A corpse under one of the burnt cars after the Sunday terrorist suicide bomb attacks in Kaduna. Photo Credit: The Guardian of Nigeria.
How can the man whose home is on fire travel so far away?
President Goodluck "it is not my fault" Jonathan would have left for the Rio+20 Earth Summit at the Riocentro Convention Centre in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this morning, while Nigeria is still smoking from the Islamic terrorist suicide bombings in Kaduna and Yobe with the corpses of the dead and carcases of burnt vehicles all over the place.
Over 67 people have been reported dead and two churches destroyed in the latest suicide bombings in northern Nigeria where the dreaded Islamic sect Boko Haram has been on rampage in suicide attacks targeting Christians and government forces. The latest attacks provoked reprisals by youths who ended up killing innocent Hausa Muslims and other suspects in the Wusasa and Sabon-Gari areas of Zaria and Banawa in Kaduna State.
While many families and relations are still searching for their missing members, the President left Nigeria for the Earth Summit in Brazil.
Would he have travelled if he lost anyone from his family and relations in the terrorist suicide attacks?
In Nigeria, journalist assaulted in front of military and police
NEW YORK, June 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Nigerian authorities must investigate the assault on a Nigerian journalist on June 14 and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. News accounts reported that the attack occurred in the presence of military and police officers who did not come to the journalist's aid.
Bashir Abdullahi, a journalist with the daily Daily Trust, was covering a seminar at the Federal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, in Rivers State, when officials of the Rivers State Environmental Task Force, escorted by military personnel, assaulted him, he told CPJ. "One of them slapped me twice on the face, hit me on my shoulder, and seized my phone. I complained to the soldiers, who told me to solve the problem myself," he said.
Abdullahi told CPJ he was wearing his ID card that identified him as a journalist when he was assaulted. He also said that David Iyofo, the spokesman for the Rivers State governor, helped him recover his phone the next day.
"We condemn the assault on Bashir Abdullahi who was attacked just for doing his job," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. "We call on the authorities to investigate the attack and hold to account the officials who were involved."
A spokesman for the task force told CPJ he was aware of the incident but that no immediate action could be taken since the alleged assault did not involve members of the military.
FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2005 file photo, Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a signing ceremony in the Kremlin, Moscow. Russia has shielded Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime, its last ally in the Arab world, from international sanctions and has continued to provide it with weapons despite international outrage. It has shipped billions of dollars worth of missiles, combat jets, tanks, artillery and other military gear to Syria over more than four decades.
- Sergei Chirikov, Pool-File /AP Photo.
President Obama: Stop U.S. Support for Syrian Weapons
In a major announcement this week, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton condemned Russia, and its state-owned weapons company for shipping attack helicopters to Syria and enabling President Bashir al-Assad's regime to carry out brutal attacks on civilians.
But the United States has a dirty little secret — the U.S. military has a $1 billion dollar contract with the same Russian company, Rosoboronexport. Tell President Obama that the United States needs to cease all contracts with Rosoboronexport.
It's time to stop doing business with Rosoboronexport and start standing up for the innocent people of Syria.
Air Nigeria is First African Carrier to Offer the iPad 3 After IFE Services Tie-up
KNUTSFORD, England, June 18, 2012/PRNewswire/ --
In-flight entertainment provider to supply movies and TV shows across African airline's portable and digital mainscreen systems.
IFE Services announced today that it has been selected by Air Nigeria as its in-flight entertainment [http://www.ifeservices.com/services/in-flight-entertainment ] (IFE) provider.
The agreement covers the provision of entertainment content across the airline's fleet of A330s. Passengers in business class will be offered a complimentary iPad 3 on which to enjoy Nigerian, classic and latest release Hollywood movies [http://www.ifeservices.com/services/in-flight-entertainment/movies ] as well as a broad selection of comedy, lifestyle, drama and kids TV shows. Air Nigeria is the first African carrier to offer the iPad 3 to passengers as an in-flight entertainment solution.
In economy class, passengers can enjoy latest release Hollywood movies and a selection of TV shows on the airplanes' digital mainscreen systems. IFE Services is also producing a new animated safety film [http://www.ifeservices.com/services/production/safety-films ] for the airline.
