dec, at Ogoja in CRS my Jeep conveying my wife and five of my kids for the xmas was involved in a fatal accident with a FAD Trailer that cost the lives of the Driver and two of the conductors of the trailer while nobody in the Jeep sustained any serious injury. Just for God to prove His luv and concern for my family.

My brothers and sisters, join me to pray and thank God for seeing us through till this day as we rededicate our lives for better services to mankind!

If there is anything like reincarnation, I will still pray God to grant me the grace to remarry this great gift to mankind!


~ Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, 23-05-12

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Boko Haram Is Neither for Nigerian Muslims Nor Christians

This cartoon on Boko Haram from http://www.metransparent.com/spip.php?page=article&id_article=18382&lang=ar is the most illustrative I have seen so far.

The People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad, aka Boko Haram is an Islamic militant legion attacking the ruling government in Nigeria and those opposed to their Jihad whether Christians or Muslims.

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I Am Looking For Christians In Nigeria. Please, Where Can I Find Them?

Yes, I am really looking for Christians in Nigeria. But finding them has not been easy these days.
I have been searching from the street to the pulpit, but I have only seen legions of church goers, but they don't behave like true Christians.
In fact, the Africans among them seem to fear their village Juju more than the God they confess and profess to believe in church.
They seem to go to church as a social function to display the fashion in vogue and in some churches, the girls seemed to have come dressed for night clubbing, with body hugging above the knees skirts!

In fact, saying "I am a Christian" is just another cliché to tickle the fancy. Because, what they do is totally the opposite of what they claim. And they even do so with brazen impunity and with a hiss. Their egos and lifestyles are ruled by wrath, greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony.
Do they really believe in God?
Because, legions of them are swayed by Mammon and other evil spirits at large.

The more I look for Christians in Nigeria, the more hypocrites I see.
In fact, I would rather dine and wine with pagans than with the so called Christians in Nigeria.

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

~ Messiah Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:15-20, Holy Bible (NIV).

Let us pray lest we are ensnared and smeared.
But if we are already infected, it is not too late to disentangle ourselves from the corruption plaguing these legions before we are consumed.


~ By Ekenyerengozi מִיכָאֵל‎ Chima

Releases displayed in Africa/Lagos time
23 May 2012
20:16	How to Enter Nigeria's Booming Consumer Market, in African Business Review
19:46	Expert Opinions on Investing in Africa, Africa's Largest Consumer Market, and KONY 2012, in African Business Review
19:41	Spinlet Partners with Samsung to Release the Samsung Galaxy Pocket in Nigeria
14:00	Microsoft Announces Worldwide Finalists for Imagine Cup 2012
07:09	ALLOCUTION DE L'AMBASSADEUR RAMTANE LAMAMRA, COMMISSAIRE À LA PAIX ET À LA SÉCURITÉ DE LA COMMISSION DE L'UNION AFRICAINE, À L'OUVERTURE DE LA 3ÈME CONFÉRENCE DES MINISTRES AFRICAINS CHARGÉS DES QUESTIONS DE FRONTIÈRES
22 May 2012
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08:54	The African Union deploys an Observer Mission in Lesotho
05:30	PRESIDENT DEBY OF CHAD ADDRESSES THE OPENING OF THE SEVENTH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE PAP
21 May 2012
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18 May 2012
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13:49	At G8 Food Security Symposium, World Cocoa Foundation Announces $4 Million in New Support for Cocoa Farmers in West Africa
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06:00	New York Ranked Lowest Risk City in the World to Recruit, Employ and Redeploy Workers, According to Aon Hewitt
16 May 2012
15:50	GameTruck Aligns With Make-A-Wish®
14:57	L'un des leaders de la télécommunication lance son réseau mobile en Afrique
11:00	China Precision Steel Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results

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Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"

SAMUEL L. JACKSON. (PRNewsFoto/BET Networks)

22 May 2012 21:30 Africa/Lagos

The Highest Grossing Movie Actor Of All Time Samuel L. Jackson Set To Host The "BET AWARDS 12"

Kanye West Leads the Pack with 7 Nominations, Beyonce Close Behind with 6 Nominations and Jay-Z Rounds Things Out with 5 Nominations

Maze featuring Frankie Beverly To Be Honored with the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award'

Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj Confirmed As the First Performers For This Year's Award Show
LIVE from the Historic Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 8:00 pm* on BET

NEW YORK, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This year the BET AWARDS 12 (#BETAWARDS) will be 'Too Big To Miss.' Earlier today at a press conference held in BET's New York studios, it was announced that actor Samuel L. Jackson , declared the highest grossing movie actor of all time according to the Guinness Book of World Records, will be this year's BET AWARDS host. In addition, the members of Maze featuring Frankie Beverly were announced to be the prestigious recipients of the 'Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award;' and Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj were revealed as the first confirmed performers.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NE12049 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Currently, the Oscar-nominated actor is on screen in "The Avengers," which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend.

"We are massively excited about having Sam Jackson, the world's biggest box office star, host The BET Awards 12," said Stephen G. Hill, President of Music Programming and Specials, BET Networks. "His wit, presence and gigantic personality are the perfect match for our show."

On hand from BET's NYC studios to announce the nominees for the BET AWARDS 12 were Mindless Behavior, Big Sean, Melanie Fiona, DJ Khaled, Astro, A$AP Rocky and Diggy, along with the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award honorees Maze featuring Frankie Beverly.

The BET AWARDS is one of the most watched award shows on cable television according to the Nielsen Company. The BET AWARDS franchise remains as the #1 program in cable TV history among African-Americans, and it is BET's #1 telecast every year. It recognizes the triumphs and successes of artists, entertainers and athletes in 20 categories. Leading the pack of A-list talent this year is Kanye West with an impressive 7 Nominations: Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, and 5 notable nominations for 'The Throne' with Jay-Z. 'The Throne' received nominations for Best Group, Best Collaboration ft. Otis Redding, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for "N*ggas in Paris" and "Otis." Close behind is Beyonce with 6 Nominations: Best Female R&B Artist, Best Collaboration, Video Director of the Year, Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice and 2 nods for Video of the Year for "Countdown" and "Love on Top."

"We have many more acts to come," added Hill, "but we're proud to have the dynamic Chris Brown and Nicki Minaj as our first-announced performers. The Shrine Auditorium will be shaking for the R&B stalwarts Maze featuring Frankie Beverly as they receive the Cadillac Lifetime Achievement Award. We're just getting started and already the show is living up to its slogan: it's too big to miss."


The nominees for the BET AWARDS 12 include:

Best Female R&B Artist
Marsha Ambrosius
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Trey Songz
Usher


Best Group
Bad Meets Evil
Diddy-Dirty Money
Maybach Music Group
Mindless Behavior
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best Collaboration
Beyonce f/ J. Cole – "Party"
Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – "Marvin & Chardonnay"
DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne – "I'm On One"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – "The Motto"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel – "Lotus Flower Bomb"

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
Big Sean
Drake
J. Cole
Lil Wayne
Rick Ross
Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip Hop Artist

Diamond
Nicki Minaj
Brianna Perry
Trina


Video of the Year
Beyonce – "Countdown"
Beyonce – "Love On Top"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – "N***as in Paris"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Usher – "Climax"

Video Director of the Year
Beyonce & Alan Ferguson
Benny Boom
Chris Brown & Godfrey Tabarez
Kanye West
Hype Williams

Best New Artist
A$AP Rocky
Big Sean
Diggy
Future
Meek Mill

Best Gospel
Yolanda Adams
Kim Burrell
James Fortune & FIYA
Fred Hammond
Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Viola Davis
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Zoe Saldana

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Idris Elba
Kevin Hart
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Astro
Diggy
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith

Best Movie
Good Deeds
Jumping The Broom
Laugh At My Pain
Red Tails
The Help

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Skylar Diggins
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award
Beyonce – "Love On Top"
Chris Brown – "Turn Up the Music"
Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – "The Motto"
Mindless Behavior – "Hello"
The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – "Otis"
Wale f/ Miguel – "Lotus Flower Bomb"

Centric Award
Common
Estelle
Robert Glasper
Robin Thicke
Tyrese

Best International Act: Africa
Camp Mulla (Kenya)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
Lira (South Africa)
Mokobe (Mali)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK
Estelle
Labrinth
Emeli Sande
Sway
Wretch 32

www.BET.com/BETAwards is the official site for the BET AWARDS 12 where fans can visit to vote for the Coca-Cola Viewer's Choice Award, get up-to-date info on this year's show and take a look back on past BET AWARDS. In the coming weeks, BET.com will launch a series of interactive games to make the BET AWARD's digital experience the biggest it's ever been.