"It's been a pleasure working with Air Nigeria on its fresh new IFE offering," said Andy McEwan, CEO of IFE Services. "The iPad is a great portable solution [http://www.ifeservices.com/services/portable-in-flight-entertainment ] that we know passengers will love to use whilst airborne. We look forward to a long and productive relationship with this innovative, growing airline to help provide them with the best possible passenger experience."
"We are pleased to offer our passengers this unique product to ensure they are relaxed and enjoy first class entertainment on our flights, using state-of-the-art technology," said Kinfe Kahssaye, CEO of Air Nigeria. "We have always been at the forefront of introducing innovative products for the comfort of our passengers and the content provided by IFE Services for the iPads is such that it will add style to our customers' travel pattern."
For more information about Air Nigeria visit: http://www.myairnigeria.com
For more information about IFE Services visit: http://www.ifeservices.com
About Air Nigeria
Air Nigeria Development Limited, trading as Air Nigeria, is Nigeria's private sector flag carrier established in 2004 as Virgin Nigeria. The airline which started as Virgin Nigeria was acquired in 2010 by the NICON Group owned by Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim (OFR). Upon acquisition of the airline, Barr. Ibrahim initiated a 2-year turn-around to position it on the path of growth and profitability. Having concluded the turn-around phase, the airline is currently implementing a growth strategy and has since commenced flights to London with Johannesburg to follow suit on the 1st of July 2012. Plans are also underway to launch operations to Paris and Rome using Airbus A330 aircraft.
Air Nigeria operates domestic and regional flights and its operations cut across 10 countries in the West and Central African region. From its operational base at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, Air Nigeria currently operates to Owerri, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Enugu and Sokoto on the domestic routes while it also operates to Brazzaville, Accra, Douala, Dakar, Monrovia, Cotonou, Banjul, Libreville, Abidjan, Sao Tome and Principe with further plans to extend services to more African destinations as well as Europe, Asia and America.
Air Nigeria has functional code-share partnerships with Delta Airlines and Kenya Airways that permit it to put its code on both airlines to seamlessly connect passengers on the wider network reach of these partners.
The airline is 100% e-ticketing compliant across its network and is listed on the IOSA Directory following its successful completion of the intensive IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) which now places it on a par with the best airlines in the world having shown its commitment and dedication to airline safety standards.
About IFE Services
IFE Services is a leading provider of in-flight entertainment solutions to the airline industry. Its focus on quality and innovation is supported by a strong commitment to customer service and investment in the latest systems and technologies.
IFE Services supplies a full range of services to enable its clients to provide a first class entertainment experience to passengers. They include movies, TV programmes, audio, sleep and relaxation applications, safety and destination films, portable entertainment systems, onboard publications and AVOD technical support and management.
IFE Services works with a broad client-base worldwide of 50 airlines and cruise ship operators. The company's headquarters are in Cheshire, UK with regional offices located in Madrid, Singapore, Johannesburg, Santiago and Irvine, California.
IFE Services is a privately owned company and part of the Travel Entertainment Group.
Press contact
Adrian Lambert
Head of Marketing
IFE Services Ltd
Haig Road
Parkgate Industrial Estate
Knutsford
Cheshire
WA16 8DX
UK
Tel: +44(0)1565-752-793
Email: adrian.lambert@ifeservices.com
Hope O. Opara, President/Co-Founder of Eko International Film Festival.
Festival President and co-founder of the Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF), Hope Obioma Opara, says Nollywood industry needs more film festivals to grow, they open and will still open up Nollywood to the rest of Africa and the world. Opara, publisher of Supple Magazine speaks on preparations for the 3rd Eko International Film Festival, which holds later in the year, hinting that entries for the festival opens as from July 1 to September 30.
The experience of the maiden edition
We were still trying to introduce the festival to the world with the first two editions and the process is ongoing because a lot of Nigerians still don’t know how it works. We have spent time enlightening those who care to know that a film festival is an industry of its own aside from preproduction, production and postproduction of movies. The festivals are progressive as the years go by; so, the second edition of the film festival was quite easier than the first in terms of film submissions, venue, publicity and attendance.
Tackling the challenges of the 3rd edition
There are not many challenges in terms of film submissions, publicity and attendance because the festival is registered as a global event. For instance, we have started disseminating information to the world through our platform for film submissions. We have been following some corporate organisations for support.
One thing that is clear is that it is tedious to stage an international film festival because it’s usually a weeklong-multitasking event that includes workshops, panel discussions and film markets. More over, we are introducing the first ever Nollywood Divas Award at the 3rd Eko International Film Festival to celebrate the leading ladies in the Nigerian film industry.
We are ready with 3rd Eko filmfest
The film festival runs from November 5 to10. Entries will open in July and close in September. We are expecting entries from Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. Our programmes include international film market for film distributors and commissioning agents, where they can trade on their films and close deals for co-productions. We are introducing the Nollywood Divas Awards, as a way to celebrate the leading ladies in the Nigerian film industry. It is one of the major highlights of the 2012 edition.
We decided to effect a change in the festival hosting month from July to November because of the heavy rains we experienced last year. Movement in Lagos becomes a major problem whenever it rains. We don’t want our visitors to have the funny experience and chaotic traffic problems associated with heavy downpours.
We need film festivals
The fact is a film festival is a good platform to foster the growth and development of film business in the world today. We need film festivals to expose our local filmmakers on new developments in terms of producing films that will attract international distribution and co-production to increase the mileage and patronage of our local movies in the global village. A film festival allows cinephiles to have one to one interactions with filmmakers, which gives room for synergy, co-productions and collaborations.
Film Festivals have film markets where movies are traded thus, contributing to the Nigerian economy. Hundreds of thousands of tickets are sold at major international film festivals and thousands of visitors pay for hotel accommodations, transportations and other services, enriching states and countries hosting them.
I don’t agree with the school of thought that we should stop film festivals, because of poor film distribution. Yes, we have the issue of piracy, but I believe that the Federal Government should not allow the stakeholders to fight pirates all alone. Government agencies authorised to handle the issue have been doing their best, but more still needs to be done in terms of modern applications for distribution through digital technology.
The trademark issue
From the inception of the film festival in 2009, Supple Communications Limited has secured the trademark for the Eko International Film Festival and it has, also been registered on the World Film Festival Network. This means that the highest authority governing the activities of film festivals, the International Film Festival Summit (IFFS), recognises Eko International Film Festival.
Our foreign partner is the co-chair of the European section in Paris. He is on the board of European Film Academy and has one of the biggest film festivals networks in the world. That is why it will be an aberration for anyone to duplicate the trademark.
Veteran War Reporter, Alex Quade Wins Prestigious Edward R. Morrow Journalism Award For Horse Soldiers of 9/11
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Organizers for the 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Awards have announced that veteran war reporter, Alex Quade's Horse Soldiers of 9/11 has won the award in the category of National Online for Writing.
Horse Soldiers of 9/11 was an original, groundbreaking story for The Daily Caller. The story was later expanded into a short film of the same name, narrated by actor Gary Sinise, and is now being screened at film festivals across the country.
War reporter, Alex Quade has made a career out of "going to bad places" as an embedded reporter. In body armor, helmet and anti-ballistic eyewear protection, she has covered U.S. soldiers in war zones around the globe including Iraq and Afghanistan. Extreme storytelling and silent risk-taking lie at the heart of what she does.
It was in her capacity as a war reporter that Alex tracked down the elite commandos who first rode horses into Afghanistan after 9/11. Those secretive teams of U.S. Special Operations Forces, including Green Berets, Air Force Special Operations Combat Controllers and CIA Operatives, shared their stories with Alex.
It was the news the world breathlessly waited for immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks: a report of the first American troops on the ground in Afghanistan. All at once the world's attention focused on an iconic photo of small teams of U.S. Special Operations Forces doing something no American military had done in nearly a century: ride horses into combat. That photo would go on to inspire an artist to sculpt an 18 ft. tall monument at Ground Zero ten years later.
The courage of the first into battle is what guarantees the courage of those that follow: Horse Soldiers of 9/11 by war reporter, Alex Quade.
For more information about the 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Awards, please go to www.rtnda.org.
WHO: War reporter, Alex Quade, Edward R. Murrow Award winner for Horse Soldiers of 9/11 , Producer & Director of the short film, Horse Soldiers of 9/11.