"Too Big To Pick" let's fans predict who they think will win the coveted BET AWARD and compare their picks with their Facebook friends.
"The Line-Up" is a fantasy sports styled game that allows viewers to make predictions on the order performers will appear in the show and compare this line-up with their Twitter followers, Facebook friends, and their favorite celebrities.

In June, BET Mobile will also be launching the official BET AWARDS app on iPhone and Android devices with exclusive photo, video and interactive content.

Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET's multiple social media platforms:

On Twitter by using hashtag: #BETAWARDS, #2BIG2MISS; and following us @BETAWARDS.
On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/TheBETAwards
On Google plus at bet.us/gplusBET

The BET AWARDS 12 will premiere Tuesday, July 3, 2012 at 8:00PM BST across BET's international platforms in the UK and Africa.

Stephen G. Hill, BET's President of Music Programming and Specials, Lynne Harris Taylor, BET's Vice President of Specials, will serve as Executive Producers for the BET AWARDS 12, along with Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment.

Official sponsors of The BET AWARDS 12 include Cadillac®, Coca-Cola®, Ford®, State Farm® and Subway®.

About Samuel L. Jackson

Respectfully labeled as one of the hardest working actors in Hollywood, Jackson is an undisputed star as demonstrated in the fact that his films have grossed the most money in box office sales than any other actor in the history of filmmaking. Jackson made an indelible mark on American cinema with his portrayal of 'Jules', the philosophizing hitman, in Quentin Tarantino's "Pulp Fiction." In addition to unanimous critical acclaim for his performance, he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor as well as a Best Supporting Actor award from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. Jackson recently made his Broadway debut at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in Katori Hall's The Mountaintop, co-starring Angela Bassett and directed by Kenny Leon. The Mountaintop is set on the eve of the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., whom Jackson portrays. The play ended its run on January 22, 2012. Jackson is currently in production on Quentin Tarantino's "Django Unchained." Jackson plays the role of 'Stephen,' alongside Christoph Waltz as 'Dr. King Schultz,' Jamie Foxx as 'Django' and Leonardo DiCaprio as 'Calvin Candie.' "Django Unchained" is set in the Deep South during the 1850s and tells the story of a slave-turned-bounty hunter setting out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner. Jackson is currently on screen in "The Avengers," which is part of his 9-picture deal with Marvel Studios. The highly anticipated film opened on May 4, 2012 to a record shattering $200 million opening weekend. Recently, Jackson was seen in HBO's "The Sunset Limited," an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's play. Tommy Lee Jones co-starred and directed the telefilm. On television, in addition to "The Sunset Limited," Jackson starred in John Frankenheimer's Emmy Award-winning "Against the Wall" for HBO. His performance earned him a Cable Ace nomination as Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or Miniseries, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.

About Jesse Collins Entertainment

Jesse Collins Entertainment is a full service film and television production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. Over the past decade, Collins, the company's CEO, has played an integral role in producing some of television's most memorable moments in the music entertainment arena. Formerly Executive Producer/Executive Vice President of Cossette Productions, Collins has produced award winning television programming including the Grammy Awards, the BET AWARDS, BET Honors and BET's Rip the Runway and has worked with superstar talent such as Will Smith, Jay-Z, Rihanna, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Kid Rock, Lil Wayne and many more.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; CENTRIC, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the 25- to 54-year-old African-American audience; BET Digital Networks - BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe; BET operates in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

Follow us on Twitter @ BET_PR and @BETAwards


SOURCE BET Networks

CONTACT: Marcy Polanco, +1-212-975-3327, Marcy.Polanco@BET.net; Zabrina Horton, +1-310-481-3737, Zabrina.Horton@BET.net