WHAT: Winner of the 2012 National Edward R. Murrow Award in the category for National Online writing.
SOURCE Alex Quade
CONTACT: Cherry Hepburn, +1-818-505-1104, +1-818-471-7079 (cell)
Janneh lauds AGOA's benefits to Africa; calls for its strengthening post-2015
WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Under Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) Abdoulie Janneh has called for strengthening the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by focusing on productive capacity, infrastructure development, and strengthening regional integration in the post-2015 phase of the US-Africa Partnership. Mr. Janneh was speaking at a Panel Discussion on: Strengthening AGOA and Deepening Commercial Ties between the US and Africa organized by the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings, Washington DC this week.
Signed into law in 2000 by former President Bill Clinton, AGOA represents what has been termed as a fundamental change to US policy towards Sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA moved the relationship from development assistance to trade and investment between Africa and the US as stimuli for economic development and poverty reduction.
In his remarks, Mr. Janneh pointed out that since the start of AGOA, “Africa's prospects are no longer a matter of debate and that the improved economic and political governance in the continent, accounts for the robust growth that the African economy has been registering.”
He also underscored the importance of the African private sector that he said is demonstrating great optimism and playing an increasingly important role in economic activities on the continent. “A noticeable number of African companies are investing outside their home countries in other African countries,” he added.
Mr. Janneh highlighted the results of a continental survey on AGOA's developmental impact conducted by the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC). He underscored the benefits, saying that AGOA has had a positive developmental impact; in as far as it has helped create jobs and enabling households to earn income.”
“The majority see AGOA as being an export market and a source of investments and imports. Benefiting countries have been able to build an industrial base for textiles and apparel with evident economic payoffs for countries such as Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, South Africa and Swaziland and to a lesser extent Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda,” said Janneh, “
He however, pointed out that AGOA could have done better in terms of employment creation. “The fear of AGOA phase-out was cited in the continental survey, as impeding building local capacity through investment, thereby deterring job creation,” he said.
On existing fears and the debate on extending AGOA provisions, he said: “Of immediate priority, there is a need to provide certainty to the thousands of workers currently employed in industries and factories that produce for the US market while taking advantage of AGOA. Extending the provisions of AGOA beyond 30 September 2015, and urgently renewing the Third Country Fabric provision that is due to expire in September 2012 is critical,” he urged.
He also called for an Alignment of AGOA to African Regional Integration, explaining that the post-AGOA 2015 Africa-US economic, trade and investment partnership requires “a strategic framework that recognizes the African agenda of boosting intra-African trade.” He pointed out that the creation of a continental free trade area would create a market of more than one billion people with a combined GDP of close to US$2 trillion.
He further pointed out that the demand for better goods and social services by an emerging African middle class “will help to yield positive returns for American investments, which will also create jobs for both partners.” It is estimated that Africa's middle class will amount to 300 million people by 2030 and that their spending power will amount to 2.2 trillion dollars.
The US-Africa partnership, concluded Janneh, “must have as core objectives, the enhancement of productive capacity, infrastructure development, and the strengthening of regional integration. A future partnership that focuses on these core objectives, and deepens Africa's regional integration will lead to the strengthening of US-Africa relationship and generate significant mutual benefits.”
Well, who else but Dolce and Gabbana could come up with something as exotic as the most expensive sunglasses? So D&G come out with this cool design for their sunglasses. The glasses have a sexy gold rim and the shades are a soothing brown in color. If you are a sucker for Dolce and Gabbana products then this one isn't something you can miss out on. The brand counts on you, as a patron to pick this one up and place it on your nose. It sometimes doesn’t need words to describe the feeling of carrying a D&G bag on your shoulder and your body draped in an attire of the brand with the costliest sunglasses on your face.
The Dolce and Gabbana sunglasses cost $383,609. To avoid asking the store guy for the ‘costliest sunglasses in the world’ simply mention the product number: DG2027B. Source
Genevieve Nnaji MFR , appointed ambassador for the brands all‐new Range Rover Evoque in Nigeria.
Like Victoria Beckham, Nigeria's leading lady of the silver screen.Genevieve Nnaji unveiled as Range Rover ambassador for the Range Rover Evoque Special Edition.
The partnership between Genevieve and Land Rover was announced during an intimate event held in Lagos, Nigeria as she joins Victoria Beckham as an appointed ambassador for Range Rover Evoque. The Evoque is the smallest, lightest, most fuel‐efficient Range Rover ever produced and is now officially available to buy in Nigeria through Coscharis Motors in Lagos.
Nissan Announces Collaboration With Ministry of Sound to Create World Class Touring Sound System
Nissan crosses over into music with a long term brand partnership with Ministry of Sound
Nissan and Ministry of Sound create the Juke Box – the world’s most powerful sound system on the road producing up to 150db
Nissan Juke Box embarks on 'Summer Sessions' tour across Europe starting on 15th June at Le Mans 24 hour endurance race
Behind the Scenes on the Nissan Juke Box project: The first in a two part webisode series is released
LONDON, June 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Nissan’s innovation in the crossover segment is set to continue as it partners with Ministry of Sound to create the world’s ultimate mobile sound system – the Juke Box. Louder than a jumbo jet in take-off, the technical know-how for the Juke Box comes from sound experts Martin Audio, who designed and built the current system in the infamous ‘Box’ – the main room in Ministry of Sound’s London home.
In 1991 Justin Berkmann, one of the clubs founders, alongside James Palumbo and Humphrey Waterhouse, created a club never seen before in Europe; where the music and sound system came first. The pair created the ultimate club sound system - ‘The Box’ - a 5 sided room within a room that was acoustically perfect, and is still considered today to be one of the best sound systems in the world.
Building on Ministry of Sound’s ethos of ‘creating the moments people live for’ Nissan & Ministry of Sound have turned to Martin Audio – makers of the current ‘Box’ system – to create a 150 decibel, 18,900W sound system, which is completely self-sufficient in terms of power and production.
Thanks to its custom-built 19 kilowatt rig the Juke Box’s sound system fits into a standard Juke. A set of custom made cabinets and enclosures housing two 18” powered sub units and the same Mid Hi enclosures that are used at Ministry of Sound enable exceptionally loud out-put without compromising on sound quality - one of Ministry of Sound’s key philosophies.
The Juke Box also features an integrated radio studio, allowing anything played on the system to be captured for broadcast via Ministry of Sound’s digital radio app.
Gareth Dunsmore, Marketing Communications Nissan in Europe said: "We have made a great product that we believe creates excitement through our innovative approach to the small car market; Ministry of Sound is the industry leader in creating the moments people live for through their bespoke sound systems. Together with Nissan Design Europe, RML and Ministry of Sound we wanted to challenge the establishment and make something truly unique."
The Juke Box will debut at Le Mans on the 15th of June in the drivers’ parade at the start of the world famous 24 hour endurance race. It will tour the three-day event, providing pop-up parties for music fans and petrol heads alike. The Nissan Juke Box transforms into a fully-functioning PA system, complete with DJ booth and ambient lighting making it the perfect touring party venue and proving that motor sport and music is a match made in heaven. The mobile festivities at Le Mans will be hosted by some of Ministry of Sound’s headline DJs, running long into the night, keeping race goers entertained.
A two-part webisode series will be released to coincide with the Juke’s debut at Le Mans, showing a behind the scenes look at its invention through to realisation. The aim is to bring to life the twin values of design and performance that are the heartbeat of this concept.
In order to highlight the Juke Box’s summer tour across Europe, a six month radio partnership will be launched after Le Mans with the “Nissan Juke Box Sessions” being broadcast on Ministry of Sound’s Digital Radio channel every fortnight on Mondays from 5pm to 7pm GMT.
The show will be built around a series of exclusive DJ sets recorded at Juke Box events taking place across Europe throughout the summer. A bespoke widget has been created and will be embedded onto Nissan’s Facebook page, allowing fans to request their favourite tracks, as well as tune in and catch up with the action.
About Ministry of Sound:
Ministry of Sound Group is a global youth entertainment business comprising recorded music including hit artists and compilations, nightclubs and bars, live events, consumer electronics and fashion. The iconic brands including Ministry of Sound and Hed Kandi drive a business with sales approaching £100 million.