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

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NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year

NAPCP Announces 2011 Photographer of the Year Stephanie Buckman, Stephanie Robin Photography. (PRNewsFoto/National Association of Professional Child Photographers)

22 May 2012 18:22 Africa/Lagos

National Association of Professional Child Photographers Unveils International Image Competition Winners and Photographer of the Year
Almost 1,500 Images Submitted by World's Top Child Photographers

ATLANTA, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) recently announced the results of its fourth international image competition and revealed its 2011 Child Photographer of the Year, Stephanie Buckman of Stephanie Robin Photography.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120522/NY11804 )

With interest and participation growing each year, this latest NAPCP competition attracted images across a new range of category subjects, including maternity, newborn, baby, child, sibling, tween, seniors and family. A panel of photography experts and luminaries critiqued the thousands of image submissions for impact, technical merit, composition and creativity.

The overall NAPCP Child Photographer of the Year winner was determined by total number of points scored in both 2011 NAPCP Image Competitions.

"In reviewing the results of NAPCP's fourth image competition, we continue to be amazed by the creative passion and specialization of our dedicated child photographer community," said Alice Park, co-founder and president, NAPCP. "We congratulate Photographer of the Year Stephanie Buckman and the other winners for their stunning work and artistic ability which brings so much joy to families and loved ones around the world."

The biannual NAPCP Image Competitions reward its winners with medallions, priority listing on the NAPCP directory, vendor endorsements, and membership points.

"Given the quality evident in all of the submissions, it was not easy choosing winners," said Dana Pugh, a NAPCP image competition judge and NAPCP's 2010 Photographer of the Year. "Those talented photographers being recognized in this competition should be extremely proud of their work."

Winners of the fourth NAPCP Image Competition included:
Robin Long ; Salem, Oregon
Nicola Toon ; Cambridge, Ontario
Shona Hutchinson ; Ottawa Ontario
Marie Vanderweide-Murray ; Burlington, Ontario
Sandra Coan ; Seattle, Washington
Elizabeth Blank ; Woodstock, Georgia
Megan Drane ; Naperville, Illinois
Chritene Schaaf; Virginia Beach, Virginia

Finalists included:
Aneta Gancarz ; Manchester, United Kingodm
Stephanie Buckman ; Burlington, Ontario
Jennifer Dell ; Tomball, Texas
Lori Robison ; Fleming Island, Florida
Karen Mackie ; Dundurn, Saskatchewan
Maria Sze ; Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Christin Carruthers ; Stoney Creek, Ontario
Lora Moore-Kakaletris ; Oakville, Ontario
Melinda Worthington ; Bella Vista, Arkansas
Tamara Campbell ; Waterdown, Ontario
Jennifer Kim ; Springfield, Virginia
Meg Borders ; Richland, Washington
Adele Cabanillas ; Lacey, Washington
Tanya Alexis ; Los Angeles, California

For more details on the NAPCP Image Competition, please visit http :// napcp . com / photographers / competition /.

About NAPCP

The National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) is a member-based association representing and promoting the community of professional child photographers. The NAPCP provides a valuable platform for seasoned veterans and rising professionals alike to share their experiences, hone their craft and raise their professional visibility.

NAPCP connects parents searching for child photographers with its members by providing a comprehensive directory and informative articles on what to expect from their professional photography experience. For more information, please visit http :// www . napcp . com.


Legal Notices

Copyright © 2012 National Association of Professional Child Photographers. All Rights Reserved.

SOURCE National Association of Professional Child Photographers

CONTACT: Alice Park, NAPCP, +1-404-848-9695, alice@napcp.com

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

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Presentation Genius of Steve Jobs

Presentation Genius of Steve Jobs

Download the Complimentary eBook.

For more than 3 decades, Steve Jobs transformed product launches into an art form. So, although you might not have an iPad to unveil, you can still learn a lot from his legacy.

This new eBook reveals the strategies used by former Apple CEO Steve Jobs to deliver powerful presentations that informed, educated and entertained.

Download the eBook to learn:

• Why the first lesson of presenting is to go old school
• What's behind the rule of 3 in presentations
• How to distill your product description to 140 characters or fewer
• And more...

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Famous Nigerian author, Chinua Achebe.

Books to Read about Nigeria

Nigeria has an extensive and turbulent history. As the most populous nation in Africa and containing vast oil reserves, it is poised to be an economic force for not only in Africa, but also the world. There are many historical and cultural points of interest in Nigeria. One of the best ways to gain a better understanding of this fascinating country is through literature. Here are some books to read about Nigeria.

• “Nigeria and West Africa” – “Nigeria and West Africa,” from the "World's Hot Spots" series of books, presents a comprehensive and detailed historical perspective on Nigeria and West Africa. The book, written by Wendy McElroy, discusses the roots of West Africa that date back to 700 B.C., and pivotal points in its history such as colonial rule and the internal strife and violence that has gripped Nigeria, particularly during the civil war of 1967-1970. “Nigeria and West Africa” discusses how these historical events have shaped the region as a whole as well as the state of affairs in the region today.


• “Ethnic Politics in Kenya and Nigeria” – Godfrey Mkakikagile’s “Ethnic Politics in Kenya and Nigeria” covers not only ethic politics from a comparative study point of view, but also discusses how tribalism or distinct ethnic identities, has influenced the post colonial political and cultural landscape. It goes into how corrupt dictatorships have exploited tribalism, resulting in decades of violence and strife as tribalism has been allowed expand, which has led to ethic groups fighting against each other. It also discusses the role of the overall population of the region, as quite often they have been unwilling or unable to stop the cycle of oppressive dictatorships from persisting.





• “Things Fall Apart” – Chinua Achebe is one Nigeria's most cherished novelists and poets in Nigeria and has received worldwide acclaim for “Things Fall Apart” and his other works, such as Anthills of the Savannah and Girls at War. “Things Fall Apart” is a novel that weaves two intertwining stories about an Okonkwo, strong willed and prosperous man from a village in Nigeria. The first story follows the arc of Okonkwo's troubled life and eventual exile from the village. The second story covers how the arrival of European missionaries has resulted created a culture clash and broken the cultural fabric of village life.

Perhaps you are interested in pursuing a career in a literature related field. For more information on educational opportunities, check out www.onlineuniversities.net.

Sources

Ranker (2012)

Goodreads (2012)

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Nigeria’s Leading International Film Festival Honours Nollywood Divas

Nigeria’s Leading International Film Festival Honours Nollywood Divas

The annual Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF), Nigeria’s leading international film festival is honoring Nollywood divas with the launch of the annual Nollywood Divas Awards to be unveiled at the 3rd Eko International Film Festival which opens on November 5, 2012, in the coastal mega city of Lagos in south western Nigeria.

“The Nollywood Divas Awards is a celebration of the accomplished actresses in Nollywood, the Nigerian film industry,” said Mr. Hope Obioma Opara, the President of Eko International Film Festival and CEO of Nollywood Divas Awards as he released the maiden NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® with the announcement of the 20 nominees for the inaugural Nollywood Divas Awards in Lagos.

The top nominees include the most popular Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji, multiple awards winning actresses Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Stephanie Okereke-Idahosa, Omoni Oboli, Monilisa Chinda, Funke Akindele, Stella Damasus, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson, Bimbo Akkintola, Nse Etim Ekpe, Uche Jumbo, Tonto Dike, Lillian Bach, Fathia Balogun, Ngozi Ezeonu, Joke Silva-Jacobs and Clarion Chukwurah who is the most accomplished Nigerian Nollywood diva to date.

The maiden NOLLYWOOD DIVAS AWARDS MAGAZINE ® will be publicized at local and international film festivals and copies have been distributed gratis to the public and available at Ojez Chinese Restaurant and Bar inside the National Stadium in Lagos, D’Stage on Modupe Johnson Street in Surulere and other major rendezvous of Nollywood celebrities, at the Silverbird Cinemas, Ozone Cinema, Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, Media Hub, and other outlets in Lagos. The digital edition is also available on the Internet for free downloads.

~ By Ekenyerengozi Michael Chima

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